BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Keystone Heights High School fell behind 2-0 in the first half and couldn’t complete a successful rally, losing 2-1 to visiting Oak Hall in a girls soccer match on Nov. 7.
The Eagles scored goals in the 10th and 25th minutes, but failed to put together many serious scoring threats the remainder of the match.
Keystone’s Kayden Huntley had a close-range shot in the 18th minute, but it was deflected before the ball was scooped up by Oak Hall goalie Zoe Ben-Soshan.
The Indians had several good looks in the final 14 minutes, but their shots were either off target or stopped by Ben-Soshan.
Keystone took more shots on goal than the Eagles in the second half, but it wasn’t until Halea Lam connected from approximately 15 yards out in the 63rd minute that the Indians finally got on the board.
Oak Hall had a breakaway attempt in the final five minutes, but the Indians’ Xana Briley prevented the Eagles from adding to their lead.
The Indians (1-2) went 1-1 in their previous matches, beginning with a 3-1 loss to visiting Newberry on Nov. 5 to open the regular season. Huntley scored Keystone’s lone goal off a Kayle Buchanan assist, while Briley made five saves.
On Nov. 6, Keystone traveled to Ridgeview, winning 2-1. Huntley scored off a Tayler Buchanan assist and recorded an assist herself on a Lam goal. Briley made six saves.
Keystone’s junior varsity team also played Ridgeview, winning 4-1. Abbygelle McGee scored two goals, while Juliette Marini and Ryleigh Thomas each scored one. Marini also had an assist.
It was the JV team’s season opener.
The Indians varsity and JV teams played Suwannee this past Monday and will travel to play at Crescent City on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The varsity team travels to play Fernandina Beach on Friday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Keystone hosts Buchholz, with the JV team playing at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity team playing at 7:20 p.m.
