- May 2, 2024
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Spruce Creek's Ally Runge scores a goal against Mainland. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland's Ava Doughtry kicks a ball in the first half against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
Buccaneers midfielder Grace Hawryluk dribbles with the ball against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland goalkeeper Leah Nowak stops a shot from a Spruce Creek player. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland's Lisa Varela (No. 4) attempts a throw-in in the first half against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
Buccaneers goalkeeper Leah Nowak launches a kick against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland defender Victoria Kerry steals the ball from a Spruce Creek player. Photo by Ray Boone
Leah Nowak was completely frozen. It was as if her feet had been dipped in cement.
All it took was one move from Hawks striker Jordan Di Verniero, one of the top goal scorers in Volusia County history, and the Buccaneers’ goalkeeper was on the ground. Di Verniero had a simple, clear shot to the back of the net.
By halftime, Mainland girls soccer coach James Harden wasn’t sure how many goals Di Verniero scored against his team’s defense.
“Too many,” Harden said. “[Di Verniero’s] pace, her size and her finishing ability: It just made it so difficult for my back line.”
In their opening game of the season, the Buccaneers (0-1) were mercy-ruled by Spruce Creek 10-0 in the first half on the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 9, at Mainland High School. Mainland hardly got any shots on-goal against the Hawks (3-0). In the meantime, Di Verniero led all scorers with six goals, the first coming just over a minute into the game.
Harden said some of the team’s difficulties stemmed from trying out a new formation.
“I think I had them befuddled a little bit,” he said. “And truthfully, it’s the athleticism and the ability of Creek. And I’m not taking anything from my girls. They’ve got a lot of heart, and they play hard. We’ve just got to keep building.”
Harden said he sees the loss as a measuring stick. Spruce Creek, which won a district championship last season, is traditionally one of the most high-powered teams in the area.
“It’s a benchmark,” he said. “It’s not where you start. It’s where you finish. That’s all it is. This was a learning experience for them and for me, and we’re just going to continue to improve and move forward.”
The Buccaneers will have home games against a tough University team (Tuesday, Nov. 14) and Deltona (Thursday, Nov. 16) before they tackle their first road game of the season.
