Pine Raiders fall to tough Northlake Christian team
Published 9:49 am Monday, February 2, 2015
Pine’s Raiders suffered a 9-1 setback to Northlake Christian School in a District 8-III contest held at Pine Thursday in the final regular season game.
Pine, which is in its third year of playing soccer and first year of varsity, hung in for about the first 25 minutes.
The Raiders allowed the Wolverines just two goals through 20 minutes.
Northlake Christian, the second-ranked team in Division III in the unofficial power rankings on LHSAA’s website, took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute when Jake Lewis tallied his first of two goals. Lewis’ went far post from the right side of the field to make it a 1-0 game.
In that same minute Mason Cook, who recorded a hat trick, gave his club a 2-0 edge.
Pine had a chance for a free kick but was unable to capitalize.
The Wolverines’ tallied their next two goals in the 20th and 25th minute, both by Clayton Gill.
His first goal came on a deflection to make it 3-0.
Five minutes later, Gill was at it again. This time, he scored on a corner kick and the Wolverines were out in front, 4-0.
Northlake Christian School scored once more before halftime. In the 29th minute, Adam Riché added the fifth goal to give his club a 5-0 advantage as the teams went to halftime.
Pine nearly tallied in the 36th off of a corner kick. Colton Terrell was in close, but the attempt was saved.
Northlake Christian posted its sixth goal in the 45th minute when Joe Cossich was good on a free kick.
Cook put up the next two goals to complete the hat trick.
For the first one, he got in close and scored in the 61st.
Then he attempted a penalty kick. Keeper Thomas Branch deflected the shot but the rebound went back to Cook, and he found the back of the net for an 8-0 lead.
Northlake Christian’s final goal was in the 76th on a penalty kick by Lewis.
Pine ended the Wolverines’ shutout bid. Chance Knight took the ball upfield. Knight deflected the shot off of the keeper, who had come out. There was a footrace for the ball. Knight won that and was good on his shot in the 78th minute to finalize the scoring at 9-1.
Pine coach Trey Jenkins said he can’t ask for any better effort from his club.
“Our soccer skills are not where they need to be, and we’re going to try to get them better. The district we play in is super tough, but as far as effort, I can’t ask for any better effort,” Jenkins said.
Since 2010, Northlake Christian has captured the Division III state title (2011), been the state runner-up twice (2012 and 2014), and has made the quarterfinals twice (2010 and 2013).