Box Score Tigerville, SC – Coming off their most successful season in program history the Crusaders started the season off with one of the top teams in Conference Carolinas. The Crusaders returned key starters from last year’s historic team including goalie Sydney Taylor (Senior), midfielders Rachel Kellogg (Junior) and Jillian Chiesa (Junior), and attacks Brenis Napoli (Junior) and Hannah Hawkins (Senior). Although the Crusaders fought valiantly the storied Limestone program edged the Crusaders 4 – 12 in the first game of the 2019 season.
It was a tail of two halves for the Crusaders as they only trailed by three entering into the second period (4 – 1). In the first half, the Crusaders played well in the circle controlling over half of the draws and winning the groundball battle during the early and middle part of the period. The lone goal for the Crusaders came at the 1:39 mark from Bridgett Sewell (Sophomore) who worked her way to the inside off tremendous ball movement by the Crusaders.
As a team, the Crusaders did two things extremely well: clear the ball and defend the goal. The Crusaders finished the game 9 for 11 on clears with both failures coming late in the second half. Coach Temple’s troops pushed the pace when it was possible and patiently cleared when the immediate look was not available. Secondly, Taylor had another tremendous game in the cage for the Crusaders posting 12 saves on the afternoon. Although the team gave up 12 goals Taylor’s play in the cage gave the Crusaders a great asset. Taylor has posted three consecutive seasons with over 160 saves and is well on her way to another such season.
In the second half, turnovers and a lack of bodies plagued the Crusaders who fell victim to the depth of Limestone. Six of the Crusaders turnovers in the second half led directly to goals for the Saints. Limestone ran five more bodies than the Crusaders keeping their legs fresh in a period that turned into a small track meet. The hope for the Crusaders first came off a Chiesa clear and score at the 10:53 mark. Next, the Crusaders second assisted goal of the came from a Sewell feed to Maegan Easler (Freshman) as the game wound down at the 4:55 mark. Continuing a three-goal run Napoli capitalized on a Saints turnover in their offensive end and scored with 2:15 left on the clock.
Individually, Bridgette Sewell had an outstanding game posting 1 goal, 1 assist, 5 ground balls, and 2 caused turnovers. Jillian Chiesa followed suit finishing with 1 goal, 2 ground balls, and 2 caused turnovers. Lastly, Sydney Taylor played incredibly well finished with 12 saves and 3 ground balls.
The Crusaders have two upcoming home games next week as they host Tusculum on Tuesday, February 12th at 4 pm and then Barton on Friday, February 15th at 1 pm.
