Lady Cougars Open Season With Win

Lady Cougars Open Season With Win
By David Gravely
After suffering through some tough times over the past several years, the Pulaski County Lady Cougars did something Wednesday night that no other team in the programs recent memory has done as they defeated the Galax Maroon Tide 3-0 in their season opener.

"I thought we did well, but we know we still have work to do" said Lady Cougar Head Coach Eric Martin.  "We passed and moved the ball well, and I thought we played solid defense.  We didn't take as many shots as we could have in the first half, but we corrected that in the second half.  The girls have come a very long way since this time last season, and we're really happy to get the win."

Pulaski started off quickly, pressuring the ball onto the Galax side of the field and keeping it there for most of the contest.  Ten minutes into the game, a Lauren McPeak was awarded a penalty kick for a Galax handball from just outside the goal box.  McPeak sent the ball into the upper right corner of the net just past the outstretched arms of the Galax goalie, putting Pulaski up 1-0.  While the Lady Cougars continued to pressure the ball, they were unable to get clear shots for the rest of the half.

The second half saw Pulaski pick up the pace even more, and the Maroon Tide goal was constantly peppered with shots.  After only putting 7 shots attempts up during the first half, the Lady Cougars attempted 18 shots in the second.  With just under 15 minutes remaining in the contest, McPeak suddenly found herself alone with the ball just 15 yards from the goal.  This time the tall senior sent the ball to the upper left side of the net for her second goal of the contest.  Just one minute later, McPeak sent a free kick into the box where sophomore Ericka Nash made an aggressive move and headed the ball into the net to give Pulaski the final 3-0 margin of victory.

Alisha Romain started in the goal for Pulaski, recording three saves.  Tori Duncan came in to relieve Romain, recording one save.  While the opening night win is a first in some time for the Lady Cougars, as was the shutout.  "We did what we wanted to do tonight, which was possessing the ball and keeping it on their side of the field" said Coach Martin.  "We passed the ball really well, but we need to make sure we take advantage of our shot opportunities more often.  Not shooting well or often enough will eventually come back to bite us.   We did see alot of good things tonight though, and we are going to continue to work hard to get better."

The Lady Cougars will be back in action on Tuesday, as they host Radford at Kenneth J. Dobson Stadium.  Junior varsity action is set to begin at 5 pm, with the varsity game getting started at 7 pm.