Lady Blue Eagle soccer team defeats York

The Clover High School Blue Eagle soccer teamdefeated rival York 5-0 in last week, in a game called at halftime due to lightning.

South Carolina High School League rules mandate that once two teams have completed a half in region action, the game can be called or the teams can wait it out, depending on what the home team decides.

The Clover scoring began with a goal by Alecea Nelson, assisted by teammate Krystal Nielsen. Ashton Rayano scored the next goal on an assist by J’menii Isaac, who later scored on an assist by Rayano.

Clover’s Kaidyn Nadolny scored unassisted. Kaylee Moss scored the final goal, assisted by Rayano off a corner.

“I am very pleased with our team this year,” said CHS head girls’ soccer coach Kelsey Geary, a native of upstate New York. “We’ve got a lot of young talent. We also have a good group of seniors that are really trying to take control and lead by example.”

Geary said the team has chemistry and good morale.

“I think that’s one of the biggest things you can have,” she said. “They’re like family. It’s a total team effort, from the freshmen to the seniors, from the goalie to the defense to the midfield.”

Geary added: “It’s got to be one solid unit moving forward to accomplishing one goal.”

Senior teammates Rayano and Sierra Hartman have impacted the program in a positive way.

“We do have goals,” said Rayano. “We want to go high in the region and gain a home court advantaged in the playoffs. The way we’re playing, I feel like we’re gonna get that.”

Hartman said she believes the CHS team has a lot of potential.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,” she said. “So far, we’ve done really good. We have a lot of girls contributing and great team chemistry.”

Added Hartman: “Being part of the Clover soccer program has been a great experience. It would be awesome to go out on a high and win the region.”

Geary said a key to continued success is keeping the players healthy.

“We’ve dealt with concussions, back problems and shin splints,” she said. “At one point, we had three or four starters out. Spring break gave us a chance to recoup and to move forward with everybody back”

Geary said she would love to see the Lady Blue Eagles earn a home playoff date.

“We’ll see how it turns out,” she said. “The girls are very disciplined.”

Geary said the CHS team relies on a certain style of play.

“We expect a lot from the kids,” she said. “That’s where a lot of our success comes from. When you train hard and work hard, you kinda get the outcome you want, which is usually a victory.”

This story was originally published April 13, 2015 at 2:26 PM with the headline "Lady Blue Eagle soccer team defeats York."