IN POSSESSION — Catholic Central’s Clara Anderson possesses the ball in front of Edison’s Riley Conkle on Monday. - Aaron Petchal

STEUBENVILLE — The Catholic Central girls’ soccer team got off to a fast start against Edison, and the Crusaders did not look back.

The Blue and Gold tallied three goals about six minutes into the match against the Wildcats as Catholic Central defeated Edison, 11-1, via mercy rule Monday evening at the Tony Recinella Soccer Field.

“It was a good start to the season,” Catholic Central (1-0) head coach Jonathan Hoover said. “We were able to score some goals. We were able to incorporate the new girls into the team. I am happy with our performance.”

The victors collected eight goals in the first half.

The Silver and Black scored their lone goal in the second half.

“Today was not our best showing,” Edison (0-1) head coach Danah Beaver said. “We have a lot of new girls. They have gone from club to the high school. We are working on the basics. We are working on getting the girls to where they should be and where we hope to be. We have shown a lot of improvement. We are a work in progress.”

Individually for the girls in blue, Isabelle Lee tallied a hat trick and two assists, Zoey Wise netted a hat trick and one assist and Lynn Cai and Lily Krivoniak each collected a goal and an assist. Also, Gianna Rook, Monica Bolster and Delaney Dankert all delivered a goal.

“We were able to get goals from all over the field,” Hoover said. “We were able to get a lot of players involved. That is important for us. We were able to get off to a good start. Our returning players and our new players were able to score goals and make things happen.

The hosts used three goalies – Aurie Hoover, Addie Long and Mia Doyle – in the match. Long and Doyle each made one save, while Hoover did not have to make one.

Alison Kireta tallied the lone goal for the Wildcats. It was unassisted.

“It was a nice goal,” Beaver said. “Ali is just coming back from energy. I’m happy she was able to play. She missed our second scrimmage. We was focused on get better and being able to play today.”

The visitors also used two goalies.

Lanie Kruel started in the net. She made 15 saves before being replaced by Kendall Adams in the second half. Adams did not make a save.

The Crusaders were able to give a lot of their younger players valuable experience in the second half.

“It is always good to see everyone get involved,” Coach Hoover said. “The younger girls were able to get some early minutes today, and that will help us in the second half of the season. They were able to get some experience today. I am happy about that.”

Catholic Central is scheduled to play John Marshall at 6 p.m. Wednesday on the road.

Edison is slated to play Harrison Central at 6 p.m. Monday at home out at the Edison Unified Sports Complex.