By Alyssa Goodson -- Daily Sports Correspondent

STEPHENS CITY — In its third Northwestern District matchup of the week, Millbrook knew it had to put together its strongest effort against league power Sherando.

But with the Warriors' Nicole Dirnagl and Daryl deLadurantaye collaborating on two first-half goals, the Pioneers fell short in a 3-1 loss on Thursday night.

Sherando's first goal, courtesy of Dirnagl, came only nine minutes into the game. After receiving a cross from deLadurantaye, Dirnagl used smooth footwork to trick a defender into diving too early, leaving her alone with keeper Mary Span in the 18-yard box. Dirnagl easily found Span's weak spot, sending a line-drive shot over the keeper's head.

"I have this thing where I cut the ball," Dirnagl said. "It's like a natural thing I use to go around people. I just got the ball, broke free, used my speed and scored a goal."

Six minutes later, Dirnagl used quick thinking to extend the Warriors' lead. After receiving an unexpected pass from deLadurantaye, Dirnagl found herself alone with Span once again, but this time with four Millbrook defenders as well. Maneuvering her way through traffic, Dirnagl handily sent another straight shot flying over Span's head for a second goal.

"I was trying to stay back on defense and Daryl sent me a really good ball," Dirnagl said. "I was actually surprised because my coach was telling me stay back on defense, but she sent me a really good ball. No one was really paying attention to me because I was so far back, so I just went for it."

With 20 minutes still remaining in the half, Millbrook midfielder Sydney Sams instilled hope in the Pioneers by putting her team on the board. Deceiving defenders into believing she was going to cross, Sams managed to put enough spin on the ball to chip it into the left side of the goal instead.

"That goal got us in the game and got us going again," Millbrook coach Keith Kilmer said. "Anytime they've got two goals against them and they try to come back in a game instead of just rolling over ... you have to be proud of them."

Returning from halftime with the score still 2-1, Millbrook battled fiercely to maintain control of the ball. However, Sherando managed to create more chances when it was in charge of the ball, outshooting Millbrook 5-2 in the second half.

DeLadurantaye turned one of the Warriors' attempts into a final goal with 12 minutes remaining in the game. From the left side of the 18-yard box, deLadurantaye curved a shot past Span into the right corner of the goal, giving Sherando a two-goal cushion.

"It was a sigh of relief for me," Sherando coach Rob Kilmer said. "Our senior captain stepped up and pretty much sealed the game for us. It was a big goal, and deservedly so. She worked hard tonight."

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