AHOSKIE – It’s like that last slice of lemon meringue pie: there’s no better feeling than saving the best piece for last – except then you wish there could’ve been more. 

The Ridgecroft School girl’s soccer team closed out their 2007 soccer season with a 3-0 shutout win against Greenfield School on ‘Senior Day’ Friday at Mike Bryant Field Friday.

The win was the first in the Coastal Plains Independent Conference (CPIC) for the Lady Rams, but may have come too late in their chance of making the state playoff for 1-A independent schools.

&uot;This was one match where we were just able to put all the cogs together for a solid performance from the git-go,&uot; said Head Coach Aaron Martin after the match, &uot;I can’t say enough about our seniors.&uot;

Indeed, seniors Kristen Cayton, Sarah Grace Magette and Jo Revelle Murray were feted with roses in a ceremony before the start of the match, and each came thru once the whistle sounded with a gutsy effort in the win.

Eight minutes into the contest Hayes Bryant curled a corner kick toward the box and fellow junior April Piland delivered a header for the first goal of the game and a 1-0 Ridgecroft lead. 

Twenty-six minutes later it was Bryant again with a deflection off the crossbar right to Alex Riddick who rattled the twine for her eighth goal of the season and a 2-0 lead that the Lady Rams took into halftime.

Twelve minutes into the second half it was Bryant on a breakaway from the right side, and she then delivered a perfect crossing kick for a 3-0 lead. 

Despite six more chances the shutout would hold up and that ended the scoring for the day.  The win raised Ridgecroft’s record to 4-8-2 and 1-7 in the CPIC.

&uot;We put some of our key personnel back to fortify the defense and they were just outstanding,&uot; said Martin. &uot;Their one-on-one defending and ability to read certain situations was really the difference today.  It allowed us to use our speed and launch quick counter-attacks.&uot;

Martin didn’t dwell on the bittersweet moment.

&uot;Although we have a pretty decent record when they have the seeding meeting (for the playoffs) on Wednesday they’ll only take the top-eight,&uot; he said. 

Then he shrugged, smiled, and added, &uot;It couldn’t have come at a better or worse time, actually, but it was what it was and we’ll take it.&uot;

In their final post-match huddle Martin told the team of his pride in their season-long effort.

&uot;All of our girls all afternoon played with heart,&uot; he said, casting a glance toward the players hugging each other in fellowship for possible the last time together as a team. 

&uot;I certainly couldn’t single anyone out,&uot; he said with a smile as he loaded the gear-bag for the last time, &uot;because they played so consistently today and we were able to put some things together that were effective.&uot;