Soccer team starts season with win

By Dan King
Whitehall soccer started the season the right way, with a 2-0 shutout of the Hadley-Luzerne Eagles, last Thursday.
The Railroaders dominated possession and racked up over 25 shots on goal during the course of the 90 minutes.
Although Whitehall controlled possession in the first half, the Railroaders were unable to put one in the net, as the Eagles blocked a few shots and Hadley’s goaltender was up to the task on the rest.
“We had a good chance on an indirect kick and we were stopped on a penalty kick.” Head Coach Ceil Brandi said, “Like I told you before the season, we just need to find ways to finish.”
Brandi and the team made some adjustments at halftime and came out ready to score in half number two.
“I thought we rushed our shots a bit in the first half.” Brandi added, “At halftime we talked about gaps and watching our spacing.”
In the 61st minute the Railroaders finally got one up on the board, as Shelby Keane scored on a beautiful set up from Rachel Lavin and Heather Michaud.
“We really strung together some nice passes, that was a pretty goal.” Brandi said.
Ten minutes later, in the 71st minute, Whitehall scored the second and final goal of the contest.
Off of a botched goal kick from the Eagles’ goaltender, Whitehall’s Sam Julius came up with the ball just outside the 18. Julius dribbled around one Hadley defender and then placed a shot in the upper ninety, over the outreached arms of the goaltender.
Whitehall was playing without senior Olivia Short in this game, whom Brandi said is a vital part of this team.
“For our first game of the year, playing without one of our best players, that games wasn’t bad.” Brandi concluded.