Totta, Thiessen’s chemistry leads to Eagles 6-0 blowout of Wildcats

by Michael Smith

     Sophomores Emma Thiessen and Annabelle Totta have only been playing soccer with each other for a little more than a year.
     However, with the chemistry they show as a duo on the field, an observer may think they have played together for more than a decade.
     It certainly seemed that way in Friday’s non-conference contest with Blue Springs. Totta and Thiessen combined for six goals and five assists in the Eagles’ 6-0 drubbing of the Wildcats at Moody Murry Memorial Field.
     “(Totta) and Emma play so well off of each other,” Grain Valley head coach Brett Lewis. “We have been working on combination plays between those two in the attacking third. It adds so much confidence to our team when those two get going.
     “They have been going to school together for a while. They may not have played together long,but know each other really well and they have been buddies for a long time. They played in the backyard with Meghan Knust.”
     Thiessen had her best game of the season. She scored four goals and dished out two assists, both to Totta. The duo combined to score four goals in the first 12 minutes of the game, which essentially put the game away early.
     Thiessen scored the Eagles last two goals off assists from Totta. One was a shot she slipped past Blue Springs goalkeeper Mikayla Dolby and another shot she lobbed over her when Dolby came off her line.
     “Three of my goals were from Anna,” Thiessen said. “That’s pretty big and important.”
     Added Totta: “Emma and I worked really well off of each other. We knew where the gaps were and moved the ball around really well.”
     After the game, the duo had high praise for each other.
     “She’s got that lucky left foot and she can finish anywhere on the field,” Totta said of Thiessen. “She’s just an amazing player who contributes a lot to the team.”
     Thiessen had similar thoughts about Totta.
     “Annabelle is a great leader on and off the field,” Thiessen said. “She’s got a great touch and she can finish everything.”
     Blue Springs was able to create a few chances at the Eagles’ goal. However, goalkeeper Camihle Williams made sure her team got its second shutout of the season as she stopped five shots.
     “She’s stepped up a ton. That one save she had was off a breakaway,” Totta said of Williams. “She did so good for us. She does every game.”

Grain Valley sophomores Annabelle Totta, left, and Emma Thiessen combined for six goals and five assists during a 6-0 win against Blue Springs. Photo credit: Michael Smith