On a warm, Wednesday, June 4th, night the Annapolis Blues women continued to make its name known across the league.
Having faced Charlottesville Blues FC just days ago on May 24th, Annapolis doubled down on its success and came away with yet another win.
Generating a couple half-chances early on, Annapolis stayed true to its identity, building out of the back, creating combinations in the midfield, and trying to break lines. The very possession-oriented Blues would eventually get the reward they were looking for.
Gabby Wisbeck opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Attempting to build out of the back, Charlottesville left center back Bo Claussen received a pass from her goalkeeper at the top of the box. She played a ball into the middle of the pitch, trying to connect with her holding midfielder. The pass was swiftly intercepted by Wisbeck, who was immediately in on goal. The Severna Park, Maryland, native took one touch and fired home a shot into the bottom left corner from 18 yards out.
Phoebe Ryan received the first card of the match in the 34th minute after she blindsided Sophie Thibeault in the middle of the pitch. Just four minutes later, Delaney DeMartino nearly doubled the lead. Baylee DeSmit received the ball on the right wing off a throw in and dribbled towards the endline. Swinging in a cross, she found DeMartino at the back post. Connecting with the cross, the University of Maryland product’s header hit the post and was cleared out by the Charlottesville defense.
After a strong 45 minutes of play that saw Annapolis maintain 59 percent of the possession, the Blues entered the half up 1-0.
Annapolis doubled the lead in the 55th minute, much to the delight of the 2,461 Blues fans in attendance. Delivering an inswinging corner from the left-hand side of the pitch, Riley DeMartino’s ball found the head of Amanda Graziano. Her initial header bounced in front of the keeper, leaving Sabba Haghgoo to take a shot on the half-volley that was smothered by the onrushing goalkeeper, but rebounded back off Graziano. The U.S. Naval Academy product then volleyed the ball into the back of the net, putting Annapolis up 2-0. Scoring her second goal of the season, both of Graziano’s goals have come against Charlottesville Blues FC.
Looking to give as much experience as possible, Head Coach Ashly Kennedy made several substitutions in the second half, showing just how strong the squad is. Every player that entered the pitch continued to play the Annapolis way, continuing the lockdown defense that held Charlottesville to no major attacking opportunities.
Taking all three points and coming away with a 2-0 win, the Blues have now scored nine goals and recorded three clean sheets, only allowing two goals for a .500 goals against average. The Blues were ranked 14th in this week’s USL W power rankings poll, a number that is sure to keep rising. Remaining at home, the next women’s match will take place on Saturday, June 7th against Virginia Atlantic, slated for a 5 p.m. kickoff.
