In a showcase of offensive skill, the Dodge Point United girls varsity soccer team went toe-to-toe with Mount Horeb on Monday night, falling just short of a stunning upset. The final score was 3-4.
Coming off a difficult weekend, United appeared rejuvenated and ready. Scoring was spread across the roster, with Mya Marklein, Lilly Houtakker, and Kendallyn Juno all finding the back of the net. For Juno, the goal was a standout moment as the first of her varsity career.
The offensive production was a total team effort, supported by clinical assists from Layla Novak, Mallory Allen, and Mya Marklein. The United midfield was particularly effective, drawing attention for how well they moved the ball to the wings to create scoring opportunities. In the net, Lucy Paynter was spectacular under a heavy barrage, finishing the night with 11 saves to keep the game undecided until the final whistle.
Head Coach Andy Weber saw the performance as a definitive statement regarding his team’s potential. “This was a great bounce-back game against a quality opponent after a rough Saturday,” Weber said. “This team proved, yet again, we can play with the best of them. Mount Horeb is a good team and they have beaten teams who have beaten us by larger margins, so this game shows what we’re capable of.”
While pleased with the progress, Weber noted that the next step for the program involves consistent execution across the entire match.
“We need to finish the full 80, eliminate mistakes, and improve on the little things if we want to beat the good teams,” Weber added. “I was really impressed with how our midfield moved the ball on the wings, and I was really impressed with how Mya Marklein operated at forward for us. Although the score wasn’t what we wanted, it was a well-played game.”
United returns to the pitch later this week, looking to turn this high-level performance into a win.