GREEN RIVER – A little snow could not stop the Green River Lady Wolves from getting the season started Thursday. Unfortunately, Star Valley was able to overcome both the weather and the Lady Wolves.
While Green River has been tearing up the practice field, the Lady Braves have already tasted competition this season. On Tuesday, Star Valley shelled fellow 3A opponent Pinedale 8-0. The Lady Wolves were also entering with several key players still nursing injuries including Taylor Stoeger and Kelsey Moffitt.
With the snow blowing, Star Valley came out on the attack. Except for a couple of offensive breakouts by Green River, the Lady Braves controlled the offense for most of the first half. Green River goalie Dakota Neumann was able to clean up the shots that found their way through the Green River defense. She would have 11 saves on the day.
At the 20-minute mark, Star Valley had its best scoring opportunity as a blast got through the defense and a diving Neumann but missed just wide.
As the first half crept into the final ten minutes, the Lady Wolves were able to find a little offense. Green River had a good opportunity to break the tie, but the Lady Wolves were unable to reach a sharp Chezney Mamalis pass through the box. A couple of other offensive attacks were stopped, keeping the score even at the break.
The weather eased up to start the second half, but the Star Valley Lady Braves did not. Green River was able to keep the ball in the middle of the field for the first 15 minutes, but the hole in the defense left by Moffitt’s absence finally caught up to Green River.
At the 21-minute mark, Star Valley found a hole and a goal to grab the lead. With 14 minutes left, the Lady Braves would strike again to increase the lead to two.
Mamalis, Kenzie Lucas and Lauren Hoyt all had good looks at the goal in the final 10 minutes but could not find the back of the net.
Green River will have this weekend off but will return next week with two important conference matchups. On April 4, Evanston will come to town with Riverton making a stop on April 8. The Lady Wolves are hopeful to have both Stoeger and Moffitt back for the conference games.
