Anniston, AL – After a frustrating first-half against a top-of-the-line goalie in Johannson Donoho’s two-time County Player of the Year gets the goal of the century
by Joe Medley
Erin Turley was like a wet noodle sitting on the bench during halftime of Donoho’s local girls’ soccer game against Weaver. The bench was slouched with her tired head hanging behind her chairback. It was all these items … the whole thing them running in the middle of the pitch, and all the shots to goal and shots that Weaver’s Lena Johannson can stop and did. Maybe after spending the initial half in the midst of a triangle of Weaver players as well as it was possible that the Michael Jordan of Calhoun County girls’ soccer simply needed some time to herself. It was evident to Turley that she entered the game with two goals in order to make it 100.
The half-time break came and went but she needed two. While she was waiting, Donoho coach Vinny Yslava’s halftime comments sank in on her. “At halftime we were talking aboutit, and he told us that this was the most successful game we’ve had in a long period of time,” Turley said. “I did not agree with him as I was unable to score a goal in the first half, and in during the second half I was locked in trying to get the ball back.” Turley got Nos. 99, 100. She dribbled left into the goalie’s direction, turned around right before firing an effort over Johannson fifty seconds in the first half. One Minute and a half after, Turley hit from the right side, landing the ball right over Johannson’s hands in the upper right-hand corner of the goal to mark the landmark.
All of it was part of a the big win for Donoho, which prevailed 7-0 after needing an own goal to take the lead at 2-0 after a tense first half. Samantha Wakefield scored the hat score, scoring a rebound goal during the first period and the 35-yard free kick that came late at the end of the contest. “Sam is an exceptional athlete,” Yslaval said. “She’s among those athletes who is able to play in almost every position. She’s found her niche in the midfield attacking position. “She’s very good in that position as she’s able to shoot from a distance even when they’re in a deep position.” Izzy Romareo scored just prior to Wakefield’s previous goal.
Donoho’s five second-half goals occurred after a half which was a battle to see Johannson make 20 saves. Among them were trademark Turley shots that would have defeated many keeping players from high schools. “This will be the only time that we’ve played with an athletic keeper in Lena,” Turley said about her summer-ball partner. “She’s among the top keepers, just like (Donoho graduate) Maggie Wakefield. “We needed to alter our game plan slightly, as like the other keepers who have been in the team, we’ve managed to score on long, high-flying balls. For her the goal, we had to concentrate on the low balls to the goal. It was a mental obstacle we had to overcome in the initial half.” Johannson called stopping Turley “difficult.” “I am sure she is able to pull an attack from any place,” said Johannson, who is also the state’s champion three times. “It’s difficult to glance at the defensive line and be confident that she’ll be able to hit it when the ball is turned.” It’s a tough one. Read More…]
Boys
DONOHO 9. WEAVER 1,Missing the all-state team of Drew Williamson and Logan Melton, the Falcons (5-2-1 5-1, 4-0 in the area) enjoyed a comfortable area win, with plenty of contributing players. Bruce Downey, Sam Johnson and Jack Thomas had two goals each, while Downey was also credited with an assist. Isaiah Smith also scored a goal. Trey Alexander and Lukas Allen each contributed an assist. “We saw a few players who were suffering from school-related reasons which allowed us to spread the wealth in this event,” Donoho coach Tim Melton explained. “We were able to have some youngsters with a few eighth and seventh graders go out and get the chance they normally don’t have. “We were able to play much more in than this game. We were able to defeat the opposition very well and everyone was in a position of scoring.”
