Tuesday roundup: Roughriders open 2012 with win
By Chris Miles
Sports Editor
The West Jefferson boys soccer team kicked the season off in style as it easily cruised past visiting Southeastern 9-2 Tuesday.
The Roughriders were led by forward Austin Bare who scored a game-high four goals.
“Austin played well,” WJ coach Jay Hunter said. He finished like a forward should.”
The host Roughriders scored five times in the first half and then took their foot off the gas pedal in the second half.
“A game like this is a shot of confidence for the guys,” Hunter said, “but they know things will get much tougher.”
Madison-Plains 4, Grove City Christian 0
Madison-Plains opened the 2012 season with a shutout over visiting Grove City Christian on Monday.
Hunter Buton and Nick Wolfe each netted two goals for the Golden Eagles.
Goalkeeper Clay Hart had eight saves.
London 4, McClain 1
The London boys soccer team made new coach Steve Baker a winner in his first game, as the Red Raiders stopped the visiting Tigers.
Freshman Mitchel Davis scored a goal in the opening minutes of each half to lead the way for the victors.
Other goals were netted by junior Dage Spinning and sophomore Nathan Newman. Newman’s tally came on a penalty kick with no time remaining in the first half.
Senior goalkeeper Jacob Clark was solid in goal.
“It feels good,” Baker said, “but we still have a lot of work to do. We can’t be satisfied with this performance.”
Girls soccer
Southeastern 2, West Jefferson 0
SPRINGFIELD —It wasn’t exactly the season opener the Roughriders were hoping for.
A young West Jefferson team took one on the chin as it opened the 2012 season with a disappointing defeat.
“I hope they realize we didn’t play very well,” WJ coach John Starr said. “We didn’t play as a team and this is what happens.”
A team with 11 freshmen, seven of which were in the starting lineup got a first-hand look of what life on the varsity stage is like.
“We’re a very young team,” Starr said, “but I expect us to play better than we did tonight.”
The lone bright spot for the Roughriders was a nine save performance by Ashtyn Webb in goal..
London 12, McClain 0
There were plenty of scoring opportunities to be had for the host Red Raiders (1-0), and they took full advantage in this one-sided SCOL tilt.
A whole host of players had big offensive nights nights, including Courtney Colwell (2 goals, 2 assists). Aly Kimbler (3g, 1 a), Shannon Merkle (1g, 2, a) and Alexis Alderman (2 g).
Megan Gillespie, Danae Swartz, Hayley Whitt and Gabby McCoy all contributed goals, while Makayla Juergens had three saves in goal.
Jonathan Alder 8, Unioto 2
The Jonathan Alder girls soccer team evened its record at 1-1 with a victory Monday night.
Savannah Thomas had a hat trick, while Alexis Milesky and Tracey Burkholder each scored twice for the Pioneers.
Olivia Milesky also netted a goal from about 20 yards out.
“It was a very good, solid performance for us tonight,” Jonathan Alder coach Dan Brady said.
Boys golf
London 168, Washington 175
WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE — The London boys golf team scored another victory on Monday, topping host Washington C.H. 168-175.
The Red Raiders’ scores were as follows: Austin Smith 40, Jacob Myers 41, Chase Hunter 43, Ethan Drummond 44, Bradley Wilson 45, and Jeremy Alder 45.
The junior varsity squad lost to the Blue Lions, 185-197.
The local junior varsity scores were: Brock Newsome 49, Jacob Michel 53, Sully Minner 53, Garrett Kronk 56 and Zack Case 56.
Jonathan Alder 334, Heath 352
The Jonathan Alder boys golf team topped Heath at Buck Ridge on Monday.
The medalist was Heath’s Derek Hamm with a 78.
For Alder, Scott Peters shot a 79, Nate Whiting an 82, Conner Lombardi an 84 and Dan Adams an 89.
West Jefferson 206, Shekinah Christian 255
West Jefferson’s Nick Ewalt was the medalist Monday as the Roughriders prevailed.
Girls tennis
Miami Trace 3, London 2
The Raiders battled but in the end they would come up just short in this home match.
Kayla McDaniel won her match at second singles 6-1, 3-6. 6-3, while the second doubles team of April Harris and Paige Gilliam won a hard-fought 6-1. 4-6, 6-4 match victory.
