​Week-long break helps energize Eagles, defeat Indians 3-1

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
 
For just the second time this season, the Grain Valley girls soccer team had a week off between games.

The Eagles played Blue Springs South on April 24 and didn’t have another contest until Thursday against Fort Osage.

That week of rest allowed the Grain Valley players to recover from minor injuries and get in full practice sessions during the break.

It paid dividends against the Indians as the Eagles got two goals from junior Radleigh Childers and one  from sophomore Emily Hooper in a 3-1 win at Moody Murray Memorial Field in Suburban White Conference action.

“We had a light practice yesterday and had more heavy practices Monday and Tuesday.” Grain Valley head coach Brett Lewis said. “It was awesome to actually get to practice. The high school season is so grueling. Sometimes you are playing three games a week and the one practice you get is lighter and are recovery sessions.

“It was good for us to think and talk through some areas. We were a little cleaner tonight. We worked on some combination stuff and having our two wings stay high and putting the back four under pressure and being there for those diagonal balls in the corners.”

Childers also noted the benefits of having a week off.

“We had two to three games per week for most of the season,” Childers said. “For us to have a week off after having a tough couple of weeks was nice. We focused a lot more playing as a team. We have very secure back line that works well together.”

Grain Valley (13-2, 9-1 conference) looked like a fresh team Thursday. Hooper scored her goal off an assist and corner kick from junior defender Taylor Nicholson early in the game to put the Eagles up 1-0.

She has been integral in the Eagles’ attack throughout the season as she often helps push the ball past the opposing back line.

“She brings a lot of speed out wide,” Childers said. “She works hard every time to get a touch and to get a second pass off.”

Lewis tried to convince Hooper to join the team during her freshman year. She declined the offer as she wanted to focus on competing for the girls’ track and field team as a relay runner.

Fast forward one year later, Lewis convinced Hooper to play soccer in 2025, while also still competing for the track and field team.

Even though she did not play soccer as an eighth grader or as a freshman, she played club soccer in the past, so she has brought some previous playing experience to the Eagles, as well.

“I was lucky to be able to convince her to play for the team,” Lewis said. “She’s been a great addition who helps us a lot with our aggressiveness and speed. She’s got some decent foot skills, too. Her technical skills are coming back slowly.”

After Hooper’s goal, Childers scored the other two for Grain Valley (13-2, 9-1). She ripped a 25-yarder from the left wing off a rebound inside the far post in the 29th minute to help her team take a 2-0 lead.

With 32 minutes and 9 seconds left in the contest, Childers knocked in a header near the right post and off a corner kick from Nicholson to help her team gain a three-goal cushion.

Fort Osage scored its lone goal in the 74th minute on a breakaway goal from junior Kenna Simons off a through ball and assist from junior Bailor Perry.

With the win, the Eagles sit a ½-game back of Platte County for first place in the Suburban White Conference standings. They play the Pirates on April 6 and will have a chance to move into a tie for first.

Grain Valley fell 3-2 to Platte County on April 2. The Pirates scored the winning goal on a penalty kick after the Eagles committed a foul in the 18-yard box in the final minute of regulation.

“I think last time it was a little unfortunate with how that game ended,” Childers said. “With the goal in the last couple of seconds. It’s an easy fix. We are just going to work hard to finish the game." 
 

Grain Valley sophomore Emily Hooper, left scored a goal, and junior Radleigh Childers added two in the Grain Valley girls soccer team's 3-1 win over Fort Osage Thursday at home. Photo credit: Michael Smith