Wright City staved off a late push from Owensville to win their second game of the season. 

With Wright City (2-3) clinging to a 1-0 lead late in the second half, Owensville made one last push. The Dutchgirls’ shot attempt on a breakaway with less than one minute remaining hit off the post but stayed outside the goal. Wright City was able to run off the remainder of the clock to preserve their second win of the season. 

Wright City head coach Jacob Wallace thinks the Lady Wildcat defenders moved too far forward late in the game, allowing the late offensive chance for Owensville. 

“We were possessing it and possessing at their end a lot,” Wallace said. “I think we got a little to comfortable there at the end of the game. It’s a good teaching point because all it takes is one counter, one rush and one decent shot and all that good play that they had before, it’s wiped away. It’s a good lesson.” 

The Lady Wildcats took the lead towards the end of the first half. Paige Kirn got the ball in the middle of the field and beat the Owensville goalie to score the game’s  first and only goal. 

“We’re working real hard to get her (Kirn) as many opportunities in the middle of the field as we can,” Wallace said. “Part of that comes with our wingers and our outside midfielders being able to support her and find the through ball in open space when it’s actually there.”

Wallace said the Lady Wildcats did a great job creating space for Kirn but also giving her the ball right back when the chances presented themselves, like they did on her first half goal. 

Despite allowing the late opportunity, Wallace thought the Lady Wildcats played a strong defensive game overall. He thought the first half was the best half of soccer Wright City played so far this season. He believes Wright City eased up later in the second half, which was partially due to playing with a short bench. 

“In the second half, they kept up the intensity and it was good but especially towards the end of the game, I could feel us kind of ease up and get a little lackadaisical,” Wallace said. “It’s just about playing for 80 full minutes…The fact that they bucked up and still made it happen is positive.”

Wallace saw tangible progress in Monday’s win over Owensville. He thinks they are getting more comfortable with their positions and what he asks of them. 

“We’re getting to the point where these girls are starting to get a little more aggressive,” Wallace said. “And probably a little more comfortable out on the field with their positioning. It pays dividends.”

Goalie Cassie Reash logged her second shutout of the season in the 1-0 win. Wright City has not allowed a goal in their two wins this season. 

Wright City fell to the St. Louis Patriettes in a non-conference game last week. The Lady Wildcats fell 5-0 to the Patriettes. Wright City surrendered five first half goals in the game before pitching a shutout in the second half. Wright City trailed 4-0 less than 16 minutes into the game. They surrendered three goals in less than three minutes in the loss. 

Wright City is slated to host Elsberry at 4:30 p.m. Friday.