Boyle County girls soccer knocks off back-to-back top 10 opponents
Published 2:26 pm Wednesday, September 27, 2017
It has been a strong week for Boyle County girls soccer.
The Rebels hosted their own tournament, the Spine Center Showcase, over the weekend, finishing 3-0 and beating top 10 Dunbar in the championship, 2-1.
On Tuesday, Boyle beat No. 5 DuPont Manual 3-1 to improve to 12-4-1 on the season.
“We’re starting to put some things together,” Boyle head coach Brian Deem said. “I think right now we’re getting to the point we’re almost 100 percent healthy. The kids are really starting to play for each other and it’s a great thing to watch.”
The Rebels were on their game Tuesday, with a pair of goals from Chelsea Elmore and one goal from Chelsea Moore.
“This is a big win for us tonight,” Deem said. “Manual is a quality program. This is a very good team that knows how to play high-level soccer. We kept to our game and did what we like to do and we were fortunate to come out on top.”
Boyle has been fighting injuries this season, but with three games left, Deem said his team is back to its full complement of players.
“We have everyone back but they’re not at 100 percent,” he said. “We’re still having to be creative, moving people around and stuff. At first it was kind of a struggle because kids are having to learn and pick up different positions. But I thought our kids adjusted to it well.”
Deem noted midfielder Abby Carter and goalkeeper Sarah Burns as two players who have continued to be rock-solid this season.
He also noted Moore as a player who has been stepping up of late.
“I think Chelsea Moore has really elevated her play,” Deem said. “She’s starting to become more physical. With her speed and physicality, that’s a pretty dangerous combination.”
Defender Emily Knetsche missed most of the first half of the season, but she’s back now and doing a well, Deem said.
“Emily Knetsche is doing an outstanding job, he said. “She’s one that was out for four or five weeks, and for her to come out in the past one or two weeks. Joleen Ballard, the one she had to go up against tonight, is one of the top players in the state. And Emily was able to stay stride for stride with her. She’s able to play physical and I like what she’s doing.”
It doesn’t get any easier for Boyle as the postseason nears: Boyle will visit Assumption and Lexington Catholic —two more top 10 teams — in the next week, before hosting a final home game against Central Hardin on Oct. 4.