JFG Fall Invitational - Sunday, Sept 23

To clinch the group, the Blue team would need to tie or beat a talented Phoenix Elite team from Omaha, NE.  We had seen this team earlier this month at the NSR Gold Cup.  There, we beat them 5-0 in a game that was not as lopsided as the score line indicated.  They were a good team and would provide a good challenge for the Goo Girls this morning. 

The White team had already won their group and were assured a place in the final game this afternoon, regardless of the out come of their morning's game against Arsenal (Omaha, NE).  It would be a good opportunity to continue to give girls competitive playing experiences in different positions. 

The Blue team won 3-0 in a very good game.  The girls broke the deadlock 1 minute from the half as B-Money tore down the right side on a breakaway.  The Phoenix GK made a brave 1v1 save, but Maddog came flying in to slide home the goal. 

In the second half, Bargsy really stepped up and was instrumental in both goals.  For our second goal, she single-handedly took on 3 Phoenix defenders and calmly slotted the ball home with the outside of her right foot past the charging GK.  To put the game away, Bargsy again dangled multiple defenders, this time serving a cross to Gia for a tap in at the far post. 

The White team won 4-1, getting on the score board in the first minute as Kait (LM) sent a cross to the far post for AJ (RM) to hit home.  Additional first half tallies in the 10th by Kenzie (from Rach), and in the 21st by Rach put the game away.  Maddie E put the final touches on the good performance finishing a cross 6 minutes from the final whistle from Kenzie.

Both teams advanced to the afternoon championship games in their respective flights.

* * * * *

The Blue team met KC Select Renegades in the first of the final matches. 

In the 3rd minute, Meg (CD) found B-Money in space down the right flank with a fantastic change of direction pass.  B-Money took on her defender 1v1 and sent in a terrific low, near post cross that Maddog (CF) redirected home. 

Twenty minutes later, Quicksy (CF) split two defenders with an aggressive move to goal.  her initial shot was saved by the Renegades GK, but Quicksy pounced on the rebound for our second.

Ten minutes into the second half, we scored one of the best goals of the tournament.  Phi Phi (LM) smacked in a cross from the left side that Raley (CF) volleyed home off the bounce.  Even their coaches were appreciative of the skill there.  3-0 in a very good team effort.

The White team came up against the Toro Extreme (NE) for their championship match up.  The game was played on the smallest field at the complex, which at first I was disappointed with.  The other more-regulation-sized fields were open, why couldn't we move this final game to one of those?  However, in the end, the field size helped us.  We were more technical than the Toro team, but they had some very athletic girls who might have caused us some real problems with more space to work with. 

It was a hard fought contest by both teams, with the first half ending 0-0.

Ten minutes into the second half, we got the only goal of the match.  Jordan was fouled outside the Toro box, to the right side of the goal as you looked towards it.  I scanned the field for the girl I though had the strongest leg, and yelled out for Neve (LD) to run over and take a shot on goal.  She proceeded to smack a high ball into the far post netting.  Great shot, and great result for the White group.

Two for two in Iowa!