STAC GIRLS SOCCER: SUTTON, SOPRANO, OLMSTED LEAD WAVERLY IN SEASON-OPENING, 7-0, WIN OVER NORWICH (24 PHOTOS) (2025-08-29)
Valley Sports ReportWAVERLY — Waverly shook off a bit of a slow start, and scored four goals in the final 19 minutes of the first half on its way to a season-opening, 7-0, win over Norwich here Thursday afternoon in STAC girls soccer action at Memorial Stadium.
"We are very happy with today's outcome," said Waverly coach Tara Hogan. "The team did a fantastic job learning from our mistakes on our scrimmage day just two days ago.
"Our start was a bit rocky, but that's to be expected at our first home game.
"We were given a lot of space to work and make a lot of adjustments," added Hogan. "There are a lot of positives to note like our forwards and midfielders working exceptionally well to put pressure on Norwich right from the start."
Junior Makenzie Olmsted netted her first hat trick, and had one assist, while sophomore Gianna Soprano scored two goals, and senior Kaitlyn Sutton had one goal and dished out two assists to pace the Wolverine offense.
"Kait Sutton put us on the board and from there it was set," said Hogan. "Kait was heavily involved in our first 4 goals and really ran our offense.
"Makenzie (Olmsted) got to see some time out of the defensive line and earned her first varsity hat trick today," noted Hogan. "We were happy she got to get some time up there thanks to Haley Larrabee holding down the line with Kendall (Rockwell) and Maci Wheeler."
Sutton, off a long ball from Rockwell, put Waverly on the board just eight minutes into the game.
About 8 1/2 minutes later, sophomore Lily Boothby-Schoonover volleyed a cross from Olmsted out of the air and past the Norwich keeper to make it 2-0.
With 18:52 remaining in the first half, Soprano, off a feed from Sutton, made it 3-0.
"She scored literally a minute after she was moved from outside midfielder to forward," said Hogan. "That's how quickly she got to work."
About 3 1/2 minutes later, Soprano found the back of the net again, off a feed from junior Ryleigh Judson, to make it 4-0.
With 9:04 remaining, Olmsted, off a feed from Sutton, found the net from long range to up the lead to 5-0.
Olmsted scored from long range again with 3:46 remaining in the half to make it 6-0, which is where it stood at the half.
Olmsted, off an assist from sophomore Kaylin Twedt, capped the scoring about 2 1/2 minutes into the second half.
The Wolverines subbed liberally the remainder of the game.
"We got to see every player on the roster on the field today," said Hogan.
"Newcomer Raygane Oakes stood out and showed promise today," added Hogan. "And, Hannah Carpenter saw some solid time and defense and really held her own."
Waverly had a 20-3 advantage in shots-on-goal, and an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.
Senior Claire Clonch recorded four saves in net for the Wolverines, and freshman Taylin Gonzalez added three.
Waverly returns to action Wednesday at Oneonta.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly's Makenzie Olmsted. IN TOP PHOTO: Waverly celebrate an Olmsted goal. ... PHOTOs BY TIM BIRNEY.
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