Highlands got off to its best start of the season and cruised past Smoky Mountain 1-A Conference rival Murphy 6-2 on Tuesday night.
The win was pivotal in the conference standings, as it put Highlands alone in second place behind Swain – the league’s only unbeaten team.
From the opening whistle it was the Highlanders that controlled the pace of play. Just four minutes into the action a battle for a loose ball just inside the 18-yard box led to a quick shot opportunity for Abby Doerter, who snuck the ball just inside the right goalpost before the Bulldogs keeper could corral it.
The officials conferred and determined the ball did cross the goal line and thus opened the scoring 1-0 in the home team’s favor.
Addie Westerndorf tallied Highlands second goal just seven minutes later when she broke free between two defenders and outraced the Murphy support to the net. An easy shot blew past the defenseless keeper and put Highlands up 2-0.
It was Westendorf once again in the 16th minute when a defensive lapse by the visitors awarded the Highlanders a corner kick. Caroline Woods fired the ball into the box and Westendorf outjumped her defender and deflected in a perfectly placed header.
Highlands put the game away in the 20th minute when Aislynn Wyatt-Luck found the back of the net following a long run by Westendorf through the Bulldogs’ midfield.
The second half was more even paced as Highlands found plenty of time for reserve players to see some conference action.
With the win, Highlands improved to 6-3 overall, 5-1 in the league. Swain (7-0 conference) sits atop the table with Highlands now alone in second place. The two teams will meet for a second time Thursday, April 27, in Highlands. Swain won the first meeting 2-1 in Bryson City.
The loss drops Murphy to 4-3 in league play, alone in third place.
Highlands was scheduled to host 3-A Pisgah High School on Wednesday before traveling to Hayesville on Thursday.