Lady Warriors finish Pinnacle Challengers Cup strong

WORLAND- Saturday morning didn't go as planned for the Worland Lady Warriors. In their semifinal matchup against Rock Springs in Pinnacle Challengers Cup the Lady Warriors lost, 3-1, suffering their first loss of the season.

Rock Springs scored two early goals in the first half to put the Lady Warriors on the ropes. After settling down Worland aggressively attacked the Rock Springs defense for the remainder of the first half. They'd take multiple shots on goal but couldn't capitalize and head into halftime down two goals.

Starting the second half the Lady Tigers struck early with another goal making the match 3-0. And for the rest of the second half Rock Springs' physical defense kept containment on Worland's speed. In the final moments of the match senior Saydria Russell knocked in a goal, preventing the shutout.

Going forward coach Danielle Warren thought this loss would be a good teaching moment for the girls, "We need to step to the ball better and bring high pressure on defense. We've had games like this before but Rock Springs made us pay for our mistakes. "

"We weren't winning the ball early which caused us to chase on our end. Our aggressiveness will have to go up and you do that by winning the ball early and in the air," said coach Warren.

For the third-place match Worland went head-to-head with Green River. Against the Lady Wolves it was as if the loss to Rock Spring took place weeks ago because the Lady Warriors came out strong and aggressive from the start.

Junior Hannah Ozmon scored what appeared to be the match's first goal but it was waived off do to an infraction. The girls wouldn't let that affect them as moments later senior Hailey Schneider would put her team up 1-0. Worland and Green River would trade goals in the first half, and a goal by Ozmon would tie the game at 2-2.

In the second half the Lady Warriors would outscore the Lady Wolves 3-1 and one might say Green River's lone goal in the second half was debatable as senior Lyndzi Rich made a terrific save backing up keeper junior Hannah McEndree. But the linesman disagreed and rewarded Green River the goal.

In the second half sophomore Casey Wassum scored on the penalty kick and Ozmon would add two more goals giving her the hat trick for the game and second for the season.

At the start of the match coach Warren made an adjustment by moving senior Emily Keller to the back line. This move would help bolster the defense and in the second half the Lady Warriors would turn it up defensively. Keeper McEndree would also make big time saves, one in which she was on the ground and quickly stretched for the fingertip catch, denying the Lady Wolves a goal.

"Keller gave the defense a boost and she probably stopped 10 goals with her play ... our depth is good and it showed this weekend. We have the talent and everyone is pushing one another, so if we continue to work hard the sky is the limit for this group,"

"Against Rock Springs we played uncharacteristically, so it was good to see the team come out against Green River and play like they had all season," said coach Warren.

Also of note Keller and Ozmon both earned all-tournament accommodations for the Pinnacle Challengers Cup.

The next match for the Warriors will be Thursday in Worland against Powell at 3 p.m.