Cougars runners-up at sectional

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CLARKSVILLE

Pushing four players to the front most all the game, Providence put tremendous pressure on Trinity Lutheran’s girls soccer team.

In their biggest game of the season, on their home turf, that tactic paid off.

Shelling Trinity (7-8-1) with 17 shots, the Pioneers (13-5-1) captured the Class A Sectional 46 title 5-0 over the Cougars Saturday.

The Pioneers got on the board early, as Avery Stumler pushed a shot past Cougars keeper Vidalis Montanez at the 37:42-mark on an assist from Carlie Miller.

Off a corner kick, at 19:57, Lauren Linqust collected a loose ball and hit the back of the net to put the Pioneers up 2-0.

Miller found Stumler again at 15:56, and the Pioneers held a 3-0 advantage going into the half.

The Cougars’ best chance at scoring in the half came with 13 minutes on the clock, as a 40-yard free kick by Flossie Cooper was saved by Brigid Welch.

While Trinty’s defense proved stronger in the final 40 minutes, they couldn’t keep the Pioneers at bay.

Linquist rifled a shot in the center of the box on a a ground ball by Stumler to extend the Pioneers’ lead to 4-0 with 17:43 left.

The final goal came with 9:07 left in the game, as Linquist bent a corner kick in for a score.

“We had a hard time handling their pressure,” Trinity coach Jeff Nolting said. “They pass the ball extremely well and are patient in their aprroach and attack. They’re a quality team. They have 11 seniors, they have a lot of experience.”

Trinity was limited to four shots in the game, and Montanez collected 12 saves.

The Pioneers took 11 corner kicks to the Cougars’ four.

Overall, Nolting felt that the Cougars had a successful season.

“We started the season with 13 players, and five hadn’t played soccer before,” he said. “The team really came together and improved every week. I’m pleased with the season, it’s something we can build on.”

Seniors Savanna Setty and Lucy Cooper graduate from the Cougars’ program.

“Those girls were a part of the first time (in 2014),” Nolting said. “They were instrumental in getting the team together, and getting kids out to play. We’re going to miss them. They’ve left their mark on Trinity soccer.”

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