NTL GIRLS SOCCER: EARLY GOAL LIFTS ATHENS TO 1-0 WIN OVER WYALUSING (24 PHOTOS) (2020-09-25)
Valley Sports ReportATHENS "” Athens senior Emma Roe's long-range goal about five minutes into the game proved to be the difference in the Lady Wildcats' 1-0 win over Wyalusing here Friday afternoon in NTL girls soccer action.
"It was a tough game playing back-to-back in the heat," said Athens coach Rich Pitts. "I thought we learned how to tough out our mentality to grit out a win against an athletic, physical team.
"We are winning games and that's more important than by how much," added Pitts. "These are good tests for the entire team on how to play when it's a tight game."
Athens put a great deal of pressure on the Wyalusing net early, with Roe banging home a long, arcing shot from 35 yards out with 34:49 remaining in the first half for the game's only goal. Freshman Mya Thompson was credited with an assist.
The pressure continued, but Wyalusing keeper Pearl O'Connor made a couple of nice saves, and a handful of Lady Wildcat shots whistled either high or wide of the net.
Athens had a 9-2 advantage in shots-on-goal in the first half.
The second half was more evenly played, with both defenses doing a good job keeping the other team at bay. Athens had a 5-3 edge in shots in the second half.
The Lady Wildcats had a 14-5 advantage in shots-on-goal, and a 7-5 edge in corner kicks in the game.
O'Connor had 11 saves in net for the Lady Rams, while sophomore Abby Champion had four saves for the Lady Wildcats.
Athens, now 4-0-1, returns to action Thursday when it hosts Towanda.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior Emma Roe. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
