IAC GIRLS SOCCER: 8TH-GRADER VanALLEN NETS HAT TRICK; WAVERLY BESTS O-M, 5-2 (16 PHOTOS) (2019-09-11)
Valley Sports ReportODESSA "” Eighth-grader Lea VanAllen netted her first career hat trick to help Waverly to a 5-2 win over Odessa-Montour here Wednesday night in IAC girls soccer action at Charles Martin Field.
Senior Sadie Van Allen contributed one goal and two assists in the win, and senior Melina Ortiz added one goal and one assist.
"Lea (VanAllen) had another phenomenal game with her older sister (Sadie) there to send her well-placed balls," said Waverly coach Tara Hogan. "Both VanAllen girls are hustlers. They worked hard to put pressure on O-M's defense and worked quickly to set up for a shot."
Hogan was pleased with her team's performance.
"Our passing and composure was there tonight," she said. "With our passing being cleaned up, came a lot of opportunities.
"Our movement off the ball and providing support was significantly improved from our last few games," noted Hogan.
"However, our shot to goal ratio needs some improvement," she added.
Lea VanAllen, off a feed from junior Gabby Picco, scored on the only goal of the first half in the 11th minute of the game.
The Lady Indians wasted little time after the intermission, with Ida Sidle scoring 49 seconds into the second half to tie the game at 1-1.
"O-M came out really fast in the second half," said Hogan. "We were caught off-guard.
"The game was back-and-forth a bit and they put some good pressure on us," she added.
About nine minutes into the second half, Lea VanAllen, assisted by Sadie VanAllen, gave Waverly the lead for good wth her second goal of the game.
Midway through the half, Lea VanAllen, again off an assist from Sadie VanAllen, finished off her hat trick to make it 3-1.
Just 86 seconds later, freshman Hannah Nolan scored for O-M to trim the deficit to 3-2.
About 6 1/2 minutes later, Melina Ortiz, off a feed from freshman Alyvia Daddona, scored to give Waverly a two-goal cushion, at 4-2.
"Melina's goal was taken from well outside the 18, and was placed perfectly," said Hogan.
Sadie VanAllen tacked on some insurance with an unassisted goal with 8:19 remaining in the contest.
Waverly outshot O-M, 25-7, and had a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.
O-M's Grace Vondracek recorded 13 saves in net, and Waverly's Kaitlyn Clark had four.
"Their goalie (Grace Vondracek) is strong," said Hogan.
Waverly, now 4-0, returns to action Saturday when it hosts Athens.
"I am happy with the improvements shown in this game and look forward to another competitive game on Saturday against Athens on our home turf," said Hogan.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly's Lea VanAllen. ... PHOTOS COURTESY OF TINA DADDONA.
