IAC GIRLS SOCCER: NEWARK VALLEY UPSETS WAVERLY (2018-10-09)

Tioga County Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY - Emma Graves played a strong game in goal and had a hand - and foot - in a Newark Valley goal as the Cardinals closed out the regular season with a 2-1 victory over Waverly here Tuesday.

With less than 15 minutes remaining in the game and NV holding onto a 1-0 edge, Graves, collected one of her 13 saves on the day and delivered a punt more than three-quarters of the length of the field down the left side. After the second bounce, a Waverly defender missed on a clearing attempt and Maddy Sherwood settled the ball, then beat Wolverine goalkeeper Kaitlyn Clark one-on-one for a 2-0 lead with 14:40 on the clock.

Leah Williams scored NV's first goal, getting an assist from Sherwood just 5:53 into the game.

"The team did well with supporting each other all over the field and working hard to create as much pressure as they could," said NV head coach Chuck Schneider. "We would spend plenty of time in our end in the first half, but found ways to create opportunities to go on the attack. We made our halftime adjustments and in the second half we were able to move play more into their end and create scoring chances."

Waverly's goal came on a penalty kick by Gabby Picco with 10:25 left to play.

The Wolverines made one final push late in the game, but the NV defense held.
"They're an outstanding team and we knew we would have our hands full," Schneider said. "Picco and (Melina) Ortiz made our defense work hard to limit their chances. Emma Graves made some outstanding saves to help keep Waverly scoreless until the PK."
Both teams took 13 shots, but the Wolverines held a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks. Clark finished with 10 saves for the visitors.

Waverly will play in the IAC Large School Championship Saturday at 2 p.m. at TC3.

Both teams have qualified for the Section IV playoffs, which begin Oct. 17.

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IN PHOTO 1: Newark Valley's Brianna Beebe (left) and Waverly's Sadie VanAllen. ... PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.