First conference ‘W’

ATLANTIC — Kalan Bloodgood was all over the field defensively and Bree Ross booted in a goal late in the first half and early in the second as the Panthers secured a 2-0 win at Atlantic Tuesday.

Creston coach Kim Lauffer marveled at the speed and recovery ability Bloodgood demonstrated to snuff out scoring opportunities for the Trojans. Bloodgood was also able to utilize some physicality from time to time against an even more physical Atlantic squad.

“She did a really good job of playing a clean game,” Lauffer noted.

Ross got the scoring going in the final minute of the first half.

Lexi Rounds, who has better utilized her passing skills over the last few games, assisted on Ross’ first goal. She passed wide to Ross, who collected the ball and cut back in toward the middle before knocking the ball home for a lead.

Early in the second, with Ross moved toward the outside and away from her normal center-mid, spot, Laura Weis pushed up and found Ross for a volley just over the goalie for the 2-0 lead.

Ross and Rounds had plenty of chances to pressure the Trojan defense as the duo combined for 12 shots.

The Panthers stayed more fresh than games past according to Lauffer, which she credited to better use of substitutions.

“We did a lot of shifting overall and tried to get a lot of players off the bench,” Lauffer said. “ ... We really moved people around and they did an excellent job.”

Those factors and more helped the Panthers to play a speedier game according to Lauffer.

After Saturday’s home tournament loss, Creston spent more time on conditioning at Monday’s practice. Competing for 50-50 balls was also a renewed point of emphasis. Lauffer guessed that the Panthers won toss-up possessions by a 3-to-1 ratio on Tuesday.

“Not only did they accomplish what we gave to them, but they had fun doing it,” Lauffer said.

UP NEXT — Creston (4-7, 1-4) heads to Glenwood (5-4, 2-2) for a conference showdown Thursday.

“I never go up against Glenwood expecting it to be an easy game ever,” Lauffer said.

Should Creston win any of its next four games, it will have more wins than in any season since 2011.

Creston 2, Atlantic 0

Creston (2) — Bree Ross, 39th minute (Lexi Rounds assist) and 46th minute (Laura Weis assist). Shots (on goal) — 17 (10 on goal). Individual shots (on goal)— Bree Ross 7 (2), Lexi Rounds 5 (3), Kara Kinsella 2 (2), Karmen Chuong 2 (2), Kalan Bloodgood 1 (1). Saves — Madison McCoubrey 16.