Elgin 2, Larkin 1
Lizzy Niles wanted a goal.
Check that---Niles needed a goal in order to earn a tie as the Maroons' all-time goal scorer. Elgin's first 3 games had not produced a team goal and the first half against Larkin was looking equally as dry.
Trailing 2-0 to visiting Larkin, Niles drove the length of the field, fended off Royals' defender Rachel Neukom before hurdling Larkin goalie Anna Goodlove to score the goal.
Although Niles' goal helped motivate the Maroons, Larkin walked away with the 2-1 Upstate Eight Conference girls soccer victory Tuesday at Memorial Field.
"It's taken a while, but it feels good to get it," Niles said of her 45th career goal. "We just wanted a win or to score a goal, something to get our spirits high."
Larkin defender Kelli Johnson left the game with high spirits.
Johnson made the most of her free kick opportunities, scoring a goal and tallying an assist.
Johnson's free kick pass to midfielder Morgan Smith broke up what was a slow offensive first half for the Royals (3-5-2, 1-1-1). Larkin did not record a shot on goal before Smith's goal with under 4 minutes to play.
Johnson extended Larkin's lead to 2-0 when her second free kick sailed past Elgin (0-3-1, 0-2-1) goalie Christine Espindola 1 minute, 16 seconds into the second half. The 25-yard bomb was the second free-kick score for Johnson this season.
"Coach told me to put it on target," said Johnson, who has taken all of Larkin's free kicks this season. "I just cleared my mind."
Johnson's go-ahead goal could have just as easily been the tying goal.
Elgin mounted a massive offensive attack in the first half. The Maroons looked as if they had scored when Niles headed in a ball with 10 minutes remaining. Niles thought the goal was good, but Goodlove (5 saves) got a hand on the ball for the save.
"Leaving Lizzy Niles open or even single covered is not wise," Larkin coach Ken Hall said. "We did a better job with it in the second half."
Niles' shot came after Goodlove had made another athletic save when Anna Hernandez took a solid line drive shot to the right side of the box. Goodlove sprinted to the other side of the net to make the save. Elgin finished with 5 shots in the first half and just 1 in the second. Larkin finished with 5.
"We showed improvement and that's what we have to do," Elgin coach Dave Borg said. "Lizzy got her goal to tie the school record. Hopefully that will set her in rhythm."