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A first-half goal by William Giattina was the difference as Indian Springs continued its five-match unbeaten run with an area win over Helena. (For the Reporter/Jeremy Raines)

By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

HELENA – Indian Springs entered its opening area play match with the Helena Huskies on a roll, and it continued its strong recent form with a victory on Thursday, March 7.

Springs started out area play on the right foot with a 1-0 win at Helena High School as they topped the Huskies behind a first-half goal.

In its second season in Class 6A, Indian Springs struggled out of the gate with losses to Oneonta, Georgia’s Woodstock and Northridge in its first four matches as it dealt with a depleted roster due to the overlap with basketball playoffs.

However, Springs has been on a tear ever since, going unbeaten in their last five matches and earning four wins and a draw during that span.

All four of those wins came against Class 6A opponents in Shades Valley, Pike Road, McAdory and Wetumpka, including a pair of shutouts in the McAdory and Wetumpka matches.

Indian Springs’ four-game win streak came to an end in its most recent outing thanks to a 1-1 draw with the Leeds Green Wave on Friday, March 1.

With that tie in the back of their head for six days, Springs kicked off area play against Helena, which was on a hot streak of its own.

The Huskies won all three of their matches at the Warrior Invitational on March 1 and 2 against Eufaula, Northridge and Robertsdale, improving their record to 6-3-2 in the process.

That set the stage for the first area match of the season for both teams.

After the teams went scoreless for the opening 30 minutes, Indian Springs broke the deadlock with the first goal of the game.

In the 32nd minute, senior forward William Giattina scored the opener to put Springs up 1-0, and the score line held going into the halftime break.

After the teams came out of the locker room, Indian Springs kept Helena from scoring the rest of the way to turn in the clean sheet and earn the 1-0 victory.

Springs improved to 6-4-2 with the win and will continue their area play slate in their next match against Pelham on the road on Tuesday, March 12 at 7 p.m.

While that match takes place, the Huskies will take on Briarwood in a road match as they search for their first area win.

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