Box Score LAKE WALES, FL - The Warner Royals prepared to defend their home field, on September 25, 2024, for a SUN Conference match up against the Southeastern Fire, the match delayed by a short 15 minutes due to incoming weather. A beautiful afternoon with mild winds would set the pitch for the night and enable the game to go forward.

The match began with a goal from Southeastern scoring off a corner kick which turned into a shot that bent right into the back post. Despite an early goal from Southeastern in the first 8 minutes our Royals defense played incredibly well. Notably Madison Marshall had a lot of strong moments defending last night against the fire. Keyara Blissett also played with great strength defending the Royals outside wing and she was the only player to receive a yellow card due to a foul.

A second goal from Southeastern would make it in from over 30 yards out. Very challenging strike, despite these two goals in the first half Royals goalie Martina Duque denied many shots and chances on frame before being subbed out due to an injury incurred during a bold save.


Post Game Interview:
We interviewed Head Coach Chitwood after the match about his thoughts and he said, "We were able to accomplish some things and we saw some huge positives and we had a couple players who had some really good training sessions this week and so they got a good look today, and they stepped up into those roles." We also asked him how he feels going into the rest of the season and his response was, "The rest of the season I think is always tough once you get into conference play, because you know it is going to be there and the intensity is always there. You just have to rise to the occasion, I think we are really comfortable with knowing that now. I think we have taken a couple of bruises and punches, but they are good. Them talking before coaches got in their huddle tonight, it shows that they have good spirit, good accountability and they have a drive that knows that tonight wasn't good enough. That is really exciting, for the rest of the season I don't know, but I know that tomorrow I am excited because I think they are going to come in ready for practice tomorrow."

Match Details:
Date: September 25, 2024 
Time: 5:00 PM  
Final Score: Southeastern Fire 2, Warner Royals 0
Records: Warner (3-3-1, 0-3 SUN) | Southeastern (2-5-1, 1-3 SUN)

Looking Ahead:
The Royals will play their next match, September 28, 2024, in Savannah, GA at SCAD at 11:00AM