The Dayspring Lions girls’ soccer team scored early and often to register a dominating 7-0
victory over Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy this past week.
Striker Clara Westcott scored twice in the first four minutes to give the Lions a quick 2-0 lead.
The second goal from Westcott came courtesy of a through-ball from midfielder Ashley
Wiseman. Smith Mountain Lake recovered its poise and held Dayspring scoreless for the next 12 minutes.
Tegan Bailey, coming in for Westcott at the striker position, ended the scoring drought
with a blast from just inside the penalty area. Susy McCurdy added a goal just two minutes
later when she poked in a loose ball in front of the net.
Smith Mountain Lake had trouble maintaining possession and thus was forced to defend for most of the first half. Aliyah Castillo made the score 5-0 at the 30-minute mark when she made a strong run down the right wing and squeezed a shot inside the near post.
The first half scoring was completed in the 35th minute when left back Lydia Gorzycki made a
run from the back weaving through traffic before finishing just inside the left post. That goal
gave the Lions a 6-0 lead at the break.
Dayspring substituted liberally in the second half gaining valuable experience for several of their
younger players. The SMLCA defense also stiffened giving up only a single goal to attacking
midfielder Ruthie Buehrer who found a crease on the left side and finished just inside the near
post.
In all, six different players found the net for Dayspring in the win. Keeper Hannah Cook
recoded the shut-out with the aid of a stiff defense anchored by the backline of Ella Core,
Savannah Hamilton, Autumn English and Gorzycki. Dayspring is currently 7-3 this season.
After the game, the Lions celebrated Senior Night with outgoing seniors Gorzycki, Hamilton,
Westcott and Annalia Hash.
