MRL Game #1 vs Homer Hawks (IL)

A cursory update for the parents at home.

 We seemed to have lucked out with the weather today.  Lots of rain in the area through the night, but partly cloudy and breezy this morning.  Great fields with "real" plush grass (something we haven't seen all winter in MN, and didn't see in Phoenix and Vegas).

First game was against the Homer Hawks from southern Illinois.  They were a fiesty team with a real dangerous forward up top - speedy, tough, and decent technically.  

We played well.  Numerous scoring chances in the first half, but really not testing their GK much as most shots missed their mark.  

The good guys got on the scoreboard in the 31st minute off a corner kick.  We drilled on a revised set piece attack in training on Thursday, and as things sometimes work out, it was picture perfect.  Mille (LF) served in a fantastic cross from the right corner that Ripper (Att Mid) headed home from the top of the 6-yard box). 

With the slight wind at our backs in the second half we took full control of the game.  

20 minutes in, Jill got free on the right flank and served in a low, near-post cross into the box.  Getch (who had just subbed in promising us a goal) streaked to meet the ball, and at a run clipped a low shot into the far post area of the goal.  

A minute from time we scored our best goal.  Tori (GK) punted a ball that found Millie (Att Mid) at around midfield.  Millie, with her back to goal, took the ball out of the air with a fantastic control touch with her laces, then turned and volleyed a through pass to Blondie (RF).  Blondie took off to goal but was caught up from behind by a Homer defender.  Blondie played the ball back and wide to Nash (RD) who was up in support.  Nash took a touch, used some nifty skill to beat her defender, then crossed a ball to the top of the box that found Millie who had rushed forward to support the play.  Millie took a touch and snapped off a high, quick shot that the Homer GK got a hand to but couldn't stop from crossing over the endline.

3-0 in a good match for us.  Notable performances by Becs, Getch, and Hannah (who was fantastic).  Our legs look heavy though.  Big fields and thick grass.  With a couple girls with slight knocks, it will be a battle to get through the weekend.  

Next up, Madison 56ers at 2:30PM.