Tunstall girls soccer defeats Chatham to stay undefeated

A first-year soccer program usually doesn’t have high expectations, but if the Chatham Lady Cavaliers had any, they have certainly exceeded those by a long shot.

Even though they were routed by Tunstall 7-0 on Tuesday, Chatham has already picked up two victories in its young season.

“We did some things well (Tuesday),” Chatham coach Carissa Crowe said. “We played better to be honest. We just have to get back to work and work on communicating better. We’ve really stuck together as a unit through these first few games and I think that is always important as a team is to play together.”

Tunstall (5-0) scored early and often, taking a 2-0 lead at halftime on goals from leading scorer Courtney Mustain and Maggie MacLeish.

MacLeish and Mustain each added a goal in the second half, while Jordan Webster, Ali Wyles and Lara Daffin also scored.

Chipping in with assists for the Lady Trojans were Mustain with two, Emily MacLeish, Laura Daffin and Abby Blair each with one.

“This win makes us feel pretty good,” Tunstall coach Mark Parrish said. “I really thought Chatham would really challenge us a little more than they did, because they have some really good players. We are usually playing teams that we’re not always beating and the shoe is on the other foot and it is kind of hard to gauge ourselves at this point. Are we really this good or what is what we are thinking sometimes.”

Tunstall freshman goalkeeper Jordan Moorefield was solid again, recording five saves for her fourth shutout of the season.

“(Moorefield) had another good game in goal for us,” Parrish said. “(Chatham) didn’t get very many shots, but they had a couple of breakaways that Jordan made a couple of really good decisions on. They could have easily gone in for a score, but that was a really good decision on her part to come up on the ball. When a young keeper like that makes good decisions in goal for you, that’s a bonus and I’m happy with that.”

The fast start is something the Tunstall seniors haven’t experienced before and it gives them great confidence in themselves as they prepare for the rigorous Piedmont District schedule that looms next week.

“It does give us a lot of confidence going into district play with a 5-0 record,” Kefauver said. “We’re really excited. Our confidence is up and we’re really excited and enthusiastic about starting districts. Courtney has done fantastic this year and we also have a lot of other strong players as well. And Jordan Moorefield has done a great job in-goal and again, we’re just ready for the challenge. We’ve met every challenge thus far and hope we can continue to do that.”

A bright spot for Chatham (2-2) was goalkeeper Erin Eaton, who as a senior, is playing her first year of soccer.

Tunstall was able to score whenever the Chatham defense broke down, but Eaton recorded 17 saves, which Crowe said has been a constant throughout the season.

“I’m always nervous. There’s never a game I’m not nervous,” Eaton said. “I just wanted to stay in shape and they pretty much recruited me to play. (Playing Tunstall) prepares us for through-balls and helps our defense get better. Hopefully we can just continue to get better.”

Tunstall 7, Chatham 0

Tunstall 2 5 - 7

Chatham  0 0 - 0

Scoring: Maggie MacLeish (T) with assist from Courtney Mustain; Mustain (T) unassisted; Lara Daffin (T) with assist from Emily MacLeish; Mustain (T) unassisted; Ali Wyles (T) with assist from Abby Blair; Maggie MacLeish (T) assist from Laura Daffin; Jordan Webster (T) unassisted. 

Saves: Jordan Moorefield (T) 5, Erin Eaton (C) 17.

Records: Tunstall 5-0; Chatham 2-2.