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Spring 2009 - Game 4 A Mother's Day Gift After two weeks of almost non-stop rain, Mother's Day brought a perfect morning for soccer. Temperatures in the 70's, a light breeze, bright sunshine, and a nearly perfect field. The day also brought a very challenging opponent in the VYS Lightning, a team that had not lost in their first four matches of the spring season.
But the game started out in a surprising fashion. The Lightning--accustomed to the fast pace of the turf field--stormed down the field immediately and scored a brilliant left-footed strike. Suddenly, the Avalanche was down 1-0 and back on their heels. This had happened to our girls once before, and it took the whole rest of that game to climb back in. In this match,  though, the momentum began to shift back the other way almost immediately. After settling down, the midfield started controlling the game--just as we thought they should be able to.  Sammy and Tyla continued to show themselves as a powerful tandem. Both are learning that the most important part of their role is to set up our offensive chances,
and they did that extremely well.Outside midfield support from JPeg, Allyson, Shelby, and Taylor was excellent throughout. Ten minutes into the game almost all of the play was in the Lightning defensive third, right where it needed to be. This happened because our outside midfielders shut down virtually every attempt at penetration by the Lightning.About mid-way through the half, the Avalanche lined up for a corner kick. A beautiful crossing ball from Sammy was attacked by several girls in light blue and finished by the relentless Kaitlyn. Now it was tied, and a new game could begin. A hallmark of this game was the constant pressure the forwards put on the Lightning defense. Avalanche attackers Alyssa, Emily, Holly, Allyson, and Kaitlyn were aggressive, smart, tough, and fast and made an otherwise excellent defense have to work extremely hard throughout the match. Holly, in particular, was sensational exhibiting her new-found confidence and strength.That pressure paid off handsomely when Alyssa was tackled from behind leading to a 25-yard free kick for Anna. Ever the specialist, the stopper stepped up and promptly put one in the net for the lead and the eventual deciding score.Make no mistake, the Lightning is a very, very good team. Beating them was a huge step in the development of our team. Our opponent had excellent skills and outstanding speed on the flanks. But our defenders were up to the challenge and then some. Outside backs Dana, Nicole, and Goose were in the right place at the right time and never gave up on the ball--even when they had to chase the Lightning down. Ashley, always a good, reliable defender, was simply superb in this match. More than once she came through to launch long
clearing kicks that ignited the Avalanche attack. She was strong and smart, and her decision-making was nearly flawless. And it had to be today.
I am struck by the composure and poise that our young team is playing with now. The flow of their game is improving each week with an increasing number of connecting passes moving the ball up and down the field while also stretching the space laterally. The girls are learning that using the field properly is actually easier than running so much in tighter spaces. One more game before the tournament break. If we can win that match--on turf again next weekend--we'll be in the driver's seat with our final three games all at home. Outstanding. Happy Mother's Day! Think snow! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
