The Warriors faced the Riverside Brookfield Bulldogs this evening, a MSC matchup. Both teams came ready to play and eager for a victory, as this game was critical for conference and sectional standings. Dealing with a strong cross-wind was a factor throughout the game, and in the first half, both teams struggled to possess and connect at times due to it. About halfway through the first half, the Warriors were caught offguard and a speedy Bulldog forward was able to sneak through a couple defenders and score the first goal of the game. Fortunately, the Warriors remained composed and answered less than two minutes later, when sophomore
Gretchen Pearson dribbled down the right flank of the field, took a shot far post that was deflected away by the Bulldog goalkeeper, but was then finished by freshman forward
Erin Teevans to tie the game.
The rest of the half and the first twenty minutes of the second half reamined scoreless. However the Warriors continued to breakdown the Bulldogs defense and push through a high offsides trap with speed and deep balls played to the corners.
Gretchen Pearson created the next goal as she was able to penetrate the box on the dribble again, crossing the ball to junior forward
Jamie Netzley. Netzley was pressured hard as she received the ball and she quickly passed the ball back to Pearson who finished the ball low and driven into the goal to give the Warriors the lead. Shortly after, WA goalkeeper
Liana Ledesma had a huge save that could have changed the flow of the game, when a Bulldog player sent a lofted shot toward goal that Ledesma was able to punch away and deflect the ball off the crossbar to secure the lead. Finally, with nearly 12 minutes left in the game, the Warriors sealed the game when Pearson again dribbled down the right flank and laid a cross off to the top of the box that was finished by senior midfielder
Emily Mascari, her first goal of the season.
Liana Ledesma had 3 saves in goal. The Warriors are now 3-0-0 in the MSC and 8-3-0 overall. They next face MSC opponent the Aurora Central Catholic Chargers on Thursday, April 23 at 4:30pm.
