SOUTH DAYTON — The Silver Creek Black Knights controlled possession early and often, getting multiple shots on net on Tuesday evening, defeating the Pine Valley Panthers 3-1 in a CCAA Central girls soccer game at Pine Valley High School.

“We knew what we were coming into today,” Silver Creek coach Kevin Rice stated. “Pine Valley is a developing team that has shown significant improvement. Some of their results showed the improvement during the year and they played us a lot better this time than the first time around. They packed the box on a smaller field and it took patience along with efficient passing to get through them.”

Both teams took some time to get going with neither team controlling the possession or getting chances on net. Afterwards, Silver Creek applied a lot more pressure and had effective passing, keeping possession in Pine Valley’s end. Chloe Barrett had a good opportunity in the 15th minute, but her shot went slightly wide. She had another opportunity about a minute later and took full advantage. Barrett obtained possession of the ball outside of the box and was able to get her foot on the ball in open space to strike the ball into the net.

Silver Creek continued to play at a high level, getting a flurry of shots on goal over the next fifteen minutes. Each time that Silver Creek had a chance on net, Ashley Campbell was waiting in net for the Panthers to prevent Silver Creek from increasing their lead.

“We came out sluggish,” Pine Valley coach Eric Spanbauer stated. “We were lucky not to give up a goal. We eventually gave one up, but they totally deserved that goal as she worked hard to get the ball and had a tough shot on goal. Ashley kept us in the game, or this could have been a lot worse.”

The Black Knights had a series of events in the 35th minute where a breakaway was cleared by Sherri Tyler. On the following corner kick, the kick was perfectly placed into the box, where the header went over the net. Barrett then gained possession for the Black Knights and her shot was deflected wide by Campbell with a one hand save.

According to Rice, “We ended the first half with the way I like them to play. They have two to three touches moving forward into the open space.”

The Panthers only chance of the half came in the last minute when Madisyn Herman sent a ball up to Chloe Luther, but her shot was saved by Tessa Karcz.

Silver Creek kept the momentum and same style of play in the second half. In the 45th minute, Jaylah Cossin hit the post. A few minutes later, Silver Creek was awarded with a free kick, where 8th grader Rachael Beadle found the top corner of the near side of the net.

“We were able to play many of our younger athletes today,” Rice added. “It was great to see the youth get some exposure and play at the level that they did.”

The Black Knights added an insurance goal in the 63rd minute, when Kylie Procknal placed a quality cross into the box area where Katie Castiglia was there to finish it off for the goal.

“Silver Creek is such a good passing team that has good spacing,” Spanbauer stated. “You add that in with our difficulties communicating and that is how you give their talented players great opportunities to connect.”

Pine Valley continued to fight hard until the end and had a few chances of their own towards the end of the half. In the 69th minute, Chloe Luther had a breakaway and was taken down in the box. Maggie King came up to take the penalty kick and followed through with a goal that was perfectly placed into the net.

“Maggie has a very accurate foot,” Spanbauer added. “We have spent some time working on penalty kicks lately with playoffs coming and it was clear that she can place the ball where she wanted to.”

Campbell finished with 23 saves for the Panthers.

“Ashley has done a great job of keeping us in games this year,” Spanbauer exclaimed. “We are trying to think two passes ahead and anticipate that with their positioning. I was thrilled to see younger players come off the bench to fill in for injured players and we were able to compete, where they actually had more chances. The modified team also won again today, which is something that has not happened in a while until this year, so I am optimistic about the future.”

Both teams finish their league schedule on Thursday with Silver Creek hosting North Collins while Pine Valley travels to Frewsburg.

“We did not look the way that we did against Westfield this year,” Rice stated. “However, we continue to compete and I feel like we have potential for a late run. North Collins is a big game for us to get us where we would like to be when it comes to playoff seeding. It worked out well that we were able to give many of our players some rest today before the game on Thursday.”