NSC Cup Bangu Rev Semi Final vs Bangu U13

Today we were happy we were going to be able to play the U13's again because they are a very good team and playing them makes us better.  Of course we would have liked to be playing them in the Finals later today but we will play them any chance we get.  They are the type of team with how they move the ball that we need to play against to get better at the Regional level. 

We started out the game in the first 10 minutes playing really well.  We were moving the ball well and looking sharp.
* * * Again, for this age group playing against a high level opponent, moving the ball well to me means that we are combining 3-5 passes and getting into dangerous positions. 

About 12 minutes in Blitz got into the box and as she was shooting she was hit off balance and the ref gave us a PK.  I couldn't believe our luck to be awarded another PK against them.  Just like the State Cup Final Sprout immediately grabbed the ball and set up to take the shot.  Everyone saw her confidence so the girls let her take the penalty.

I loved the confidence because in the shoot out at State the 13's goalie had made a great save on her and blocked her shot.  Sprout saw that miss as an aberration and her belief was great as she stepped up and put the ball into the side netting where she had shot in the Tonka shoot out.

After our goal the 13's started to apply more pressure on us and a couple of minutes after our goal Cutter made a couple of nice moves in the box for the 13's and put home a low finish to tie the score. 

With no time left in the first half the 13's had a free kick just inside our half and their coach, Ben, yelled out to Cutter to get on the end of the cross and she did just that as the ball was served perfectly into our danger area and she took a touch and roofed the ball for the 13's to take the lead.

At half time we talked about how well we had played in the first part of the game and we needed to continue to try and combine like that all game.  We also talked about being able to stay confident during the times when the 13's were putting us under pressure.

The second half started and we played really well again in the first 10 minutes.  Then the 13's took control for the next 10 and the last 10 was a back and forth battle that saw both teams getting chances but no one was able to finish.

It was a fun game to watch and even though we lost it was a nice game to end the tournament on. 

The 13's went on to win the tournament and we survived the weekend with no injuries and now we have a much needed week of rest.

Combining with the Rev girls was fun for both groups and hopefully we can join the groups again whether it is under Bangu or Rev as I think both groups benefit from playing together.

MVP's
Sprout for her PK and moves with the ball
LP for her energy
Hannah for her footskills