(Photo by Tim Pitts) FIERY COMPETITOR: Hun School girls’ soccer senior star Gina Fiori controls the ball in recent action. Fiori’s dogged play on the Hun backline has helped the Raiders produce a 4-2 start.

Hun Girls’ Soccer Edged by Pennington But Valiant Effort Portends Good Things

Bill Alden

Although the Hun School girls’ soccer team fell 2-0 to powerful Pennington last Thursday, its valiant performance in a losing cause could well be a harbinger of wins to come.

“Pennington is a very, very strong team and we were in a shell for the first 15 minutes; they had a lot of opportunities but our defense came up big,” said Hun head coach Ken Stevenson, noting that Pennington generated 10 corner kicks before scoring late in the first half.

“Julia Anthony had a beautiful bicycle kick on one play. Gina Fiori had some big plays and Lauren Shockley played her best game of the season. Lexi [Golestani] played out of her mind in goal; she got roughed up but hung in there. In the second half, we calmed down a bit and we were spread out. The defense was pushing forward; we were really distributing the ball well. For 30 minutes in the second half, we really played our game.”

In Stevenson’s view, the team’s special chemistry helped it stand up to the pressure exerted by Pennington.

“A very powerful thing about this team is that they are playing for each other,” asserted Stevenson, whose team moved to 4-2 with the loss to Pennington. “There is no criticism; no one is riding anyone.”

The team’s battle-tested corps of defenders sets a positive tone for the Raiders.

“The girls in the back are helping,” added Stevenson, whose team recently blanked Montgomery 3-0 to post its first win over the Cougars in years. “We have three seniors (Anthony, Fiori, and Shockley) and a junior (Brooke Bevans).”

The partnership of senior Blake Stockton and freshman Angelica Tabares is making a difference on attack.

“Blake is pulling us up front,” said Stevenson. “Blake and Angelica have good communication; it is exciting to watch them. Holly [Hargraves] hasn’t found her shot yet but when all three start hitting, that will be good.”

Stevenson is confident his team can produce a good finish this fall.

“This is the most excited I have been at this point; they have a tremendous belief in each other,” said Stevenson, whose team plays at Springside Academy on October 15 and then hosts Blair Academy on October 17, “They beat Montgomery and played Pennington tough; they have a reason to believe.”

In order to reach their potential, the Raiders need to manifest that belief by keeping their heads on the field.

“I think, knock on wood, that we have gotten away from getting down early like we have done a lot in recent years,” added Stevenson.

“You give up an early goal and have to dig out of a hole. We have to start out composed and maintain that composure.”

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