Connersville

Monday saw the Lady Spartans battle a tough Greendale team. Ultimately, the Spartans fell to the Lady Tigers 4-0, but there were several positives to take away from this game, which is what the coaching staff would like to highlight. Monday's game saw two more players make their debuts for the Lady Spartans: 6th graders Taylar Moore and Lois Riebsomer. It has been stated in past write-ups, but this is the first season that 6th graders have been able to participate for the CMS Lady Spartans, and each one of these girls on our roster is significantly impacting the team! The coaches could not be happier with their progress, effort in practices and games, and most importantly, their attitudes. Our outside defenders (Hailey Birgel, Laney Holmes, Zoey Klein, Lois Riebsomer, Addie Krause, Brooke Padgett, Letti McGuire) had a challenging game from the start. Our game plan leading into Monday's match required these girls to absorb lots of attacking pressure and remain mentally alert throughout the game. It was heartening to watch this group battle all game long, never once letting up on the field. Leah Birgel, playing her second game as a box-to-box midfielder, was truly the engine of midfield. In a regular game, this position is extremely physically and mentally demanding. In a game like last night's, where our strategy was to absorb pressure, it is even more so. From closing down space on oncoming attackers, making recovery runs, and then having to help push forward in the attack, Leah excelled. Blakelynn Branstetter, usually an attacking midfielder/forward, volunteered to play the entire game in goal, knowing that as a result of our plan, there would be a lot of shots at her goal. Branstetter ended the night with 24 saves, setting the new single-game record for the CMS Lady Spartans (formerly held by Shade Crabtree). Branstetter played a nearly perfect game in goal, communicating effectively with her teammates ahead of her, working well with her center backs, Welter and Heiber, and providing a calming presence on the field all night. The "Larry Shaker Shot Maker" award was presented to Leah Birgel by her teammates.