OWEGO – While spring temperatures warmed the Southern Tier the competition was just a tad hotter on the pitch, as the Norwich girls’ soccer team overcame an early deficit to defeat the Owego Indians 2-1.
The win was led by NHS Sydney Coggins’ two second half goals in the Tornado’s first game of the season.
Owego maintained a physical style of play in early- scoring their first and only goal of the game with just minutes to go in the first half. Despite the physical play from the Indians, Norwich refused to back down. Norwich’s Taylor McCarthy, Sara Davis, Asaine Mutabiilwa and Syd Coggins all had shots on goal that just didn’t find their mark.
“Like any first game, we were missing high and left or hitting the goalie in the chest, really good solid contact shots that Sara, Taylor and Syd had, but they just went right into the goalie’s arms” said Norwich Head Coach Doug Coggins on his team’s offensive effort in the first half.
Ah, but the tide had turned for the better as Norwich shook off their first game jitters and got their offense going in the second half as they pushed the pace on the Owego defense. The Tornado’s Sydney Coggins, a well-known offensive threat in CNY soccer circles- scored two huge second half goals to propel her team to victory. Coggins’ first was assisted by Mackenzie Hess which knotted the game at 1-1 with plenty of time to go and Coggins added an unassisted goal with only six minutes left to play to wrap up the win for Norwich.
“Between, Taylor, Sara, Asaine and Syd...their defense couldn’t stay with the speed players we have” added Coggins.
The Purple Tornado defense continued to stave off the Owego offense onslaught as NHS’ MacKenzie Hess put some major miles on her cleats- running down and interrupting each Owego possession in the second half, in addition to the clutch goalie play of Bree Minor in the game’s final half.
Norwich (1-0) returns to the field today when they visit the Oxford Blackhawks with kick-off scheduled for 5:30pm.