VERMILLION – Top-rated Groton exploded for five second-half goals on the way to a 7-0 girls’ soccer victory over Vermillion on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers scored a pair of goals in the opening half, including one in the final two minutes. Groton then blasted the Vermillion goal in the final 40 minutes.
Jerica Locke and McKenna Tietz each put a pair of shots into the back of the net for the Tigers.
“I give credit to the girls for being patient after many chances were off target or saved in the first 15-20 minutes,” said Groton coach Matt Baumgartner. “To settle into playing together and working the open spaces to build some creative goals really burst everyone’s confidence today.”
The Tigers, 6-2 on the season, have a road test on Tuesday at Dakota Valley, 5-1-1 on the year. The two teams are tied for first in the latest Class A poll. Groton will host the Panthers later this month.
Groton 2 5 – 7
Vermillion 0 0 – 0
First Half: 1, G, Mia Crank (McKenna Tietz), 21:56; 2, G, Jerica Locke, 1:40.
Second Half: 3, G, Tietz, 38:01; 4, G, Sydney Locke, 31:44; 5, J. Locke (Carly Gilbert), 29:57; 6, G, Brenna Imrie (Jaedyn Penning), 13:13; 7, G, Tietz (Ryelle Gilbert) 1:51.
Goalkeepers: Groton, Jaedyn Penning (2 saves), and Tori Schuster (2 saves).
