Valley Sports ReportWAVERLY - Waverly took the lead early on an own-goal, and that was all the Lady Wolverines needed in a 2-0 win over Seton Catholic here Monday night in STAC Central Division girls soccer action at Memorial Stadium.
"The score is not indicative of how this game went," said Waverly coach Tara Hogan. "We had possession most of the game, but had little to no energy on the field.
"We were playing too comfortable with not enough intensity," noted Hogan. "We moved Makenzie Olmsted up top to bring some energy to our front line.
"It's always a risk moving her away from our defense because she's always there to help, but we needed something more," added Hogan. "Makenzie brought that level of energy and intensity we needed to be more offensive."
Less than two minutes into the game, a Waverly corner kick by 8th-grader Maci Wheeler resulted in a goal when a Seton defender deflected the ball past Saint keeper Tessa Berger, who finished the game with 12 saves.
Waverly added an insurance goal by senior Lea VanAllen with 27:49 remaining in the contest to make it 2-0. Freshman Mackenzie Olmsted was credited with an assist.
"Lea VanAllen's goal was a great show of what power she has behind the ball," said Hogan.
Seton Catholic put some pressure on the Waverly net over the next several minutes, but sophomore keeper Claire Clonch and defensive line of seniors Paige Robinson and Olivia Robinson, and 8th-grader Kendall Rockwell were up to the task.
"Claire had some more great saves in goal, and made a diving save in the second half shortly after we scored," said Hogan.
Waverly, now 4-4-1, returns to action Thursday at Seton Catholic, then travels to Owego Friday night.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly’s Makenzie Olmsted. … PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
