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Mooney shows its muscle
By BRANDON JUDEH
Girard
On a dreary night for soccer, the Cardinal Mooney girls team spent a lot of time lighting up the scoreboard.
The defending Division II district champions began their defense with a 7-0 victory over Struthers at Arrowhead Stadium.
The game was moved to Girard’s home field from Valley Sports, Mooney’s regular home, but that didn’t make much difference. The Cardinals dominated the tempo of the game with precise passing, communication and ball control allowing them to control the clock for the majority of the game.
Scoring first for the Cardinals was their senior leader Amy Vinopal, who scored a goal in the 19th minute to start the onslaught.
“We have always been a team that once we get the first goal it is 1-2-3after that. It’s just getting that first goal in that is always tough,” said Vinopal.
Vinopal scored two goals on Wednesday night, including one that led off the second half. She also added an assist.
“It looks like we are going to play Poland next, it is going to be a little tougher, but I think we are ready and I know we can do it. We always like to step it up against a very good team,” said Vinopal.
Actually, the Cardinals will play either Poland or Niles on Oct. 26 at a site to be determined.
Vinopal was not the only Cardinals’ player to score multiple goals. In fact two others managed the same feat — Juliana Vazquez and Lindsey Parkins.
“I felt we played a good game and passed very well, we took advantage of what we could and controlled the tempo, which was important,” said Parkins.
Parkins scored her first goal at the end of the first half and then capped the night off for the Cardinals by scoring her second goal in the 19th minute of the second half. After that Mooney did their best to play keep away and run out the clock.
Vazquez scored her first goal in the 30th minute of the first half when she kicked it in from 25 yards away to give Mooney a 3-0 lead. She added her second score in the fifth minute of the second half off of an assist from Vinopal.
“I felt good out there and we are confident going into the next game. We have been playing well lately and playing as a team, tonight we showed that we can make the combination plays and pass the ball around people,” said Vazquez.
Also scoring early for Mooney was freshman Brooke Overly in the 27th minute of the first half. She also had an assist.
Despite the defeat, the Wildcats’ are improving and headed in the right direction, according to their coach Kevin Hausch.
“I feel confident about the future of our team; we have a lot of young players including eight freshmen on the team.
“I think it is a good stepping stone for building toward the future and we are looking for some more good young players to come up next year and beyond.”
Hausch added he is proud of his juniors and seniors who did a good job of leading the team and worked hard all season.
The Poland-Niles game is Saturday at Poland at 7 p.m.