9/2/26
Wednesday evening, the Sentinels women’s soccer team traveled to Front Royal, VA, for their first away game this season against the Christendom Crusaders.
After the loss in their previous game, the Sentinels switched up tactics in anticipation of the match against the Crusaders. The Sentinels, having had just one practice to prepare for the game and develop this new game plan, stepped onto the field wary but confident. The whistle blew, the game began, and the plan was executed.
After a scoreless 20 minutes, freshman forward Noel Hurst was fouled and earned a set piece for the Sentinels roughly 30 yards from the goal. Sophomore Heidi Otis lined up over the ball and waited for the whistle before sending a rocket straight over the head of the Christendom goalkeeper and into the back of the net, giving PHC the first goal of the match and ultimately heading into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
The second half held an eerily similar progression. This time it was Sentinel senior Naomi Saneda who drew the foul with 17 minutes left in the game. Again, Otis set up the free kick and was able to squeak this one under Christendom’s goalkeeper into the lower left corner of the net for a 2-0 lead and her second goal of the match.
The Crusaders never gave up and were able to find a goal with 2 minutes left in the game, but it was too little, too late, and the PHC Sentinels were able to travel back to Purcellville having notched their first win of the season and their first win against the Crusaders under Head Coach Ethan Patrick.
The Sentinel women return to play on Saturday, September 12, when they host Sweet Briar for a 2:00 p.m. match. For all the latest updates and information, follow the Sentinels on Facebook or Instagram @phcsentinels.
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Heidi Otis