BEECHER | It was all about finishing for host Beecher in its Interstate Eight Conference showdown against visiting Westmont on Tuesday.
The Ladycats couldn't finish their attacks, while the Sentinels made the most of their opportunities on a sunny but brisk day. Westmont scored a goal in each half on the way to a 2-0 victory.
"We've struggled to put the ball in the back of the net," Beecher coach Dawn Compton said. "We've been right there; the shots are wide or the shots are over. We just cannot find the back of the net, and it's starting to get frustrating."
Beecher (3-3, 0-2) had some opportunities in the early going when each team was looking to gain an edge. In a scramble off a corner kick, Kailey Rucker got a shot off in front of the net that sailed over the crossbar with about 20 minutes left in the first half.
Moments later, Gianna Myers had a shot on goal the Westmont keeper was able to stop.
"Once we cross, we need to finish," said senior midfielder Stephanie Hall, who finished with five shots on goal.
Westmont broke the scoring drought when Emma Guinn scored unassisted as a Beecher defender fell down with 4 minutes, 48 seconds left in the half.
"We've kind of had these mental lapses where we don't communicate, and that was one of those situations where we didn't communicate and the girl snuck in between them," Compton said.
Westmont (4-3, 2-0) took control of game when Maggie Frodin scored early in the second half for the 2-0 lead. Frodin took a pass from Cait Michicich and beat Beecher goalkeeper Roxanne Milan with 36:12 left in the game.
"We could've communicated better as a team, but I think our defense stayed strong," Hall said. "We just need some more support on offense."
The Ladycats made more attacks in the second half, collecting six shots on goal, but still couldn't get the ball past the goalkeeper.
"We tried to switch things up there," Compton said. "There in the last 20 minutes we went three flat in the back and played three forwards up top to try to get some more offense going. I felt like we did, but we just couldn't get the back of the net."
Please Wait…