Waterloo East bests Vikes

By Becky Walz,

Three goals by Waterloo East’s Claire Ranken were more than enough Monday night as the Waterloo East girls’ soccer team (3-0) defeated Decorah (2-2) in Decorah, 4-2.
“This was a game that was fun to watch. Both teams had spells of possession and passed the ball well. While we came out on the short end, I’m still proud of how the girls played,” said Coach Loren Hendrickson.
In an entertaining high school match, Decorah got off to a good start, scoring in the first five minutes with a tap-in rebound by Kaia Neal from a Taryn Sanderman shot. Sanderman had deftly avoided a Waterloo defender on a throw-in to gain control of the ball and drive into the penalty area, getting off her shot and forcing the diving save from the goalkeeper. K. Neal was in perfect position, charging in after Sandermam’s shot to put the rebound away.
The visiting Trojans tied the score nearly five minutes later a well-executed, quick restart from a free kick, putting a well-placed cross right on the foot of an oncoming attacker. Waterloo East scored again to take the lead 15 minutes later a long shot that our goalkeeper, Grace Bachelder, would normally save, but this time it went right through her hands and legs.
With five minutes showing before halftime, the referee allowed play to continue after a foul was committed against one of the Vikes. Clara Rooney was able to control the ball and find Grace Neal wide open in front of the net, who didn’t miss. The game went to halftime tied 2-2.
The second half started out inauspiciously for the home team. After only 90 seconds Decorah’s defense got caught a little too high and allowed a Waterloo East runner to get behind. Though the Vikings closed in the Waterloo player placed her shot just inside the far post from an almost impossible angle. The final tally came about 22 minutes into the second half on a shot that eluded our keeper just to her left. Decorah had a final chance to score when a penalty was awarded with less than four minutes left in the game but couldn’t convert.
The Vikings will return to the pitch Friday, April 23, at Clear Lake at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 26, Decorah is in action at Denver at 5:30 p.m.

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