GHV girls soccer team peaking at right time

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura girls soccer team is peaking at the right time of the season.  The Cardinals picked up two wins and finished as runner-ups at the GHV Tournament held on Saturday.

GHV 10, CAL/H-D/B-K

The Cardinals had 26 shots on goal on their way to a shut-out over CAL/H-D/B-K, 10-0, on Monday, April 27.

“The girls were really dialed in for this game,” said Coach Josh Banse.  “They are really beginning to mesh well together and our offense was on fire and worked very well as a team.”

The GHV defense also performed very well, by not allowing one shot on goal.  Coach Banse praised the play of goalie Sam Betz, Rianna Kadirlik, Autumn Prehn, Mackenzie Haag, Brooklyn Laird, and Rachel Sokol.

Scoring two goals apiece were Jacki Van Oort, Payton Bamrick, Haag, and Emily Spilman.  Autumn Weaver and Tiara Van Gerpen each had one.

Van Gerpen led the team in assists with two.  Spilman and Van Oort had one assist apiece.

A-P 5, GHV 0

The Cardinals faced a good team Tuesday night, April 28, as they fell to Aplington-Parkersburg, 5-0.

“A-P is a great team.  To get better we have to play the good teams.  This is the best I have felt after a loss in three years,” said Coach Josh Banse.  “We played well as a team and just could not get a shot off.”

Goalie Sam Betz had a phenomenal night with 12 saves.

“Sam played really well.  She was under a lot of pressure and is starting to mature as a player,” said Banse.

The Cardinals play A-P again on Thursday, May 4, and Coach Banse said he is looking forward to it, because it could be a different story.

GHV 2, Humboldt 0

A disciplined defensive unit recorded their fourth shut-out of the season, as GHV downed Humboldt, 2-0, on Thursday, April 30.

“It is great to see them passing the ball instead of just clearing it,” said Coach Josh Banse.

Moving some offensive players around helped the team to perform better.

Emily Spilman and Autumn Weaver scored one goal apiece.

Payton Bamrick provided both assists.

“Payton did a nice job distributing when she had to and also took shots when they were there,” said Banse.

Goalie Sam Betz had five saves.

GHV Tournament

The Cardinals finished second at their own tournament on Saturday.  Hudson won the four-team tournament.  Webster City was third and Clear Lake finished in fourth place.

GHV opened the day with a 2-0 victory over Webster City, with Payton Bamrick scoring both goals for the Cardinals.

“Payton is really finding her way to the net and taking advantage of it,” said Coach Josh Banse.

Mackenzie Haag had an assist and goalie Sam Betz recorded four saves.

In the championship game, GHV trailed 4-0 at the half.  The Cards picked it up in the second half, scoring two goals and holding Hudson to scoreless, but it wasn’t enough as Hudson claimed championship honors with a score of 4-2.

“The way the girls battled was awesome and they now know what they are capable of,” said Banse.

Tiara Van Gerpen and Bamrick scored the goals.  Betz had four saves.

Clear Lake went 0-2 on the day.

Despite a fast start, with Kaye Faber scoring in the first minute of the game, the Lions stalled and Hudson cruised to a 6-1 victory in the opening game of the tournament.

“The Pirates offense just proved to be too much,” said Coach Nick DiMarco.

Ellie Biebesheimer had 16 saves for the Lions.

Although the score didn’t reflect it, Coach DiMarco said the team played much better in the second game against Webster City, with time of possession and shots on goal being equal.

“Offensively, we moved the ball around very well,” said DiMarco.  “I am very proud of the effort and determination the girls are demonstrating.”

Emily Phalen scored the Lions’ lone goal in the second half on a hard fought drive to the net.  Biebesheimer had six saves.