RALEIGH -- Kelsey Weiss and Caroline Gentry each had a goal and an assist to propel Leesville Road to a 3-0 girls soccer victory over Cap Seven conference foe Wakefield on Monday night.
Originally a home game for Wakefield, it was switched to Leesville Road because of poor field conditions caused by the recent wet weather. However, neither coach considered the switch a factor in the outcome as Leesville effectively worked the ball in the Wakefield end for a majority of the game.
"They're a very good team, and we're content to let a team like Leesville knock it around," Wakefield coach Scott Sloan said. "What we wanted to make sure is that they didn't penetrate the 18 [penalty area]. They're a great team, and we have to let them play that style and look for the seams to counter through."
In the early going, Wakefield (3-2, 1-2) was able to turn the Pride away.
Then Leesville Road took advantageous of a fortuitous bounce when Emily Burchette lined a direct kick toward the goal. Wakefield defender Stephanie Hartman blocked the shot, but the ball caromed off her leg and into the Wolverines' net for the first goal with 10:23 left in the first half.
Leesville Road (4-0, 3-0) scored again late in the half when a throw-in by Nicole Jewell was headed by the Pride's Gentry to Weiss, who directed it into the back of the net.
The goal put the Pride up 2-0 with 1:01 remaining in the first half.
"They play well together," Sloan said. "They know where each other is going to be. It's actually a very enjoyable thing to watch."
Leesville's style of play was most evident on its third goal.
Weiss broke down the sideline speeding past a defender. Then she drew up alongside the goal, drawing Wakefield keeper Madison Winter toward her. When Winter committed, Weiss crossed a pass to Gentry, who tapped it into the net at the 26-minute mark.
Winter played exceptionally well in net, battling the Pride and a strong headwind for most of the game.
Leesville Road has dominated the past two seasons and is expected to be ranked No. 1 when state rankings are released today. Pride coach Paul Dinkenor says he doesn't feel his players are resting on their laurels but rather learning from them.
"My job is try to be a positive force and get the girls in the right position," Dinkenor said. "In close games, hopefully they'll recall the winning experiences."
