NTL GIRLS SOCCER: THOMPSON SCORES TWO SECOND-HALF GOALS TO LIFT ATHENS TO 3-1 WIN OVER TOWANDA (24 PHOTOS) (2024-08-29)

Valley Sports Report
TOWANDA — Junior Olivia Thompson scored a pair of second-half goals just 57 seconds apart to lift Athens to a 3-1 win over Towanda here Thursday evening in NTL girls soccer action.

Athens coach Rich Pitts said a formation change at halftime was the difference in the game.

“I thought Towanda had a great game plan and executed it well, making it very difficult to play in the final third,“ said Pitts. “We had plenty of looks, but only got the early goal.

“We changed formation in the second half and then pretty much dominated the rest of the game, getting two great goals by Olivia to finish them off,” added Pitts.

Senior Addy Wheeler put the Wildcats on the board in the first half, taking a pass from junior Lizzie Gorsline, and lofting a shot over the keeper’s head and into the left side of the net to make it 1-0.

Towanda’s Anna Dunn tied the game a few minutes later with a free kick from 20 yards out, and the game went to the halftime intermission at 1-1.

With 10:19 remaining in the game, Thompson collected a loose ball in front of a crowded goal, and pushed it past the keeper to give the Wildcats a 2-1.

Less than a minute later, Thompson made a long run from near midfield, and fired a hard shot past the keeper to extend the lead to 3-1.

Pitts said the win was a team effort.

“Our bench play was great,” he said. “We had to go deeper into it and the subs played outstanding.

“Carm (Pomaquiza) was solid in net, and the backs played Anna (Dunn) with patience,” he noted. “And, there was so much energy from the girls on the bench cheering the entire game.

“Again, it was another mentality test that we passed with flying colors,” added Pitts. “I’m proud of all 31 of them … they earned Friday off.”

Athens had a 19-3 advantage in shots-on-goal, a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.

Pomaquiza had two saves in net for the Wildcats.

Athens, now 2-0, returns to action Wednesday when it hosts Williamson.

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IN PHOTO 1: Athens junior Olivia Thompson. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens junior Olivia Thompson (15) celebrates a good with senior Addy Wheeler (33) and junior Abby Burgess. … PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.

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