South's scoring outburst leads them past Raiders

Blue Springs South's Jordan McNamara battles for possession during Tuesday's game against Pembroke Hill in the
Blue Springs South Tournament. McNamara had two goals and an assist in a 5-1 win.

Coming into Tuesday night’s game against Pembroke Hill in its home tournament, the Blue Springs South girls soccer team had scored just 16 goals in 10 games, and eight of those came in a single contest against Winnetonka.

Needless to say, they needed the exact kind of game they played against the Raiders, as they scored five times and cruised to a 5-1 win.

“We had a more attacking play, more possession,” South head coach Todd Findley said. “We’re definitely building that rapport among the team. We’re feeling more comfortable with our teammates.

Blue Springs South's Sarah Smedley takes a shot on goal in
the second half of Tuesday's win.

“Today was a game where we were able to showcase our skill. There have been few games where we’re been able to showcase our possession, our attacking runs and switching fields.”

And instead of waiting and waiting, wondering when – or if – that first goal would come, the Jaguars didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard.

Beth Landon found senior Jordan McNamara just three minutes into the game for a 1-0 lead.

“We spend all game trying to get that one goal, so to get it so early that helped us all game,” McNamara said. “We were able to keep going and work off each other.”

But it wasn’t just that South was scoring, but the way they were scoring, as they were consistently able to hold possession and string together several passes that led to goals.

Blue Springs South's Hannah Larson moves past a
Pembroke Hill defender during the second half of Tuesday's
win.

McNamara said the first goal was a perfect example.

“Beth Landon played it to the 15 and gave it a little touch. The goalkeeper didn’t come out so I just slid out and hit the far post,” she said. “That goal felt like teamwork.”

McNamara was right in the middle of the second goal when she delivered a perfect through ball to Kelly Voigt who finished for a 2-0 lead with less than 20 minutes to play in the first half.

“To score we have to stay calm,” Voigt said. “We have to look for the ball instead of just kicking it forward. We’ve had a problem with our positioning. We have to find the way we work best together and when we find it we’ll score more.”

Added McNamara, “We have a hard time with communication. It helps to find our feet and connect passes. We’re finally getting that that is the key to success.”

Voigt and McNamara have been the catalysts when the Jaguar offense has been clicking, combining for 12 goals. With several young players around them, the team’s familiarity with each other is still a work in progress.

“It’s taken a while to bond on the field,” Findley said. “The young girls, this is different for them. They’re still learning to play with the speed and confidence they need. The effort has always been there it’s just a matter of confidence and poise under pressure.”

Senior Beth Landon crosses the ball in the first half
against Pembroke Hill Tuesday.

South would go on to score three more goals in the second half from Natalie Mandina, McNamara and Grace Klausen.

Now what the Jaguars (3-8) are looking for is consistency.

Findley always talks to his team about what it will take to compete with the top teams in the area, and an effort like Tuesday is a good blueprint. They have a chance to keep it going Thursday when they close tournament play against Park Hill South before continuing on with an always-difficult conference schedule.

“I hope it can carry over to Thursday and beyond,” Findley said. “We always talk about the big dogs, and how we’re getting the building blocks to compete with the good conference opponents.

“It’s going to be huge if we can knock off a Park Hill South, Liberty or a Lee’s Summit North. Their confidence keeps building. If this can carry over then good things are coming.”