The 2009 edition of the Magnolia girls’ soccer season hit a snag in the first pair of games, losing to Weirton Madonna and Steubenville Catholic by identical scores of 9-1. First year Head Coach Kandi Loy is still trying to get everyone eligible on the practices-attended rule.

In game one, the Blue Dons raced out to a 9-0 lead, but MHS senior Brittany Leek swished the cords from 18 feet.

In the Steubenville game, Norway exchange student Stina Petterson put up the Eagles’ only points of the contest.

Lady Eagles Alli Childers and Gabby Hostutler didn’t fare well in between the in the first game, missing a combined nine shots. Childers turned back 15 herself in match two against Steubenville.

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In the girls’ home opener, Magnolia out-scored their sectional rival Tyler Consolidated 6-5, with Leek and Petterson each recording hat tricks for the Blue Eagles.

Magnolia out shot the Knights 23-12 and had to make only five keeper saves to 13 for the Knights.

The Eagles opened their attack in the first half with a barrage of shots, but were turned away by outstanding Lady Knight keeper work. After weathering a barrage of shots, the Knights got a breakaway and scored the games first goal.

However, Petterson sliced and diced her way through the Knight defense and scored the next two goals to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead.

The Knights tied the score at two, but a foul in the box by Tyler gave the Eagles a chance to take the lead.

However, Leek’s penalty kick was turned away by a fine keeper, only to be rebounded by Leek, who drilled a shot in the back of the net to give Magnolia the lead, 3-2.

Kari “Ducky” Forrester passed to Leek, who kicked in her third goal, while Petterson got her hat trick from a foul off a penalty kick.

The Knights kept up the offensive assaults, but wide open shots went high except two, for a 6-5 Magnolia victory.

Magnolia’s Hillary Malec whacked a loose ball in the back of the net, but an off-sides call disallowed the goal. Hostutler and Villers did very well in between the nets and recorded 14 saves between them. The Magnolia defense, headed by Ashley Villers and Nicole Schoolcraft, paid big dividends in Loy’s first win as a head coach for Magnolia.

“We played well as a team,” said Loy. “We hope to improve through the season. We have a lot of potential and it showed today.”

The Magnolia ladies tied with visiting Indian Creek Aug. 29 4-4, as Petterson tallied all four Eagle goals. Hostutler was solid in between the nets had a dozen saves.

The Eagles will host the Lady Cadets of Linsly tonight at the Hydro Drive field with a 6:30 p.m. start.