NTL GIRLS SOCCER: ATHENS EDGES TOWANDA, 2-1, IN SEASON OPENER (24 PHOTOS) (2023-08-30)
Valley Sports ReportTOWANDA — Sophomore Lizzie Gorsline scored a pair of goals in her first game at Athens to lead the Lady Wildcats to a 2-1 win over Towanda here Wednesday evening in NTL Large School girls soccer action.
"I thought first 20 (minutes), and especially the first 10, we showed what we could be as a team," said Athens coach Rich Pitts. "Fun to watch, good soccer being played on the floor with fluid movement by all the players to keep possession.
"We tired some as the game went on, so fitness will need to be addressed, but overall, we are happy with the result and to get a win in our first match.
"We were able to go deep into the bench playing almost all of the team we traveled," noted Pitts. "And, we had some nice surprises by some older and newer players in how they performed.
"Both goals were really nice build up goals for us and we had a ton of other chances we just need to be more clinical on," added Pitts. "Overall, it was a great match, and we look forward to Tuesday in Wellsboro."
About 7 1/2 minutes into the game, Gorsline, who played at NEB last year, controlled a ricochet off a Towanda defender, and rapped a shot past the keeper to give Athens a 1-0 lead. Senior Kendra Merrill was credited with an assist.
Nearly seven minutes later, Gorsline fielded a feed from junior Addy Wheeler in the box, and knocked a shot past the keeper to make it 2-0.
With 12:11 remaining in the first half, Towanda’s Anna Dunn connected on a direct kick from 30 yards out to trim the deficit to 2-1.
The defenses ruled the final 50-plus minutes of the game, and neither team was able to light up the scoreboard again.
Athens had a 15-6 edge in shots, and 3-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Carmelita Pomaquiza registered five saves in net for Athens.
Athens returns to action Tuesday at Wellsboro.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens sophomore Lizzie Gorsline. … PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.
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