Wissahickon away game Vs. Upper Dublin Oct 15

Friday night's varsity game was one of my favorites to watch this season and a real privilege to coach. Wiss took the field at UD's SPARKS field around 7:30, after a nice senior recognition intro, starting lineups announced, and the national anthem played. To note: The PA cut out near the end of the anthem, only to have it finished strong with the help of the entire Wiss starting lineup.

The first time these teams met this season the final score was 5-1, with UD owning possession throughout the game. The highlight for Wiss came in the 64th min of that game when Maureen Biechert scored Wissahickon's lone goal.

Going into Friday's match, the pre-game was simple; to slow the game down and play smart, containing so to take possession and move forward.

From the whistle Wiss locked down the midfield, which was UDs for the taking the first we met. Cailin Grey was a standout at center mid for Wiss, diminishing the effectiveness of UDs strong middy, containing her in the central third of the field allowing Wiss backs to transition when possession was lost. The play in the first half was back and forth with both teams having shots on goal and nice controlled possession. At minute 15 however, in our defending third, UDs center mid, was able to steal a breakaway for a shot and score on an otherwise stellar showing from Wiss goaltender Rachel Stone. Wiss rallied, sticking to the game plan, and had opportunity for creative play and in the 23rd minute, starting with Grey, a pass out wide to winger Alisa Ryan, back in to Biechert, and up thru to center striker Anna Chiodo-Ortiz, created a breakaway situation for Wiss. Unfortunately, this opportunity was chased down by UD's back and Wiss was denied a tying goal. On the flip-side, Wiss Back, Laura Frankenfield's quick step, was just as effective denying UD any further opportunity in the first half of play.

The second half was played as well as the first, with both starting squads still in the game. Rachel Stone again with awesome diving saves and fluid top sweeps pushing the ball away, kept UD fighting with only a 1-0 lead. Meredith Brown, a center back for Wiss also contributed to UDs growing frustration, as she had an away kick from goal line to deny once more UD a second goal. Up top for Wiss, Chiodo-Ortiz, Ryan, and Katie Ziegler kept UDs goaltender working as well, with shots on target serviced by beautiful diagonal balls thru from central mids Biechert and Ellen-Claire Benbow. A coaching decision came from Wiss bench at minute 72 of the match, to pull Ryan up top to add another striker in an effort to tie the game at 1-1. Wiss had two opportunities to capitalize, but alas with a breakaway in the 76th minute, UD scored with a nice shot high, to the far corner. Not giving up, left wing, Ziegler did counter in the 79th minute with a shot high, on target, but to no avail...

Wiss ladies gave UD a run for their money Friday night and walked away with a great game under their belts. They allowed only two goals, with the last coming in the final 3 minutes of the match. Congratulations Ladies, on a well fought match.