By Pat Hammert/Staff Writer

Ray Apple’s soccer squads faced tough competition from the Clinton Red Devils Tuesday, losing both matches.

The girls squad dropped a 4-1 decision.

Freshman Britney Nuzum scored the team’s only goal late in the first period on an assist from Mary Sleeper.

K’risa Hawkins took two shots on goal and Megan Martin took two, giving the team a total of four shots.

Goalkeeper Sarah Apple earned 19 saves and gave up four goals in the contest.

“In the second half, we moved from four across the back in our traditional 4-4-2 set to having three across the back with a sweeper — Jennifer Stefler — behind them. We did a much better job of shutting them down in the second half,” Apple said.

El Reno lost to Elk City 3-0 in the Weatherford tournament. The Elks then lost to Clinton 5-1. Apple said he was pleased to have played such a strong team so closely.

Overall, he said, he is pleased with his team’s im-provement, particularly with its knowledge of the game. He credited Nuzum with helping provide a strong work ethic for the team.

“Britney Nuzum is an athlete. She’s a freshman, but doesn’t play like a freshman. She’s slight of stature, but doesn’t play like she’s slight of stature. This is her first time to play high school soccer, but she doesn’t play like it. She gets in the mix with girls who have been playing for three or four years. Our freshmen have really picked it up a lot,” he said.

“Without a question, the most improved person on the team is Rosalie Gallegos. She had never played an organized sport before, and she’s picking up the game, she gets in, looks to get the ball, makes good touches and good passes.”