June 1, 1997Prince William Ladyhawks 2, Wheaton Wings 1
TYRELL PARK - Wheaton was again denied a victory against the PWSI Ladyhawks as the Wings fell 2-1 in Woodbridge, Va., on June 1. Wheaton just missed out on reaching the .500 win percentage level as the home team scored off a corner with 12 minutes to go in the contest. The Ladyhawks improved their record to 2-2-0 against the Wings.
Wheaton finished its first season in Division I with a 2-3-4 record, good enough for fifth place in the league. PWSI improved to 2-2-5 and finished behind SWYA (2-2-5) in the tiebreaker for sixth. All three teams now await the July 14 date detailing the WAGS division structure for the 1997 Fall Season.
Prince William made the most of its chances as the home team won 2-1. Total shots in the contest were almost even (17-15 PWSI), but most observers determined Wheaton to hold a large advantage in time of possession.
Taking the initive from the start, the Wings created several early chances down the left side through Ameyali Ramos (Whitman H.S.). She missed with a shot just wide of the near post, nearly allowed Deborah Wiesenfelder (Bethesda-Chevy Chase H.S.) to clean up a rebound, and just missed connecting with Ariel Dean (Georgetown Visitation H.S.) on a cross to the far post. PWSI responded creating a chance down the left with a long ball over the top but the left wing was unable to find her target.
Just as Wheaton seemed to be taking hold of the game, the Ladyhawks got on the scoreboard, again using speed to run on to a long ball over the top and finishing far post. It was the only score of the half, despite a succession of Wing corners that saw Kim Cooper (Poolesville H.S.), Eileen Murray (Paint Branch H.S.) and Wiesenfelder denied at the goal line.
The second stanza found the Wings probing the defense for an opening and they found one in the 52nd minute. Lindsay Daughters (Churchill H.S.) beat her defender in the center of the midfield with an easy turn and she found Mijo Cavallaro (Whitman H.S.) in open space on the right flank. Cavallaro's diagonal ball to Ramos at the far post split the Ladyhawk defense wide open leaving Ramos and Dean vs. one and the goalkeeper. Ramos touched back across to the right to Dean who found the net to level the score.
Wheaton pushed forward and nearly went ahead on a shot by Katie Palisoul (Whitman H.S.). The home side, however, struck again wtih 12 minutes remaining in the game off a corner as the Wing defense allowed a clear shot from the top of the box that beat Sarah McKenzie (Whitman H.S.) top left.
The goal would be the game winner as Wheaton was unable to rally as the Wings lost their first road game of the season.