The Knights went to Gainesville this weekend for the UF Tournament, where they played their first game on Friday Knight against UF A Team at 7:30 pm. The Knights played amazing, working together, playing quick, and ended with victory. In the first half, Samantha Major assisted a goal to Elise Larett, and Kimmy Westmoreland assisted a goal by a beautiful throw in to Erika Shaefer, who headed the ball into the back of the net. With Ashley Taylor in goal, saving many close calls for the Knights, UF scored only one goal in the second half, and the Knighhts won the game 2-1.
The next day, the Knights took on Valdosta State at 12:30 pm. In the first half, Shannon Schaefer passed the ball to Lauren Howard for a goal, McKenzie Cloak took the ball down the middle on a breakaway, and it bounced off the keeper to be scored by Mattie Guttery, and Karen McDaniel assisted a goal to Shannon Schaefer. In the second half, Karen McDaniel assisted a goal to Samantha Major, Ashley Taylor, after a battle in the box put one in for the Knights, Evie Sirianni crossed the ball in to be finished by Kat Schratt, Jennifer Osburn assisted a wicked goal from the top of the box to Aileen Herrera, and Kimmy Westmoreland assisted a goal to Samantha Major. Maggie Gardner was in goal for the Knights, and had many saves. The Knights won the game with a shut out of 8-0, putting them in first place in their bracket and having the privelage to skip the game at 3:30 and move straight to the semi finals!
In the semi finals, the Knights played USC at 8:00 am. USC scored a goal in the first half which was mistakenly not called offsides, leaving the Knights were down a goal. The Knights kept their heads up and Samantha Major beat the defenders and being 1 on 1 with the keeper, put one in the back of the net, leaving both teams tied at the end of the game. This meant the teams went to two ten minute halves, where Jennifer Osburn assisted a goal to Evie Sirianni, giving the Knights the lead. In the last few minutes, USC scored a second goal, and tied the game. This led to penalty kicks, with Ashley Taylor in goal, and Samantha Major, Evie Sirianni, Shannon Schaefer, Leanne Hill, and McKenzie Cloak taking them. Ashley Taylor saved the first goal, and with all the Knights players making their goals, won the game!
The finals were against UF A team, and after an hour of delay, the game finally started at 12:15 pm. The Knights worked hard, ran quick, but in the end, were exhausted and some players hurt. The Knights did not let their heads down and continued their effort, but were unlucky. The Knigths lost in the finals against UF.
This tournament was very trying and intense, and the Knights did a tremendous job despite the score, their efforts were there and they dug in and played with their hearts.
