Wings soccer goes 2-2 amid busy week

The Armstrong/Cooper Wings hosted Richfield in a 1-0 conference win last week amid a busy week of games, winning through a goal from Nakayla Ore Sept. 24.

Richfield entered the game with a 1-2 Tri-Metro Conference record, 4-4-1 overall, losing three of their last five games.

In a first half that required some patience, Abby Hanson and Audrey Peplinski combined for some early Wings’ chances, helped by good duels by Ruby Jones in the midfield. AC almost scored again early on with a combination between Ruth Getachew and Kalina Phothisane, but Richfield swarmed the ball and survived.

Ore finally broke the dam in the 25th minute, collecting a ball from a throw-in in the final third and launching an arching shot over the goalkeeper and just under the crossbar to make it 1-0.

That lead survived into halftime after a gritty half that made up for crispness with determination. Ore’s hopeful shit proved the difference on an evening where Hanson, Getachew, Phothisane, and Araiya Chiaokhiao-Bowman have worked hard down the wings but found limited shots. When Richfield do threaten, Sheppard has been sound in goal and connected well with Tamarr Manna, Avery Gerber, Jayla Brown and Peplinski.

Armstrong/Cooper came close to scoring a second goal early in the second half. Getachew had multiple big chances foiled by the Richfield goalkeeper, while Phothisane hit the crossbar.

As time passed, Richfield found momentum and pushed for an equalizer. This left pressure on the shoulders of Gerber, Andy Scheveck, Anne Marquis, Manna, and Brown, all of which defended hard and confidently to keep the clean sheet. Their work paid off and the Wings walked away winners, earning their first shutout win since Sept. 12.

Other results

Armstrong/Cooper girls soccer opened the week with a 1-1 draw to Vistation at home Sept. 23 to earn an additional conference point.

The Wings scored plenty of goals Sept. 26 in a 7-0 road win over Fridley. Hanson scored a hat trick, while Getachew and Keily Ochoa scored braces. Phothisane, Ore, Hanson, and Ellie Layton made assists.

Armstrong/Cooper ended a packed week with a 2-1 loss to Osseo Sept. 28, ending the week with a 6-6-1 overall record for the season.

Armstrong/Cooper will play one game the following week to conclude their regular season, traveling to St. Anthony Village Tuesday, Oct. 1.