GRAHAMSVILLE – Although it was a non-league game, the Tri-Valley Bears (8-3-1) and the Eldred Yellowjackets (7-1-1) girls’ soccer teams brought an intensity and physicality to their match Monday afternoon, and at times challenging for the officials.

Ultimately the visiting Eldred Yellowjackets won 3 to 2 but it was a close contest from start to finish.

In the opening minutes, the Tri-Valley Bears used their home field advantage to pressure the Eldred team in their zone and get a quality shot on net. Eldred goalkeeper Olivia Gonzalez was up to the task, getting hold of the ball and keeping the match scoreless. Eldred survived that early rush and play evened out between the two squads.

The Bears made a few missteps with the ball in front of their goal, and Eldred capitalized; the Yellowjackets’ Avery Moscatiello got possession of the ball and put it in for the first goal. With that momentum Eldred kept the pressure on with Sydney Furler just missing the goal high on a shot from 20 yards away.

The momentum swung as Angelia Raykoff scored the first goal for the Bears after a long possession of the ball in the Yellowjackets end. Eldred took control moments later when Sydney Furler sent the ball into the goal after a missed save from the home team.

The start of the second half saw the two teams running end to end trying to generate offense. Eldred was awarded a penalty shot mid-way through the half on a disputed call and took a 3 to 1 lead on the ensuing kick. Tri-Valley narrowed the gap with five minutes remaining with a beautiful long arcing shot by Savannah Chaboty. Another close shot in the final minute by the Bears bounced off the cross bar and the Yellowjackets would close this one out with a victory. 

Kayla Connolly, head coach of Tri-Valley, said about the game, “Overall we played aggressively...we waited a little too long to step up our game however, but we played hard until the last whistle. The girls didn’t give up; they continued their teamwork and sportsmanship even when it wasn’t encouraged on the other side. 

I think the refs did a really good job controlling the game, they get a lot of grief, but overall, they did a good job. Our next game is a league game, so that’s where we’re going to put our focus.” 

Eldred coach Kevin Moscatiello gave a sigh of relief, “Boy, we never make it easy. Tri-Valley is a great opponent, I have a lot of respect for this team, the coaches, the players, their great kids, hardworking, fast, physical, they score a lot of goals, that one goal of theirs from way outside was beautiful. But our girls hung in there, our defense was great, we bent a bit, but we didn’t break. I’m so proud of these girls.