Dock Girls Soccer prepared all week for their biggest match of the season against Faith Christian Academy. After a tough loss in the district finals last fall, the Lady Pioneers focused on their positivity, team chemistry and intensity, and what they needed to do to show up ready to play on Friday afternoon. Faith came out strong, winning most of the 50/50 air balls and causing a lot of miscommunications with Dock's defensive positioning. Once Dock settled into their style of play, and matched Faith’s intensity, the Lady Pioneers found themselves putting a lot of pressure on Faith's back line. Dock's forwards, freshman Shelby Lapp and junior Billinda Leisner, created a lot of chaos for Faith defensively. After multiple scoring opportunities, and a breakaway attempt from freshman Shelby Lapp, both teams remained scoreless going into halftime. Dock's defensive line proved to be solid the entire game. Outside backs, Ava Stokes and Jenna Detweiler were able to force Faith's forwards wide, without any real dangerous scoring opportunities. Center backs Tess Bergey and Abby Mellinger controlled most of the defensive play, clearing the ball out when needed, and forcing Faith to play outside. Dock’s strongest contribution of the game came from the central midfielders, Kenzie Derstine, and Eden Loux. Senior Kenzie Derstine battled the entire game against Faith’s strong midfield. Derstine earned Dock's first goal of the match in the 42nd minute. Less than 3 minutes into the second half, Derstine received a quick restart from Megan Wenzel's throw in about 30 yards from the goal. Derstine took a quick prep touch and hit a half volley towards goal. Faith's goalkeeper was unable to make the save on the upper 90 shot, and Dock took the lead 1-0. Keeping up the intensity and communication, Dock continued to put pressure on Faith, and found the open gaps all over the field. Leisner was able to find Shelby Lapp off a throw in with a quick deflection past Faith's center back. Junior Ashley Lapp ran through to find herself on a breakaway with Faith's goalkeeper. Lapp placed her shot near post from inside the box to bring Dock's lead to 2-0.  Less than 3 minutes later, senior Megan Wenzel once again found Derstine off a throw in, in Faith's final third. Derstine headed the ball to herself over Faith's defender to find the ball on the 6-yard box. Derstine quickly half volleyed another upper ninety shot near post to finalize the score 3-0 for Dock. Dock dropped one of their forwards to the central midfield to control the ball and create a more defensive system of play for the remainder of the game. Dock was able to keep the 3-0 lead until the final whistle blew to mark their biggest win of the season so far. The Lady Pioneers travel to MaST Charter on Monday at 3:45pm.

Dock Mennonite Academy:

*Goals-

1) Kenzie Derstine (assisted by Megan Wenzel) - 42:15

2) Ashley Lapp (assisted by Shelby Lapp) - 61:42

3) Kenzie Derstine (assisted by Megan Wenzel) - 64:57

*Shots on Goal- 12

*Corner Kicks- 4