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Hernando Today

New blood leads Nature Coast

GIRLS SOCCER

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Nature Coast freshman Mckenzie Davis scored a goal in her first prep action, as Nature Coast won its season-opener at Central, 2-0.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: November 5, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - In their first match under a new head coach, an injection of new blood on the field lifted Nature Coast to a season-opening victory.

The Lady Sharks, receiving a pair of goals from two freshmen, defeated Central at the Bears' Den Thursday night, 2-0.

"I thought we played nervous," first-year Nature Coast Head Coach Lisa Brown said. "I think that we need to settle a little bit more. We need to work on team chemistry.

"I think in some spots we were working well and I think we weren't very consistent with winning the ball and passing. So it's a work in progress."

Brown, an assistant the past three years after two seasons as the Nature Coast boys head coach, has taken over for Phil Bennett, who had helmed the program from its beginning.

She wasn't the only one on her team to post a successful debut. Freshmen Mckenzie Davis and Silvana Paonessa each scored in their first official prep action.

"They weren't intimidated," Brown said. "They came out and went after it just like we asked them to. We asked them to play with confidence and they came out and made their mark."

Davis scored in the 28th minute on a 28-yard kick that went over the head of the keeper to make it 1-0 Lady Sharks.

"I just took my chance. I just pray to God that it does (go in the net)," Davis said. "It's really a great way to start out the season. Playing at this level, it means a lot."

Five minutes later, Paonessa scored on a breakaway to complete the scoring.

"I was staying calm, but at the same time I wanted to get that shot in," Paonessa said. "I'm really excited about it. I'm really happy that I can play with seniors and juniors at this level."

The second half was mostly uneventful, as the Lady Sharks handed Central (0-2) its second shutout loss in two matches.

"It's the same thing we did the first game, we just gave up careless, easy goals," Central Head Coach Jason Gray said. "So we need to work on giving up easy goals.

"We're better than what the score is and our record."

NATURE COAST 2, CENTRAL 0
Nature Coast 2 0 — 2
Central 0 0 — 0
Goals – NCT: Davis, Paonessa.
Assists – none.
Shots on goal – NCT: 11, CEN: 4.
Saves – NCT: Pierson 4; CEN: Wardlow 6.
Yellow Cards – Walker (CEN).
Blue Cards – none.
Red Cards – none.
Records: Nature Coast (1-0), Central (0-2).

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at 352-544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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