Third Place Game vs Eclipse Select 95-96 #24 Nation

I was happy that we finished second and we were guaranteed a good game against another quality team.  That is why we come to these events, to play quality teams.  Eclipse had the kick off and proceeded to string together 7 passes that resulted in a through ball putting their forward in but AJ was on her game and she dove and arrived at the ball just before the Eclipse forward.  I thought to myself, "Oh boy, what have we gotten ourselves into?"

As AJ punted the ball the team clicked into focus and we started to battle.  Soon after the punt Millie was in on a break away but Eclipse's goalie came out and made a good save.  We started to get some corner kicks and the chaos from the kicks forced some great saves out of their goalie and defenders.

At the 16 minute mark we played Kari down the line.  Kari had been showing some great footskills all weekend and her first touch is one of the best on the team.  As she arrived at the ball she beat her defender and crossed it into the box.  Sprout CRASHED the box, net, keeper, and anything else that got in her way, bounced it off the keeper and Jordy knocked in the rebound for a 1-0 lead.

After that goal we were rolling.  Shortly after another cross came into Sprout who crashed into the goalie again and came out with the ball but her shot went just wide.  Millie then took a girl to school inside the box, cutting her so bad that she fell down.  But again the goalie made a great save on her.

The half ended with us up 1-0.  At half time we talked about the fact that Eclipse now has the wind at their backs to go along with their skill, so we might spend the majority of the second half in our end.  Ideally we don't want to spend it there, but realistically it may happen.  It will be important for us to stay positive and keep doing things our way.  Don't change how we play because we are under pressure.  Believe in yourself and each other.

When the half started we were under pressure.  Eclipse almost was through on a couple of breaks but Taz came out of nowhere to close down their forwards and she made a bunch of important tackles.

We held them off until the 50th minute when they had a free kick from 35 yards out just like the KC game.  I had hoped we had learned from that game and I yelled for our girls to follow the shot.  As the shot came in AJ was forced into another good save.  To my horror we were watching again as two Eclipse players were in alone to finish the rebound.  I guess we'll have to spend some extra time working on that before our next game.

After the goal we responded brilliantly and we started to make the game a back and forth affair with both teams rushing up and down the field at each other.  I loved the response.  I put Erika up top for the closing minutes and she used her speed and vision to set up a couple of chances.

In the last minute of the game Blitz won the ball in our half and played a 30 yard ball up field to Millie.  She drew in a defender and sent Kari through on a break away down the left side.  As the goalie came out to take the shot and the defender closed her down she wound up with her left foot with everyone thinking she was going to shoot.  At the last second she cut the ball and LK, DM, who had started the play back by Blitz in the midfield had made a 70 yard run to find herself alone inside the six at the far post.  As the defender flew by Kari she slotted the ball over to LK on the ground.  Just as she was going to shoot the ball took a wicked bounce and hopped up off of her shin by her knee and the ball went inches wide of the post.

It was a tough break off of such a great play.  I knew LK was upset but I told her and the team how amazed I was that she had made the run.  For a player who is playing defensive mid to start back in our half and make that run in the last minute of the game is exactly the attitude that we are looking for in our players.  With the finish to this game it was the 3rd game out of 4 that when the final whistle blew we were fighting inside the other teams box going for goal.  The chances will fall in our favour if we can keep creating them.

Since it was a third place game there was no shoot out so the game ended in a tie.  Another exciting game.

MVPs
Carly for her great runs from outside defense and step overs
Hannah for her stellar play at center defense
Erika for her rock solid defense and set ups on offense