Spartan girls advance to state soccer final
By Carl Lukat
RADFORD - Junior forward Kelly Evans needed just 14 seconds to get the Broad Run Spartans off and running in the Virginia AA girls' soccer semifinals against Hidden Valley Friday at Radford University's Patrick D. Cupp Memorial Stadium.
Evans scored from a tough angle on a nice individual play in the first minute of the game, then added another first-half goal to help lift the Spartans (26-0) to a 4-1 victory.
"It was kind of a fluke goal but I don't care how goals are scored," Broad Run coach Claire Collins said. "Kelly had no angle, but that's just how good Kelly Evans is. She had such a good game today. She worked so hard. Obviously all the girls did. But Kelly Evans is a workhorse."
Seniors Kelly Smith and Carina Chavez added second-half goals for the Spartans.
Broad Run will square off against Courtland, a 3-1 winner over Salem in Friday's other AA semifinal, in the state championship game Saturday at noon. Courtland defeated the Spartans in the state quarterfinal round last year on penalty kicks.
"This team has been ready since day one. They have some unfinished business after losing to Courtland last year," Collins said. "What better justice than to get to play them again. They've been wanting that and they are lucky to get it. It's going to be good game."