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Ron Counts, Staff Writer
Published: October 6, 2008

Eastern View’s bench screamed, “Every corner is a goal” each time the Cyclones lined up for a corner during the first half of their 3-1 win against Battlefield District foe James Monroe.

It may have taken them six tries, but the Cyclones finally got the message.

With 2:00 left in the first half, Eastern View’s Courtney Owens received the corner pass and quickly moved the ball to junior Morgan Martin, who squeezed off a shot that found a home in the back of the net.

“We needed this win,” Martin said. “We’ve been kind of sluggish in our last couple games, but we showed a lot of heart today.”

James Monroe had a chance to tie the game late in the second half, but Martin proved clutch once again.

The Yellow Jackets passed the ball in from the corner three times in a row with 4:00 left in the game. Twice in a row, Martin sprinted out of the goal and deflected JM sophomore Taylor Herold’s shot before it even had a chance to get to EVHS goalie Nicole Woodworth, and JM’s third shot sailed wide right.

“It was a complete team effort,” EVHS coach Peggy Allen said. “But the defense was strong as usual. Our defense has kept us in a lot of games.”

The Cyclones’ defense was stout the entire game. Much of Monday’s contest was played out in Eastern View’s territory, but the Yellow Jackets were only able to get off one uncontested shot.

Herold stole the ball early in the second half, outran the Cyclones’ defense and squeezed a shot past a diving Woodworth to cut Eastern View’s lead to one point, but it was too little too late.

“This was a big win because we’ve been proving ourselves,” Allen said. “This will help us earn more respect in the district.”

Owens — who finished the game with two assists and a goal — got the Cyclones on the scoreboard in the first half after dribbling past three JM defenders and firing a powerful shot past the Yellow Jackets’ goalie.

Eastern View senior Taylor Queen sealed the deal with a long-distance goal thanks to Owens’ second assist.

The win improves Eastern View’s record to 8-3-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the district, and solidifies the Cyclones as the third-place team in the Battlefield, while James Monroe falls to 4-3-1.

“We’ve just got to stay focused and prepared this late in the season,” Martin said. “We can’t get overconfident or let anything distract us.”

Ron Counts can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 166 or

Next for the Cyclones
Who: EVHS vs. Caroline
When: Wednesday, 4 p.m.
Where: Caroline