Greencastle girls' grab dominant win against visiting West Vigo 4-1

Greencastle sophomore Catie Anderson advances the ball during the second half against West Vigo on Tuesday. Anderson scored the first goal of her career earlier in the match. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

It was a day of firsts for the Greencastle girls' soccer team on Tuesday but the most important part of the game has happened many times before.

The Tiger Cubs (6-3, 2-1) picked up their sixth win of the season, beating West Vigo 4-1.

Sophomore Emma Hiigel picked up the win in her first-career varsity start in goal. She made six saves and surrendered only on a penalty kick in the final minutes of the game.

"She did a great job," GHS head coach Jamie Grivas said. "She stepped up. ... She was talking more and directing the defense."

With Hiigel and senior defenders Rosio Gomez and Brittany Friars playing behind them, the Tiger Cubs defense was in control throughout the first half, but the offense played slow.

Freshman Whitney Weinschenk finally gave the Tiger Cubs some energy, scoring the first goal of her career just before halftime.

"Whitney had a great goal," Grivas said.

Taking a 1-0 lead into the break, the Tiger Cubs were confident they could do better in the second half.

Sophomore Catie Anderson was the catalyst.

"Catie Anderson started playing the ball to people's feet," Grivas said. "She got the pace of the game back under control."

Anderson, a defender last year, moved up to midfield to start the 2013 season and scored her the first goal of her career against the Vikings.

The two goal lead would have been enough, Grivas said, especially with the way her experienced backline was playing.

"Rosio and Brittany were holding the back line strong the whole game," she said. "They just did a good job of keeping the backline's composure. They stepped up as seniors."

Gomez's defense also led to a goal. After getting a stop, Gomez led a breakaway, taking the ball the length of the field and dropping an impossible shot over the Vikings' keeper for her first goal of the year.

Sophomore Bailey Lausee added one more goal for GHS, her first of the season, and sophomore Victoria Sampson had an assist.

The Tiger Cubs' slow first half has been an issue that has plagued the club for much of the season, as has the team playing to it's level of competition.

GHS will have a few days off but will try to keep its rhythm going on Saturday at Sullivan at noon.

At Greencastle
West Vigo..................0 1 -- 1
Greencastle...............1 3 -- 4