By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Washington had several opportunities to notch the game, but either the Pam Pack’s shots were errant or Edenton goalie Claire Baker turned them away.
The Pam Pack (4-2, 2-0 Coastal Conference) held a 2-0 lead in Thursday’s non-conference game at J.G. “Choppy” Wagner Stadium. However, the Aces were able to rally for a 3-2 victory, thanks in large part to the play of Baker.
Edenton (7-0) remained unbeaten on the year, while handing Washington its second loss. The Aces earned a win by forfeit over Washington earlier in the season, but this one was more satisfying.
The Pack was forced to play without two of its starters, freshman defenders Whitney Younce and Lexi Peed, who were performing in a cheerleading competition.
Despite having newer faces in the backfield, Washington goalie Ashley Crompton was able to keep the Aces off the scoreboard in the first half. Meanwhile, sophomore Hayley Stowe netted the lone goal of the first 40 minutes.
Stowe beat her defender to the ball before blasting the ball. It glanced off Baker and trickled into the net for the goal and a 1-0 lead. It was Stowe’s ninth goal of the season, which is tied for team-high honors with Blaine Prescott, who assisted on Stowe’s score.
The Aces had some chances to tie, but defenders Rachel Thompson and Jenna Buck did a nice job in thwarting would-be attacks.
Beth Batchelor gave the Pack a 2-0 lead just three minutes into the second half. The freshman used her left foot to rocket the ball into the net, which was her sixth goal of the year.
Rachel McCarthy answered for Edenton two minutes later, pulling the Aces within 2-1.
Edenton had a chance to tie the game five minutes later, but Crompton was able to snuff out a direct kick.
However, the Aces did knot the game on a goal by Isabelle Boehling with just over 18 minutes left to play.
It appeared Stowe was going to give the lead back to Washington, but Baker was able to come up with a nifty save with 10 minutes remaining.
McCarthy came up with her second goal at the 9:15 mark, handing the Aces a 3-2 lead.
Washington had its chances in the final eight minutes. However, Batchelor had a shot that went too high; Blakelee Wolfe was wide on a shot; Prescott was a bit too high on her blast from 30 yards out and Xenia Adonts couldn’t get off a clean look in a crowd of players with 2:30 to play.
Play got a little chippy in the waning stages as both Prescott and Adonts appeared to be shaken up, but Kozuch said his seniors would be okay.
The Pack plays host to West Craven on Monday at 7 p.m. in a conference clash.