On Feb. 16, Starr’s Mill girls’ soccer dropped its second consecutive match, losing 2-0 to the no. 1 ranked St. Pius Golden Lions.

The Lions controlled the match and enjoyed a healthy possession and field position advantage but found the Panthers a tough nut to crack. Sophomore Rachel Davison was a revelation at center back, with senior keeper Spencer Dawson quick off her line to smother any small chances the St. Pius team put together.

Junior Sara Biddle, freshman Chloe Spradlin, junior Kirsten Oates, Davison and freshman Kaleigh Ward helped form a solid, unified backline throughout the match. Each member of the team put in a tremendous shift defensively from front to back. Senior Sky Dedrick, Oates, Biddle, sophomore Meritt Parker, freshman Quin Nowicki, junior Makira Walton, and senior Katelyn LaRusso managed to replicate the defensive unity of the backline to help form a solid block of eight against the Lions.

St. Pius pegged the Panthers back in the 21st minute when their striker gathered and turned in space outside the 18 before hammering the ball in the bottom right corner leaving Dawson no chance. The Lions applied the pressure but Starr’s Mill was resolute and managed to enter the half down a single goal.

The second half was more of the same before the Panthers earned a small hold in the game. Senior Ansley Peurifoy, LaRusso, and sophomore Alivia Sapienza formed the first line of defense up top expertly and started to find a little bit of space in the last 20 minutes of the match.

Unfortunately St Pius’ threat was ever present and they doubled their lead in the 67th minute after a misplay in the back presented the chance. Starr’s Mill then found their best form to finish the game, but their eagerness often proved their undoing in attack. The match finished 2-0 to the visitors as the final horn sounded.

The boys varsity team defeated St. Pius 2-1, keeping them undefeated overall with a 2-0 record.

The team travels to Sandy Creek Saturday for a 5:00 p.m. kick off of a varsity doubleheader with the boys playing at 7:00 p.m.

Edited by staff writer Jenna Sanders