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Friday, September 5, 2008
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Gone in 28 seconds
Sports Editor BAXTER - Kelly Rosenthal is the leading scorer in Brainerd Warrior girls' soccer history for a reason.
She has unselfish teammates.
A player who possesses offensive tools like Rosenthal doesn't do it alone. She needs teammates who pass her the ball and Rosenthal will create her own scoring chances.
After a scoreless first half, Rosenthal tallied twice within 28 seconds in the second half to spur the Warriors to a 3-0 victory over the Willmar Cardinals on Thursday at Southdale Field.
"In the first half we weren't getting the ball as well as would have liked," Rosenthal said. "Then the second half we talked about spreading out so we could open up lanes. It worked and we were able to get some perfect balls right through the middle and spread the defense. It made for easier shots."
Madison Smith assisted on Rosenthal's first goal, dribbling up the right side and hitting Rosenthal in the chest with a pass. When the ball dropped Rosenthal whacked it into the cage with her left foot at 51:24.
Tori Saxum hit Rosenthal with a lead pass, she broke free and beat Willmar keeper Chelsey Wierschem to the left corner at 51:52.
About 16 minutes later, Natalie Taylor scored Brainerd's final goal, drilling a rebound from about 20 feet past Wierschem.
"We're playing Natalie on the (junior varsity) and varsity," Warriors coach Steve Kimble said. "She's one of those kids who's in the right spot at the right time, and finishes the chances she gets. Everybody's pretty excited for her."
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Warriors 3, Willmar 0
The key: Brainerd scored three second-half goals
Conference: Brd 4-0-0, Will 1-3-0
Overall: Brd 4-1-0, Will 2-3-1
Next: Elk River vs. Brainerd at Baxter 1 p.m. Saturday.
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The second-half eruption followed a first half in which Brainerd outshot the Cardinals 14-3 but had a goose egg to show for it.
"From the opening whistle a (Willmar) girl almost dribbled one right into the net," Kimble said, "so they're much improved. Hats off to Willmar.
"I told the girls to be patient. I usually give Rosy and Britta (Nelson) a drink maybe once a half. I told them to keep going, they will go in, be patient.
"I'm trying to get the girls to learn to be a little bit more patient. That's what I've seen some of the better teams do."
Brainerd finished with a 34-4 edge in shots, including 20-1 in the second half.
"Our defense includes our midfielders," Kimble said. "Our midfield is keeping our team's shape as good as they can, but it was a good effort. (Elle) Adams in the middle is commanding the ship, and doing good job of it so far."
Willmar 0 0 - 0
Brainerd 0 3 - 3
First half: No scoring
Second half: Brd-Kelly Rosenthal (Madison Smith) 51:24; Brd-Rosenthal (Tori Saxum) 51:52; Brd-Natalie Taylor, 68:17
Shots on goal: Will 3-1-4, Brd 14-20-34
Goalkeepers: Will-Chelsey Wierschem (31 saves), Brd-Cami Andersen (4 saves)
MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.
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