W-LEAGUE PIRANHAS LOSE LAST MINUTE HEARTBREAKER TO DAYTON

Virginia Beach, Virginia – The W-League Piranhas are still on the search for their first win after losing their season opener last week, and they came close to at least a draw Saturday night. But Dayton mustered an 84th minute goal on an unstoppable shot and left the Sportsplex with a 2-1 victory.

In bright sunshine at the Sportsplex, Dayton controlled possession early and created multiple scoring opportunities in the first minutes. Shots by Dayton forward Brittany Persaud and Jen Agueci in the fifth and sixth minute were stopped by Piranhas keeper Victoria Johnson. Ten minutes in the game the Piranhas lost possession of the ball on the left side and enabled Lions midfielder Mandi Back to play a through ball to Persaud. Her shot went into the top right corner of the net.
It seemed as if the Piranhas needed this wake-up call to get in the game, because now Coach Wendy Waddell’s team started playing more aggressively. Their efforts were rewarded in the 22nd minute. After a corner by Alyssa Wombwell, Piranhas midfielder Samantha Hare equalized the game as she headed the ball past Lions goalie Brooke McCurdy.

Six minutes later forward Kathryn Sounders almost put the Piranhas in front, but as she broke free after a pass of forward Chyenne Mertinez-Trevino, Sounders wide open shot from 10 yards out went over the crossbar. The Piranhas now dominated the game but couldn’t score again before the half-time whistle.
Both teams began the second half with a lot of dedication but most of the game took place in the midfield and scoring chances were rare. But in the 84th minute they were able to overpower the Virginia Beach defense for a second time. Persaud crossed the ball to second-half substitute Ashley Botts, who was open in the center of the box and blasted the ball past Johnson. The Piranhas were unable to rebound.

“I feel like we are not working together yet,” said Piranhas head coach Wendy Waddell after the game. “We are not getting in the opponent’s box enough and we need to shoot more.” Although she was disappointed about the second loss of the season, Waddell looks forward to a break of two weeks that is necessary to “get the team fit”, for the road ahead.

The Piranhas won’t play next weekend but are in action again on June 4th when the Fredericksburg Hotspur men and women will be visiting the Sportsplex for a double-header. Kick-off for the women’s game is scheduled for 5:30, followed by the PDL Piranhas at 8 p.m.

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.