- November 5, 2024
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The Flagler Palm Coast girls soccer team has gone through a tough stretch lately. Dealing with injuries to multiple key players, the Lady Bulldogs (12-6-2) entered Thursday’s game against Stanton High School on a four-game losing skid.
Coming off their first loss to an area opponent in three years, FPC couldn’t hold onto its 2-1 lead, surrendering the game-tying goal with 19:50 left in the game, finishing in a 2-2 draw with Stanton (3-5-2).
“They had a match last night and might be a little fatigued, but they've got some crafty players, and that's why I scheduled them: They're a good program,” FPC coach Pete Hald said after the game. “Hopefully it's making us better. I think we were the better team, but there were times where they were better than us.”
Stanton struck first 18 minutes into the game on a ball that slipped by FPC goalkeeper Leah Leach as she came out of the goal. An FPC defender attempted to clear the ball before it crossed the goal line, but the referee ruled it had completely crossed the line.
About nine minutes later, FPC striker Sarah DiLoreto netted her first of two goals on the night, sending a scorching shot past Stanton’s keeper.
Six minutes into the second half, DiLoreto knocked in a rebound in front of the goal to give FPC a 2-1 lead.
Apart from the two goals, FPC didn’t have many other opportunities.
“Offensively, we didn't have many chances,” Hald said. “We had a couple corner kicks and put the ball into the box a lot, but we never had their keeper work. I think we only had her having two saves the whole game. So offensively, to be honest, we’re just not playing the way we can.”
Hald added that he’d like to see his team create more goal-scoring opportunities.
FPC will have to rest up quickly. They travel to Buchholz on Friday night.
“We're kind of in a little rut right now,” Hald said. “We're not playing up to our potential, and the thing is we've got a break coming up, but we've got to play (Friday), and I'm hoping we can get a little refreshed and start getting focused on what's important. We've got three games in January before districts, and you want to play your best soccer in January.”
