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Knights blank Devils, 2-0

Times Observer photo by Brian Hagberg Lexi Head puts up a shot for Eisenhower during a girls soccer match against Cambridge Springs at Eisenhower High School, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017. Head's shot found its way to the back of the net and the Knights defeated the Devils, 2-0.

Eisenhower’s girls soccer team bounced back from a tough Region loss at Seneca Monday to pick up a 2-0 Region 3 win over Cambridge Springs at Eisenhower High School Wednesday.

“This was our best game yet,” Eisenhower coach Diana Elmquist said. “This was excellent, especially after that hard loss to Seneca. We played our game.”

The Knights got on the board early. Cambridge Springs was called for a handball and Caroline Smelko took the direct free kick 10 yards outside the box. The shot stayed high and sailed just past the keeper’s finger tips to find the back of the net at 4:35.

“We’ve been working hard to improve our accuracy,” Elmquist said. “I was glad to see it work in a game.”

Eisenhower controlled possession for most of the half, but couldn’t get the same shot accuracy. Smelko even had a pair of shots from approximately the same range she scored from, but the ball dropped just before the goal line, allowing the keeper to make the save.

Times Observer photo by Brian Hagberg Eisenhower's Caroline Smelko fires a shot during a match against Cambridge Springs at Eisenhower High School, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017. Smelko scored an early goal as the Knights defeated the Devils, 2-0.

The Knights continued applying pressure in the second half, finally breaking through at 63:37. Patricia Bortz got the ball deep in Cambridge Springs territory and sent a centering pass to the front of the goal. Lexi Head got the ball in traffic and didn’t appear to get much on the shot. The ball popped up over the net and dropped in just under the crossbar to make it 2-0.

“We’re starting to hit our marks (when we shoot),” Elmquist said.

With about seven minutes to go in the game, Smelko was forced to leave following a collision with a Springs player and the Devils used the distraction to begin generating more pressure. Eisenhower keeper Faith Johnson was up to the challenge and the Knights defense prevented any real quality chances to preserve the win.

Eisenhower will be back on the pitch Friday as the Knights host North East in a non-Region contest.

Times Observer photo by Brian Hagberg Eisenhower's Leah Peterson tries to find space between a host of Cambridge Springs defenders during their match at Eisenhower High School, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017.

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