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DeWitt ignites Cardinals’ rout

FAIRMONT – Fairmont Area sophomore forward Abby DeWitt rewrote a page in the Cardinal girls soccer record books on Saturday.

DeWitt generated the 11-year program’s single-game goal-scoring mark by finding the net five times to complement one assist to power Fairmont Area to a 7-2 nonconference triumph over the Faribault Falcons at the Kot Soccer Complex.

“There were a number of things that happened today that I haven’t seen during my coaching tenure here,” said Cardinal mentor Matt Nielsen, the only coach in the program’s history. “I’ve had players score three goals, but I can’t think of any reaching the four- or five-goal level.”

DeWitt drilled a sizzling liner past Faribault netminder Bailey Hopwood’s reach from the point after receiving a perfect crossing pass from junior forward Brooke Hunwardsen at the 33:12 juncture of the opening segment.

Ironically, DeWitt’s first goal of the day did not hold up long as Falcons’ midfielder Jade Bokman corraled Sheima Lara’s lead pass, accelerated by the Cardinals’ defense and beat Fairmont Area goalkeeper Haley Burmeister to the right corner of the net at the 28:09 mark.

Sophomore forward Grace Higgins snapped the tie nearly 14 minutes later by working in unison with senior midfielder Lindsey Miles. Miles drove the soccer ball along the right wing before threading a crossing pass on the shoelaces of Higgins, who drilled it inside the left pipe for a 2-1 lead with 14:04 to go in the first half.

Miles later distributed her second assist of the game to extend Fairmont Area’s margin to 3-1 at the 8:44 mark. Miles launched a precision lead pass to the fleet-footed DeWitt, who maneuvered to the point before beating the Falcons’ netminder inside the left post.

DeWitt then traded roles with Hunwardsen to stake the Cardinals to a 4-1 halftime advantage. DeWitt lofted a pass over the defense from the right wing, and Hunwardsen chipped in her ninth goal of the season from the left doorstep at the 6:40 juncture.

“The second thing I haven’t witnessed in all of the time I’ve coached at the varsity level is scoring off of a throw-in,” said Nielsen. “That was a heads-up play by Brooke to see that opportunity develop.”

Hunwardsen caught the Faribault defenders on their heels and fired a pass to DeWitt, who cashed the assist into her third goal of the day at the 37:24 mark of the second half.

Lara later converted a penalty kick into the Falcons’ second goal of the game with 25:48 remaining before Hunwardsen and DeWitt worked their midfield magic again.

“In 11 years, I’ve never had a player stick with the play and finish a keeper’s deflection,” said Nielsen.

DeWitt tallied goal No. 4 on the day in such a manner. Hunwardsen attacked from the left wing before hammering a crossing shot that Hopwood deflected but could not clear. DeWitt tapped in the putback for a 6-2 Fairmont Area lead with 13:59 remaining in regulation.

DeWitt capped her record-setting day by filtering a right end-line shot at an odd angle to find the Falcons’ net with 4:37 to go. Myah Lytle’s free kick set up the shot and earned an assist.

Burmeister made seven saves to net the win for the Cardinals, who tallied 14 shots on goal. Hopwood tallied seven stops.

Fairmont Area (3-2-1) travels to Albert Lea today, while Faribault (0-4) hosts Austin on Tuesday.

Faribault 1-1-2

Fairmont 4-3-7

Scoring Plays

1st Half

FMT-Abby DeWitt (Brooke Hunwardsen), 33:12.

FB-Jade Bokman (Sheima Lara), 28:09.

FMT-Grace Higgins (Lindsey Miles), 14:04.

FMT-DeWitt (Miles), 8:44.

FMT-Hunwardsen (DeWitt), 6:40.

2nd Half

FMT-DeWitt (Hunwardsen), 37:24.

FB-Lara penalty kick, 25:48.

FMT-DeWitt (Hunwardsen), 13:59.

FMT-DeWitt (Myah Lytle), 4:37.

Shots on goal: Fairmont Area 8-6-14; Faribault 5-4-9.

Saves: Haley Burmeister (FA) 4-3-7; Bailey Hopwood (FB) 4-3-7.

Anna DeWitt tallied a pair of goals to help steer Fairmont Area to a 6-1 victory over Faribault during junior varsity action Saturday in Fairmont.

Claudia Bleess and Kady Pedroza delivered one goal apiece for the Cardinals, while DeWitt netted one goal and converted a penalty kick for a second.

Dayana Munoz Revolo and Emma Schultze each contributed a goal to Fairmont Area’s winning ways, while Jenna Lee Gustafson distributed an assist.

Goalkeeper Kaiden Boerner made three saves to net the win for the Cardinals.

Boys Soccer

Fairmont Area 2, Southwest Minnesota Christian 1 – The Becker-to-Becker connection produced the game-winning goal behind the Cardinals’ 2-1 non-league decision over the Eagles on Saturday in Edgerton.

Tied at 1-all in the second half, Noah Becker converted Leyton Becker’s assist into the go-ahead score with 10:39 remaining in regulation.

Down 1-0 at halftime, Tom Havnen produced the equalizer – unassisted – at the 21:54 juncture of the second half for Fairmont Area.

Goalkeeper Jarrod Daniel recorded 15 saves to net the win for the Cardinals, who tallied 19 shots on goal.

Fairmont Area (3-3) plays host to Mankato Loyola at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Kot Soccer Complex in Fairmont.

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