Kravetz scores all four goals to lead Lady Lions over rivals
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By John Hartsock
jhartsock@altoonamirror.com
Marc Frye is in his first year as the head coach with the Altoona Area High School girls soccer program this fall.
With a star player like senior center-midfielder Hailey Kravetz on his team, the transition is undoubtedly much smoother for Frye.
Kravetz, a four-year starter, used her speed in the open field and her ability near the cage to score all four Altoona girls Thursday night, as the Lady Lions gave Frye his first coaching victory by clipping archrival Hollidaysburg, 4-2, at Mansion Park.
"Hailey plays with passion, and she's a team leader and she's one of our captains,'' Frye said. "She has a great attitude, and she is ferocious attacking the ball.''
Kravetz is embracing a leadership role with Altoona, which improved to 1-2 on the season.
"Our team this year is very young, and as a senior and a captain, I kind of put that leadership role on my back,'' Kravetz said.
She did Thursday night, scoring once in the first half and adding three goals in the second half, when Altoona broke out of a 1-1 tie and took command of the game.
Kravetz opened the scoring just 80 seconds into the game, alertly knocking in a rebound off a shot by junior Allison Little that had been stopped by Hollidaysburg goalkeeper Natalie Foster.
"One of my jobs on the field is to get in the keeper's face and get rebounds,'' Kravetz said.
After a free-kick goal by sophomore midfielder Bailey Stoehr from the deep left wing tied the score at 1-1 at the 29:09 mark of the first half, the Lady Lions stormed ahead with three unanswered Kravetz goals within a span of seven and a half minutes in the second half.
Kravetz was in the right spot at the right time, invading the goalmouth to knock in a crossing shot by sophomore Sophia O'Dea at the 13:17 mark of the second half, to give Altoona the lead for good, 2-1.
At the 16:47 mark, Kravetz gathered in freshman Ava Frye's kick from the middle of the field, found herself open near the cage, and scored to put Altoona up, 3-1.
Kravetz sped down the middle of the field with an Ava Frye assist less than four minutes later, completing her four-goal effort at the 20:43 mark to give Altoona a 4-1 lead.
"I know that I can get to the back line with my speed, and I rely on that speed,'' Kravetz said.
Altoona enjoyed a marked territorial advantage in the second half, outshooting Hollidaysburg, 13-5, en route to an overall 22-9 advantage in shots on goal.
"In the first half, I think we were showing some nerves in what is a rivalry game, and we were trying to force the ball,'' Marc Frye said. "We played a much more patient style in the second half, and we connected on the plays that presented themselves.''
Hollidaysburg (2-1) got an unassisted goal from junior Bella Vent at the 22:36 mark of the second half. The Lady Tigers will host Altoona in a rematch on Monday night, Oct. 2 at Hollidaysburg's Tiger Stadium.
"I think that our girls played really hard tonight,'' Hollidaysburg coach Tristan delGiudice said. "We just need to continue to work hard from week to week. We're looking forward to our next game with Altoona.''
Marc Frye savored his first coaching victory at the Altoona helm on Thursday.
"The first win as a varsity coach absolutely feels good,'' said Marc Frye, whose team plays at Shikellamy Saturday afternoon. "We have had a fair amount of injuries, with four varsity players -- including one starter -- out tonight. I'm proud of our team, and proud of our performance tonight.''
SCORE BY HALVES
Hollidaysburg 1 1--2
Altoona 1 3--4
FIRST HALF
1, A--Kravetz (Little), 1:20. 2, H--B. Stoehr (free kick), 29:09.
SECOND HALF
3, A--Kravetz (O'Dea) 13:17. 4, A--Kravetz (Frye), 16:47. 5, A--Kravetz (Frye), 20:43. 6, H--Vent (unassisted), 22:36.
Shots on goal: Altoona 22, Hollidaysburg 9.
Saves: Foster, H, 18; Dietzel, A, 7.
Records: Hollidaysburg (2-1); Altoona (1-2).
JV: No match.