W-League Piranhas drop Season Opener 2-0

Virginia Beach, Virginia –The newly formed W-League Piranhas 2011 squad took on conference powerhouse Charlotte Lady Eagles Saturday night in the season opener of the new campaign. The Piranhas fell short with a final score of 2-0.
In the first half the game went back and forth between both penalty areas, but due to strong defending on each side, scoring opportunities were rare. Ten minutes into the game Piranhas forward Alyssa Wombwell artistically crossed the ball over her head to Samantha Hare, whose attempt from ten yards out went over the crossbar. The Piranhas goal was only endangered once when Ashleigh Gunning’s cross in the 43rd minute was punched away by Piranhas keeper Victoria Johnson just before two Lady Eagles would have been ready to score.
From the start of the second half Charlotte took control of the game. While Johnson was able to save a free kick by Lady Eagles forward Ashley Gunning three minutes into the half, she was powerless twelve minutes later. Lady Eagles forward Ashley Aragona crossed the ball to Christy Rife who was wide open and only had to put the ball in the empty net.
Thereafter the Piranhas tried to fight themselves back into the game. Anchored by forward Stephanie Goddard they kept attacking but an overall of seven attempts on goal in the second half couldn’t really threaten the strong Charlotte defense around keeper Alyssa Whitehead. In the 67th minute the Lady Eagles then sealed the win when Ashley Gunning dribbled past three Piranhas defenders and took a blast from forty yards out that found the back of the net.
“I don’t want my players to hang their heads,” said Coach Wendy Waddell after the game. “In some parts we looked very promising and that showed me the high level at which we could play. But we have to show this level more consistently. We will work on our fitness and work on the way we play together in order to be ready for our next game.”

The Piranhas play again next Saturday when they will face the Dayton Dutch Lions at 7 p.m. at the Sportsplex.
For more information on the 2011 Virginia Beach Piranhas, including tickets, sponsorships or to volunteer, please visit http://www.vbpiranhas.com/  or call 757-572-1592.