In a year where nearly every team in the NPSL has the quality to go to state, every point matters. On Oct. 8, Kentridge and Kentwood entered the night tied for first with 12 points so far this season. The Chargers showed the quality that they possess as they beat Kentwood 6-0.
Since Oct. 23, 2018, the Chargers have not lost a game to their cross-town rivals. To win 6-0 was not in the cards coming in for players or coaches. Five different Chargers scored in the win, showing the diversity at which Kentridge can attack opponents.
“It is a luxury, but it starts with the midfield play and the passing. Finding the space and through balls. Then we have some kids that can really get going up front,” Manager Jeff Flemming said.
“Every time we play Kentwood it is always so close. They are a good team. We had a little bit of a chip on our shoulder. We came off a couple ties that we didn’t want to be ties,” senior Addie Stendera said.
Last year, the two sides tied 1-1 in their lone meeting in 2023. But for Stendera and her girls, they wanted to have their get-back against Kentwood.
“We were so mad. Coming into this year we were like ‘We have to win.’ We crushed it,” she said.
The Chargers got going in the first 15 minutes. Senior Lauren Covello hit a perfect ball that back spun over the Kentwood back line, allowing Jenae Stephenson to run under it and control it. Stephenson then found the back of the net for the early 1-0 lead.
Coming into the game against Kentwood, the Chargers had two draws against Tahoma (0-0) and Kennedy Catholic (2-2). While it’s good to take any points against those teams, Kentridge felt like they left points on the board and focused on finishing.
“We practiced our shooting and we finished so many of our shots (tonight),” Stendera said.
Just five minutes later, Kentridge freshman Natalia Krall-Cruz made her mark with another perfectly placed shot to give her side a solid early lead. Krall-Cruz doesn’t play like a freshman — she has scored almost routinely this season. Her speed and technique make her one of the most impressive players to watch for Kentridge.
“She’s crazy good. She is the real deal not just because she is fast, but her technical skills,” Flemming said, noting that the freshman puts in a lot of effort on defense, and that translates to offense. “She works so hard on defense. She doesn’t get enough credit for that. She is a great two-way player.”
“It is amazing to have. She’ll be here for four more years. She’s just going to get better and better,” Stendera said on the freshman.
Midway through the half, Kentridge got their third goal. On a corner, a ball leaked out to Sierra Wallace just outside the 18-yard box. Wallace used one touch to evade defenders before shooting and scoring, shocking the Conks, who faced a 3-0 Kentridge lead.
Not longer than a minute later, Zoey Slind hit a free kick from 50 yards out. Her ball into the box was by no means a shot, but it found the back of the net. It put Kentwood keeper Logan Mabalay in an awkward position, and the ball bounced right over her head and in the goal.
Kentridge had a 4-0 lead at halftime and came out of halftime with some fire — well at least Shiney Mayanja did. Mayanja seemed to be the only Charger to touch the ball in the second half, dodging Kentwood defenders and scoring the Chargers’ fifth goal of the game.
Mayanja score the Chargers’ sixth goal as well, this time on the receiving end of a perfect Makenna Bennett pass. Mayanja finished the goal and put the icing on the cake for Kentridge, who dominated a first place team, 6-0.
“Her confidence was up tonight. She’s gotten a lot of assists, but she hasn’t scored a ton. But tonight was good for her,” Stendera said.
For Kentwood, they managed just one shot on target the entire game. Sophomore Alyssa Cromwell hit the crossbar in the first half and outside of that, the Conks did not have any looks for a goal. Full credit to Addie Stendera and the Charger defense.
“The backline was awesome. They have been all year. We are missing two starters back there too. There is a lot of depth back there,” Flemming said.
The Chargers are now in the back half of the season. In league play, Kentridge went 4-0-3 the first time through the league schedule. They now prepare to go back through it again.
“I love the gauntlet. I’ll take the gauntlet. I think all teams should like it, it is great competition. You feel like you are in a one game and draw every game,” Flemming said.
The biggest challenge for Kentridge has been health. With a couple of players missing some time, the Chargers haven’t skipped a beat.
“We have faced adversity with injuries. But the JV players who have been playing with us, you can’t tell they are JV players. They got thrown into the deep end, but our practices have been high-intensity. Which pushes everyone to be better,” Stendera said.
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Kentwood junior defender Emma Campbell clears a ball in search of a teammate. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Three Chargers all dance after Shiney Mayanja scored her first goal of the night, Kentridge’s fifth. Ben Ray / The Reporter
