Denton, Padgett Lead Colonels Past Streaks

Posted: March 25, 2016
By ROBERT NIEDZWIECKI
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — James Wood’s all-time leader in goals and assists may be gone, but the Colonels girls’ soccer team sure isn’t lacking for firepower without Alex Stanford.

With forwards Emily Denton (two goals) and Katie Padgett (one goal and one assist) — neither of whom was on the team last year — playing a central role, James Wood put on an overwhelming offensive display to beat Conference 21 West rival Harrisonburg 5-2 Thursday night at Kelican Stadium.

After firing seven shots toward goal and having a couple close-range shots blocked by defenders, the Colonels (1-1) overcame a one-goal deficit and exploded for four goals on five shots in the last 16 minutes of the first half to take a 4-1 lead at the break.

James Wood couldn’t quite keep that intensity up in the second half, but senior defender Brianna Heustis (one goal, one assist) scored from the top of the penalty box in the second half to give the Colonels eight goals in two games.

“Our offense is pretty good,” James Wood coach Jim Carden said. “For a lot of the first half we just couldn’t hit the net, and then you start thinking it’s going to be one of those games [that don’t go your way].

“But they kept their composure, they knocked the ball around nicely, and the ball started going in.”

Denton and Stanford (2015 graduate) were a pretty dangerous combination in 2013 and 2014. Denton didn’t play with James Wood last year to focus on club soccer.

But with Padgett as a running mate up top this year — and talented junior Neary Casebolt sliding from forward to center midfield — it looks like the Colonels are going to be giving defenders fits on a regular basis. Denton and Padgett have each scored three goals so far.

“It’s been nice to be back on the field and represent James Wood High School,” Denton said. “The girls have been great, and I really appreciate the support I’ve gotten.

“And knowing that Katie is up there with me is great. She has excellent preparation and has worked so hard.”

It was a hustle play by Padgett that leveled the match in the 24th minute for the Colonels.

Heustis played a ball from the left side that at first looked like it would simply bounce into the hands of Harrisonburg goalkeeper Madelyn Penrod at the near post. But Padgett sprinted from the middle of the goal area before the ball got to Penrod, and she deflected it into the back of the net to the left of Penrod.

“That was a great play,” Carden said. “That’s what you need. We know teams are going to mark Emily, but you can’t mark everybody. After that we were off and running.”

Five minutes later, Padgett led Denton with a pass toward the left side of the penalty box, and Denton ripped a left-footed shot inside the right post for a 2-1 lead.

James Wood continued to apply pressure, and the Colonels scored two more times in the final three minutes of the first half. Casebolt knocked in a rebound of a Chloe White shot off the right post for the first goal, and Denton finished an Adrienne Thomas free kick from six yards out a few seconds before the half to make it 4-1.

“I thought we had really good communication [Thursday],” Padgett said. “I just like all the positive feedback our team has. If someone makes a mistake, we just [tell them], ‘You’ll get it next time.’”

The Colonels then proceeded to control the second half with little trouble against the Blue Streaks, a team that lost eight starters from last year and will now move on to Valley District play after completing a season-opening 1-3 stretch against Winchester-Frederick County teams. (The Blue Streaks one win was against Millbrook.)

Overall, James Wood outshot Harrisonburg 15-7 after recording a 12-3 edge in the first half.

Carden said there’s always room for improvement for a Colonels team that will get a stern test from Handley in the semifinals of the Frederick County/Winchester Kick-off Soccer Friendlies on Tuesday, but he felt it was a good game to build off of.

“We talked about being aggressive,” Carden said. “Not letting a team play with the ball, be on them, don’t let them turn, don’t give them space, keep the play in front of you — they did all that tonight. I’m really happy, and [the players] should be happy with themselves.”

— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow on Twitter @WinStarSports1