Lady Tigers Start Season Hotter Than a Summer Day
by Patrick McKay
The last weekend of summer is here and fall sports have officially kicked off. The Lady Tigers soccer team opened regular season play today on the last Saturday of summer and it was hot for the 3pm kickoff. The Lady Tigers were even hotter as they hosted the Erie McDowell Trojans and posted six goals in route to a season opening 6-1 victory.
NA created chance after chance in both halves of play exhibiting precision passing and high paced pressure at both ends of the field. The first half looked familiar though as the Lady Tigers dominated possession and opportunities but only yielded one goal. That goal came on an early opportunity when senior Monica Pike found junior Gabby Smychynsky open who with a precise strike put it away 10:52 into game. That would be the only goal of the first half. The Lady Tigers opportunities were endless however and four different girls would be part of the second half scoring frenzy. Senior Savana Yurick and junior Amanda Miller led the way with two goals each while senior Sarah Chomos tallied one. Official totals of assists were unavailable.
The McDowell Trojans had a different approach as they attempted to pack in the defense and hope to beat the Tigers high paced offense in transition. While the Trojans did create a few great opportunities the Tiger defense was able hold the line and only allowed one goal after the game was well in hand. That goal came at a great individual effort by Trojan freshman Kylie Franz who took a transition clear, beat a Tiger defender then buried it in the net past the keeper in a one on one situation. Overall it was a fine team and defensive effort as the Lady Tigers only yielded five shots on goal and zero corner kicks.
For her outstanding effort and offensive contributions Savana Yurick was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game. The Lady Tigers start 1-0 and the Trojans fall to 0-1. The Tigers will travel to defending WPIAL Champion and Section rival Seneca Valley Wednesday.
Girls Soccer Summary vs. McDowell 8-30-14
| GAME SUMMARY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| SCORE BY HALVES | 1 | 2 | FINAL |
| McDowell | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| North Allegheny | 1 | 5 | 6 |