On a field showing even more bald spots than a 51 yo soccerdad's crown, West Ashley defeated home team Richland Northeast in a come from behind thriller that held everyone breathless to the end wondering if Alex Mouton could turn yet another ninja soccer move into a goal for the home team to send the game to overtime. WA brought out it's 2-5-3 defensive lineup only to see USC bound Alex Mouton score 4 minutes into the match, slipping past the WA defense and driving the ball past the WA keep with the skill of a black belted oriental hitman. WA responded at the 13th minute when Julie Bolt took a long pass and headed it between two defenders to herself, advancing the ball and moving beyond a final defender and RNE keep to score. 1-1 at the half.
The second half saw much more of the same with Mouton looking to receive a long ball or cross. #12 from RNE did her best to accomodate, but overall WA defender Danielle Jordan with better height and equal or better speed was able to offset the ninja threat from Mouton. In an inverted repeat of the first half, Bolt moved WA into the lead 4 minutes into the second half off a nice high assist from Alexis Brothers. The WA keep, Alechia Brothers, performed flawlessly in the second half blocking and controlling at least 2 dangerous shots from Mouton.
West Ashley, on the road, seeded third in their region, lives to face another opponent in their "Doin' it the Hard Way Tour '05". Hats off to Coach McNeely and the WA squad for solving the Mouton riddle. She is a great natural striker and should be a potent force in the SEC for USC next year.
