In a commanding display, the Laurel Highlands Lady Mustangs defeated cross-town rivals Uniontown with a score of 9-1 on October 9, 2023, during a Section 3-3A girls soccer match held at Mustang Field. This victory marks a significant improvement for the Lady Mustangs, elevating their record to 1-1-0 in section play and 3-1-0 overall.
Laurel Highlands established dominance early, scoring three goals within the first six minutes and 16 seconds. The scoring commenced with a goal by Camryn McClean, who found the net just under 38 minutes into the first half. Shortly after, senior captain Adrianna Walker netted her first of four goals at the 35:34 mark, followed by a second goal just under two minutes later, securing a swift 3-0 lead.
The Lady Mustangs showcased their offensive prowess, registering ten shots on goal within the first ten minutes alone. They also earned three corner kicks early in the match. Coach Si Mon Mulindwa expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating, “I am happy with how the girls played tonight. They did really well in the first 10 minutes to get a lead, and they also possessed the ball and moved it well.”
Uniontown’s goalkeeper, Kendal Nehls, faced a barrage of shots, stopping 11 attempts in the first half. After approximately 30 minutes, Abby Horner took over in goal, making four additional saves. Uniontown coach Emily Baker reflected on the match, saying, “If you take into account the number of shots on goal versus the number of goals that went in, you really have to value yourself and what you did do versus what you didn’t do.”
Despite facing a significant deficit, Uniontown managed to score their first goal late in the first half. Captain Sarah White converted a free kick from 34 yards out, reducing the gap to 3-1 with just under ten minutes remaining before halftime. Baker noted, “This team has been a team that has not had a pinnacle foundation for years. We have a solid group of underclassmen that are growing and building a lot of chemistry.”
The second half saw Laurel Highlands regain control, with Walker assisting freshman Ella Doman for a goal just three minutes in, extending the lead to 4-1. Doman scored again shortly after, marking her brace with 34:04 left in the match. Mulindwa praised Doman’s contributions, highlighting the importance of younger players stepping up.
As the match progressed, Laurel Highlands made strategic substitutions, allowing freshman Addison Stroko to be replaced by sophomore Amelia Michael. Stroko made one save before Michael stepped in to halt four Uniontown attempts.
The scoring continued for the Lady Mustangs, with senior Taylor Irwin adding to the tally at 24:31 of the second half. Walker completed her hat trick with a goal at 16:30 and followed up with a fourth goal at 13:45. McClean capped off the scoring with her second goal at 11:30.
In total, Laurel Highlands outperformed Uniontown significantly, leading in corner kicks with a total of four and limiting their opponents’ scoring opportunities. The match not only displayed the Lady Mustangs’ current form but also highlighted the potential for growth within the Uniontown squad as they prepare to face their rivals again later in the season.
