LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Spalding women's soccer team delivered a dominant performance on September 17, 2025, earning a 4-0 victory over Franklin at Legacy Fields.
The Golden Eagles moved to 3-3-1, while the Grizzlies fell to 1-4-1.
TURNING POINT
From the opening whistle, Spalding set the tone with aggressive attacking play and precise execution. The breakthrough came in the 14th minute when
Emma Livingston finished off a well-placed pass from
Karolyn Lighthall to give Spalding the early advantage. Just over two minutes later, Lighthall doubled the lead with a strike of her own, assisted by Emme Kirn. The quick two-goal burst energized the team and forced Franklin on the defensive for much of the half.
Spalding carried that momentum into the second half, striking immediately after the restart. Only 26 seconds into the half,
Maddie Campbell extended the lead to 3-0 with help from Livingston, putting the game firmly in Spalding's control. The scoring was capped in the 64th minute when Lighthall tallied her second goal of the night off an assist from
Anna Graves. With four goals on the board and contributions spread across the roster, the Golden Eagles showcased their depth and offensive balance.
On the defensive side, Spalding put together a complete performance. Goalkeeper
Sophie Young-Neawedde anchored the back line, recording a clean sheet with four saves. The defense remained disciplined and organized throughout the match, limiting Franklin's opportunities and preventing them from building any sustained momentum. As a result, Spalding held a commanding edge in shots, finishing with 16 total and 11 on target compared to Franklin's 8 shots and 4 on goal.
This convincing win demonstrated Spalding's growth and confidence as a team. The Golden Eagles not only capitalized on their scoring chances but also controlled possession and dictated the pace of play from start to finish. With multiple players contributing both goals and assists, the match underscored the squad's ability to execute as a unit. Spalding now turns its attention to the upcoming schedule with momentum and belief, knowing that when they play their brand of soccer, they can dominate any opponent.
GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES
