Following a tough five-game losing streak, three of which were by just one goal, the Tyrone Lady Eagles finally pulled out a comfortable 7-2 win against Bishop Carroll.
In the first five minutes of thegame, junior captain Briley Campbell received a ball from sophomore Marissa Cacciotti. Campbell dribbled it downfield and perfectly placed it into the back of the net, scoring the first goal of the game.
Just three minutes later, junior Adrienne Maloney laid a ball right at the feet of freshman Olivia Newlin, who took a shot that swerved right into the net.
It was a very good effort by the team. Our passing and communication were the best I’ve seen so far this season. We have been on the wrong end of some close games recently, so it was nice for the players to see their hard work rewarded with a win
— Head Coach Mike Sparacino
After the back-to-back goals, the Lady Eagles’ confidence was high. They kept up the intensity and, moments later, Maloney played a ball to Newlin and yet again, Newlin placed it in the unreachable top corner past Bishop Carrol’s keeper.
“Newlin has adjusted to the speed and skill level of the high school game and is now becoming a player to watch as the season progresses,” said Head Coach Mike Sparacino.
The Lady Eagles possessed the ball continuously in the first half, not giving Bishop Carroll a chance to get on the board. Short and quick passes led Tyrone down the field.
As the ball landed at the feet of Maloney, she passed it to senior Captain Lainey Quick, who aimed for the right side of the goal and hit the back of the net.
Only two minutes later, Quick was dribbling past Bishop Carroll’s players left and right. Maloney was making a run when Quick laid it off to her, where she fought through the defense and hit the ball right past the keeper.
Maloney and Quick repeated this only moments later Quick had the ball again and passed it to Maloney. She struck the ball and it rocketed into the top corner of the net. Their repeated combination ended the half Tyrone 6, Bishop Carroll 0.
The second half began and the Lady Eagles knew they couldn’t lose their intensity. Within the first 32 seconds of the half starting, Campbell, with another ball from Maloney, dribbled through the defense, struck the ball, and scored the first point of the half.
“Maloney had a breakout game with 2 goals and 4 assists. It just seemed like every time she touched the ball, she was making things happen,” said Sparacino.
As the half continued, Tyrone was connecting passes with ease. However, Bishop Carroll did not give up. They stole the ball and started battling the Tyrone defense. As they were battling, a foul was called on both teams, resulting in a yellow card for one of Bishop Carroll’s players as well as a free kick.
Maloney had a breakout game with 2 goals and 4 assists. It just seemed like every time she touched the ball, she was making things happen
— Head Coach Mike Sparacino
This was all they needed to get on the board. They took the kick, which was perfectly placed in the top left corner of the net, high enough that Tyrone’s keeper could not make the save.
Both teams were working hard to keep possession of the ball. They went back and forth for a while until Bishop Carroll’s Madison Delauter stole the ball from a goal kick and placed the ball into the top right corner again. Their efforts were there, but it was not enough to catch the Lady Eagles.
“It was a very good effort by the team. Our passing and communication were the best I’ve seen so far this season. We have been on the wrong end of some close games recently, so it was nice for the players to see their hard work rewarded with a win,” said Sparacino.
This win for the Lady Eagles has given them the confidence boost they needed after being on a losing streak. They go against Greater Johnstown on Thursday and hope to gain another win.
