The Nation Ford girls’ soccer team knew what it had to do Friday night and wasted no time doing it.
The Falcons sprinted to a 7-0 win over the Spring Valley Vikings to lock up the fourth spot in Region 3-5A for the state playoffs that start in May. Nation Ford finished region play Friday with a 4-6 record and are now 9-9 overall on the season.
“The goal is to be playing your best at the end,” said Nation Ford head coach Christopher Dundr. “We always want to peak at the right time.”
Nation Ford will most likely play either Woodmont or TL Hanna on the road in the first round, but things still need to shake out in other regions so nothing is set.
The Falcons controlled the game from the opening kick and once they started scoring, they never really took their foot off the gas. Nation Ford had a 5-0 lead at halftime and was able to control the pace in the second half.
Nation Ford’s Eberlee Bolduc scored the first of her two goals at the seven-minute mark in the opening half to put the Falcons on the scoreboard. Five minutes later Ashlyn Kahre added another goal for Nation Ford and it was all Falcons from that point on.
The Falcons kept Spring Valley off balance for the majority of the first half and kept possession of the ball most of the time on their side of the field. Despite Nation Ford subbing their starters in and out early, they were able to move the ball through the Vikings defense without trouble.
Bolduc was able to find the back of the net for the second time in the first half about midway through scoring at the 21st minute. The Falcons’ Varinia Delgado was consistently in the mix with touches in the first half and put Nation Ford up 4-0 three minutes later with a goal of her own.
Nation Ford extended their lead to 5-0 in the 33rd minute on a goal from Joscelyn Eicher.
In the second half, the Falcons pulled back the reigns some and scored only twice despite being just as strong offensively in possession.
Anniston Newton scored 16 minutes into the second half and then Mia Mitchell scored seven minutes later to make it 7-0 for Nation Ford.
Up next for the Falcons is non-region opponent, Northwestern, as Nation Ford is scheduled to host Monday, April 24.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
