By DAVID CUCCHIARA
Washington Daily News

 

WASHINGTON — The top-seeded Pam Pack carried their momentum and merciless goal scoring into the first round of the state playoffs Wednesday evening, scoring 10 goals in the first half to activate the mercy rule against the Red Springs Red Devils.

For the Red Devils to come out on top, they needed to shut down senior striker Christian Heggie and the talented Washington midfield, a tough task considering Red Springs had yet to record a win. The team also came to Washington fielding just nine players, two short of a regular starting lineup.

Washington head coach Ed Rodriguez evaluated the situation – one that put Red Springs at an insurmountable disadvantage – and decided the charitable move would be to field a team of 10 players.

To counter the dynamic Pam Pack attack, head coach Travis Wilson employed an abnormal formation, consisting of a cluster of defenders and just one forward. On the surface, it seemed like he was playing not to lose rather than win.

Wilson’s formation seemed to be frustrating the Pack midfield at first. Heggie and senior Alana Jefferson had trouble finding open space due to the congested area in and around the box, but once Washington started utilizing methodical one- and two-touch passing, there was nothing the Red Devils could do to stop Class 2-A’s top team.

“We started a little slow but I think we picked it up,” Rodriguez said. “We moved the ball around and when the intensity might not be there because of a weak opponent, you have to create your own intensity.”

In the eighth minute, senior Harley Hudson squared up a corner kick. She laid a perfect ball to the right foot of Rebecca Omonde at the near post for the first goal of the match. Four minutes later, Hudson picked up a goal of her own after an errant throw-in resulted in an opportunity up field. The senior winger found herself on a break and deposited a shot into the back of the net to put the Pack up 2-0.

From the 13th to the 18th minute, Washington made a definite statement, proving that no matter the opponent, the Pack offense always remains consistent.  In that timeframe, freshman reserve Kennedy Landen tapped in her first goal of the season, Omonde popped in her second of the evening, Isabella Mayo recorded a goal assisted by Heggie, Hudson scored her second of the match, then scored again 30 seconds later, and Jefferson notched her 30th of the season assisted by Mayo. When the dust settled, Washington had scored six goals in five minutes, bringing a portion of the stands to their feet.

Rodriguez then started a stalling tactic, passing the ball to goalie Emily Alligood, who had to make just one save.

In the 34th minute, Heggie finally broke through and scored on an open net, her team-high 51st this season. The nine goals triggered the mercy rule, but the rule states a full half must be played before the game can be concluded.

Before the final whistle, Jefferson scored her second of the day with five minutes left.

With the win, the Pam Pack will face Eastern Plains Conference foe Beddingfield in the second round of the state playoffs tomorrow at Washington beginning at 6 p.m. Under head coach Glenn Griffin, the Bruins are 9-9 this season, finishing second in the conference with a 5-3 record. In two meetings, the Pack defeated Beddingfield 9-0 on both occasions.