Soliday goal gets Davenport past Reardan

REARDAN–Top-notch defense was on display Oct. 20, as the soccer teams from Reardan and Davenport played to a scoreless tie until Gorillas' freshman Glenna Soliday drilled a ball into the Screaming Eagles' net with less than one minute to play in the game.

Davenport's offense spent much of the night at Reardan's end of the field. Its relentless attack kept Reardan goalkeeper Jaylee Abrahamson on her toes as she stopped shot after shot until Soliday's late game heroics.

"I saw the middle wide open and nobody came to pressure me, so I just

went for it," Soliday said.

All season long, Reardan had no substitute players. For this game they finally had one.

Coach Heaven Berarducci praised her shorthanded team.

"Our girls played their hearts out," she said. "Our girls just killed it. This game was a win in my books."

Berarducci reserved special praise for Abrahamson.

"She had so many saves tonight I couldn't even keep count," Berarducci said.

Davenport coach Monty Soliday was pleased with the game's outcome but feels his team has room for improvement. He complimented the Screaming Eagles on their "great effort."

He said the schools share a great rivalry and he likes to see Reardan do well.

"If Davenport is not involved in the game, I will always root for the maroon and gray," Soliday said.

With the win, Davenport improved to 5-4 in NE2B league play. Reardan dropped to 2-6.

Davenport then wrapped up its regular season with a convincing 7-1 victory at Upper Columbia Academy Tuesday, Oct. 25. The Gorillas were the No. 3 seed in the District 7 playoffs and head to St. George's for a contest with the Dragons Thursday, Oct. 27. St. George's picked up a 3-1 victory to advance to the league title game, while Davenport will host Reardan for third place Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m.