WISE – Anderson scored four quick goals to start the game, and in the end that proved to be the difference as they defeated UVA Wise 15-12 in the regular season finale for both teams.
Both teams are in the top four of the South Atlantic Conference standings and will host a quarterfinal round match this weekend, but today's game was important to determine both the seeding and their next opponent.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 12, Anderson 15
Records: UVA Wise (13-4, 7-3 SAC); Anderson (11-6, 8-2 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | Carl Smith Stadium
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The game began with Anderson's Rayne Dobson scoring the first goal at 14:23, followed by Ava Skeffington's goal at 13:33, giving the Trojans an early advantage. A player-up situation allowed Skeffington to net her second goal at 11:14, assisted by Emma Toole. Ellie Wilkins extended Anderson's lead to 4-0 with a player-up goal at 8:46, assisted by Megan Muir. The Highland Cavaliers responded with a goal from
Caitlyn Schultz at 6:11, assisted by
Kaylea Paterson. Schultz scored again at 5:26 during a player-up play, with Paterson assisting once more.
Noley Hiller closed the quarter for UVA Wise with a player-up goal at 4:40, assisted by
Chloe Huston, narrowing the deficit to 4-3 by the end of the quarter.
- Anderson's Megan Muir opened the second quarter with a goal at 14:26, quickly followed by a save by
Addie Donalson on another Muir attempt. The Cavs responded with
Caitlyn Schultz scoring at 13:02, assisted by
Logen Davis, to bring the score to 5-3. Anderson extended its lead with goals from Ava Skeffington and Rayne Dobson, despite being a player down, making it 7-4.
Logen Davis scored for UVA Wise at 5:31, but Anderson's Ellie Wilkins and Muir scored shortly after.
Kaylea Paterson and
Noley Hiller each netted free position goals for the Highland Cavaliers, while Ava Skeffington's free position goal at 00:16 finalized the halftime score at 11-7 in favor of Anderson.
- In the third quarter, Anderson's Megan Muir capitalized on a free position opportunity at 13:22 to extend the visitors' lead. UVA Wise responded late in the quarter with
Noley Hiller scoring a player-up goal, assisted by
Chloe Huston, with just 11 seconds left on the clock. The quarter ended with both teams adding one goal each, maintaining Anderson's advantage at 12-8.
Katie Michaels made several key saves for the Cavaliers, helping to keep the score close.
- In the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers'
Caitlyn Schultz scored a player-down goal at 12:50, narrowing the gap as Anderson held a lead. Anderson's Chloe Jones quickly responded with a goal at 12:25, maintaining the pressure on the Cavs.
Taylor Thompson then capitalized on an assist from
Logen Davis, scoring to keep UVA Wise competitive. Later,
Kaylea Paterson added a player-down goal, assisted by
Issie Brown, to further tighten the scoreline. Despite Schultz's second goal of the quarter, assisted by Paterson, Anderson's Emma Toole secured the final goal at 1:05, ensuring Anderson's victory with a final score of 15-12.
GETTING WISE
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Caitlyn Schultz scored five goals as she continued to add to her record-high season total, with her goal at the 5:26 mark in the first half making her the first player in school history to score 60 goals in a season.
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Kaylea Paterson added in two goals and dished out three assists.
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Noley Hiller scored three goals, while
Logen Davis had a goal and two assists,
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Katie Michaels entered the game in the second half and had ten saves while only allowing four goals.
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Taryn Moreno had four ground balls and caused two turnovers, while
Alexis Hilstrom won four draws.
UP NEXT
The team will host a South Atlantic Conference tournament game for the third time in the last six seasons as they earned the #4 seed in the tournament. They will face fifth-seeded Newberry Saturday at 1 p.m. This will be the third straight season that the two have met in the quarterfinal round, with the Wolves winning both of the other meetings.
