MILWAUKIE –Alex Henry and Abby Conyers teamed up for a pair of first-half goals Thursday night to lead Catlin Gabel to a 2-0 girls’ varsity soccer victory over La Salle Prep in the season opener for both schools.
The match, an OSAA Foundation Endowment game, was played on La Salle’s recently-installed turf field and paired teams coming off OSAA state playoff appearances last season.
Henry, a junior midfielder, found the back of the net on both Catlin Gabel goals, each coming off feeds from Conyers, a senior. Henry’s first score, a header to the near post 5:10 into the contest, came off a perfectly executed corner kick into the box by Conyers. The duo teamed up again 11 ½ minutes later when Conyers served up a free kick from 35 yards out that Henry controlled from close range and shot past the Falcon defense.
Emma Ronai-Durning and Becca Garner, who shared goalkeeping duties for Catlin Gabel, turned back three La Salle shots on goal in recording the shutout.
“With only four practices as a varsity team under our belt, I thought the girls played well,” said first-year La Salle head coach Ryan Cereghino. “ I saw pieces of good soccer, but we need work on putting those pieces together from beginning to end. We are learning to be more consistent, playing together as a team, and getting to know one another and their tendencies. The team will be working hard this week in preparation for our next game on Tuesday at Sandy High School.”
Written by Dave Haglund
