CALEDONIA — Both boys and girls Cavalier soccer teams are through to the second round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A playoffs after home wins on Saturday over Byhalia and Senatobia, respectively.
“It’s a testament to who they are,” head coach Louis Alexander said of the first-round wins. “[The girls] have worked constantly, they’re not afraid, they don’t shy away from competition. They’re ready to make a run, and the boys are too. Time will tell but we’re all ready.”
The Cavalier girls, 14-4, ran rampant in a 7-0 win, featuring goals from Eden Gentry, Mary Briggs Studdard, Kara Whalen and two goals apiece from Emma Parham and Aven Matthews.
The boys, 10-7-1, played a much closer match, winning 2-1 against Byhalia, with Yoyo Kurosawa scoring twice to seal the win.
“It’s obvious he’s been one of our better players this year,” Alexander said of Kurosawa. “Both goals were from distance, and as good of strikes as they were, the build-up in those attacks contributed to us being successful, and specifically him being able to score.”
The Cavaliers teams play a possession-based style of soccer, focusing on dictating the flow of the game, but both teams are also capable of pressing high defensively and striking quickly on counterattacks. Their adaptability will be tested in the playoffs as each opponent boasts similar talent and tactical understanding.
The next round will take place today in Caledonia, starting with the girls against Choctaw Central.
“They come from a strong region and they have top-level players,” Alexander said. “They obviously have a support staff that can hurt you as well and I think it’ll be a battle of attrition, who can keep the ball and establish their game plan. It’s a test we’re looking forward to and I think we’re ready.”
The boys will face off against Leake Central following the girls’ game, who are fresh off of a 4-0 first-round win and have only lost twice this season.
“They’ve won a lot of games this year and from what I’ve seen they have several guys who can just make it happen,” Alexander said. “They try to do what we do, they’ll try to possess the ball more and the key for either team is, when those chances come, who can capitalize and score.”
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