BELLVILLE — Madison’s Avah Newsome was everywhere all at once.
Making her first career start in goal, Newsome made 11 saves as the Rams escaped with a 2-1 win over Clear Fork at the Colt Corral in Friday night’s girls’ soccer season opener.
“She was a gamer tonight. She played well,” Madison coach Zac Huff said. “Yesterday … we were playing a shooting game and she kept giving up goals. She was in tears.”
Madison took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute when Angel Montanez scored her first career goal. The freshman settled the ball and unloaded a shot from about 25 yards away that eluded the Clear Fork keeper.
The Colts netted the equalizer about 20 minutes later when Mel Blubaugh collected a rebound and left-footed a shot past Newsome from about 23 yards away.
The score remained tied until sophomore Ellie Powell scored off a rebound with 17:40 remaining in the second half for a 2-1 Madison lead.
“A freshman and a sophomore,” Huff said of his goal-scorers. “They got the job done.
“Defensively and offensively we need a lot of work, but … every team in the first game of the season needs work.”
The Colts turned up the heat during the final 15 minutes, but Newsome was up to the task. The junior made several saves in the closing minutes to preserve the victory.
“Give props to that goalie. She played light’s out today,” Clear Fork coach Brittany Bechtel said. “We did a lot of good things. Today we learned. It fuels the fire to get better.
“I thought the girls looked good. We showed a lot of promise for this year.”