West Chester Rustin shuts out Coatesville

CALN >> Two girls’ soccer teams with different views of success met in their Ches-Mont League opener Wednesday night.

West Chester Rustin has eyes on the American Division title and to make noise in the district tournament.

Coatesville has been building one step at a time to be a program that can play consistently at that level and challenge, and beat, the top teams in the league.

The Golden Knights (1-0, 4-1) received goals from three players and held the Coatesville offense in check en route to a 3-0 victory.

The Red Raiders came out aggressive and held their own against the Golden Knights, holding them scoreless for the first 22 minutes.

“I asked the girls before the game for a hard 80 minutes. They gave us 60,” said Coatesville coach Patrick Kinzeler. “We got a little panicky and a little bit out of shape in the beginning of the second half, but for a young team that is aspiring, I’m proud of their effort. We had some excellent play. Our defensive line did really, really well.”

Rustin slowly started to enjoy more of the play and hemmed the Red Raiders in their own end. But, despite the territorial advantage, the chances weren’t of the worrisome kind.

The resistance broke with 13:47 left in the first half. Coatesville defended a corner kick, but the ball found its way to Ellie Keefer at the edge of the penalty area. After a touch to settle, Keefer launched a shot across the goal that beat goalie Riley Kinzeler and snuck inside the right post for a 1-0 lead.

“I like to shoot,” said Keefer. “So, when I got a little space, I was thinking shot.
“We were connecting well and we started to control more of the game. I thought we played well.”

The Golden Knights had 10 shots on goal as they took the one-goal lead into the break.

They continued having the better of the play and doubled their lead four minutes into the second half. Kaylee

VanVladricken floated a shot from distance that nestled into the net.

The Red Raiders tried to mount some offense, but the compact Rustin defense kept them at bay. Coatesville couldn’t sustain any attack before Rustin cleared the ball and started off on a counter attack.

Coatesville’s first shot was its best chance as Kyleigh Mann got off a glancing header that went just wide of the goal.

“I think we need to play a little bit smarter out to the wings,” said Kinzeler. “I think we a little more forward communication. I think out press was good tonight, but I think our forwards need to communicate better with our midfield.”

The Golden Knights made it 3-0 and closed out the scoring midway through the half as Jenna Kraft knocked in a corner kick with a shot that squeezed in off the right post.

The Golden Knights allowed the Red Raiders only two shots as goalie Morgan O’Donnell was called to make one save for the shutout.

“Our calling card for the last three or four years has been our defense,” said Rustin coach Ashley Ainsworth. “They played well and I trust them.”

Despite being outshot by a sizeable margin, Kinzeler was pleased with the defensive effort.

“I think our defensive line played pretty well,” he said. We sat back on the six a little too much. They need to be aggressive coming up and they need to be more aggressive on the long balls coming in. But, all in all, that was a pretty good defensive effort from out team tonight.”

Coatesville has a nonleague game against Marple Newtown on Saturday before facing Downingtown West on Monday. Rustin visits Shanahan on Monday.

WC Rustin 3, Coatesville 0
WC Rustin 1 2 — 3
Coatesville 0 0 — 0
WC Rustin goals: Keefer, VanVladricken, Kraft.
Goalie saves: O’Donnell (WCR) 1; Kinzeler (C) 10.