IAC GIRLS SOCCER: WAVERLY RALLIES LATE TO EDGE DRYDEN, 2-1 (22 PHOTOS) (2019-09-06)
Valley Sports ReportWAVERLY "” Waverly scored twice in about 2 1/2 minutes late in the game to rally for a 2-1 win over Dryden here Friday night in IAC Large School crossover girls soccer action at Memorial Stadium.
"This was a hard-fought game," said Waverly coach Tara Hogan. "We just couldn't get into a rhythm for most of the game.
"Dryden started fast in both halves, and with us only having 15 players, the girls had to battle through the heat and obvious fatigue.
"We weren't working well as a unit," added Hogan. "Eventually, in the second half we found some confidence and patience."
After a scoreless first half, Allison Deeley scored an unassisted goal to give Dryden a 1-0 lead.
With 10:37 remaining in the contest, junior Gabby Picco scored off a feed from junior Tessa Petlock to tie the game at 1-1.
"Tessa (Petlock) sent a perfectly-placed and paced ball," said Hogan. "Gabby (Picco) saw it and immediately went for the run and took on the goalie 1-v-1.
"She took advantage of Dryden's goalie attempting to come out and stop her," Hogan added. "She had to simply tap the ball out of reach and then take an easy shot on a wide-open goal. It was very well played."
With 7:57 left in the game, Picco set up senior Sadie VanAllen for what proved to be the game-winning goal.
"The second goal was another impressive pass, this time from Gabby to Sadie (VanAllen)," said Hogan. "Sadie has such impressive speed on and off the ball."
The Lady Wolverines went on the defensive in the final minutes of the game.
"For the last six minutes of the game, our focus was solely on the fact that we needed to settle down and contain," said Hogan. "We found ourselves in the same situation as our game against Groton.
"We still have a lot to work on, but we have had two great competitive games and should have another three next week," she added.
Waverly outshot Dryden 20-9, and had a 1-0 edge in corner kicks.
Junior Kaitlyn Clark recorded eight saves in net for the Lady Wolverines.
Waverly, now 2-0, will travel to Newark Valley Monday.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly's Gabby Picco. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
