The Fort Madison High School girls soccer team possesses one of the most potent offenses in southeast Iowa.
Led by senior Natalie Randolph, junior Teagan Snaadt and sophomore Hadley Wolfe, the 15th-ranked (Class 2A) Bloodhounds are averaging eight goals in their first three matches.
If Fort Madison is going to contend for the Southeast Conference championship and make a run at the state tournament, it is going to need scoring from more than just Randolph, Snaadt and Wolfe.
The Bloodhounds got just that from freshmen Reilynn Turnbull and Emma Snaadt in Monday’s 10-0 win over Fairfield at the Baxter Sports Complex
Turnbull connected for two goals and assisted on another and Emma Snaadt scored the first varsity goal of her career.
If the Bloodhounds continue to spread the wealth, they will be a very formidable team.
“I think it’s pretty big since Nat is a senior and Teagan is a junior,” Turnbull said. “As a freshman coming in, I don’t think they knew what to expect. When I show up big-time like I did tonight, it brings our team closer together.”
“It was pretty exciting to get a goal,” Emma Snaadt said. “I think everybody is pretty excited when the young girls on the team get to have an impact on the game.”
Fort Madison (3-0 overall, 2-0 SEC) scored two goals in the first seven minutes and had a comfortable 6-0 lead by halftime.
Teagan Snaadt connected on four goals and assisted on another. Wolfe had two goals and three assists and Randolph scored one goal and had three assists. Randolph even scored a goal from the seat of her pants.
“I can’t complain about a 10-0 win, especially with the weather the way it is,” Fort Madison coach Carrie Burken said. “It’s nice to get two games in a row where we were able to rotate a lot of people in, but still get a 10-0 victory. It was important to get that final goal. It took a little while, but we got it.”
Teagan Snaadt scored the first two goals before Emma Snaadt found the back of the net for the first time. Teagan Snaadt then scored again eight minutes later.
Teagan and Emma Snaadt are cousins. Teagan attends Holy Trinity, while Emma is a student at Fort Madison. Soccer is the only sport they play together.
“It’s pretty fun. We go to different schools, but we get to play on the same team,” Emma Snaadt said. “The upperclassmen are very welcoming. That makes it easier for us.”
Turnbull scored the first two goals of the second half, one off a corner kick from Wolfe, the other on a cross from Randolph.
“I haven’t really scored that much, at least in one game, in a long time,” Turnbull said. “It’s really exciting being a freshman.”
The two goals by Turnbull afforded Burken the luxury to substitute at will, trying out different combinations while resting many of the starters.
“To me it was more important to get people playing time, especially not getting a lot of JV games in this conference. The more time they can get, the more important that is for their development for next year,” Burken said. “So much talent, yet so much to learn, which is why these minutes are so valuable.”
Fort Madison’s defense and senior goalkeeper Taylor Johnson did the rest, pitching a shutout for the third straight match.
Things are about to ramp up for the Bloodhounds. After traveling to play Lee County rival Central Lee on Tuesday, the Bloodhounds are scheduled to play SEC rival Burlington on Thursday at Bracewell Stadium in Burlington. That match will go a long way toward determining the conference championship.
“Burlington for conference is really big. I think that’s going to set the tone for our position in conference and where we feel like we are,” Burken said. “Playing on turf is always tough at Burlington. They have a lot more experience with it. I think, especially for the younger players, it going to take a little more time to get comfortable with it on Thursday. But I know they’re going to be ready for it. These girls are competitive. They’re ready to go.”
