By Peter Mastin

The Lady Knights varsity soccer team hopes to start off the month of March with a win as they host the Atlanta International School 5 p.m. tonight at Grady Stadium.

After a mixed February, Grady (2-1-1) hopes it can start March on the right foot. The visiting Eagles (2-4) meanwhile are coming off a rough February that saw them post two wins to end two two-game losing streaks.

This game is important for the home team for two reasons. First of all, the Knights have some revenge to extract. AIS beat the JV team 3-1 eight days ago on Feb. 22,  and the Grady varsity lost the last time the two teams played. Secondly, the team continues to search for a consistent offensive threat in the absence of starter Perri Bonner, who is injured and will not be playing..  The visiting Eagles conversely have a player on a national soccer team and will be competing in full health.

The fact that Grady considers any private school a rival only adds to the intensity of the game.  The Knights are looking for their first 2012 victory against a private-school foe after a preseason tie again Lovett on Feb. 9 and a 4-0 loss at home to Paideia this Monday.

Both teams are coming off victories.  The Knights nearly mercy-ruled Tucker in a 10-1 road victory on Tuesday. The Eagles upended North Atlanta 3-1 on Monday at home to reverse a slide caused by an 8-0 home loss to Chamblee on Feb. 23 and a 4-2 loss at Wesleyan on Feb. 21.

The Eagles opened the season by losing 3-0 to  Meadowcreek on Feb. 10  and 5-1 to Blessed Trinity on Feb. 14 before earning their first win of the season, a 5-1 dismantling of Cross Keys on Feb. 16.  All three games were at Klaus Field, the Eagles’ home stadium.

The Knights meanwhile opened regular-season play with a Valentine’s Day massacre, a 10-0 whitewashing of Creekside, followed by a hard-fought scoreless tie against Allatoona at home on Feb. 17.  Both games were at Grady Stadium.

After the girls teams settle their business, the boys varsity teams will square off at 7 p.m.