By Bob Hamar
bob.hamar@theindependent.com

The Islanders, playing without three starters who were either injured or gone, burned Lincoln High for 11 goals in an 11-0 victory Thursday at Fonner Park.

Grand Island (1-4) was coming off a tough 2-1 shootout loss to Grand Island Northwest Tuesday.

"We haven't opened up the goal hardly at all," Grand Island coach Chuck DeWitt said. "We scored one against Northwest. When you shoot 21 times in a game to the opponent's four, it's kind of hard to take.

"We worked on some things yesterday and talked about ball movement and getting spacing. Luckily this game was a game we could do that."

The Islanders' Audie Aguilar and Gabby Ayala led the offense with three goals apiece. Emalie Clement, Brittany McMahon, Mikayla Walsh, Hannah Gappa and Ashley Horky also had goals for Grand Island.

DeWitt said defense has been a strength for the Islanders this season.

"Our defense has been solid all year," DeWitt said. "They're playing really well. Our biggest problem in the last four games was just putting the ball in the net. We're hitting right at the goalie. I swear Tuesday we kept hitting one after another right at her.

"We talked a lot about finding the corners and passing the ball. I was really happy the way the girls passed. We changed into a possession game and did a nice job."

DeWitt said the Links (0-7) had very few shots on goal maybe just one or two the entire game.

"The girls played well," DeWitt said. "Overall it was a great game to kind of wake them up, get that offense moving and playing. Some girls stepped up and played in positions they weren't used to and looked OK. We're going to be all right."

The Islanders will next play at Hastings Tuesday afternoon.

* BOYS

GISH 3, Lincoln High 0

Grand Island made it two wins in a row with a 3-0 victory over the Links.

"The momentum seems to be increasing for us," G.I. coach Jeremy Jensen said. "All year we've played pretty well as far as our skill level and our passing ability. If we avoid the mental mistakes, we're going to be a pretty good team."

Danny Lucero's goal late in the first half gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at the break. Paul Clement added a goal to give G.I. a 2-0 lead, then Alfredo Guerrero put it away off an assist from Logan Mendez.

"I told the kids at half that it's cold, the wind is going to be at our backs and their kids are coming off a warm bus," Jensen said. "If we score a couple early, it would be a good opportunity to get some of those reserve kids some time."

Grand Island improved to 2-3 with the win while Lincoln High fell to 2-4.

Jensen said the Islanders are a fundamentally sound team.

"I'm just really happy with the way the kids play as far as fundamentals and technical ability," Jensen said. "We just need to keep sharpening it up mentally and we'll be in good shape."