The Aberdeen Central girls’ soccer team defeated the Sioux Falls Roosevelt Rough Riders 2-0 on a windy Saturday afternoon at Swisher Field. The Eagles improve to 8-1 on the season.

Central opened the game with the wind at their backs, making it easier to control possession and work the ball deep into the Rough Rider defense in the first half. Despite maintaining a heavy share of possession, the Eagles struggled to find shots on target.

Morgan Fiedler made the breakthrough for Central, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead with 14:16 remaining in the first half. The senior midfielder and team captain turned inside onto her left foot from the right wing and scored from the edge of the penalty box.

“We just needed patience,” noted Fiedler. “The wind really affects us a lot and we just need that patience to connect the ball up the field and run onto it.”

When the teams switched sides of the field for the second half, Roosevelt asserted more command over the game and created chances off of corner kicks early in the second. The Rough Riders’ best chance came in the 73rd minute from a free-kick that deflected off the crossbar, far out of the reach of Central goalkeeper Paige Burilovich.

The Eagles sealed the deal in the 77th minute with a second goal from Fiedler. Central sat back in their defensive third for the majority of the half against the wind but utilized the counterattack when given the opportunity.

“On windy days like today, that’s the way those games are going to go,” stated Aberdeen Central head coach Merle Aske. “Luckily we got that one at the end to seal the deal and take the pressure off.”

Jayda Hammer played Fiedler in on goal and put her second goal past Roosevelt goalkeeper Sadie Hunter.

“They had the wind and they should take that to their advantage, which they did,” Fiedler said. “And when we get those opportunities, we have to use them.”

The Eagles’ next game is Tuesday at Swisher Field against Watertown at 6 p.m.

Sioux Falls Roosevelt 0 0 – 0

Aberdeen Central 1 1 – 2

First Half: Aberdeen Central, Morgan Fiedler (Kaylin Poppin), 26th minute.

Second Half: Aberdeen Central, Fiedler (Jayda Hammer) 77th minute.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Central 8; Roosevelt 13.

Goalies: Aberdeen Central, Paige Burilovich; Roosevelt, Sadie Hunter.