Railers down Central in regional opener

The Newton High School girls’ soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the Class 5-4-3-2-1A Central Regional I with a 2-0 win over Salina Central Monday at the Salina District Stadium.

Newton, 7-10, will play at 6 p.m. today at Topeka Seaman, 12-2-1 and top-seeded.

Melissa Volk scored a header on a Lindsey Koland corner kick early.

“We got an early goal, and that seemed to relax us,” Newton coach Galen Anderson said. “We always move Melissa up from central defense on corners She has a knack of getting her head on the ball. I believe this is the fourth header goal for us this season.”

Newton scored again in the first half on a goal by Julia Lara set up by a Koland cross.

“Our defense was very solid again,” Anderson said. “Salina Central had the wind advantage in the second half but got off only a couple of quality shots. Mallory continues to be very impressive in goal. The ladies have so much confidence in her right now, and that allows everyone to play more aggressively, knowing that she’s there to clean up any mistakes.”

The shutout was Newton’s fourth in the last five games.

Newton fell to Seaman in last year’s regional tournament.

“We played Seaman tough last year in the playoffs,” Anderson said. “It’s one and done now if you lose, and the ladies would really like to extend the season a little longer. We’re a little dinged up right now, but I can guarantee that we’ll come out hard tomorrow and give it our best shot. Anything can happen in the post-season.”

Newton 2 0 —2

S.Central 0 0 —0

1. N Volk (Koland), 14th minute

2. N Lara (Koland), 37th.

Shots — N 6, SC 11. Saves — N 4, SC 6. Goalkeepers — N: Eddy. SC: Counts.