Story by Coach Lance Harvey
     The Chillicothe Lady Hornets soccer season kicked off in winning fashion on Thursday, scoring a victory over the visiting St. Paul Lutheran Lady Saints 4 - 2. Playing with the wind in their faces Chillicothe none the less was able to control possession of the ball and generate several scoring opportunities in the first half. Sophomore forward Hannah Jones started the scoring 17 minutes into the game, delivering a nice shot of an assist from freshman reserve midfielder Harlie Jones. The Hornets struck again six minutes later when senior Lindy Saunders floated a corner kick into the penalty. The ball was headed out but found its way to the feet of Saunders who sent another pass in to a charging Hallee Jones who fired a shot past the keeper. Five minutes later Chillicothe added to their score when Saunders beat her defender and fired a low curving shot into the corner of the St. Paul goal.
     The Lady Saints would answer in the 30th minute as forward Rebecca Roepe outraced the Chillicothe defense to a long ball and sent a shot into the back of the Hornet net. The half ended with the score 3 - 1.
     With the wind at their backs Chillicothe pressured St. Paul early in the second half. Senior midfielder Sam Baldwin out hustled several Saint defenders and fired a shot into the back of the net to make it 4 - 1. St. Paul made the game closer when Roepe scored again with 10 minutes left but Chillicothe's defense tightened up and the Lady Hornets walked away with the victory.
     Coaches Lance Harvey and Meredith Brick saw a lot of positives in their first game, namely the pressure applied by forwards Jones and Karson Keithley and the veteran presence of seniors Saunders, Baldwin Hallee Jones, Jozie Reeter, Bailey Fox and Brooke Nelson. They also cited the play Harlie Jones, freshman Morgan Grable off the bench and the hustle of midfielders Mariah Cox and Kiara Botts. Junior goalkeeper Jaylene Sturguess was solid, contributing 12 saves.