Chargers dominate Saints in CPIC girls' soccer action

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on April 10, 2016 1:47 AM

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Flight over fight.

That strategy allowed the Wayne Country Day varsity girls' soccer team to overcome a lethargic start and sprint past Pope John Paul II School, 9-0, under crisp conditions Friday afternoon. The mercy-rule victory moved the Chargers to 4-6-0 overall and 2-0-0 in Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A Conference play.

It wasn't without a bit of frustration, however.

PJP, which dressed only nine players, proved feisty and physical in the early going. The Saints routinely interrupted Wayne Country Day at midfield, dictating pace and redirecting the Chargers' attack over the opening 15 minutes.

And that's when WCD head coach Steve Ellis made a wholesale adjustment.

"We were very defensive," Ellis noted, "and instead of going physical, we went for speed... and that kind of split the defense open."

And then some.

The Chargers substituted a handful of players, and appeared to adopt a new identity in the process. Sluggish and out of sync early, the hosts suddenly resembled a medley team late for a medal podium.

They scored in the 17th minute.

Another goal came 60 seconds later.

Two more goals by the 22nd minute, and another in the 31st -- on a blast by Martie Rose -- gave WCDS a 5-0 halftime lead.

Done and done.

Adjustments in hand, the Chargers marched through the second half with the same intensity they used to close the first. Their final goal, an empty netter in the 64th minute, placed an exclamation point on the contest.

The Chargers were led by freshman Langley Barnes, who booted four goals on the afternoon. She was joined by Jasmine Jones, Janae Jones, Kathryn Hamilton and Rose in the official scoring column.

In total, WCD launched 20 shots on goal.

"We scored goals last night (versus conference foe Freedom Christian), and we scored goals today, so hopefully... going forward that gives us a boost," Ellis said.

Ellis' team plays Halifax Academy and bitter CPIC rival Greenfield School next week.