(BRYN ATHYN, Pa.) – The inside track to home field advantage in the Skye Division tournament was on the line between Wilson and Bryn Athyn on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix were able to strike first against their conference rival, but the Lions were able to equalize moments later and add a pair of goals in the second half to secure the win.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 1, Bryn Athyn 3
Venue: General Ronald K. Nelson Field
Records: Wilson 13-4-1, 7-1 Skye; Bryn Athyn 10-2-1, 7-0-1 Skye
How It Happened
- Bryn Athyn came out firing from the first whistle with three shots in the first four minutes. Joseline Tlapaya tested Rebecca Marakovitz (Jr., New Market, Md. / Linganore) with the first take just 67 seconds in as Marakovitz made the save in the lower left 90. Wilson eventually had a shot of its own with Skylar Molnar (Jr., Shohola, Pa. / Delaware Valley) firing wide on the right side in the eighth minute.
- Set pieces were the story early on as both teams were able to benefit from early corner kicks. The Blue and White struck first as Annie Smith (Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown) crashed the net and scored on a boot by Maddy Miller (So., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) from the right side for an early lead in the 11th minute. However, the Lions were able to counter just over two minutes later as Ciara McFeely found Shea Gormley for a header on a corner on the opposite end.
- The score remained dormant until the second half when the Lions went ahead in the 62nd minute. Allyson Paul provided the goal from just outside the center of the box on an assist from Kira Bradley.
- The hosts eventually added an insurance goal when Bradley sent a pass up the middle of the field to Kayla Smith who was able to flick it in from just outside the top of the box in the 68th minute.
- The Phoenix didn't give up and had a few more opportunities to get on the board. Smith had three shots minutes later with two saved by Lions' keeper Chloe Munyon. Bianca Sommers (So., Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) and Halley Shaffer (So., Sunbury, Pa. / Line Mountain) both had attempts as well in the final minutes, but both of those were also saved.
Inside The Numbers
- The game featured three of the top goal scorers in Division III with Shaffer and Smith from Wilson along with Bradley from Bryn Athyn. Bradley entered the game No. 2 nationally with 24 while Shaffer was No. 4 with 22, but both were held goalless.
- Smith moved up to No. 15 nationally as she scored her 16th of the season. She now has 41 points on the year which puts her in the top 10 in Division III.
- Smith has now scored in five consecutive games with eight goals over that stretch.
- The game was rather balanced with the Lions holding a slight 14-10 edge in the shot count. Both teams were even in shots on goal with seven each. Corner kicks were also balanced with four a piece.
Up Next
Another tough test awaits Wilson in the regular season finale as the Phoenix head to Allentown to take on Cedar Crest on Wednesday. The Falcons will enter the game unbeaten in Skye Division competition with four wins and four ties. Regardless of Wednesday's result, Wilson will be guaranteed a first round bye and a spot in the Skye Division semifinals.
