Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Wassum's hat-trick powers Worland to a 3-1 victory
Casey Wassum
POWELL - On March 27 the Powell Lady Panthers handed the Worland Lady Warriors a 5-0 defeat.
On Monday at Powell High School the Lady Warriors returned the favor with a 3-1 win over the Lady Panthers in a matchup between the two 3A Northwest soccer rivals.
"The girls played so well, the little things we're working on are starting to come together. Like understanding defensive triggers, when to step back, when to step forward. Overall, the girls played so hard and played their hearts out," said WHS girls soccer coach Danielle Warren.
Senior Casey Wassum had the hat trick Monday night, scoring all three of No. 3 Worland's (6-3) goals in the ninth, 31st and 80th minute.
The win in Powell was the Lady Warriors sixth of the season, and since that March 27 loss they have gone 4-1. Part of the turnaround is due to the positive development of Worland's younger players and the other part, the team forming a strong chemistry.
"When we start the game we were just chasing the ball but then, just like when we played Riverton, you could see our team shape, you could see the transitions and the passes and the movement off and on the ball. It was beautiful and they're coming together as a team and you can see the improvement from game to game. The fact that they are improving and coming together as a team is a bigger win for me and I think that's awesome," said Warren.
The Lady Warriors did allow a goal but that did not concern Warren, as it was just a miscommunication. Coming into the match, Warren wanted her team to improve on the chaos plays in the 18, on both ends of the field. And to their credit, Worland made progress in both areas, even if it wasn't as much as they would like.
"There weren't a lot, Powell had to step more people back because we were coming in so hard offensively. They only really had one or two players up there. Off a corner, we still struggled to clear it quickly but as far as getting it out we were better," said Warren. "The shots are coming and it was just like the game against Riverton, we couldn't get the ball in the net."
At 4 p.m. Thursday at Cody High School the Lady Warriors match up, for the third time this season, with the No. 1 Cody Fillies. The previous two contests the Fillies were the victors winning 2-1 and 2-0. If the third time is to be the charm for Worland, the improved play in the 18s will be critical to their success.
"Control our defensive breakdowns and score. Like I said we win 18 to 18 and work our butts off, they play hard, play for each other and then we get to that point and can't finish it. Just playing together and knowing where the other player is going to be at, that takes time and we're getting there," said Warren.
