ODA defense shuts down Braden River attack to make lone goal stand
LAKEWOOD RANCH
Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Natalie Gorji spotted a hole in the Braden River High defense and broke away to score a goal with the match still less than five minutes old.
The Thunder and Pirates played for more than 75 minutes after that Friday night at Thunder Stadium but the score never changed.
The ODA defense went on permanent lockdown as the Thunder made Gorji’s goal stand up for a 1-0 victory in a highly competitive, non-district girls soccer match.
“It was great how we all came together and played as a team,” junior ODA goalkeeper Chole Spingler said. “We really worked on the ball well.
“It turned out that getting that early goal was not only good because we got the goal. It also helped us mentally.”
The Pirates (7-4 overall and 6-1 in Class 4A-District 11 play) managed to fire off 17 shots, but never really threatened to score.
Spingler blocked 13 shots as major part of the defensive effort.
“Defensively, we were there,” Spingler said. “We didn’t let any of the balls through.
“We were motivated and had a lot of intensity. We got that early goal and it stayed with us the whole game. That really helped us get the win.”
ODA has won three straight district championships and Spingler has been a part of all three. The Thunder made their way to a region semifinal last season, traveling to Fort Myers to play Evangelical to a 0-0 tie for 78 minutes before losing a 1-0 heartbreaker.
ODA (9-1, 3-0) is on the hunt for its fourth consecutive Class 1A-District 7 championship. Their lone loss this season was on the road at Carrollwood Day.
“This is a really great group of girls,” Spingler said. “We work so well with each other, on and off the field. We’re really supportive of each other. It’s a great environment.”
ODA’s success on the pitch has occurred during the five-year reign of coach Bill Unzicker.
“A lot of times teams score and then have a tendency to let down a little bit,” Unzicker said. “The girls hung in there really well. We knew it would be a battle in the second half.
“We knew they were a talented team coming in. A lot of our girls have played with them growing up in club soccer. Their record speaks for itself and how well they do.”
The Thunder are now on Christmas break and won’t play again until Jan. 3, when they travel to Port Charlotte.
“It’s kind of a double-edged sword,” Unzicker said of the extensive time off. “Their fitness and their touch goes. But it’s also a great thing because mentally they can get away from the competition and get away from school and be kids and enjoy the time with their family.”
ODA took nine shots and Braden River goalkeeper Alexis Ballard recorded five saves.
Braden River is back in action Monday, playing host to the Sarasota Sailors.