Published: August 28, 2008 11:29 pm      

Red Devils use balanced attack

Former Oak Hill soccer players Laura Sedlock and Stephanie Woodson always wanted to coach at their alma mater.

They’re getting their chance this season — with the boys team — and they’re 2-0.

“This team offers a lot,” Sedlock said after six players scored goals in the Red Devils’ 10-1 victory over Shady Spring Thursday night at the YMCA Soccer Complex.

Oak Hill dominated throughout, taking 18 shots on goal to just two for the Tigers.

Seniors Ryne Shuff and Caleb Mullins, all-state junior Victor Garcia and sophomore Thomas Booth each scored a pair of goals for Oak Hill, which opened its season Tuesday with a 5-1 win over PikeView.

“They’ve worked really hard and they’re working together,” Sedlock said. “They implemented everything we’ve been going over in practice.”

A six-minute stretch in the first half doomed Shady, which was playing its first match of the campaign.

Shuff worked to the right, beating two defenders before rocketing a shot into the back of the net in the 15th minute.

Joel Young and Booth combined for the play of the game three minutes later.

Young went right, then fired a perfectly placed cross to Booth on the left, who headed it past goalkeeper Jacob Depolo.

Shuff powered another shot in the 21st minute before Mullins, the Red Devils’ standout midfielder, added two more goals before halftime.

Garcia, who tallied 31 goals last season as Oak Hill went 15-1-4, played center-midfield for much of the contest and was instrumental in many Red Devil attacks.

He scored twice in the second half and also had an assist.

“Victor is an asset, but he can be a great team player as well,” said Woodson, who, like Sedlock, graduated in 2001 from Oak Hill. “He makes things happen.”

Booth, freshman Mark Manning and senior Travis Facemire also had second-half goals for Oak Hill.

Sedlock emphasized her team has more threats than just Garcia.

“We are mixing it up. Every person on this team is important,” she said. “It’s just not one person.”

Shady Spring coach Michael Manning said inexperience is plaguing his team.

“We have a lot of players back, but a lot of players left us,” he said. “The game experience of the players we do have is way down.”

Junior forward Cody Tankersley scored Shady’s only goal midway through the second half. Garcia answered with three consecutive shots, all on goal and two for scores.

Sedlock likes her team.

“They’re ready to work, they’re disciplined and they’re fun to be around,” she said. “They’re not intimidated by two women coaches.

“They’re doing everything we’re asking them to do and they’re respectful.”

Both teams return to action Tuesday. Oak Hill plays at Princeton while Shady meets Independence at the YMCA soccer complex.

— E-mail:

dstillwell@register-herald.com