MRL Game #8 vs Eden Prairie (MN)

Our next to last MRL group match prior to the First Division playoffs in mid-June. 

Nice large field at Miller Park in EP for the game, though the ground had recently been punched (aerated).  Hard chunks of cored dirt scattered the field, and the ball took unpredictable hops constantly.   

Comfortable and confident in our 3-5-2, the girls put on another solid performance.  Even Tom, their coach, commented in the first half that it was a clinic on the field.  With possession heavily skewed in our favor, and more than our fair share of very good looks at goal, we couldn't find the back of the net until around the 30 minute mark. 

After a loss of possession on our throw in deep in EP territory to the left of goal, Macky's (RF) persistence after the loose ball saw it pop out to Millie (LF) about 5 yards from the touchline.  Millie cut back with her left foot towards the middle of the field and drove in a cross to Bidi (RM) at the far post.  Somehow, with the ball flying at her chest-level, Bidi contorted her body and connected with her right foot as she was falling off balance.  The EP GK, moving from her right to her left across the goal to play the cross, couldn't stop and react quick enough as the ball was played back where it came from into the far post's (relative to Bidi) side netting.  Fantastic finish out of nothing, great coaching point for the girls at halftime as there was not a ton of pace on the shot, but it was textbook placement as the GK was moving in the opposite direction. 

Once again at halftime, Cook and I didn't have a lot to say.  No real changes needed, the girls were playing great.  Just simple encouragement to concentrate on finishing technique as we should have been up by at least 3.  We needed to be
able to put team away, not to mention demanding more technical focus as we will not get as many opportunities at goal in the upcoming competitions (Manchester United Premier Cup, MRL First Division Playoffs, and hopefully the Region II Championships).

10 minutes into the second half we doubled our lead.  Ripper (RHM - right holding mid) headed an EP goal kick back into the penalty area and Millie (LF) pounced on the bouncing ball to slot past the onrushing GK.

6 minutes later, Macky (LF) won a 50/50 ball 15 yards in our half and found Gratz (RF) with a great through ball.  Gratz raced to goal on a breakaway and calmly passed the ball into the lower left corner of the net. 

We gave one back two minutes later as some lax passing in the back gifted an EP midfielder with the ball about 20 yards from goal at the top of the "D".  She cut back to her left foot and hit a great shot off the inside of the left post to make it 3-1.  Not much Zazu could do about that one, but we never should have given possession away like we did where we did.  Another good lesson to emphasize after the game about getting too confident with a lead and after a goal, allowing a weaker team a lifeline back into the match.

No real threats on our goal after that, though the same didn't apply for EP's.  We weren't able to capitalize on anything else, so the game ended 3-1 in another really solid performance overall by the girls.

Here's how things stack up with one game left on our end.