sports@piedmontnewsonline.com
A pair of freshmen stole the show on Piedmont soccer’s senior night Tuesday at F&M Bank Stadium.
Kenley Gold and Brooke Welch each put home two goals as the Lady Wildcats routed Santa Fe South 5-2 to improve to 13-1 on the season and clinch their second district title in three seasons.
After keeper Maci Attalla averted a rough start with a pair of saves, Piedmont’s offense clicked on thanks to Gold and Welch, who tallied back-to-back goals in a two-minute span 25 minutes in.
The Lady Wildcats rolled from there.
“We played as good of soccer as we’ve played all year tonight for about 40 minutes,” head coach Brad Brucker said. “I was really happy with their effort.”
Gold scored Piedmont’s first and final goals, while Welch found the back of the net in each half as the Lady ‘Cats continued to display the kind of scoring prowess, depth and athleticism that could make this team the best in the program’s eight-year history.
“I feel like when all of our girls are playing well on any given night, we’re really dangerous,” Brucker said.
Ash McMahan also tucked home a goal in the second half to bring Piedmont’s goal total over the last six games to 40.
“We’re just getting goals in bunches,” Brucker said. “We’re able to keep so much pressure on opposing teams with our offense.”
Piedmont allowed a pair of second-half goals that Brucker lamented afterwards, but otherwise the night went as scripted for Piedmont’s senior class, including its four senior starters – Kilie Swanson, Brianna Meschberger, Lydia Wade and Jayce Fallon.
“From a leadership, character and integrity standpoint, I’ve never had a better group of kids,” Brucker said. “I’ve never had a group of seniors I’ve enjoyed coaching more.”
Piedmont closes the regular season at Altus tonight.
