GODERICH – The South Huron Rush team went north Aug. 19 to take on the Goderich Blaze in women’s soccer league play, losing 5-0.

The game was a must for the Rush if they hoped to catch Goderich in the standings, but the Blaze were the sharper team this night, according to Rush coach Tim Hundey.  

In spite of South Huron’s interest in winning the game, the team looked a step behind on the first two Goderich goals, Hundey said.

On the first goal, a defender left her mark a little bit too much room and the Goderich striker capitalized by sending a hard shot to the corner of the net.  

On the next goal, Rush goalie Sandra Gregus made a nice save off a break, but the ball went right to an unmarked Blaze midfielder, who easily passed the ball into the open net.  

South Huron allowed three more goals in the opening stanza and could have quit on the game, Hundey said.

“Everyone was disappointed with the first half, and things could have really gotten out of hand like they did earlier in the season,” he added, in reference to lopsided losses against St. Columban and Woodstock.

In the second half, after a moment to regroup in the intermission, South Huron came out and played with more intensity and purpose.

South Huron was able to shut down the rolling Goderich offence for the entire second half, Hundey said.

This was in part due to strong play by sweeper Abby DeWeerd, some key saves by goalie Katie Brady (who arrived in the second half) and speedy defensive play by Megan Sereda (who was playing her first minutes as a defender).  

South Huron could not muster much of an offensive attack, but to hold Goderich even in the second half was something positive, Hundey said.

“The first half was extremely disappointing,” he added. “Sandra was sharp today, but we just didn’t support her. In the second half we showed more fight and limited almost all Goderich chances. It's too bad we didn’t have that fight the whole game.”

South Huron finishes their season with a game Thursday against Marconi, starting at 8:30 p.m.