RONDA — The East Surry girls varsity soccer team won its first match of the season on Friday against East Wilkes by a score of 6-1, and Head Coach John Sigmon credited goalie Beth Johnson’s efforts in preventing the opposition from scoring.

Sigmon said he recruited the senior Johnson earlier this season and it is her first year playing soccer.

Panayiota Boutis led East Surry in scoring and kicked in two. Briana Atwell, Nathallie Chavez, Maria Mares and Grace Snow each kicked in one. Chavez and Mares also had one assist each.

Sigmon said, “We played superb as a team and I was happy with our passing and communication.”

The East Surry girls soccer team began its fifth year of existence this season, and this year’s team is expected to fill in some tough shoes, according to East Surry’s Assistant Coach Bill Hart.

Hart said the Lady Cardinal soccer team lost four special seniors last season in Jacklyn Holshouser, Yaritza Chavez, Marilyn Goble and Nicole Bedsaul. These four girls were the first to go through the Cardinal soccer program, said Hart.

The good news is that Nathallie Chavez and Mikayla Elliot will be stepping up in their fourth year. Panayiota Boutis, Kayla Siefert, Grace Snow and Sydney Sands will bring in third-year experience, said Hart.

Hart said, “We do have big expectations and have a goal to improve every year.”

Despite the loss of the big four originals, the assistant coach said he expects the team to get better and better and will look to the seniors to lead this year.

Expectations were met at least in the first game against East Wilkes. After Friday’s big win, Sigmon said, “I’ll be looking to continue what we did tonight.”

The East Surry Cards will play conference team Surry Central on Monday away and their home-opener is scheduled against Atkins on Wednesday. The girls soccer games begin at 6 p.m.

The scrimmage game scheduled last Thursday against Elkin was rescheduled due to soggy field conditions.