Cardinals finish home stretch on top
Fairmont\'s victory past Albert Lea extends win streak to four
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FAIRMONT - The Fairmont Area girls soccer team had just one home game under its belt heading into Monday, Sept. 14, against Stewartville. Five of the six Cardinals’ previous contests had been on the road, but the battle against the Tigers would kick off four consecutive home games at Jeffery Kot Fields.
Fairmont and head coach Matt Nielsen finished off the home trip with authority after Saturday afternoon's 4-1 win over Albert Lea. The win completes the lengthy home stand, extends the Cardinals’ win streak to four, and moves their record to 6-2-2--a pretty good stretch for Nielsen and company.
"I just feel like they took this time, and with the teams they were against, to play a really strong brand of soccer," Nielsen said. "I think they were cooking as they should've in this game. Albert Lea was, in terms of what they were throwing at us physically, the most physical team we have played all year. And the Cardinals did not back down from that at all."
Fairmont's previous three games against Stewartville, Worthington and Tri-City United saw the offense gain some momentum. Scoring five goals or more in each contest, including 12 against the Trojans, is something to be excited about. While the Cardinals didn't reach that mark against Albert Lea, their confidence continued to gleam on that side of the halfway line.
It's been about the unselfishness inside the penalty area and near the endline. Fairmont midfielders are constantly looking for the extra pass across the pitch. Olive Kawecki displayed this action at 36:51 in the opening half.
Screaming down the left side of the field, Kawecki slowly brought the ball back towards the near post. The freshman found Frankie Martin treading at center field. A quick pass and decisive shot put Fairmont up 1-0.
Nielsen's group continued to pepper Tigers goalkeeper Annika Frandle through the remaining half. Bethenny Long, Lauren Zarling and Kawecki helped Fairmont have 13 shots on goal at the intermission.
Mollie Leiding finally cashed on Fairmont's plethora of chances at 10:31. Ellie Perkins delivered a pass from the left wing to Leiding just inside the penalty area. Leiding used a couple of nifty dribbles before striking a shot just outside of Frandle's fingertips. What's impressed Nielsen about his team's recent offensive surge is everyone's ability to adapt and grow.
"They are buying into it, which is half the battle with any sports team. We're staying aggressive and are just thrilled with it," Nielsen said. "I think what it does most is that nobody watches. ...With Abbie [Simpson] and Olive [Kawecki] running those edges, Mollie [Leiding] as well, being completely unselfish. If those leaders are unselfish, then I better be too. It's all by example with these kids."
The Tigers cut the lead just seven minutes into the second half. Aliyah Heideman's corner kick from the right side was pushed beyond the left side of the net and past goalkeeper Addison Folkerts' reach.
Folkerts, however, responded strongly to the score. She collected a handful of tough saves in all areas of the field. Considering the wet and sometimes muddy field conditions, Folkerts' effort to keep Fairmont ahead proved crucial. It earned her Nielsen's praise after the game.
"I gave the monkey to Addison [Folkerts] today because we thought that any ball that came at either of the keepers would be a 50/50 as to whether or not they could stop it," Nielsen said. "I was really proud of her."
A pair of goals from Abbie Simpson and Kawecki added insurance with less than seven minutes to play. Both goals came off assists from Leiding. Simpson found a high-bouncing ball from the right side before tapping it past the twine. Kawecki, from the left of the net, struck the ball beyond Frandle with authority to score.
Fairmont continues its season this Tuesday at St. Peter. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Floyd B. Johnson Stadium. The Cardinals return home on Thursday to face Wings United.