WHITEHOUSE – Two state final four squads from a season ago opened their 2022 campaign with a 3-3 draw on Tuesday night as Ottawa Glandorf and Anthony Wayne played to a stalemate.
Anthony Wayne, a semifinalist in Division I last season opened the scoring with 31:31 remaining in the first half as junior Sophia Eicher split a pair of Titan defenders and raced a shot past keeper Emma Brinkman to put the hosts on top 1-0.
Ottawa Glandorf who barely trailed at all during their 2021 race to the Division III runner-up slot made up for the Eicher goal with 17:50 before the break when their leading scorer from a season ago, sophomore Makenna Siefker found the back of the net to even up the contest at 1-1.
Though both teams controlled the ball and the pitch through the rest of the half it was the hosts who struck next thanks to a pass from Eicher ahead of the Titan defense to give teammate Mallori Pollock her first marker of the season and a 2-1 Generals lead with 5:05 that would carry through to the stoppage.
Working off of the first corner kick for either team in the game the visitors tied the game at 2-2 with 28:27 remaining on a redirected ball that was lasered through the open space by junior Myka Aldrich for OG’s first mark of the second half.
Moments after the Aldich goal the Titans again found themselves with a corner kick attempt to try to turn into a goal and again were successful as this time around senior forward Clara Beach reached for and netted her first ball of the season to send her squad into the lead for the first time at 3-2 with 22:18 left.
Fighting through a fast and physical defensive effort from both sides, the Generals struck the evening’s last salvo with 21:01 remaining with a Mallory Smucker offering that slid past Emma Brinkman to tie the scoreboard at 3-3.
Ottawa Glandorf outshot their hosts on the evening 15-7 but were unable to find a final marker for the win before the clock ran out and ended the game in a 3-3 tie.
“Tonight was absolutely physical. It was a hard fought game tonight against quality competition. We had good defensive pressure on ball and high energy for long stretches, but we need to improve on all areas of our game. We will continue to work on defensive organization and holding possession. The girls gave a great effort tonight and we are looking to grow from this performance” opined Titan second year head coach Michelle Maag after the contest.
Next up for Anthony Wayne (0-0-1) is a Saturday afternoon home game against Ashland. Ottawa Glandorf (0-0-1) is off to Metamora on Saturday as they will have a 1pm non-league tilt against Evergreen that will be broadcast live on WZOQ Radio.
Goals:
Sophia Eicher AW (31:13)
Makenna Siefker OG (17:50)
Mallori Pollock AW (5:05)
Myka Aldrich OG (28:27)
Clara Beach OG (22:18)
Mallory Smucker AW (21:01)
JV: Anthony Wayne 4-0