By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
AMITY, Ore.– The Amity Girls Soccer team gave themselves a chance late in Saturday’s game with Banks for at least the tie after going down 2-0 to the Braves.
Banks came in aggressive, taking advantage of the Warriors’ shaky start to their season as Nylah Vanthorn scored the two Braves goals within the first 20 minutes of the game before Amity settled in.
“They had possession a lot of the time, and so our goal was to maintain it and then when we got our opportunities, to take it and be careful with it. Make an impact on it and try to get those runs through and score, and we did it,” saod Vanthorn.
The Warriors’ defensive backline and Kylie Wilson held Banks to those two goals for the remainder of the half. It gave their offense a chance to come around and get their barrings, something that they did as their energy came up.
Amity was playing the Amity squad that they were capable of being as they, and Banks, made their runs and got the stops during the second half of the game.
The Warriors drew the Braves in with 13 minutes to go when Eliza Nisly scored off a Penalty Kick. It was 2-1 at this point, and Amity kept fighting. But some late game defense by the Braves allowed Banks to pick up their first victory of the season.
“The goal definitely gave us some momentum, but I think we were playing a little bit timid, a little bit anxious in the first half. Especially being down. But once we got into a flow, we could finally settle in, and once we’re settled in and relaxed, we play better, and we’re thinking right. That makes a huge difference,” said Nisly.
“We need to work on playing as a team a little bit better. I think tonight we had a lot of ling balls over the top because we were a little bit panicked, but with practice and with time, we’ll get used to each other and our positions and build up from the back and play like we want to.”
For Banks, coming off of their 3-3 tie with Catlin Gabel on Thursday, these two games have helped them get comfortable with one another knowing how new thw squad is this year moving into their third game of the year at Seaside on Tuesday.
“It’s really great for our team because we lost a lot of players last year, so it’s a whole new team this year and it’s good to see where we’re at with that competition and that competition is really good for us,” said Vanthorn.
The Warriors head to OES on Wednesday before hosting Blanchet on September 9
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
