- May 2, 2024
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FPC's Kaitlyn Steiner (23) scored two goals against Matanzas on Jan. 8. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas defender Eva Servello (26) and FPC midfieler Ivy Chen (10) battle for the ball. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC's Isabella Kummernes (right) dribbles from the wing as Matanzas defender Rebeka Cordero (12) tries to knock the ball away. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas midfielder Siena Gutierrez (16) runs back on defense as FPC's Ivy Chen goes on the attack. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Nearly two years after undergoing ACL surgery on her right knee, Flagler Palm Coast senior Kaitlyn Steiner is feeling like herself again on the soccer field.
"It was super hard (coming back last season). I knew in my head what I was supposed to do on the field, but I couldn't get my body to do it," Steiner said. "It was a big mental battle."
Now fully recovered, Steiner scored two second-half goals in the Bulldogs 8-0 victory against Matanzas on Monday, Jan. 8, at Sal Campanella Stadium.
She drilled her second goal from beyond the 18-yard box with 1:51 left.
"Steiner played well," FPC coach Pete Hald said. "And when she's playing well we seem to be a faster team."
The Bulldogs (9-7-1) sped out to a 3-0 halftime lead as freshman Lauralee Macleod scored two first-half goals and senior Ariana Johnson added another.
Freshmen Ivy Chen and Skyler Strickland and junior Erin Hughes also scored in the second half. Hughes scored with two seconds remaining to officially end the game by the mercy rule.
FPC won its third game in a row and beat Matanzas for the second time in a month. The Bulldogs are the only team to beat the Pirates (8-2) this season. FPC defeated Matanzas 3-0 on Dec. 5 in a game in which Bulldogs co-captain Savannah O'Grady suffered a season-ending knee injury.
In both wins against their rival, the Bulldogs dominated possession, but this time they were able to finish more opportunities.
"We played really well in the back, and that must have frustrated them," Hald said.
After beating Matanzas the first time, the Bulldogs lost their next five games. But with the help of a strong freshman class and players returning from injury, FPC has outscored its last three opponents 15-1.
"Our freshmen bring another level of intensity. They get after it up top," Hald said. "Their work ethic is tremendous, and they're hungry. Now, we have three or four players on our bench who can start on any given night."
Six FPC freshmen have combined to score 22 of the team's 51 goals.
A healthy Steiner, who has scored six goals this season, has helped too.
"A positive side (to the surgery) is my left foot has gotten stronger," she said. "I scored my first goal tonight with my left foot.”
