Argento’s goal lifts Lady Scots past Waynesburg
Waynesburg's Emily Phillips (23) tries to get the ball past Southmoreland's Alex Kitta (8) and Emily Helms (25) in a Monday's Section 1-AA match held at Waynesburg Central High School.
Waynesburg Central蘑菇视频 Emily Phillips (23) dribbles the ball in front of Southmoreland蘑菇视频 Emily Helms (25) as she moves toward the goal in Monday蘑菇视频 Section 1-AA game at Waynesburg.
Waynesburg Central蘑菇视频 Casey Swartz (16) takes the ball from Southmoreland蘑菇视频 Kaylee Cummins (12) during the first half of their Monday, Sept. 12 match at Waynesburg. (Photo by Holly Tonini)
WAYNESBURG 鈥� Alyssa Argento scored a goal in the second half of the physical, defensive match, lifting Southmoreland to a 1-0 Section 1-AA road victory Monday night at Waynesburg Central.
The Lady Scots even their overall record at 2-2, while improving to 2-0 in the section. The Lady Raiders remain winless, slipping to 0-2 in the section and 0-4 overall.
鈥淭hose first two games we faced some pretty good competition,鈥� Southmoreland coach Bob King said. 鈥淚n section play, we have been more consistent defensively and have used our speed around the edges to create scoring chances. Waynesburg played a solid game, and this game was 50-50. We are finding ourselves, and we have a whole new identity this year, as we lost some seniors from a year ago.鈥�
鈥淲e take a lot of positives out of this game,鈥� Waynesburg coach Chris Benson said. 鈥淲e pretty much played evened with the defending section champions and I like where our defense is at right now. They are the strongest team in our section, and our girls were up to the battle. We had some injuries in the game, and right now we are down three strikers.鈥�
Argento蘑菇视频 goal came with 13:21 left in the game, as Argento was able to show her quickness and run past the Waynesburg蘑菇视频 defense for the game-winning tally.
Southmoreland set the tempo in the second half, attacking in the offensive zone and had several deep shots. The visitors had nine shots in the final half, compared to two for Waynesburg.
Throughout the final 40 minutes of game, the Lady Raiders鈥� Niki Augustine created numerous offensive chances, but couldn鈥檛 sustain any shot attempts against the Lady Scotties鈥� defense. For the game, Southmoreland outshot Waynesburg by a 15-7 margin.
Both defenses had firm control of the game in the first half and much of the action was played in the middle-third, as there were only eight shots and limited scoring chances.
Waynesburg蘑菇视频 Tayler Benson registered the first shot of the contest on the far side as her shot was saved by goalkeeper Shelby Hawkins. Southmoreland came back with some scoring chances led by Argento, Hayley Skovira and Alex Kitta, but Lady Raiders netminder Julia Camps was up to the task.
鈥淎t halftime I told them to keep playing the same,鈥� Benson said. 鈥淚 told them to be smart on defense and we will get our chances on offense. Their defense made some plays, and they were able to get that break and make that one goal late in the game.鈥�
Hawkins finished the contest with three saves in the shutout, as Camps was credited with six stops in the losing effort.
鈥淚t was a clean, physical game,鈥� King said. 鈥淥ur defense shut them down in the second half. Shelby was a leader out there and was communicating with her defense, hats off to her and our defensive front. Her work ethic is fantastic.鈥�
Both teams will be back in section action on Wednesday on the road, as Southmoreland travels to Greensburg Salem and Waynesburg ventures to Mount Pleasant.