Cardinals set season scoring record versus Worthington
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FAIRMONT - Fairmont Area girls soccer assistant coach Dominick Driano calls it "the unstoppable pass."
It's a design that starts at an opposing team's end line. When a defense counters to this position, the player sees if a teammate is running into the penalty area and ready for the ball. A decisive pass can be nearly unstoppable when executed to perfection.
That pass lived up to its name during the Cardinals’ 12-0 victory over Worthington on Tuesday night at Jeffery Kot Fields. Fairmont scored six goals in each 40-minute half, finishing with 25 shots on net and 14 corner kicks. It was exactly what head coach Matt Nielsen had hoped to see during part two of his team's four-game home stretch this week. Another strong effort that showed Fairmont's continued growth.
"As a coaching staff, what we've really been working hard on is driving the end line, getting that cross and being available at the net," Nielsen said. "In that first 20 minutes, the number of crosses and passes from the end line back- the players are looking for it- which is great. We are evolving."
Fairmont's initial three scores took one minute of game time while executing this unselfish philosophy. From the first half’s 35th to 34th minute, Frankie Martin notched two goals while Mollie Leiding had one. Each effort stemmed from an extra pass from either side of the net towards the middle, and the Cardinal midfielders did the rest.
Mataya Weber took advantage of a logjam in front of Trojan goalie Emily Deleon to score her first and the team's fourth. Abbie Simpson recorded her two assists to help fuel Fairmont's last two goals before halftime. The first was a cross-net pass that Olive Kawecki collided off the far right post. Another Simpson right-side pass found Lianna Weber, who hit the volley mid-air before it crashed into the twine.
"We work on that in pregame warmups and work on that in practice," Nielsen said on his offense finding the extra pass. "And it's worked out pretty well."
Lauren Zarling launched the second half with three straight goals during the opening 10 minutes. After scoring immediately following the initial face-off at midfield, Zarling found success twice more right in front of the goal line. Leiding and Bethenny Long helped fuel two of her goals.
Kawecki found her second score one minute later on what was Leiding's fourth and final assist. Fairmont put on its final two goals with the help of McKenna Ludacer and Avery Chambers. The scores at 18:29 and 14:35 further solidified what was the Cardinals’ highest point total this fall. Fairmont's previous record came during Monday night's 7-1 victory over Stewartville.
The Cardinals ended last week's three-game road trip against Wings United, Marshall and Cannon Falls with a 1-0-2 record. Contests against the Tigers and Bombers ended even. It was Fairmont scoring the equalizer on both occasions. And both occasions happened in the waning moments of game time.
Nielsen thinks the game-tying efforts his team showed symbolize their toughness and edge. It's a group that seeks to win no matter what. They aren't satisfied until that goal is reached. Each practice and contest helps climb that ladder. Tuesday was another step forward. Remaining games this week versus Tri-City United and Albert Lea will give additional opportunities.
"These girls are so competitive," Nielsen said. "If you played rock, paper, scissors, and you beat them before going home to have dinner, they will grab your shirt to play you again. They all compete, and that's what they want to do."