By Michael Davison
Globe Sports Writer
After an early scare, senior day turned into a victory for Joplin High School's girls soccer team.
The Lady Eagles trailed McAuley Catholic 2-1 late in the first half before a young Joplin player provided some lift in a 5-2 victory on Monday.
"We really came out flat," said senior defender Rachel Driver. "We weren't putting our passes together. We were just kicking the ball down the field.
"We did a lot better job of passing in the second half."
Driver is one of three seniors for the Lady Eagles along with Hillary Wight and Whitney Lynch.
Freshman Kelsey Sanders scored to tie the game at 2 just before halftime, then scored the eventual game-winner 14 minutes into the second half. Jessica Baker assisted on Sanders' first goal and Stephanie Taylor assisted on the second.
McAuley took the lead 31 minutes in on Ali O'Dell's shot after Jonna Brothers tied the game four minutes earlier. Senior Amanda Tinney assisted on both goals.
The Lady Warriors made the most of their opportunities in the first half, scoring on both of their shots.
"We weren't expecting them to shoot from so far out," Driver said. "Both goals were from outside the 18-yard box. I expected them to dribble in, but they took the shots and we weren't ready."
Junior Katie Cabrera scored the first goal 20 minutes into the match on an assist from Megan Emrich. Baker scored on a Sanders' assist while Lauren Schwab collected her first goal of the season unassisted in the 72nd minute to wrap up the scoring.
"McAuley played tough," said Joplin coach Ed Miller. "They made us play from behind, which we responded to."
Joplin, which is the No. 2 seed in the district on its pitch next week, improved to 12-6-2 with a makeup game at 4:30 p.m. today at Glendale.
McAuley, which only has two seniors in twins Amanda and Katie Tinney, fell to 4-12 heading into district play at 11 a.m. Saturday against host Willard.
"This game competes with our last game against Neosho, which lost in double overtime," said McAuley coach Tera Reisner. "I thought we played hard and with some heart.
"One of our goals this year was to improve day by day because we're so young, and I think we have turned a corner. Next year, with some of the eighth-graders we're supposed to get, we should have a good team, if we find a goalie."
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