Warwick. Defense once again rewards Monroe-Woodbury Varsity Girls Soccer Team

On a beautiful Monday afternoon, Sept. 20, the Crusaders traveled to Sanfordville Elementary school in Warwick to take on the Wildcats.

The Crusaders entered the game with a 4-1 record on the season while the Wildcats were undefeated with a 4-0 record.

After exchanging possessions early in the game, the Crusaders slowly began to take control of the game and dominated time of possession.

The Crusaders’ Anna Maggi’s shot hit the post and went wide at the 26:00 mark.

Then Francesca Donovan’s shot rang off the cross bar with 15 minutes left in the first half, but the Wildcat defense was up to the challenge and kept the Crusaders off the board.

The two teams went into the half with the score tied at 0-0.

In the second half the Crusaders again dominated play and kept the ball locked into the Wildcat defensive zone.

After missing on several chances, the Crusaders finally broke through. Donovan found Maggi off to her right side with a short pass after getting possession of the ball near the top of the box.

And without hesitation, Maggi drilled a perfect shot between two defenders and past the out stretched arms of the Wildcat goalie to put the Crusaders up 1-0 with 23 minutes left in the game.

With their undefeated season on the line, the Wildcats went on the offense but Crusader goalie Olivia Shippee came up with big saves to keep them off the board.

The Crusaders defense led by Kaitlyn Nolan, Emily Dovico, Courtney Key, Colleen Gilligan and Goalie Olivia Shippee has played outstanding so far this year, having already recorded four shutouts in the teams first six games.

The Crusaders’ 1-0 victory brings their record to 5-1 on the season. Their next game will be against Valley Central Vikings at home.

- William Dimmit