Blake Colston
sports@piedmontnewsonline.com
Kenley Gold curved a pass toward a sprinting Valerie Flores who sent a shot straight to the back of net.
“I knew if I hit it she’d be there,” Gold said of the pass.
Like nearly everything else Piedmont did in the game – Gold’s delivery was flawless.
Flores’ goal put the cap on a dominating performance by the Lady Wildcats in a 5-0 win over Santa Fe South Friday afternoon at F&M Bank Stadium.
Gold, a freshman, scored once and assisted on two goals with Kilie Swanson adding two more and freshman Brooke Welch adding Piedmont’s first as the Lady Wildcats advanced to the state semifinals for the third time in program history.
“This was our best game of the year from start to finish,” head coach Brad Brucker said. “And that’s what you want to see this time of the year. I’m so very proud of them.”
Welch scored early off a Gold feed and Swanson delivered her first goal in the 24th minute. When Swanson scored again 10 minutes into the second half, the rout was on.
“We have so many people that start or that come off the bench who can score,” Swanson said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Gold and Swanson have swapped places at the top of Piedmont’s goals scored list this season. Swanson gained a goal on Gold Friday, but Swanson left the field more impressed by her freshman teammate.
“Normally as a freshman you’re kind of shy, but not her,” Swanson said. “She’s probably the best freshman we’ve ever had. She’s probably helped me score half my goals this year.”
Brucker said it’s the variety of ways this team can strike that makes it a legitimate contender for a state title.
“It’s not just wide, but centrally,” Brucker said. “Our wings were overwhelming today and that doesn’t even include Kilie, who scored two of our first four goals today.”
Santa Fe South (11-6) had a shot deflect off the crossbar in the first 10 minutes of the game but never threatened again.
In its last 12 games, Piedmont has outscored its opposition 60-3 with 10 shutouts.
“This team is starting to gain some real confidence,” Brucker said.
Piedmont (16-1) will face the winner of tonight’s Cascia Hall-Claremore game on Tuesday.
If Claremore wins, PHS plays at Claremore. If Cascia wins, PHS would host the semifinal contest.
“This is our best chance to make it to a final,” Brucker said. “We’ve just got to continue to play well. At this point, it’s not about luck, we’re good enough, we’ve just got to perform.”
