Strong second half lifts Reardan over UCA

REARDAN – After being tied at nil at halftime, the Screaming Eagles' girls soccer team scored three goals in the second half to defeat Upper Columbia Academy 3-1 in their 2B league game Tuesday, Oct. 8.

From the game's opening kick-off, it appeared Reardan and UCA were evenly matched as neither team penetrated deep into their opponents' end of the field, making the first 40 minutes a back-and-forth affair with few shots on goal.

The Screaming Eagles took control in the second half. Within one minute played, Reardan eighth grader Sophie Burtenshaw snuck in front of the Lions' goal where she became the beneficiary of a teammate's missed shot on goal that bounced off UCA players like a pinball until she booted it into the net for the game's first score.

Five minutes later, senior Noelle Raczykowski curved the ball into the back of the net from the right of the goal to put the Screaming Eagles ahead 2-0. She nearly duplicated the same shot with 15:00 left in the game when she looped a shot over the goalie's reach from 25 yards out to score her second goal of the half and to put Reardan up 3-0.

Haven Dye scored UCA's lone goal with 4:20 left in the game to make the final score 3-1.

"We were more unified and communicated better in the second half," Burtenshaw said. "When we were struggling a little on offense, Rylynn Green was especially aggressive on defense."

"The difference in the first and second half was like night and day," Reardan head coach Richard Breedlove said. "The girl's spread out on offense in the second half and played with more aggression."

Breedlove singled out Raczykowski and eighth grader Carmella Oxstien for their play.

"Noelle always plays real well and did again tonight. But I really liked what I saw out of Carmella. She showed real hustle."

The win improved the Screaming Eagles' record to 5-3. The loss dropped UCA to 2-4.

After playing Freeman on Oct. 10, Reardan will host rival Davenport on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 6:00 p.m.