Published: September 04, 2008 06:00 pm      

Missed opportunities lead to a Somerset loss

Somerset — Seven close-range shots on-frame is what the Somerset girls soccer team achieved, but only one score and a 3-1 loss to Lexington Sayre was what the Lady Jumpers finished with on Wednesday night.

“We had 7 or 8 good scoring chances, but (Sayre’s) keeper played an outstanding game,” Somerset coach Steve Watkins said. “We are getting more scoring opportunities because girls are buying into the system are staring to figure out their roles.”

Somerset striker Lauren Cornett was responsible for the Lady Jumpers’ only score and six of their close-range efforts.

Only five minutes into the game, Kelsey Meece hit a perfect through pass on the other end of the field. Cornett took Meece’s pass near midfield and worked her way downfield before scoring from four yards out to put Somerset up 1-0.

Sayre scores by Maggie Peffer and Bea Cameron opened up a 2-1 lead for the visiting Lady Spartans going into halftime.

Cornett opened the second half with three close range attempts — all being deflected by Sayre keeper Lauren Albert.

At the 62-minute mark, Cornett just missed wide on a 23-yard cross shot. Two minutes later, Sayre’s Olivia Brown scored from close range off a corner kick to up the Lady Spartans’ lead to 3-1.

Somerset had two more quality attempts at goal in the closing minutes of the game.

In the 69th minute, Whitney Wallace hit a perfect free kick bender from 20-yards out that was deflected by a diving (keeper) Albert. Three minutes later, Cornett had a 10-yard cross shot deflect off the left crossbar.

While the Lady Jumpers had more than enough favorable shots at goal, Somerset was outshot by Sayre via a 22-11 margin.

“We have been focusing on defense a lot in practices and now we are starting to look at that transition from defense to offense,” Watkins commented. “It is going to take several games to get them to figure out how to get the ball upfield and get everyone incorporated. Right now, we are having a hard time getting the midfielders to link into it from the back, straight to the front.”

“We still don’t have everything figured out, but once we get to the latter part of the season and everyone knows their spot, I think you are going to see a solid group on the field,” Watkins added. “I am pleased with the progress so far, but not pleased with the results.”

Somerset (1-4) will travel cross-town to Pulaski on Saturday, Aug. 6.