April 23, 2019 Issue, Page 10 of 10

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Page 10 The Elk City Daily News - Elk City, Oklahoma Tuesday, April 23,2019 Elkettes win district soccer title Junior Savannah Kauk #4 tries to beat a Weatherford Lady Eagle defender off the ball Junior Rossy Garcia prepares strike that would result in the Elkettes’ second goal ina during the Elkettes’ 2-0 win Thursday. Kauk opened the scoringfor the Elkettes two 2-0 win over Weatherford Thursday. Staff photo by William B. Carroll. minutes into the game beating the Lady Eagle’s goaltenderfor a goal. Staff photo by William B. Carroll. By William B. Carroll two minutes into the contest. elapsed in the contest due to showed they wanted it at the their best scoring chance of we played that one (Crossings Sports Editor Coach Rhonda Merrifield nearby lightning and winds beginning.” the night thanks to a penalty Christian), we are going to go had said previously that one exceeding 50 miles per hour. Once the game resumed it called in the Elkettes’ penalty far.” The Weatherford Lady of her team’s goals is to score ‘Then began a more than 40 was a back-and-forth affair box resulting in a penalty Garcia and Kauk said Eagles and Mother Nature early, to put pressure on the minute wait, before the skies until early in the second half kick for the Lady Eagles. they felt the team’s continu- both tried to take down the opposing team. Kauk said she cleared and the teams were when Garcia finally was able Freshman goaltender Lillian ing performances show the EIk City girls soccer team had that plan in mind during allowed back onto the field. to create a bit ofspace to rifle Rhodes leapt to her right and team’s overall potential, but Thursday evening but were the early goal. Kauk and Garcia said they ashot to the keeper's right for easily collected the kick to they said they didn’t want to unsuccessful as the Elkettes “We always try to score as werea little concerned with a2-0 lead with 35 minutes to deny Weatherford their final get ahead of themselves and claimed the District 4A-2 title fast as we can,” Kauk said the weather as they felt they go in the match. scoring opportunity. noted that there is still a lot of in Weatherford. noting that the team’s game had all of the momentum on. Garcia said she was glad to “I was really nervous, but I soccer left to play this season. Led by the junior scoring plan was to be aggressive their side and were a little get off the shot that gave the just waited it out and watched Friday the team had an- duo of Savannah Kauk and from the outset. concerned the game might team a 2-0 cushion. her eyes then I knew I had other game scheduled against Rossy Garcia, the Elkettes Kauk’s goal was only the change once the weather “T feel like sometimes I it,” Rhodes said noting that Southeast. Even though the defeated the Lady Eagles third goal allowed all season cleared up. Kauk said she have issues with my footwork the Lady Eagles penalty taker Elkettes had wrapped up 2-0 for the Elkettes’ eighth by the Lady Eagles in four- felt it might give the Eagles and getting the ball out, but looked exactly where she was the division, they didn’t take straight win. teen contests. time to change their strategy it worked out there,” Garcia going to kick the ball. Southeast lightly crusing to ‘The game opened with two After Kauk’s goal, the and come out with a different said of the goal. After the game, Merrifield a7-1 win. Kauk led the team clear scoring chances for Elkettes became energized, approach. She noted that later ‘The remainder of the game said she was pleased with the with three goals while senior Kauk, both on long balls that picking up several additional in the game she felt they were the Elkettes kept the Lady team’s performance. Hope Butler and freshman. Kauk ran onto and delivered scoring opportunities before playing a different defensive Eagles pinned in their own “I feel pumped,” Merrifield Fenix Wright both had two strikes. The first sailed just Mother Nature decided to style with respect to both end with the Lady Eagles only said noting that the team’s re- goals. over the crossbar, the second step in and bring a halt to the herself and Garcia. mustering a few opportunities cent game against Crossings Next up for the Elkettes beat the Lady Eagles’ goal- game. “The delay really slowed us in the Elkettes’ end. Christian was the team’s best will be a home playoff game keeper to her right and gave Officials stopped the game down,” Merrifield said. “The With less than two minutes performance of the season. Friday against Ada. The spe- the Elkettes a 1-0 lead just after only 13 minutes had girls really came out and togo the Lady Eagles had “If we play every game like cific time has not been set. Elk City soccer season ends with 2 losses Elk City senior Ben Henderson #24 dribbles through the Weatherford Eagle defense Elk City freshman Vivek Pranabdev #18 tries to geto a loose ball while senior Ben during the Elks 2-0 loss to the Eagles Thursday. Staff photo by William B. Carroll. Henderson #24 looks on. Staff photo by William B. Carroll. By William B. Carroll playoffs. The teams started Elks pushed for an equal- Elks managed only one goal as they look forward to next derson, Alex Ramirez, Jacob Sports Editor the contest on an even footing izer but could not find a way in a7-1 loss that ended their year. All ofthe seniors were Doty, Gerardo Flores, Will as both teams had scoring through the Eagles defense. season at 2-4 in district play. starters, including Ben Hen- Garcia and Haaken Ahiers. The Elk City boys soccer opportunities in the first With 12 minutes remaining Southeast finished 6-0 in dis- team saw their season end half, but neither could break in the match the Eagles added trict and 11-1 overall, with the last week after two district through for the opening goal. a second goal and took a com- playoffs ahead. losses left them outside of In the second half, the Elks manding 2-0 lead from which The Elks finished the sea- the district's top four and a again had scoring chances the Elks couldn't recover. son at 7-7 overall. Earlier in playoff spot. but were unable to capital- Friday, the Elks trav- the week the Elks recorded a The Elks went into Thurs- ize. Late in the second half, eled to district 4A-2 leader win by forfeit 1-0 over John day’s game against Weath- Weatherford pounced on an Southeast who came into the Marshall. erford needing a win to give opportunity and slotted home game sporting a 10-1 record The Elks will lose six them a shot at making the a goal to take a 1-0 lead. The and 10 game win streak. The seniors from this year’s team ~ Curtis wins coach of the year honors Submitted photo ve ove It Elk City High School tennis coach Gina Curtis was selected last week as Class 4A, Region 4 coach of the year for 2019. Re- gion 4 includes southwest Oklahoma and this is the third time Curtis has won the award, winning in 2012 and 2015. Curtis Elkwood Assisted Living who has been coaching in Elk City since 2006, serving as head coach since 2010 said she credits her team with her success. “We have a successful program andI give credit to our play- ers for that,” Curtis said. “They work hard every season and put in the effort that is required to be competitive at the state level every year. It is an honor to be recognized for a sport I love to coach. I do put in a lot of hours to help our kids progress 1000 Elkwood Blvd, Elk City» 580.225.0506 and get better, but ultimately it’s the players that push them- selves to be the best. I’m proud of the program we have here Www Senioriiiestyle.com and very thankful to receive this award.”