UNION TWP| Wheeler coach Bryan Murraycalls his team unselfish when it comes to scoring, and it showed in the first round of the sectional tournament against Washington Township on Monday night.
The Bearcats had five girls score in their 8-2 win against the Senators.
“We have four or five kids that have scored at least 10 goals this year and we have some people with the ability to finish,” Murraysaid.
Terra Philips scored the first two goals of the game. Her first goal came 12 minutes into the game that went through the center of the net. Three minutes later, Washington Township goalkeeper Erin James stepped out of the goal to save Philip’s kick, missed the save, and Philips moved behind James to finish the goal.
James faced 26 shots total, 15 on goal.
“I think she’s the toughest kid I’ve seen. She’s amazing,” Washington Township coach Ron Goodaker said.
Nicole Skopelja and Haley Lovinsonm each scored within two minutes of each other to put the Bearcats up 4-0. Alexa Fratzke scored three back-to-back goals in 15 minutes of the first half. Her first goal came in the 25th minute. Her shot hit the goal post then skirted sideways along the goal line until she was able to hit it in.
Washington Township’s Kacie Corley was injured with 10 minutes to play in the first half, resulting in the Senators playing short-handed for the rest of the game. Allison McCafferty was also injured in the second half and had to sit out five minutes, but was able to return.
“Because we’ve been shorthanded all season, they’ve learned how to adjust and compensate for each other,” Goodaker said. “The forwards are back playing defense when they need to, so they’ve got it figured out. I trust their experience; they know what they need to be doing.”
Heather Burton scored two goals 30 seconds apart in the 50th minute into the second half for the Senators off assists from Elizabeth Masson.
Reagan Plothow was the fifth Bearcat to score. Her goal came late in the second half after James came out of the net to try and deflect Plothow’s shot. Six Bearcats also registered assists, including two each from Fratzke and Lani Eaton Eaton.
“We’ve been doing pretty well all year connecting with passing and moving the ball,” Murray said. “I think we’re difficult to cover because we like to share the ball. No one sits on the ball all day, and we work with what the defense is able to give us.”
Wheeler (15-2) now advances to play Bishop Noll on Thursday.
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