No. 12 Norwalk too much for Newton girls
Apr. 23—Newton's experienced defense held strong against Class 2A No. 12 Norwalk for the most part on Saturday.
The Warriors scored two goals 33 seconds apart in the first half to take an early lead and then put in two more goals in the final 40 minutes during their 4-0 road win over the Cardinals in Little Hawkeye Conference girls' soccer action at H.A. Lynn Stadium.
Norwalk played on its offensive end of the pitch most of the day. The Warriors had an 18-3 advantage in shots on goal for the match and held a 9-0 surplus in corner kicks in the first half.
"It could have been worse for sure, but our defense knows what they are doing," Newton girls co-head soccer coach Susan Altemeier said. "Natalee was great today. She really supports the team and backs them up. She saved us a lot. We'll keep working hard and hope to improve next week."
Newton keeper Natalee Freese unofficially finished with 14 saves in the loss. Norwalk got one goal and one assist from Braelyn Clark and Reese Trebilcock scored a penalty kick goal in the first half that put the Warriors in front 1-0.
The penalty kick was awarded after Newton was called for a handball in the box.
The Cardinal player had her arms extended straight out and the ball inadvertently hit her hands on a ricochet. It was Trebilcock's first goal of the season.
"Our first touches were not great in this game. And we didn't connect with our teammates very well either," Altemeier said. "Norwalk is a well put together team. They talk a lot and communicate with each other. We don't always talk. That's how you can be great. You have to know where your teammates are at."
Norwalk (6-2 overall, 3-0 in the conference) registered its third straight shutout and its fourth of the season. The Warriors have allowed only four goals in eight matches.
Newton's three-match win streak was snapped. The Warriors have now won six straight in the series and Saturday's win was their second consecutive shutout over the Cardinals.
Clark now leads Norwalk with eight goals, five assists and 21 points. Avery Drymon had the other first-half goal and Ellie Dueland scored her second goal of the season in the second half.
"We still have work to do with our holding mids," Altemeier said. "They are not quite understanding what their job is, but it's new and we'll keep working at it. We got tired today, too.
"Offensively, we need to know where to be and our first touches have to be better. We are not always seeing the triangles so we'll keep working there, too. It's pretty easy to be successful if you keep the triangles because you always have someone to pass to."
