Wings dominate in back-to-back wins

The Wings played two games last week, earning conference wins over Kennedy and Columbia Heights to improve to 2-0 in conference, 4-3 overall.

Armstrong/Cooper earned a big win over Kennedy earlier in the week, beating the Eagles 6-1 Sept. 9. It was their first Tri-Metro Conference game of 2024. Abby Hanson and Ellie Layton picked up two goals each, with two assists for Hanson as well. Ruth Getachew and Anna Marquis both scored, while Chloe Sheppard and goalkeeper Samantha Everson both added assists as well.

The Wings were at it again Sept. 12, earning a confident 5-0 win over Columbia Heights at home.

Armstrong/Cooper looked dangerous early, hitting the post multiple times in the opening 15 minutes. Andy Scheveck and Sheppard paired well on the left as left back and winger, while Hanson provided the conduit going forward with Getachew up top. The Hylanders had moments of danger, forcing Hannah Reis and Miya Hove to work hard on the right side of the backline.

When the first goal did come, it was somewhat unconventional. Hanson stepped up to take a corner kick and curved the ball all the way into the net, scoring an "Olimpico" goal to make it 1-0. Hanson was at it again eight minutes later, receiving the ball 20 yards out, turning and letting loose with an arching howitzer shot that beat the keeper to make it 2-0 in the 24th minute.

Getachew found a pass to Layton in the 29th minute, with the latter poking a shot past the incoming keeper to make it 3-0 heading into halftime. Benefiting from hard work off the bench from Kelly Ochoa, Audrey Peplinski, Kalina Phothisane, and Tamarr Manna, the Wings looked confident.

The Wings came out of halftime maintaining the pressure. Anne Marquis and Sheppard were warriors on the pitch, winning balls and keeping the energy high. A great ball down the right wing found Getachew in the 52nd minute, who then cut into the box and tucked a shot past the keeper to make it 4-0. A fifth goal came in the 65th minute off a corner, with Sheppard getting the final touch.

Head coach Nick Wetherall noted after the game that the team exceeded in several areas against Columbia Heights, in ways that could help prepare the team for two difficult games the following week.

“What we liked today was the combination play. We had 250 passes which is kind of a goal for us, so that looked great,” he said. “We need to continue to work on resetting when we get stalled at the top of the box. But the other great thing today was we got a chance to play a lot of different kids. Having a full roster is going to be key against Holy Angels.”

Wetherall added that while the goals this week were good to see, the addition of overall good chance creation was the most intriguing piece of the wins over the Eagles and Hylanders.

“Even more so than the goals themselves, what’s good for us to see is the emphasis on getting the ball to spots high and wide and being able to create chances consistently.”

The Wings will host Holy Angels Sept. 16, after this edition went to press, and will travel to DeLaSalle Saturday, Sept. 21.