- December 13, 2025
Isabella Kummernes hugs FPC coach Pete Hald as Katherine Ouellette (9) watches. Kummernes ran to the sideline twice to give her coach a hug. The first time, her goal didn't count. But the second time was after she netted the game-winner. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Isabella Kummernes, left, runs in to hug FPC coach Pete Hald after scoring. Katherine Ouellette joins the celebration. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC's Skyler Strickland (4) takes a shot on goal. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC forward Katherine Ouellette (9) controls the ball. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC's Eva Sites (16) was "dynamite at centerback," coach Pete Hald said. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC enter midfielder Isabella Kummernes (8) battles for the ball. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC defender Marlee O'Fallon controls the ball. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC goalkeeper Natalie Neal, left, has three clean sheets in five games this season. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Isabella Kummernes was dog-tired at the end of the game. Make that Bulldog tired.
“It was a long game, a really long game,” she said. The senior midfielder scored the game’s only goal with about 13 minutes left to give Flagler Palm Coast its fifth consecutive victory, 1-0 over Middleburg on Nov. 12 at Sal Campanella Stadium.
After the goal, Kummernes ran over to the sideline and hugged FPC coach Pete Hald. It was Take 2. Earlier in the second half, she punched in a goal, ran over and hugged Hald, and then discovered it didn’t count.
“They called it offsides, which I didn't think it was,” Kummernes said. “But the ball never lies, you know, ’cause I scored again.”
Kummernes said the hug was prearranged. She was just glad that she was able to make it count.
“I made a deal that I would hug him if I scored,” she said. “In the DeLand game, we were losing at halftime 1-0, because I cost us a goal. I did not track back, and I started sprinting back and then fouled the girl, and they got a free kick and scored. I scored that game to make up for it, but I felt really bad about it, and I apologized to (Hald) and the team after the game. So, this was my way of showing it again.”
She almost scored another goal a few minutes later, blasting a free kick that bounced off the cross bar.
“Isabella played well,” Hald said. “She got hit a few times. She gave up some size there, but she played smart, and we needed her to, because that's where their strength was — in the middle of the field.”
Kummernes said it’s exciting to be undefeated after the first five games.
“We hope to keep it that way all season,” she said. “I think we're just more glued together in terms of passing and keeping the ball. I think last year we were still scattering around.”
After a scoreless first half, the Bulldogs played harder in the second half against the Broncos, Hald said.
“We were a little bit more physical. You look at the fouls, warning our players and all that. But I felt that it was both ways,” Hald said.
Senior goalkeeper Natalie Neal had four saves to achieve her third shutout in five games.
“Our backline played awesome,” Hald said of defenders Eva Sites, Marlee O’Fallon, Laura Hererra and Makayla Barbel.
“Eva Sites was dynamite at centerback. And you got Natalie back there, so I think that gives everybody comfort,” Hald said. “In the first half, they had two opportunities that did not hit frame, but Natalie played them perfectly, cutting the angle. They were good opportunities to score.”
Kummernes now has two goals on the season and 17 in her career. She scored eight goals during her freshman season but has been slowed the past two years with ankle injuries.
“I’m trying to get back to it, get back in shape and get better,” she said. “There’s always work to do.”
Hald said he hopes the game gives Kummernes some confidence moving forward.
“She had one of her better games,” he said. “She needs to have some positive moments to give herself some momentum.”
Hald is now three wins away from notching his 550th career victory at FPC. The Bulldogs will try to give him win No. 548 on Wednesday, Nov. 19, in a home game against Taylor.
When he reaches 550, his whole team will line up to give him hugs.
