WINCHESTER — At halftime of Friday’s girls’ soccer game at Millbrook High School, the Pioneers’ coaching staff asked someone in the press box if the music could be turned down so it would be easier to talk to each other.
James Wood was probably grateful for that request. The Colonels were not happy with how they played in the first 40 minutes, and their halftime discussion helped them with an effort that expanded their lead.
James Wood completed a season sweep with its second 2-0 win of the season against the Pioneers, who fell to 6-8 with their sixth straight loss.
The Colonels — who posted their 11th shutout in improving to 10-3-1 — scored once in each half and had a 6-3 shot edge in each half. But in terms of style of play, James Wood was a lot more impressed with the final 40 minutes, which included a diving header goal by Meadow Falkner off a corner kick from the left side by Avery Wright.
“I was very frustrated in the first half with the girls’ play,” said head coach Donavan Russell, whose team won its seventh straight game on Friday. “We had strung together several really good games. We’re playing well, hitting May, so you want that stride to be rolling. We had a good first 10 minutes or so, and then we really fell back into some old, bad habits. But I think Millbrook came out and defended us well. They worked hard in the midfield.”
The Colonels took the game’s only five shots in the opening 15 minutes. In the seventh minute, defender Karlie Orndorff knocked in a loose ball from inside 10 yards after a cross from Wright on the right side went off the hands of Millbrook goalkeeper Elena Washington (seven saves).
At halftime, Russell said assistant coach Shannyn DeHaven wanted the team’s leaders to take control and figure out how to play better.
“They know what has to be done, and that’s one reason why we kind of stood in a huddle for the first five minutes,” Russell said. “I think the turnaround in the second half was incredible. They responded to each other.”
Senior defender/midfielder Falkner is part of that leadership group.
“I thought we all wanted it in the second half,” Falkner said. “All the seniors took lead, and we told everyone we need to step up and play together. We weren’t playing to feet, and movement off the ball was not really good in the first half.”
On her corner kick header — her third goal of the season — Russell admired Falkner’s movement the entire way through. She dove forward to head in Wright’s cross from the left side and make it 2-0, an almost insurmountable lead for a team that has not given up a goal since April 14.
“We’ve been working on corner kicks a lot,” Russell said. “She’s one of the premier headers on our team. I watched the whole thing unfold. It was such a well-timed play. The diving — no fear. I expect those types of goals from her.”
Falkner has been a standout defender for the Colonels over the years, but she’s enjoying opportunities to get forward more this year, playing a defensive center midfielder role (the 6 position) when she isn’t playing center back.
“It’s definitely fun being up the field,” Falkner said. “I’ve never played the six before this year. The opportunities that come with it I just think are really good.”
And of course, she’s glad she’s part of an impressive defense that didn’t allow Millbrook to test goalkeeper Alaynah McGuire too often on Friday. McGuire made six saves in her 11th shutout.
“I genuinely think all of us just have the drive and the grit to make sure nothing comes between us and the back of the net,” Falkner said.
Millbrook’s best chance to score probably came in the 20th minute on a free kick. Caroline Ludwig played a beautiful ball from the right side that went through the top of the goalbox, but the ball skimmed off the top of her teammate’s head and kept going through.
Millbrook has only two regular-season games left starting at Warren County on Tuesday. The Pioneers have scored only two goals in their losing streak, and a Wildcats team that is giving up more than five goals per game could be the key to getting Millbrook’s offense back on track.
“I think my girls came out hard and ready,” Pioneers coach Karlie Hepner said. “We were focused, and I think we had more of the ball. But we are just struggling with finishing right now.
“I think confidence is low, and we’re just trying to find ways to keep learning from these tough results. Hopefully, we can regroup over the weekend and go into our last week of the regular season next week strong and reoriented, and hopefully get some results with Warren County and Handley.”
James Wood will travel to Sherando on Thursday for its next game.
— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com
Follow on X @WinStarSports1