Blackney scores twice, Wissahickon blanks William Tennent
LOWER GWYNEDD >> The Wissahickon defense was dominant Tuesday afternoon against William Tennent.
The Trojans defense made plays to keep the ball in the offensive half for a majority of the game and allowed just three shots on goal over the entire 60 minutes. The defense surrendered no corners until the final 90 seconds when Tennent earned four.
Wissahickon’s offense did just enough to pick up a 2-0 win at Wissahickon High School.
“We were winning the ball when they were trying to send it down the field,” Wissahickon coach Leah Angstadt said of the defense. “We’re not giving away silly passes when we’re out-letting and our defense is transferring the ball nicely in the backfield.
“But credit to them for getting those penalty corners on us in the last minute of the game.”
Both of Wissahickon’s goals came from the same combination — midfielder Jessica Waite and forward Anna Blackney.
The first goal and game-winner came late in the first half. After more than 27 minutes of scoreless field hockey, the Trojans got on the board with 2:17 left before the break when Blackney muscled home a pass from Waite.
The two connected again for an insurance goal with 9:48 remaining in the game. Blackney knocked home a ball from the left post to give her team a little breathing room.
“Anna has really stepped up,” Angstadt said. “She wasn’t on our radar at the beginning of the season and then she put a couple of goals in in a game and she’s really brought to the table what we’re looking for out of our forwards. She’s having a great senior year for us and we’re really pleased with her play.
“Jess had a solid game again. She dominates the middle of the field for us. She sends some great balls in for our forwards. She’s having a great year as well.”
Wissahickon left a lot of goal’s on the field. It earned 11 corners in the game and wasn’t able to capitalize on any of them. Two separate times in the second half the Trojans had a crossing pass roll in front of the cage with no William Tennent player in sight, but no one was there to score the goal either time.
“Between our attacking 25 we’re just not executing in the circle,” Angstadt said. “It’s something we have to work on. We’re focusing on it in practice right now. We’re getting plenty of opportunities we just need to put it away now.”
Another reason why Wiss wasn’t able to score was Tennent goaltender Tricia McCoy. She made 11 saves to keep the game from turning into a blowout.
Wiss goalie Wumi Popoopola stopped all three shots she faced.
Top Photo: Wissahickon’s Sarah Cammarota battles William Tennent’s Jenna Craigin and Victoria Poust in front of the Wissahickon goal during their game on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (Bob Raines/Digital First Media)
