No. 1 Warriors show why
State’s top-ranked girls’ Class C soccer team 7-0 after rout over Bengals
The evidence was there to see Tuesday night and the illumination provided from the lights at Stillwater High School were not necessary. One quick glance at the school’s varsity girls’ soccer squad is enough to realize the 2018 team is motivated, organized and proficient.
The Warriors unleashed their skills upon Tamarac in the first half and the Bengals simply could not keep up.
Stillwater, a program coming off a 2017 campaign that ended with a loss in the Class C state final against Allegany-limestone, seized command with six goals in the opening 34 minutes and registered an impressive 7-2 Wasaren League victory over Tamarac.
“I think getting that far last year has given us a lot of confidence for this year,” said Stillwater junior striker Brooke Pickett, the 2017 Times Union Small-school Player of the Year. “Every game, we come out strong because we know we can beat people.”
“We came out very strong and everyone contributed,” Stillwater coach Christine Ihnatolya said.
The Warriors, the newly-minted No. 1 ranked Class C team in the state, boosted their record Tuesday night to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the Wasaren League.
“We always try to get things done in the first half so things
can be easier in the second half,” Stillwater sophomore defender Keelyn Peacock said.
Stillwater accomplished its task of taking control from the outset. Sophomore striker Teya Staie scored just 5:11 into the game and she sent another shot toward the goal that Tamarac knocked into the net for a 2-0 lead.
“I think we’re doing awesome this season. We’re off to a really great start,” Peacock said.
The Bengals (4-2-1, 4-2-1) watched Stillwater quickly extend its advantage to 5-0 through 23 minutes of play on goals by junior Kate Mcavoy, Pickett and junior Paige Brinsko.
Tamarac senior striker Isabella Bisceglia scored the first of her goals Tuesday to bring Tamarac’s deficit down to 5-1, but the Warriors immediately responded with a goal from sophomore Devon Wagner.
“Being in so many high-pressure situations last year really strengthened the team mentally,” Ihnatolya said. “In big games, we have the experience but they also don’t take anything for granted.”
Stillwater’s defensive unit, led by Peacock, sophomore Marley Mueller, sophomore Sydney Frank and senior Amiya Jennings limited the traffic in front of sophomore goalie Kiersten Conroy.
The second half was not quite as free-wheeling and prolific from Stillwater, yet Peacock managed to pump in her fourth goal of the season with 4:42 left on a free kick as she curled the ball inside the right post.
A few minutes earlier, Peacock chunked a corner kick into the side of the net after having an insect fly into her eye.
“It was nice to get that one in,” Peacock said.
The Warriors have managed to pump in 42 goals through seven outings, including massive nonleague wins to open the season against Cohoes (8-1) and Voorheesville (7-2).
Stillwater showed once again Tuesday that the team’s offense is much more than merely the potent Pickett, who leads the team with 13 goals and eight assists.
“It is really a team thing. Everyone is contributing out there, not just me,” Pickett said
“We’re showing we have several players that can score goals,” Ihnatolya said. “The girls want to (win another title), but they have been great about taking care of each game.”