JV Girls' Soccer Team finish the season strong with a big win against New Hampton

The KUA girls were greeted with a warm mid-autumn sun and cold, biting wind as they strode onto Grenier Field to begin their final game of the season against the New Hampton Huskies.  They wore their game jerseys over long sleeved black shirts and their faces were dashed with blue paint complimented with sparkles.  In better physical shape than at any other point of the season, these 11 girls got themselves ready with rondos, stretches, and strength drills.  Let's just call this a prequel to 300.  These excited girls came out swinging with no subs at all.  To make matters even more interesting, the Huskies were out to even the score after a 1-3 loss against the Wildcats earlier in the season.  It was hard not to see this as a David vs. Goliath moment considering the difference in number of players between the teams.  As the game got going, the first half had numerous scoring attempts and a strong defensive effort from both teams.  The game remained scoreless until  striker Aiyonna Gay drove to the Husky goal from the left side and buried the ball from 6 yards out with less than 15 minutes to the half.  The lead didn't last as the Huskies came right back with a fast breakaway by forward No. 4 that saw her outrun the KUA defenders to make a hard strike to the right side on goalie West Lee-Ogilbee.  The game remained tied at 1-1 until Aiyonna Gay struck again late in the second half for her 9th goal of the season.   It was a spectacular break away that displayed Aiyonna's ability to explode past defenders and find herself in the open field facing only the New Hampton goalie.  She shot straight on from about 10 yards out, finding the upper right part of the net.  It was a goal that became an exclamation point on the fantastic effort these girls put in all season.  The Huskies fought back with everything they had, but the KUA defenders valiantly pushed them away just yards from the goal with mere minutes remaining on the clock.  After batting down corner kicks and clearing balls again and again, the game finally ended when the referee blew his whistle three times.  After shaking hands, the girls circled around their coaches and celebrated their lone senior, Lindi Finn, who had one of her finest games as a left defender.   They also honored Aiyonna Gay's incredible game that found her everywhere on the field and making drives that showcased her ability to jump over her opponents and pivot on her feet at high speeds while still retaining the ball.  The Wildcats left everything on the field.  In particular, the work of the KUA defenders, Lindi, Miko, Chloe, and Angela and midfielders Olivia, JC, Taylor and Nikita made it very difficult for the opponent to gain the upper edge on shooting. While the season ended with a 5-7-1 record for the Wildcats, they were either tied or led at half time in all but two of their matchups.  It was a successful season capped off by a great final home game against a tough foe.  The loud ring of the victory bell signaled the joy of victory and that this KUA Wildcat JV Girls' team will soon return.