John Bruce, Contributor
WILLIAMSPORT — Madalynn Yates has recently been given a new opportunity … and for the second game in a row, it’s paid off in a big way for Westfall.
Yates, who’s spend the majority of her career playing defense, found the back of the net three times Monday in the Mustangs’ 3-0 win over Zane Trace.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
“It’s pretty amazing. I played defense for three years and to finally be able to get up [playing forward] and be able to help, not just score but assist too, that feels good,” Yates said. “But to score six goals in two games is literally amazing. I can’t even describe it.”
From the opening kick, it felt like Westfall (8-2, 2-1 SVC) was in total control. However, the scoring chances were still few and far in between.
That all changed over a one-minute and twelve-second span as Yates found the back of the net twice to give the Mustangs a lead they never relinquished.
With 12:36 to play in the first half, Yates received a pass from Chloe Tanler, turned and buried a shot from the left side of the box into the right side netting. Her second goal came with 11:24 remaining in the half, also from Tanler, where she beat the keeper with a shot from distance that snuck just under the crossbar.
Following the intermission, Yates struck again, this time unassisted.
At the 31:40 mark, Yates dribbled to the right side of the box and sent a shot that rattled the side netting on the left hand side to complete her second hat trick in just three days.
Zane Trace (3-6-1, 1-1 SVC) was finally able to put some positive offense together late in the second half as Haynna Addy and Alexis Guffey were relentless in their attack, giving maximum effort until the final horn.
However, Sydney Tinney would stand tall in goal, saving all six shots on target from the Pioneers. The Mustangs’ defense of Lyndsey Yates, Kylee Henry, Carmen Walters, and Alyssa Liston showed great composure and teamwork as they negated the majority of Zane Trace’s attacks throughout the evening.
While Tanler was credited with two assists, she displayed her entire repertoire of skills over the course of the contest. The senior used great on-ball skills to beat defenders and excellent passing to put teammates in quality positions repeatedly.
Westfall will be back in action on Tuesday when they take on Madison Plains while Zane Trace hosts New Lexington, Wednesday.
SCORING
1st Half
12:36 — W, Madalynn Yates (Chloe Tanler)
11:24 — W, Yates (Tanler)
2nd Half
31:40 — W, Yates
STATBOOK
Shots — Westfall 18, Zane Trace 10
Shots on Goal — Westfall 11, Zane Trace 6
Saves — Westfall 6 (Tinney 6), Zane Trace 8 (Lily Clark 8)
Fouls — Westfall 7, Zane Trace 1
Corners Won — Westfall 1, Zane Trace 1
Offsides — Westfall 4, Zane Trace 1