GREENVILLE -- After a first-round bye in the Class AA/A playoffs, there was no rust on Christ Church as it defeated Indian Land 4-0 on Wednesday to advance to the Upper State semifinals.
"We've been staying on them, talking to them about how just because we don't have a game, other teams do and have a game under their belt. We didn't really let them have a letdown, and we rewarded their hard work," coach Chris Nichols said.
Leading 3-0 at the break, the Cavaliers (9-10) scored early in the second half to put the game away. Kimbrell Hughes found herself in the right place in front of the net, scoring on the rebound of a shot from Kelsy McCraw.
Hughes finished the night with a goal and an assist and was everywhere for the Cavaliers. She was the first to every ball and hustled on every play.
"(Kimbrell) is kind of the heart and soul of the team. She works her rear end off and fights for every ball all the way to the line. It's awesome having her out there," said Nichols. "She's not flashy, but she hustles and that pays off for the team."
After two near-misses in the opening four minutes, the Cavaliers found the back of the net on Hallie Bagnal's goal. Bagnal out-ran the defense to a free ball and scored easily past the Warriors' keeper.
Bagnal found the net again seven minutes later on an assist from Hughes to give Christ Church a two-goal lead. Hughes saved the ball from going out of bounds on the end line and made a perfect pass back into the box to Bagnall for the goal.
Alyssa Althoff gave the Cavaliers a 3-0 lead going into halftime, taking the ball from near midfield and sprinting past the defense before rifling the ball into the net.
Christ Church 4
Indian Land 0
