State Cup Game #2 vs Eagan

Eagan has lost their first game to NSSA 4-1 on Tuesday, so I knew they'd be looking to come out hard against us.  I know a lot of the girls on this team from my Footskills camps 3 or 4 years ago, and a number of the Eagan players had guested with us at one point or another over the last few years. 

Again, like the EP team, the Eagan girls did their best.   

It took us a while to settle into the game, but we played well.  We got our first 22 minutes in as Soph (LM in relatively new 3-5-2) at midfield, sent a volley over the top of the Eagan backline for Jilly (RF) to run onto and lob over the onrushing Eagan GK's head. 

That took some of the pressure off, like most first goals do, and we put the game away in the next five minutes with two great goals.

The first, at the 25 minute mark, was a thing of beauty.  Ripper (Holding Mid) won the ball about 10 yards from midfield in our half and found Bidi racing up the right flank with a great through pass that split Eagan's center back and left defender.  Bidi got to the ball, took a few touches, the fired a low, hard cross back from the endline into the box.  Nash (LM) worked hard with a nearly 50 yard weakside (away from the ball) run to make it into the box and I could see her concentrate hard to keep her first time shot low.  She did, hitting the ball back where it came from (towards her far post, Bidi's near post).  The Eagan GK, moving to her right, was forced into an unbelievable save, diving back to her left.  I was amazed she even got a hand to it but it would have been nearly impossible for her to hang on to it.  She parried the ball and Millie (who had also followed the play up the field) was in the right place at the right time to finish the rebound.  A lot of little things came together to make this one of our best goals to date this year.  A coach's dream. 

Three minutes later we got our third, this time with Bidi (RM) playing the ball over the top to Blondie (RF) who was making a diagonal run to the right corner.  Blondie fought off her marking defender and crossed a low ball to Macky (RF) who finished first time.  

Not much to say at halftime, just praising the girls' effort and performance.  Second half saw us rotate some girls into different positions, creating more chances, but only finishing on a Ripper PF after Nash was taken down in the box.  Looked like a soft PK call, I probably would not have called it, but on the flip side I would have called one earlier in the game for a worse take down.  

Another decent performance.  MRL this weekend in Madison, then our final group game vs NSSA (who just tied EP 1-1) to decide our group.  I hope our legs hold out.