By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – She wore out the net.

In Wednesday’s county showdown against the Callaway Lady Cavaliers, LaGrange junior Maggie Asbell scored five goals to help lead her team to an 8-1 victory.

It was the second time during her high-school career that Asbell had a five-goal game, with the first time coming during her freshman season.

That was part of a dominant performance for the Lady Grangers, who improved to 3-3 as they continue to get ready for the start of Region 5-AAAA play in a week.

“We’re getting in the groove finally,” Patton said.

LaGrange is having to take the field without two of its top players, senior Catherine Patton and sophomore Katelyn Peters, who are both out with knee injuries.

Patton said it’s been important for she and the other veterans on the team to make sure everyone keeps their head up.

“It was tough when we lost Katelyn and Catherine,” Patton said. “After last year, we were so excited about playing together. So we knew we were going to have to step up.”

Some inexperienced players have been pressed into duty, including freshman Caroline Thompson, who scored two goals during Wednesday’s game.

Junior Eva Hutton also scored a goal against Callaway.

Callaway’s lone goal came from Kelly Carlisle, who scored in the second half to cut LaGrange’s lead to 5-1.

After that, Hutton finished the scoring with three consecutive goals, including one on a penalty kick.

“Honestly, I like scoring, but I’d rather get an assist, and let other people score,” Asbell said. “It builds their confidence up.

“And the more confidence they have, the better they end up playing.”

Callaway (0-3) is also playing short-handed according to coach Shonna Yawn, and that has made things challenging against some strong opponents.

“We’ve had a tough schedule. The first few games were tough,” Yawn said. “And unfortunately, we’re also battling some injuries.

“So that’s definitely taken a toll on our overall playing, and it did tonight,” she added. “We’re limited. But the goal is to just play, and get ready for region.”

OF NOTE: For more photos, check out Facebook.com/LDNSports