Wilson girls’ soccer used its superior pace to push past Lakewood 3-1 at home in Moore League action on Tuesday night.
A re-energized press from the Wilson forwards helped junior Samantha Thompson score twice in the second half. The Bruins (2-0, 2-0) outshot the Lancers 9-2 with six shots on goal.
“You have to credit Lakewood because they’re amazingly organized,” Wilson coach Dalton Kaufman said. “They rattled us in the first half. We relied a lot on our speed and pressing in the second half.”
Lakewood (1-2, 1-1) put numbers behind the ball and built through its capable backline to control possession in the first half. Wilson grew frustrated and there were a total of 13 fouls in the first half hour.
The Bruins took their lead on a miscue in the 39th minute when Wilson senior Grace Dobie and Lakewood goalkeeper Danielle Beck collided between the ball at the top of the penalty box. Senior Kate Rael collected the ricochet and put the ball into the open net.
Thompson scored her first goal three minutes into the second half when she played a flicked header from senior Kristin Berry. Thompson, junior Emma Shiffer and senior Mollie Dostalek are three of the fastest forwards Wilson has had in years.
“If I run down for a cross it’s crazy because I’ll have someone there,” Thompson said. “If Emma does it, I’m there, or Molly. I think we can all really work together. Those through balls are the perfect thing because not a lot of defenders can keep up.”
Lakewood freshman forward Samantha Esperanza cut the 2-0 lead in half in the 53rd minute on a similar play to Dobie’s goal when she beat Wilson goalkeeper Daniella Uchio to a loose ball at the top of the box.
Kaufman rotates the three starting forwards as one unit like a hockey line, and when they came back into the game, Shiffer cut down the right flank and found Thompson with a beautiful cross for the goal in the 73rd minute.
“We press really hard and that’s how we like to go forward,” Thompson said. “We all get exhausted so having to go out and recharging is really nice. And our other forwards are amazing so there’s no break.”
Thompson had four of the nine shots for Wilson. She also got called for a handful of offsides as the speedy Bruins were called for offsides nine times in the second half.
“We know Sam is going to be open,” Kaufman said. “She’s gonna make a play on every ball because she’s so fast.”
Wilson visits Millikan on Thursday while Lakewood hosts Long Beach Poly.
STATISTICS
Shots: Wilson 9-2
Shots On Goal: Wilson 6-1
Fouls: Wilson 13, Lakewood 11
Corners: Wilson 4, Lakewood 0
Offsides: Wilson 10, Lakewood 0
