Wahconah Pulls Away from Drury in Second Half

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The Wahconah girls soccer team scored three in the second half to shut out Drury, 3-0, on Tuesday.

 

Wahconah (4-1) had to wait until the second half to break through, but once Wahconah found the back of the net, it did not look back. Wahconah scored three times after halftime to pull away from Drury (2-3) and extend its winning streak to four games.

 

Wahconah created the first chance of the game in the opening minute after a nice move down the wing led to a cross into the box, but the ensuing shot sailed over the net.

 

The visitors continued to control possession in Drury’s defensive third throughout the first half, but Drury looked dangerous on the counterattack whenever it had the opportunity. Lily Mirante and Stella Smith connected on several one-two combinations up the left side, trying to break through the Wahconah defense.

 

Wahconah created its best opportunity of the opening half in the 23rd minute, hitting the post twice on the same play. A cross was sent across the box toward the back post and the shot bounced off the post back toward the middle. The rebound was then hit off the post and over the net.

 

Wahconah continued to apply pressure and create chances, but Drury’s defense repeatedly disrupted the Wahconah attack and cleared the danger.

 

In the 34th minute, Wahconah forced a turnover and quickly turned it into another scoring opportunity. Drury goalkeeper Addisyn Shepard made a diving save to push the shot aside, then recovered quickly to block the rebound and keep the game scoreless.

 

Shepard turned in an outstanding performance in net, finishing with 16 saves, including multiple double saves that kept Drury within striking distance.

 

Drury generated some pressure late in the first half, with Ella Bond using the width of the field to try to get behind the Wahconah defense and send crosses into the box. Wahconah, however, continued to shut the door.

 

Drury’s defense also deserves credit for its first-half performance, as the Blue Devils spent much of the half under pressure but remained organized, stayed compact and consistently cleared their lines.

 

Both teams would head into the break scoreless.

 

“We needed to clean things up in the first half, we were a little sloppy and Drury was taking it to us,” Wahconah head coach Maggie Rivers said. “They have a good team, they are solid and physical. Their keeper was phenomenal all game long, she comes out of nowhere sometimes and you have to be selective in front of the net.”

 

Wahconah picked up where it left off early in the second half.

 

Olivia Johnson battled for possession, won the ball and fired a shot that Shepard saved. Johnson quickly followed up on the rebound, but Shepard again came up with the save, tipping the ball wide of the net.

 

Wahconah finally broke through when Brooke Harrington received a through ball from Gianna Heilbroun straight up the middle. Harrington showed great patience, maintaining control before calmly placing her shot into the corner to give Wahconah a 1-0 lead.

 

Wahconah quickly doubled its advantage minutes later when Miranda White capitalized on a goalkeeper error and placed the ball into the back of the net.

 

Wahconah scored both goals within a five-minute span to take control of the game at the start of the second half.

 

It then added a third goal in the 72nd minute when Chloe Difazio finished off a rebound. Shepard made an excellent initial save with her feet, but the rebound fell to Wahconah and was put away before she could recover.

 

Wahconah’s pressure ultimately proved too much for Drury as they secured the 3-0 victory.

 

“We worked on one-two passes yesterday in practice, but Drury was able to disrupt us enough in the first half,” Rivers said. “We just had to refocus and put the emphasis on good crosses and really working on one-two touches and get it in instead of hanging on to the ball too long.”

 

Drury’s defense and Shepard kept the game scoreless for the entire first half, but Wahconah’s persistence eventually paid off with three second-half goals.

 

The win is now four in a row for Wahconah after losing its season opener to Mount Greylock. Wahconah will have an opportunity to get some revenge Friday when they travel to face Mount Greylock for the second time this season.

 

Drury will look to bounce back Thursday when it takes on Pittsfield.