Dobbs, Briones at the double to help Tiger Cubs down Knights

Greencastle's Ali Dobbs (2) rides off the challenge of Northview's Marlee Brand (16) to retain possession during Thursday night's WIC contest.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

Ali Dobbs and Evie Briones each scored a pair of goals as the Greencastle girls’ soccer team moved to 2-0 in the Western Indiana Conference with a 5-3 victory over Northview Thursday night.

The Tiger Cubs controlled the pace of play early in the match, keeping possession and getting scoring chances. Northview’s Karigan Krider saved what was looking like a goal early as she raced back from her position to keep it out of the net but Greencastle kept the pressure on and received a penalty kick, which will be a theme coming.

Dobbs stepped up and struck in the back of the net for the opening score.

Just before half Briones jumped on a rebound from a shot by Aleeyah Johnson to put the Cubs up 2-0 just before the break.

The tide began to turn in the second half. Northview made some adjustments and began attacking.

The Knights were able to take advantage of two hand balls in the box as Emma Whitman and Lauren Tilley knotted the game at 2-2 with their penalty kicks.

“It’s there. We just need to play with that kind of energy for the whole game,” Northview head coach Don Bryan said about the second half resurgence.

Greencastle regrouped, Riley Wainman got a shot off that caromed right to Penny Cummings for the put-back goal. A few minutes later Dobbs scored her second goal of the night from a nice assist by Briones, restoring the two-goal lead.

Scoring became fast and furious as the Knights got right back into it as Kambree Jones received a nicely placed corner kick and placed it behind the keeper.

Briones would seal it for Greencastle with six minutes left, placing a header in the net off a beautiful cross from Dobbs. The Cubs would close out the 5-3 victory from there over the Knights.

“We knew they were going to make adjustments. Energy, formation and those first 20 minutes of the second half their energy beat us,” Greencastle coach Scott Monnett said.

“The girls responded and we made a formation change. This team is different, they have great energy, they are very tight and close.”