CULLMAN – St. Bernard’s Lady Saints are in the AHSAA 1A-4A soccer playoffs for the second consecutive season following a 3-0 victory over Danville at home Thursday afternoon.
Abigale Bennett compiled a hat trick for the Lady Saints who are now 6-6-1 on the season, finishing 2-2 in the area with both wins against the school from Morgan County.
Coach Shannon Mescher’s Lady Saints dominated attacking the Danville zone with 23 shots against goalkeeper Susan Fuller. St. Bernard goalie Bree McPherson had to deal with only two shots near the net the entire match.
Four minutes into the match, Bennett intercepted a pass and pushed the ball by Fuller into the net to put St. Bernard ahead 1-0.
The Lady Saints extended their advantage to two goals with 28:21 to go in the half on Bennett’s kick from the right side near the Danville goal. St. Bernard had 11 shots on goal in the opening half with half a dozen coming in the first 15 minutes. They led 2-0 at the break.
Abbie Mescher attempted a penalty kick halfway into the final half that was deflected away by Fuller. Bennett collected the rebound and fired it by Fuller to complete her good performance in helping the Lady Saints qualify for the playoffs that will begin April 26 at the winner of Area 16.
Logan Ayers, Zana Wilson, Griselda Silva, Greer Cauthan, Meg Borths, Aimee Coates also contributed to the victory by putting pressure on Danville to slow them in the attack and keeping them out of the Lady Saints zone that made it easy for McPherson all game long.
McPherson defended one shot on goal per half with the back line and the middle part of the defense stepping up when time was needed to win this contest.
The playoff bound squad has two home games left before they think about the postseason. St. Bernard will host Oneonta on Monday and Decatur Heritage Tuesday. Both games will be at 5 p.m.
