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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Nolan Wankowicz races past defenders to try to score Friday, Dec. 12 against the Sanger Indians. The Steers tied the Indians by a final score of 1-1, but had multiple scoring opportunities in the second half. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Eric Martinez changes direction with the ball to evade defenders Friday, Dec. 12 against the Sanger Indians. Head coach Tim Wankowicz said the team settled down in the second half to finish the game strong. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Hudson Weatherman fires a ball off his right foot to the net Friday, Dec. 12 against the Sanger Indians. The Steers got their first taste of on-field action in their scrimmage match with the Indians. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Pablo Gonzalez drives the ball down field Friday, Dec. 12 against Sanger. The Steers tied the Indians in their matchup by a final score of 1-1.
The Graham Steers are marching closer to regular season play with their first scrimmage match against the Sanger Indians.
The Steers had a mixed performance, according to head coach Tim Wankowicz, but still were able to come out with a 1-1 tie. The game Friday, Dec. 12 started off a little shaky in the first half.
Sanger immediately put pressure on Graham’s defense in the opening minutes of the first half and after a second chance opportunity were able to find the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead.
Wankowicz said that Sanger “won” the first half by putting continuous pressure on the Steers, coming out with a lot of intensity.
However the Steers were able to settle things down in the second half and start attacking the Indians’ offense.
Graham created many more drives and scoring opportunities and were eventually able to find the back of the net.
That goal came off the foot of Jordan Ginn, who showed toughness on the scoring play as well. Ginn ran up to put pressure on Sanger’s goalie and ended up taking a shot to the face when the goalie tried to clear the ball with a kick.
However, Ginn stayed composed, driving the ball into an open net to knot things up 1-1.
Stinging the Steers for the remainder of the half were missed opportunities to score again.
One particular instance came later in the second half when Sanger’s goalie misplayed a ball that bounced over his head to create another open net scenario, but this time Graham couldn’t capitalize.
Wankowicz said they needed to work on taking advantage of those opportunities but was ultimately proud of the team for staying focused despite adversity.
“Missing three breakaways, wide open goals, is never a good thing so we have to work on that,” Wankowicz said. “I love the fight that they stuck with it. After that first goal they could have shut down in the first few minutes but they stayed in it and fought.”
The Steers will have another home scrimmage at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 against Midland Greenwood.
