Warren Central’s Kara Cretsinger, right, kicks the ball in front of Natchez’s Jessica Evans during the Lady Vikes’ 11-0 win on Friday morning. (Molly Dempsey The natchez democrat)

[1/1/05] NATCHEZ It took a little time, but the Warren Central Lady Vikes got their offense on track Friday morning against Natchez.

Warren Central beat the Lady Bulldogs 11-0, the same score from the team’s game earlier this season.

“We were a lot better this time, particularly in the first half,” Natchez coach Lena Yarborough said.

Warren Central was held in check for the first 36 minutes, holding a 1-0 lead after Brooke Nevels scored the first of her four goals.

Three goals by Mary Clare Scurria in the final four minutes of the half, though, gave WC a commanding 4-0 lead going into the second half.

“We came out a little flat after two weeks off,” said Warren Central coach Kristin Gough, whose team has allowed one goal in its last five games. “That’s tough on any team.”

Scurria’s first goal came in the 37th minute when she fired a shot from just inside the penalty box past Natchez goalkeeper Tracy Davis, putting the Lady Vikes (11-4-2) up 2-0. She followed that up when she scored two minutes later off a misplayed clearance by the Natchez defense.

Her final goal, which gave the Lady Vikings a 4-0 lead, was probably the most impressive of the day. Scurria jumped up to head home a corner kick from Chelsa Jones just seconds before the first half ended.

Brooke Nevels scored a second-half hat trick, while Megan Woleben, Kara Cretsinger, Kari Liberman each added a goal.

“Natchez, they played hard today,” Gough said. “They’ve really come a long way.”

(B) WC 7, Natchez 0

Natchez High went into its game against Warren Central with no illusions.

“I told the boys before the game we knew what to expect,” Natchez coach Dennis Hogue said. “We’re not in contention with a team like this. I just wanted to show them we’ve improved.”

The Vikings (9-7) scored often, taking a 7-0 victory.

Dustin Smith scored WC’s first two goals and Heath Carroll found the back of the net for a 3-0 lead.

“In the first half we kept possession well but didn’t finish,” WC coach Jay Harrison said. “In the second half we finished better but didn’t keep possession as well.”

Rusty Waites opened the second-half scoring with a goal off a direct kick just outside the penalty box, giving Warren Central a 4-0 lead in the 64th minute. Charlie Mullen got behind the defense and slammed home a shot past Natchez goalkeeper Ross Smith six minutes later.

Fred Payne scored a goal for a 6-0 lead and Kyle Klaus deflected a shot in for the 7-0 advantage.