USA Cup Game #2 vs Fondy Vipers
Friday, July 20, 2007 at 09:55AM 
Our second game of the tournament saw us matched up against the Fondy Vipers, a team from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Fondy had beaten Tonka United (Minnetonka, MN) in their opening game 2-0. I watched both teams play prior to our first game and knew if we played our game that we should be in good shape.
A 10:40AM kickoff and it was already steamy. We were informed that there would be a 2-minute water break in the middle of each half, but the halves would not be shortened – something that would happen if the temperature was hot enough.
We came out in our 4-1-2-3 formation, looking to press the attack early. When I went over to shake hands with the Fondy coaches just before kickoff, I found out that they had been following our team website and knew about us. They congratulated me and the girls for our run at regionals and commented about how they found the website interesting/useful. That was really cool.
The first 10 minutes set the tone for the game. I think Fondy came out to defend, playing what looked like a 4-5-1. Their GK was a beast and very good in the air. She didn’t punt the ball, but could launch a throw to midfield. My bet is that she’ll soon be the Fond du Lac HS starting QB.
We were dangerous on the attack, creating a number of VERY good chances, but we were a bit off on our finishing touches. Actually, that’s an understatement. Our finishing was unbelievably horrendous. It was just one of those games in which we were clearly the dominant team, but we hit posts, miss hit very good chances, and completely missed or whiffed on open nets… from inside the six yard box. Many of our shots were lofted, making the Fondy GK look very good. She was good, don’t get me wrong, but we made her look better. It was comical, to a point.
The Fondy girls battled hard, but with all due respect, they were outmatched physically and technically by the Goo Girls.
The half ended 0-0, much to the disappointment of our team. At halftime, I told the girls that I had absolutely no issue with how we were playing. We were sharp, knocking the ball around well, getting down the flanks, and defending tenaciously. I was looking for a little more concentration on finishing, as well as looking for the girls to focus on hitting low, hard shots to force the big GK to the ground.
We continued to press forward in the second half, and again missed chance after chance. We hit another post and missed two other open nets, another one from inside the six. And when I say open nets, I mean open nets – the GK down on the ground and one of our players under no pressure with the ball at her feet and the whole goal to shoot at.
With a few minutes left on the clock, Getch, who had just came off the field from a defensive position, commented from her bench position that she felt good, wanted to be put up front, and knew she could score. I paused for a second. Isn’t this the same girl who didn’t feel confident enough to start the overtime period in the Region Championship game when I was going to put her in? Getch had just returned from the 94 ODP camp where she apparently led her 8v8 team in scoring. I didn’t want to make a late substitution, but something about her desire and confidence made me change my mind. I pulled Millie (CF) out who had been extremely dangerous though unable to convert her chances.
With two minutes left, on her first touch since entering the game, Getch received a pass with her back to goal about 12 yards out. She controlled the ball and roofed a shot into the upper right corner on the turn for the game winner. Amazing!
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