The Pilot News - Argos wins own invitational; LaVille 3rd

The Dragons gave Alcorn plenty to cheer about early as Kyla VanDerWeele fed Kelsie Hollabaugh for a score in the sixth minute. Munster’s star midfielder, Leah Brousalis, didn’t start the game as she felt ill, but she entered the game and gave the home fans something to groan about. Last year, it was Brousalis’ 76th minute long kick that tied the game, leading to a Munster penalty-kick shootout win. This time, the senior nailed a free kick from 40 yards that slipped under the bar and over Dragons keeper Cassie Prochno.
Alcorn said, “Cassie was in the right position, but she (Brousalis) just hit a monster shot.”
Aside from the momentum change the late score provided, the Dragons also lost VanDerWeele for the second half with a turned ankle. With senior midfielder Breanne McCay also lost due to a sprain in the opener with LaPorte, Argos seemed in trouble given Munster’s strong midfield and possession style. Alcorn said, “Of course I was concerned about the midfield, but (Megan) Burkett and (Kassi) Hensley were playing well, and (Sam) Stults is like a 12th starter. Then we threw in a pile of young kids: Alex Zechiel, Carly McCay, Stefany Parrish and Allison Rospopo. Most of them didn’t play much midfield last season, but that’s where they have the chance to get the most time this year. They are learning. They do what I ask. I couldn’t be more pleased with them and all the JV kids — they just try to get better.”
A problem with the lights delayed the start of the second half, but the Dragons midfield game stepped up, and it was time for Hollabaugh to confirm her 2007 all-state status. She received a ball on the left side, cut inside and blew past three defenders to hit what turned out to be the game-winner. It was her 11th goal of the young season, and the 78th of her career, putting her just shy of the school career scoring record held by 2003 graduate Alyssa Bailey (79).
Alcorn said, “It was a powerful play — you could just feel it happening. And the best thing for us is you can’t just focus on her. Staci O’Dell gave us so much energy and really showed how improved she is — it took some tough saves by (Sarah) Skertic to keep her off the board. It was our best team effort of the year so far.”
The Dragons earned a cushion when freshman Carly McCay was credited with knocking in a Kassi Hensley cross.
Alcorn noted, “You can tell Carly is a converted defender. She came out and said she didn’t touch the ball. Few strikers would admit that, but it was still her pressure that put the ball off the defender and she gets credit. Like most of the younger kids, she is still learning the position, but our emphasis that the ‘position’ you play is only a framework. You have to play with what the game offers. That’s why soccer is a player’s game and not a coach’s game.”
Argos remained unbeaten at 4-0-1 while Munster dropped to 2-3. The Dragons play next week at Wawasee Thursday and at Warsaw Saturday.
LaVille won the consolation match over Laporte 6-2 getting four goals and an assist from Abby Davis to level its record at 2-2. Katie Bettcher scored the other two Lancer goals with Brittani Haygood getting an assist.
In the first game, Argos routed LaPorte 9-0. The Dragons scored five goals in the first 10 minutes to decide the contest early. Hollabaugh had four goals and an assist, while O’Dell notched three with an assist. Burkett and Ashley Rice completed the scoring for Argos, with Stults and Parrish getting an assist each and Hensley making a pair of assists.
Munster defeated LaVille 4-1 in their opener. Cera Ponto knocked in an Abby Davis cross for the lone Lancer tally. Munster got a pair of goals from Jessica Goodrich.
• ARGOS INVITATIONAL
First round
ARGOS 9,
LAPORTE 0
At Argos
FIRST HALF
A — Kelsie Hollabaugh (unassisted) 1st minute
A — Hollabaugh (Staci O’Dell) 2nd minute
A — O’Dell (Hollabaugh) 7th minute
A — Hollabaugh (unassisted) 9th minute
A — O’Dell (Sam Stults) 11th minute
A — Megan Burkett (Kassi Hensley) 33rd minute
SECOND HALF
A — Hollabaugh (Hensley) 41st minute
A — O’Dell (unassisted) 43rd minute
A — Ashley Rice (Stefany Parrish) 79th minute
Shots on Goal: Argos 16, LaPorte 2
Saves: Argos 2 (Cassie Prochno, Katelyn Zechiel), LaPorte 7 (Brandi Morrow)
Corners: Argos 5, LaPorte 1
Records: Argos 3-0-1, LaPorte 0-3-1
MUNSTER 4, LAVILLE 1
FIRST HALF
M — Eleni Agelopoulos (Emily Koufos) 13th minute
M — Jessica Goodrich (Jenna Pagane) 18th minute
M — Goodrich (unassisted) 19th minute
SECOND HALF
LV — Cera Ponto (Abby Davis) 60th minute
M — Tessa McGuan (Pagane) 71st minute
Shots on Goal: Munster 13, LaVille 2
Saves: Munster 1, LaVille 9 (Brittani Haygood)
Corners: Munster 7, Laville 3
Records: Munster 2-2, LaVille 1-2
CONSOLATION GAME
LAVILLE 6, LAPORTE 2
FIRST HALF
LP — Kelsie Zawada (unassisted) 1st minute
LV — Katie Bettcher (unassisted) 2nd minute
LV — Abby Davis (unassisted) 7th minute
LV — Davis (unassisted) 33rd minute
LV — Bettcher (Davis) 38th minute
LV — Davis (unassisted) 39th minute
SECOND HALF
LP — Zawada (unassisted) 43rd minute
LV — Davis (Brittani Haygood) 47th minute
Shots on Goal: LaVille 12, LaPorte 8
Saves: LaVille 6 (Abbie McBride), LaPorte 6 (Brandi Morrow)
Corners: LaVille 5, LaPorte 2
Records: LaVille 2-2, LaPorte 0-4-1
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
ARGOS 3, MUNSTER 1
FIRST HALF
A — Kelsie Hollabaugh (Kyla VanDerWeele) 6th minute
M — Leah Brousalis (unassisted) 37th minute
SECOND HALF
A — Hollabaugh (unassisted) 50th minute
A — Carly McCay (Kassi Hensley) 53rd minute
Shots on Goal: Argos 10, Munster 4
Saves: Argos 3 (Cassie Prochno), Munster 7 (Sarah Skertic)
Corners: Argos 2, Munster 4
Records: Argos 4-0-1, Munster 2-3