ORANGE — Something finally stopped Delaney Parker’s torrid scoring pace for the Mahar girls soccer team — heavy rain, thunder and consistent bolts of lightning.
After Parker scored twice with an assist in the first half, the game between Mahar and Athol had to be called with 38 minutes, 19 seconds left in the second half due to the inclement weather Wednesday night.
Mahar won the shortened game, 3-0.
“I think we could have had the option to finish it but I just don’t see the need,” Athol coach Tim Cleveland said. “We were down 3-0 and not getting any opportunities.”
Rain started to pour during halftime with rumbles of thunder with lightning soon to follow. The lightning persisted after an initial stoppage before Mahar athletic director Jim Woodward made it official from under an umbrella around midfield that the game was called.
“We wanted to give it a shot but we met with the officials and the weather wasn’t going to cooperate,” Mahar coach Chad Softic said. “Both teams wanted to keep playing.”
Parker, a sophomore, now has 17 goals on the season for Mahar (7-1, 6-0 Pioneer North).
“She’s a little stronger, faster and more experienced,” Softic said. “So dangerous on counter strikes and through balls. She takes the top off the defense and is finishing really well.”
Parker is in her third year playing varsity soccer.
“She is a great player,” Cleveland said.
Athol (4-4, 2-3) goalie Hailey Wrigley had to come out of the game in the first half when she dove to stop a potential goal near the far post. Defensive back Taylor Cleveland replaced Wrigley, who had made six saves until her departure.
Parker wasted no time getting the Senators on the scoreboard, pounding home a goal less than four minutes into the game with an assist from Jazmyn Vautour.
Tori Tenney later had a nice touch pass to Parker, who had room to operate. Parker used the time to float a shot over the head of Athol’s Wrigley to give Athol a 2-0 lead with 24:56 seconds left in the first half.
Parker added an assist in the first half, setting up Mollie Burke on a perfect through pass. Burke then settled and beat Cleveland, who had gone horizontal to try to make the stop.
Marie Nottleson made three saves for the Senators, who have not lost since their season opener.
