It was a big day for Conner center back Izelee Kerns as the junior announced her verbal
commitment to Western Michigan and converted the Cougars’ go-ahead goal Wednesday night.
In an early 33rd district matchup, the Cougars defeated the Ryle Raiders 1-0 on the road to make it four straight wins to begin the season.
“I don’t think we necessarily expected this because we’re such a young team,” Kerns said. “But I feel like we’ve come together, we bond together, and we’ve figured it out and I hope to keep that feeling rolling.”
Coming into the match, the Cougars were not only unbeaten, but uncontested. With three clean sheets, the Cougars entered Wednesday night’s matchup with plans to accomplish exactly the same.
“Our defensive success has proved we’ve put in an entire group effort on and off the field,” Cougars’ head coach Michael Hughes said. “The pressure these girls apply defensively whether it’s upfront, through the middle, or in the back, they buy into the game plan from whistle to whistle.”
The match opened up with chances for both teams at Ryle’s Claire Jansen and Conner’s Ashley Sweetay each had shots hit the crossbar. Possession switched back and forth throughout and it appeared as though the match could fall into either team’s hands.
With five minutes left in the first half, the Cougars were given a free kick at the 25-yard-line, and in came Kerns.
“You know it was an unlucky handball for us in that spot,” Ryle head coach John Pohlman said. “She (Kerns) had a couple other opportunities prior and I knew that would probably be a dangerous spot for her.”
Kerns placed a well paced, high flying ball into the right corner of the net leaving Raiders keeper Madeline Singleton with just about no chance to make a play on the ball as the Cougars found their breakthrough.
Despite playing most matches on the team’s defensive third, Kerns leads the Cougars with three goals so far on the season and has become a set-piece liability to any opponent.
“You know I put in the work to practice free kick situations but I wouldn’t have any of these goals without my teammates drawing fouls or getting me in these situations,” Kerns said. “It’s always encouraging when I have my teammates hyping me up each time, it gives me the confidence to do it again.”
Ryle almost responded with a goal of their own on three different occasions before the halftime whistle sounded. Down just one goal, it looked as though the Raiders might come out of the half with a vengeance.
“I was really proud of the way our girls battled in the first half,” Pohlman said. “We did a great job keeping up with the speed of play and it looked like it could be anybody’s game at first.”
At the start of the second half, Singleton was forced to make five tough saves in the opening minutes as Conner’s frontline turned up their press. The Cougars have found their offensive identity through their frontline as wingers Milana Arevalo, Cayley Eilers, and Sweetay have all found the back of the net this season.
“During the halftime break, I felt we needed to create more for ourselves,” said Hughes. “Credit to them (Ryle) for the high pressure, we made that adjustment at the half and we found success. Next time I want us to find that earlier but it worked out for us in the end.”
Many of Ryle’s opportunities stemmed from Jansen who weaved her way through Conner’s backline on various occasions often serving threatening crosses into the box. Production wise, the Raiders struggled controlling and managing the pace of play in the second half often playing catchup on the other end.
As a result, Conner’s high press led to an increase in possession as the midfield dominated position through the center. Although the Cougars had no problem creating and firing shots in the second half, the score remained 1-0 through the final whistle.
Talking with Kerns after the match, she reflected on her recent commitment.
“Overall I fell in love with the atmosphere at Western Michigan and felt like I could call it a second home,” added Kerns. “I really enjoyed my time around the players and coaches there just like I have here at home.”
Hughes and the Cougars are certainly reaping the benefits of Kerns’ determination.
“There’s a reason she’s the type of player she is,” Hughes said. “You can count on her, she always does exactly what we need her to do at all times and that’s what’s special.”
Still in search of their first win, the Raiders face off against Boone County on the road next Monday.
Conner will look to continue their win-streak as they host Central Hardin on
Saturday. “We’ve not played them before,” Hughes said. “They always seem to have a good group out there and we try to keep our schedule tough, we expect a battle.”