U15 Premier League Game #2 vs Wayzata-2

Our second game in the 2008 MYSA U15 Premier League against Wayzata-2, a team that had earned Premier status last summer, promoted from the U14C1 league. 

Our first game at Bielenberg in Woodbury.  Decent field - good size for us (large), with a good surface, except in the middle of the field which was a bit hard and bumpy.  

Still without our GK, Zazu (formally known as Tori), Maddie once again stepped in to tend our net.

We continued to work on our 3-5-2 shape, with Becs (CD), Blondie (LD), and Hannah (RD) in our defensive roles.  We'd get Gratz some time back there as well today, though now mainly in a back 3 instead of a back 4, we're looking at using Gratz's speed up top.  

Prior to the game, I took our forwards (Macky, Millie, Jilly, and Gratz) and our two attacking mids (Lily and Getch) to do some shadow play work.  Just some simple movement exercises for our forwards as the ball is played side to side in our midfield.  One showing, one deep.  If a ball is played into a forward, she looks to find the other (non-passing) midfielder with a lay back, and that mid looks to spring the second forward with a dangerous ball over the top into space.  Buzz used to do this all the time with the Thunder forwards and mids, just to try and give attacking players some ideas relative to where the ball is in our midfield.   

The game went well for us.  Another very, very solid performance on our end as we created a number of chances early.  Defenders were solid, though tested by some speedy, strong Wayzata-2 players.

We got on the board twice in the first half.  The first, 7 minutes in, was set up by Millie (LF) as she fought for a loose ball near the endline to the right of goal, won her battle and pulled the ball back for Bidi (RM) who fired a great, low shot hard into the far post side netting. 

Our second came 12 minutes from the end of the half on a corner.  Bidi (RM) drove a near post ball in that Macky (RF) flicked on the dead run towards the back post.  The ball hit the post hard and rebounded across the goal for Gratz (LF) to tap in.  

Numerous chances throughout the remainder of the contest, though we failed to tally another.  Solid defensive work by our back 3 (Becs, Hannah, and Blondie) and no real tough saves needed by Zazu (formally known as Tori) in goal.  

Another really, really good performance by the girls.  On a roll now, with back (EP U15 Prem) to back (Wayzata MRL) to back (today) showings.  Love to see the girls play like this.  Personally, and I'm sure I speak for Cook as well, it's a true pleasure to see concrete results of years of work.