Oskaloosa Girls’ Soccer Notches First Win Over Tigers
Oskaloosa Indians
The Oskaloosa Girls’ soccer team notched their first win of 2017 season with a 3-2 OT win against the Grinnell Tigers. The win was the first in program history against their conference foe.
The Indians were the first on the board in the 12th minute when Senior, Leah VanMaanen, put away a cross from Sophomore, Aleeya Cheney. Osky continued to dominate the game, but a long 35 yard shot and a penalty kick found the Indians behind at halftime.
“We talked to the girls at half about our intensity and settling down and playing our game. With this only being our second game, we still had the jitters and were still adjusting to playing game speed for a full 40 minutes. We asked the girls to come out in the 2nd half and apply what we had been working on the last 3 weeks of practice and knew this would give us the opportunities to win the game.”
The 2nd half would find the Indians on the attack most of the half with several close calls of shots hitting off posts and the crossbar. It wasn’t until the 70th minute that Cheney ended up with a ball at her feet and buried the shot. The assist would go to Freshman, Mary Nelson. The last 10 minutes of the game was a fury of shots, but nothing finding the back of the net.
In the first OT, the girls continued where they left off with high pressure and several more chances. With 1 minute left in OT, Freshman, Ava VandeWall, took a pass from Senior, Ashley Brockman, and buried the far post shot for the golden goal win!!!
Credit should also be given to the defense who played hard and limited Grinnell to very few shots and ones that were easy for Junior, Kinsey Cook, to collect as keeper. Cook ended the night with 5 saves.
“As a team, we know that we didn’t play our best soccer when it comes to the technical aspects, but this game taught us so much more than the X’s and O’s. The girls dug down deep and found a way to win. There was never any panic or giving up and for that they earned this victory. As coaches, we are so proud of how they stuck together and showed their heart and grit. We are looking to take this win and grow from it and to continue to show the rest of the conference that Osky Girls’ Soccer is here to stay!”
The team had 22 shots being led by Cheney (4 on goal) followed by VanMaanen with 5 (1 on goal), Nelson with 2 (2 on goal), Sophomore, Emily Lunsford with 2 (2 on goal), Junior, Brittany DeMoney with 2, Brockman with 1, Senior, Claire Fiechtner with 1 (1 on goal), VandeWall with 1 (1 on goal), and Junior, Emily Grahek with 1 (1 on goal).
The JV team also earned a 2-0 victory against the Tigers. Goals were scored by Nelson and Sophomore, Brooke Engelhardt. Freshman, Maddy Crile was tough in goal holding the Tigers scoreless.
The girls will be back in action against another conference foe next Monday night. They play DCG with JV at 5:30 and Varsity to follow.■
