Story by Gini Davis

Despite suffering shutouts to Cottage Grove, 0-8, on Sept. 22 and Junction City, 0-9, on Sept. 24, Creswell head coach Brandi Wittenborn encouraged her girls' soccer team to take pride in their defensive efforts during both games.

"It wasn't like Cottage Grove just came in and took command; they really had to work for seven of their goals," Wittenborn observed, noting that one Lions goal was inadvertently scored when an attempted defensive kick rolled backwards off the foot of Creswell player Kathryn Magathan.

"That was definitely the best I've seen these girls play all season so far," the coach added.

Magathan was credited with one of the best plays of the game when she ran all the way to the far corner of the field from about Creswell's 20-yard line and kicked the ball out of bounds to end a Lions drive.

"She saved a goal for us," Wittenborn praised.

Creswell goalkeeper Jessica Moore also had another strong game, personally saving 32 of 60 Lions goal attempts, 18 in the first half and 15 in the second half.

With less than half the season played, Moore has already almost equaled her 2008 season total of 87 saves, Wittenborn noted.

With several Creswell players still battling injury and illness, fatigue took a toll at Junction City, "but they never gave up," Wittenborn said, crediting the increased aggressiveness of returner Elise Heater and the toughness of freshmen players Kiya Beswick, Sierra Matthiesen, Shania Parsons and Jennifer Dumas.

"Our freshmen, wow, they're great," Wittenborn said. "I never expected them to step out on the field and be as much of a threat to other teams."

Last week's pair of losses drops Creswell to 0-4 in the Special District 5 team standings. But recalling that the Lady Dawgs dropped their season opener to La Pine by a single goal, Wittenborn noted that her team's season goal of winning a game remains within reach.

"Our goal right now is to work on passing and going to the ball so that we're prepared for La Pine and Elmira—games we could possibly win or at least be competitive in," she said. "Beating La Pine is definitely doable when we play them again."