HUDSON — In the stands Fivay fans muttered to one another, hoping Wednesday’s game wouldn’t be a Nature Coast blowout.
The Sharks had beaten Springstead by five goals the week before, giving Fivay parents a reason to be nervous.
Their fears were unfounded. The Falcons won in a shutout against the Sharks, 3-0.
The victory puts Fivay (7-1-1) at the top of the Class 3A, District 7 rankings.
“This is probably the biggest district game that we’ve won in our short four-year history,” Falcons coach Christine Rizzieri said.
Rizzieri said her team is young but its ability to cooperate on the field is what allowed the Falcons to defeat a strong Nature Coast team.
Alex Mumma scored the first goal with four minutes left in the first half.
“I just couldn’t have done it without my team behind me,” she said.
Mumma played through a sore knee, which she said won’t bench her come Friday, when the Falcons face another district opponent in Springstead.
In the second half, Leah Neck scored twice. The sophomore is also on the track team at Fivay, and it showed as she surged ahead of the field both times to secure the win.
It’s Neck’s third year playing soccer. She got into the sport because her brothers played and though she’s new, she’s learning fast.
Nature Coast came close to scoring with 35 minutes left in the second half. Hailey Lalande sprinted ahead of the field, but Fivay keeper Katy Hurst dove for the save.
With four minutes remaining, NCT had another opportunity. Fivay fans groaned as a kick from Lalande looked like it would sail into the net, but it went through the uppers.
Nature Coast led in shot attempts, with 27 to Fivay’s 25. Each team had 17 shots on goal.