IAC / NTL GIRLS SOCCER: ATHENS DOMINATES IN 2-0 WIN OVER WAVERLY (24 PHOTOS) (2019-09-14)
Valley Sports ReportWAVERLY "” Athens controlled the action throughout the game, and used a pair of first-half goals to pull out a 2-0 win over Waverly here Friday night in non-league girls soccer action at Memorial Stadium.
With the vast majority of the game spent in the Waverly defensive end, Athens outshot the Lady Wolverines 20-1, and also had a 5-0 edge in corner kicks.
"We were intimidated," said Waverly coach Tara Hogan. "We were playing scared and therefore made a lot of mistakes. We just couldn't get the ball up the field.
"Our defense worked incredibly hard to do something - anything "”with the ball, but the help just wasn't there," she noted. "We would clear the ball and a second later it would be shoved down our side of the field again.
"Kennedy Wheeler, Cora Smith, and Paige Robinson did a phenomenal job in attempting to hold off any and all attacks, but they were overwhelmed," added Hogan. "And (keeper) Kait (Clark) was tested tonight."
Junior Hannah Blackman, with her back to Waverly keeper Kaitlyn Clark, chipped the ball back over her head, and under the crossbar for the game's first goal about four minutes into the contest. Bailey Dakos was credited with an assist.
With 16:32 left in the first half, junior Emma Roe rifled a shot underneath the crossbar from near the top of the 18 to give the Lady Wildcats a 2-0 lead. Sophomore Hannah Walker was credited with an assist.
Athens fired off 10 shots-on-goal in the second half, while Waverly did not record a shot-on-goal as the two teams battled through 40 minutes of scoreless action.
"Considering Athens had more than 25 players to our 13 - two of our players were absent and most of the rest are nursing injuries, I was happy that we were able to hold them off for the entire second half," said Hogan.
Clark recorded 18 saves in net for the Lady Wolverines.
Athens, now 5-1-1, travels to Williamson Monday, while Waverly, now 4-1, hosts Notre Dame Wednesday at 6 p.m.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens junior Emma Roe and Waverly junior Gabby Picco. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
