BAYLOR 4, NOTRE DAME 0Halftime score: 1-0. Goals: Chloe Brackett, Grace Stewart, Peyton Thomas, Hagan Harman. Assist: McKenzie Thomas. Shots on goal: Baylor, 21-3. Saves: Grace Courter 7, Natalie Graham 4 (ND); Analiese Smith 3 (B). Other standouts: Courtney Boyd, Ashley Henry (ND); Paige Elliott, Teni Butler (B). Records: Baylor 12-1; Notre Dame 4-8-2.
Baylor has figured out a lot of difficult ways to play soccer during the 2011 girls' season. Tuesday night against Notre Dame, the Lady Red Raiders found a simpler way -- much to the delight of their coach.
The Division II-AA top-ranked Lady Red Raiders, ranked 10th nationally by ESPN, got goals from four players in defeating the Lady Irish 4-0 at Baylor. The match pitted a pair of defending state champions -- Baylor in Division II-AA, Notre Dame in Class A/AA.
Baylor dominated most every aspect of the match, using superior speed all around the field to create opportunities on goal.
"I thought we played quick and simple tonight, which allowed us to be more effective," Baylor coach Jimmy Weekley said. "I think in some past games, we've wanted to do well and have pressed the issue when it wasn't the appropriate time."
Baylor threatened from the start, working Chloe Brackett on the right sideline and Kelly Pannell on the left wing. The hosts managed to get on the scoreboard in the 16th minute when Brackett hit a shot that squirted under Lady Irish keeper Grace Courter, moments after a Peyton Thomas shot glanced off the bottom of the crossbar.
"We were hoping it would be 0-0 at the half," Notre Dame coach Jim Schermerhorn said. "I thought we played a good first half. We had to play defensively because they're so hard to match up with on a skill level."
Baylor received second-half goals from Grace Stewart, Peyton Thomas and Hagan Harman, while keeper Analiese Smith was a spectator in not facing any shots on goal in the final 40 minutes. Courter played the first half for Notre Dame and finished with seven saves. Natalie Graham relieved her and played the second half and finished with four.
Weekley spent most of the second half rotating his younger players into the match.
"It was great to get those younger girls experience," he said. "I was also proud of our older girls in giving the younger ones an opportunity to get experience. The last 15 minutes, we played with a group that's all coming back next year."
Said Schermerhorn: "I'm proud of the fact that we didn't quit battling; we won't play a better team this season."