By TIM TAYLORValley Sports Report
WAVERLY — The Waverly girls soccer team tested Chenango Valley for nearly 55 minutes before dropping a 3-1 STAC Central Division decision here Thursday night.
The Wolverines battled CV to a 1-1 halftime deadlock, but the Warriors took advantage of an own goal and a penalty kick to distance themselves in the second half.
“We were very happy with our first half this game,” Waverly coach Tara Hogan said. “We beat them to the ball and played with more intensity.
“Unfortunately, the game got away from us due to our opponent's unconventional play that dictated the second half. They gained the upper hand by resorting to levels of play that we wouldn't stoop to. We encourage our players to play the game and stay on their feet — the passing and composure will do the rest. That wasn't what we were up against tonight.”
Waverly fans were disappointed with calls by the officials, some which they felt were “flopping” (an attempt by a player to gain an unfair advantage by falling to the ground to give the impression that a foul has been committed).
“Ryleigh Judson did a fantastic job of getting involved in more plays tonight. Gianna (Soprano) and Kezlyn (DeKay) ran down every ball and had some good opportunities. Taylin (Gonzalez) had a good game tonight and saw a lot of action. We were happy to see the movement off the ball as well.”
It wasn't long before the scoreboard lit up as both teams scored in the first eight minutes and battled to a 1-1 deadlock through the first half. CV scored first, but only held the lead for 40 seconds before the Wolverines tied the match.
CV’s Tiffani Schaefer blasted a shot high into the net at 32:52 for the 1-0 edge.
At 32:12, Ryleigh Judson crossed the ball from the right side in front of the goal toward Lily Schoonover and a CV player kicked the ball into the back of the net while attempting to defend the pass. Waverly credited the goal to Schoonover.
Melanie Skovira looked to put the Wolverines ahead with just over 23 minutes to go in the half, but CV goalkeeper Hannah Watson made a nice diving save to preserve the tie.
The teams exchanged a handful of shots over the next 18 minutes to no avail for either side.
With just under five minutes remaining in the half, Schaefer looked to score again, but her shot from 36 yards out was blocked by Makenzie Olmsted. Moments later, Schaefer got the ball back, but Hannah Carpenter stole the ball at the 26.
Waverly got a shot on goal and a corner kick attempt in the first five minutes of the second half, but was unable to connect on either opportunity.
Wolverine goalkeeper Taylin Gonzalez denied Schaefer a second goal about eight minutes later, then Schaefer missed wide right with another shot.
Chenango Valley finally broke the deadlock with 25:26 to play when Braeleigh Durkots cross to Schaefer in front of the goal was knocked into the back of the net by a Waverly defender.
The Warriors added an insurance goal on a penalty kick by Schaefer with 15:59 left on the clock. As she prepared to take a shot, Olmsted made a sliding save from just outside the corner of the penalty box, denying her the shot. Schaefer then tripped over Olmsted and the referee which was farthest away from the play (50-plus yards) whistled the penalty, giving Schaefer the PK opportunity.
CV took 11 shots to Waverly’s seven and held a 3-2 edge in penalty corners. Gonzalez made13 saves and Watson had eight.
The win, coupled with Chenango Forks’ 4-0 blanking of Owego (6-2), gives the Warriors (7-1) sole possession of first place in the Central Division.
Waverly slips to 4-4 in the division, 5-5 overall. The Wolverines visit Seton Catholic (1-7) on Tuesday
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly’s Hannah Carpenter. IN TOP PHOTO: Waverly’s Makenzie Olmsted. … PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
