Niceville blanks Vikings 2-0

By TRAVIS DOWNEY

Northwest Florida Daily News
(850) 315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com

FORT WALTON BEACH - The first half had nearly run its course when Niceville's Lindsay Foy noticed her teammate, Marleigh Howard, had snuck into a crease in the Fort Walton Beach defense.

"Me and Marleigh work really good together," Foy said. "I got the ball and saw Marleigh wide open."

Foy sent a crossing pass to Howard, who quickly booted the ball past the Viking goalie to break a scoreless first half and give the visiting Eagles a 1-0 lead with 10 seconds before the break.

It would prove to be enough.

Megan Fox would later score a goal of her own as Niceville defeated the rival Vikings at Steve Riggs Stadium to continue its forward momentum as the District 1-5A  tournament draws nearer.

"Once we settled in and started attacking (Fort Walton Beach's) weakness, I thought we did pretty good," Niceville coach Michael Denton said. "But again, it's a strong side with Fort Walton Beach. This was a good matchup for us."

Through the first 39-plus minutes, it was all even, as neither the Eagles (17-2) nor the Vikings (11-2-1) were able to muster any semblance of offense.

Fort Walton Beach manufactured several good looks at the Eagle net, only to see the Niceville defense quickly regroup and turn back its advance.

"We had a lot of chances," Fort Walton Beach coach Bill Wilkins said. "(Niceville) did a good job defending and it's always tough to give up a score with 10 seconds to go in the half."

Once Niceville finally did break through, the Eagles defense - which had been stellar from the outset - took over.

Fox's goal came at the 28:26 mark in the second half when Foy attacked the Viking defense before dropping a well-placed pass for a streaking Fox.

"That was a beautiful ball in there," Denton said. "(Foy's) vision has continued to improve, her head is always up."

Niceville returns to action Saturday at Washington while Fort Walton Beach hosts Pine Forest on Tuesday.