MEDIA CONTACTS: Carol Senechal, Director of Communications, 757-619-4343
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 2, 2011
Virginia Beach, Virginia – The W League Piranhas put on a scoring clinic Saturday night at the Sportsplex at the expense of the Northern Virginia Majestics, shutting them out 7-0. Midfielder Anja Barwinsky had two goals and an assist, forward Steffi Goddard has one goal and added an assist, and second half substitute Danielle Gunderson scored two goals in her 20 minutes of play. Goals were also tallied by Alyssa Wombell and Rachel Gerdin and six of these goals were scored in the last 27 minutes of the match. Only one other game in the W League this season has had a 7-goal differential.
And it all started just six minutes into the game on a goal by midfielder Anja Barwinsky. Fellow midfielder Emily Kittleson took the ball up the far side of the field and timed a cross to teammate Rachel Gerdin. Gerdin found Barwinsky at the 12 and her shot beat Majestics goalkeeper Caitlin Landsman to the right. And the first half ended 1-0 in favor of the Piranhas.
At the half, Piranhas head coach Wendy Waddell told her team that the playoffs were on the line and she changed the formation from a 4-4-2 to a 3-4-3 and the Majestics failed to make the defensive adjustments. The Piranhas then proceeded to score six goals in the second half
In the 63rd minute Alyssa Wombwell scored unassisted when she gathered in a bouncing ball on her chest, found herself one-on-one with Landsman and beat her to the right side of the net.
Barwinsky scored her second of the night with an assist from Steffi Goddard just four minutes later.
Rachel Gerdin collected a right side cross from Megan Cozens in the 69th minute and volleyed it in from six yards.
Dani Gunderson scored in the 75th minute when Goddard played a through ball to her at the top of the box and Gunderson one-touched it over the keeper’s head into the left corner of the net.
Gunderson then scored her second of the night five minutes later, this time with an assist from Barwinsky who was making a run down the right side. She crossed it to the far post for Goddard who was covered and who just missed sliding to the ball and Gunderson was waiting at the far post to net it from three yards.
In the 81st minute, Goddard got her goal with an assist from goalkeeper Victoria Johnson punted the ball past midfield on a goal kick. Goddard ran on to it, side-by-side with a Majestics defender. She took control and ripped a shot into goal low and to the right.
The Piranhas outshot the Majestics 20-8; 13-4 in the second half.
“We have struggled all season to put the ball in the back of the net,” said Waddell. “In the second half tonight, we came out and capitalized on every chance we had. The girls know what’s on the line and that’s the playoffs. It’s a big motivation for us. We need to win out!”
The Piranhas will finish the rest of the regular season on the road starting Wednesday, July 6, at 7 p.m. again against Northern Virginia. They then travel to Charlotte on July 15 at 5:30 p.m. and Atlanta on July 16th at 7:30 pm. to close out their regular season campaign. The playoffs are indeed on the line.
For more information on the Virginia Beach Piranhas, including sponsorships, camps, and tickets or to volunteer, please call 757-572-1592 or visit www.vbpiranhas.com.
Scoring Summary
1 2 F
Virginia Beach 1 6 7
No. Virginia 0 0 0
Virginia Beach: Anja Barwinsky (Rachel Gerdin) 6
Virginia Beach: Alyssa Wombwell 63 (Unassisted)
Virginia Beach: Anja Barwinsky (Stephanie Goddard) 68
Virginia Beach: Rachel Gerdin (Megan Cozens) 69
Virginia Beach: Danielle Gunderson (Stephanie Goddard) 75
Virginia Beach: Danielle Gunderson (Anja Barwinsky) 80
Virginia Beach: Stephanie Goddard (Victoria Johnson) 82
Starting Lineups:
Virginia Beach: Victoria Johnson, Melanie Adams, Cheyenne Martinez-Trevino, Samantha Hare (Kelly Morrison 77), Taylor Mertz, Emily Kittleson (Danielle Gunderson 70), Rachel Gerdin, Alyssa Wombwell, Anja Barwinsky, Steffi Goddard, Megan Cozens
Northern Virginia: Caitlin Landsman, Jessica Frech, Alyson Gregorowicz, Emily Clarke, Tina Rader, Alexandra Reed, Kelsey Quinn, Shondel Archer, Julia Stejskal (Katherine Neff 45), Claire Krejci, Sahar Aflaki
Game Statistics:
Shots: VBP 20, NVA 8; Saves: VBP 2, NVA 4; Fouls: VBP 7, NVA 6; Offsides: VBP 6, NVA 0; Corners: VBP 4, NVA 6; Cautions: None; Ejections: None; Officials: Danielle Brzezinski, Shannon Poplestein, Patrick Stephan; Attendance: 459; Weather: Warm, clear.
Carol Senechal
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