MRL #4 vs FC Milwaukee (WI)

Our last game of the weekend, likely to be against our toughest opponent. 

Still a bit breezy, but warm and sunny.  The girls legs were going to be heavy and their bodies tired.  We had talked about trying to come in with sharp minds, regardless of their physical fatigue.  

We also wanted to loosen the girls up a bit prior to the game, so we warmed up with some Cat and Mouse tag, walking and linked soccer (one of the team's favorites), and some four corners shooting (another favorite).  

It turned out that the coach of the FC team was a friend of a friend when I played with the Milwaukee Wave.  Small world. 

The more relaxed pre-game idea almost seemed to backfire as FC Milwaukee came at us straight from the kick off and scored a goal 60 seconds in that was called back for offside.   The girls shook off the shakey start and proceeded to put together one of the best performances I've seen to date. 

We played in the 4-1-4-1 formation that had served us well this morning.  We got on the board in the 4th minute when Ripper (Att Mid) received the ball near midfield on the right flank.  She beat her mark, battled the second defender 1v1 for about 20 yards, eventually beat her into the penalty box, and HAMMERED a ball into the far post side netting.  It was Ripper's 3rd or 4th nearly half field run of the weekend and a terrific finish. 

FC Milwaukee had some skilled players and tried to play the game rather than the boot and scoot style that some teams in this league have adopted, but we were too good on the day.  The Goo Girls knocked the ball around, had a number of 5, 6, 7 or more passing string combinations, and created chance after chance at goal.  

Nearing the end of a completely dominant half of soccer, FC Milwaukee was awarded a direct free kick right at the top of our box.  Their player hit a hard, head-high shot at our wall and Madie (LM) reflexively put her hand in front of her face to protect herself.  Tweeeet!  Great.  

Not the best timing in the world.  We'd played so well yet only had one goal to show for it.  Now, a probable goal just prior to halftime could give Milwaukee some needed life and momentum heading into the second half.  

However, the PK God's were behind us and the Milwaukee shooter's shot rolled right to Tori.  

No real changes at halftime as the team was playing fantastic soccer.

Second half saw more of the same.  More good chances at net (including a smack of the post from Getch) and solid individual and team defending.

About 6 minutes from time, Getch (Att Mid) won a tough 50/50 tackle near the top of our penalty box.  She counter-attacked up the field and sent a through ball over the top to Millie (Point).  The defender beat Millie to the ball and half cleared the ball wide to Bidi (LM) on the left flank.  Bidi controlled the ball and found Millie just inside the Milwaukee penalty box.  Some nice skill work to turn her marking defender and a low hard shot to the near post saw us double our lead.  It finished like this.  

* * * * *

All in all, a good weekend for the girls.  Split into 3 vans for the trip down with our White team, staying girls 4 to a room for the first time at a tournament we've traveled to, team meals with parent chaperones helping along the way... it was an enjoyable time for them all.

Game #1 vs Homer Hawks (IL)    W 3-0

Game #2 vs Madison 56ers (WI)   W 3-0

Game #3 vs Mequon Red (WI)    W 4-1

Game #4 vs FC Milwaukee (WI)    W 2-0

12 goals for (3 from set pieces, 5 from crosses, 2 from through balls or balls played over the top, and 2 from individual efforts), 1 against.   

I feel we're starting to get our game sharp, and it comes at the right time with State Cup right around the corner.  We'll train Wed, Fri, and Sat, then open up our State Cup on Sunday vs NSSA. 

MRL Game #3 vs Mequon Red (WI)

Another beautiful day in Appleton.  A little cool at the start, but the sun was shining with the promise of warmth later in the day.

 We had seen Mequon last year at Regionals.  They had a danger girl up top and some hard battling mids and defenders, but I was confident that if we could match their effort our skill would carry us through.

Warm-up was sharp and the girls looked ready to go.

Mequon came out in a 5-3-2 formation.  Don't know if this was their normal shape, but they obviously knew the caliber of team they were up against.  

It was difficult for us at first.  We player too direct, forcing quick passes into our forwards when they were usually outnumbered 5 to 2, and we lacked the support up the field when our forwards managed to hold the ball up under pressure.  Cook and I tried to get the girls on the bench to see the space that our wide backs had as Mequon's shape allowed a ton of room for these defenders to play in.  Yet even after making changes it was still a struggle for the team to totally grasp the concept. 

At the 17 minute mark, the wide Mequon wide right mid hoofed a long diagonal ball behind our back line.  Bidi (RD) tracked the ball down but her clearance under pressure wasn't wide or far enough up the field.  To make matters worse for us, the ball fell to Mequon's danger player about 35 yards out from our goal.  The girl took a few touches, our defenders didn't organize enough to provide, and she smacked a high, powerful shot that Tori couldn't get a hand too and it hit the back of the net just under the crossbar.

Crap.  Now they're probably going to a 7-2-1 and we're in for a long game against a packed defense.

To the Goo Girls credit, they managed to begin to grasp the attacking concepts we needed them to.  One minute from the halftime break, We swung the ball around the back to Bidi (still at the right back position).  Jilly (RF) made a great diagonal run across the field as the ball was being switched, and Bidi found her wide down the right flank with a good pass.  Jilly beat her defender and crossed in a low hard service that found Ripper unmarked about 8 yards from goal at the far post.  Rippers controlled the ball and finished to bring us back into the game.  Good goal, great timing.  

After getting the girls on the same page during halftime, the girls really took it to Mequon in the second half.  Mequon's only real chance on goal came about 15 minutes into the half from a 40 yard freekick that took an amazingly bad hop as it dropped about 4 yards in front of Tori.  Tori, thinking to simply take the ball on the hop, made a fantastic relax save as the ball shot off to her left to palm the ball over the top of the net.

18 minutes in we took the lead as Lily (LM) received a pass on the left flank, cut inside, and hit a great diagonal ball behind the Mequon defenders for Jilly (RF) to run onto.  The Mequon GK made an aggressive on-rushing play for the ball but Jilly got their first and toe poked it past her to roll into the goal.

Two minutes later we're awarded a free kick at midfield on the right flank.  I'm yelling across for Bidi (RM) to relax and let one of the defenders serve it, but she opted to play a quick pass 20 yards up field to Jilly (RF).   Jilly turned and found Millie (LF) at the top of the box to the right of the goal.  Millie played a quick Give & Go with Lily (LF), took a shot that hit the far post, ended up playing a Give & Go with the post around the GK, and finished into the empty net.  Funny finish, but great build up.

One minute from time we got our 4th.  Nash (RD) served a free kick in from the right side of the field about 40 yards out.  As we've worked with her in training, the free kick was perfect.  Flighted high behind the defensive holding line to the far post area.  Macky (LF) tried to get a head on the ball but I think it hit her shoulder.  It dropped right in the path of Getch (RF) who was following in and Getch hammered home the last goal of the game.

 Good battle-back performance for the girls.  Toughest game ahead this afternoon with FC Milwaukee.