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Spring 2009 - Game 5 Hanging in There We now know for sure that the flow of this season is going to be different than the last one. As opposed to sealing up first place before the final game of the season, every game the rest of the way is going to matter. A lot.
On paper, the Dynamite appeared to be a team that the Avalanche should handle fairly well. On the field, however, the teams were very evenly matched. In fact, a late goal by  Emily was the difference between a solid victory for our Chantilly opponent and a salvaged tie for our side. Whew!The girls in light blue dominated play in the first half. As has been a pattern lately, the team worked the right side of the attacking third extremely well. Kaitlyn and Sammy both had brilliant drives down the flank capped off with excellent crosses. If we begin finishing one or two more of those, we'll really have a strong advantage over other teams.The Avalanche attackers put strong pressure on the Chantilly goal for periods in both halves of the game. Holly, Alyssa, Steph, and Allyson all had their opportunities with shots just missing at times. These goals will be scored later on, too, when our young players learn to relax and finish the shots they are so capable of making. In fact, Kaitlyn did just that to put the Avalanche temporarily ahead two-thirds of the way into the first half. But the Dynamite showed their own strong character by scoring just a minute later. They put tremendous pressure on the Avalanche defense--who were collectively unable to clear the area--and managed to slot one beyond Shelby's outstretched arms. Ashley, Anna, Dana, Goose, Nicole, and JPeg did their very best, and the Dynamite deserves credit for sustaining that pressure throughout the game.At midfield, Sammy and Tyla were again very strong. As opposed to other matches, however, the Dynamite had players capable of making our girls' day very long. Every move the Avalanche made, and every pass they tried to make, was countered by good positioning and control by the opposing mids. On the outside Taylor, Steph, Allyson, JPeg, Shelby, and Holly all contributed, but it was clearly hard work today.In the second half that relentless Chantilly attack resulted in another goal and a 2-1 deficit for the Avalanche. But, again, as they have done so may times before, our girls bounced back with that late goal to even the match and avoid a dispiriting loss.
While I know that they can certainly play a stronger game, my greatest emotion after this match was pride. That tying goal at the end of the game may just turn out to be a turning point and the most important goal of the last two seasons. In a few weeks, I have a feeling I'll be able to say that was absolutely true. Think snow! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
