NTL GIRLS SOCCER: ATHENS EDGES NEB, 1-0, IN SEASON-OPENER (24 PHOTOS) (September 3, 2026)
Valley Sports ReportATHENS — Junior Allie Kemp scored her first varsity goal late in the first half, and the Athens defense made it stand up in a season-opening, 1-0, win over Northeast Bradford here Wednesday afternoon in NTL girls soccer action.
"I don’t think we played our best game, but we did what we needed to do to get a win and this is a game of outcomes so we will take it," said Athens coach Rich Pitts.
Athens dominated possession in the first half, and put significant pressure on the Panther net.
With 9:58 remaining in the first half, senior Delanie Patton delivered a pass to Kemp in the right side of the box. Kemp beat one defender, then slid a shot past the NEB keeper for the game's only goal.
NEB switched it up offensively a bit in the second half, taking shots from longer range, but the Athens defense, and keeper sophomore Annika Lezak were up to the task.
Athens had a 19-16 edge in shots-on-goal, and NEB owned a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Lezak had six saves in net for the Wildcats.
Athens returns to action Saturday afternoon at Troy.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens junior Allie Kemp. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens senior Delanie Patton. ... PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.
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