The Nation Ford girls’ soccer team didn’t have an easy home opener for the 2025 season.
The Lady Falcons fell to the defending 4A state champions from North Carolina with a 2-0 loss to the Marvin Ridge Mavericks on Tuesday, March 4. The loss dropped Nation Ford to 3-2-1 on the season, as they have played their sixth game in four days.
“We are still leggy,” said Nation Ford head coach Christopher Dundr. “We had some good opportunities, but didn’t capitalize. We want to play non-region games against really good teams. Our goal is to play our best soccer in May.”
Nation Ford took the first possession and had a corner kick within the first few seconds of the opening half. The Falcons would get a shot on goal several minutes later but didn’t capitalize.
Marvin Ridge did capitalize off the Falcons losing possession as they went the lengthy of the field to score at 3:59 in the first half.
After their initial goal, the Mavericks controlled the ball for the next 15 minutes. The Falcons were able to get the ball and threaten on a throw in, but didn’t get a shot off.
Nation Ford was able to get better looks about midway through the first half, but still couldn’t get a clear shot. As often as Marvin Ridge controlled possession, the Falcons defense held strong against corner kicks and other shots.
The Mavericks had a free kick with two minutes left in the first half, but Nation Ford keeper Sara McCaskill was there to gobble up the shot as Marvin Ridge went to the half up 1-0.
The second half was opened with both teams getting some offense in as Marvin Ridge again got a shot off and Nation Ford was able to crowd the box without getting a shot off. The Falcons got a second shot off a couple minutes later on a cross, but the ball went wide left.
After trading possession, Nation Ford had their best shot of the match to that point as Grace Dunnery launched a shot that rattled off the top crossbar and bounced back into play.
Nation Ford played better in the second half, controlling possession more and getting more shots. Marvin Ridge was strong as well as both keepers stayed busy through the first 20 minutes.
About six minutes later in the 66th minute, Marvin Ridge put one over the head of the Falcons’ keeper just out of arm’s length to go up 2-0.
The Mavericks continued to control possession after their second goal of the match, but the Falcons were able to hold them back defensively. Offensively, that just meant the opportunities weren’t there as often as they had been earlier in the half.
With about five minutes left, Marvin Ridge was able to keep possession in their corner and use the clock to their advantage to get the win.
Nation Ford next heads to the coast for games on March 7 and 8.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
