Getting a goal in each half from Chloe Grein and Misha Messinides, the Camden High girls’ soccer team opened their season with a 2-0 win over Mid-Carolina in Thursday night’s opening round match of the Cavalier Kick-Off Tournament hosted by Richland Northeast High School.

The two goals were more than enough offensive support for Lady Bulldog netminder Mary Caston Morgan who posted the shutout.

In the first half, Grein took a throw in from Kate Jones, and Grein set herself and took a driving shot in the upper net for a 1-0 lead which held up through intermission. 

“It was a pretty equally played match however, Mid-Carolina pressured us some but the defense stayed strong and we held them 1-0 until half,” said Camden head coach Pam Chickering of the first 40 minutes of play. “In the second half, the game continued going back and forth between the teams, with CHS having several quality chances on goal.”

The Lady Bulldogs would finally break through with the insurance goal when Grein slid a through ball to Messinides, who was making a strong run toward the goal.  Messinides then placed her shot to the far corner of the goal, making 2-0. 

“The defense of Leila Long, Haleigh Scott, Anna Trapp,  Madi Munn and Mary Caston Morgan in goal continued to hold their ground and kept Mid-Carolina out of the goal to earn the shutout,” Chickering said.

Camden will host Lugoff-Elgin in a 7 p.m. Wednesday match at the Bulldog Athletic Complex along Ehrenclou Drive. 

As for her team’s opening contest against M-C, Chickering said she liked what she saw from her girls in her return to the sidelines as head coach.

“The team played well, moving the ball and creating chances for themselves to score. These are things we are focusing on in practice and it showed in the game,” she said. 

“We have never played Mid-Carolina and really did not know what to expect. They were a quality team. The game was pretty even throughout, but we capitalized on our chances. 

“We had scrimmaged Lexington and Dutch Fork, who have a great reputation among the soccer community, and fared well playing against them, which makes me believe this team can achieve their goals they have set for the season. It is nice to earn that first win of the season.”