West Des Moines Premier Games Day 2
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 09:39AM 
Another fine day in Des Moines.
We we slated against the Lake Forest United team from Illinois this morning. They were 1-0-1 thus far, so a win or a tie would see us through to the championship. CIS Knockouts II (IL) and Toro Choas (NE) were matched up this morning in the deciding game in the other bracket, and I wanted a chance to meet either of them in the final this afternoon. Having watched both of them play this weekend, I think CIS was the stronger team and was looking forward to that potential test if both teams could make it happen this morning.
Game #3 vs Lake Forest United (IL)
The game started out tense, with both teams feeling a bit of the need-a-performance-in-order-to-advance pressure.
We broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Babes (CD) stepped up and ripped a powerful freekick past the Lake Forest GK. We couldn't find the net again in the next 20 minutes, so the half ended 1-0.
6 minutes into the second half we scored a great goal. Maddog (CM) found Chels (RM) on the right flank with a nice outlet pass wide. Chels took a touch and crossed the ball to Bargsy (LM) at the far left side of the penally box. Bargsy started to take her defender on 1v1, decided to turn back out of trouble, and set a ball back to Maddog at the top of the box. Maddog hit the ball first time with her left foot to double our lead.
We put the game out of reach midway through the second half when B-Money sent in a dangerous corner kick in front of goal. The ball bounced around a bit before Chels (RM) pounced on the loose ball to hammer the ball home.
CIS ended up beating Toro 1-0, setting up the "right" championship game between the two strongest teams in the event.
Championship Game vs CIS Knockouts II (IL)
I had scouted the Knockouts team twice in this event. Scouted?!?!?! Aren't we talking U11 girls here? Yep, we sure are. But I feel, like I'm sure many do, that one of my jobs with this group is to give them the best possible chance to succeed in competition. I didn't say it was my ONLY job, nor did I say it was my PRIMARY job, but it is A job. Besides, I hate losing.
The Knockouts played better soccer than we did. They had more girls with more of a sense of how the game is really played than we did at this point. They had good team shape, composure on the ball, and a good idea of how to move the ball around on the field. They also had some very athletic girls. I was interesting to see how they would respond to us as I'd bet money that they hadn't seen many teams with our pace, power, and skill. The CIS defenders were solid and fast, but I knew that some of our attackers had speed that I have yet to see matched.
What the Blues may have been lacking in soccer sense at this age, they more than made up for in determination, heart, effort, and bite. There are a number of girls on this team who would run through a brick wall to get the ball, and who are also blessed with athletic ability. Couple this with the overall skill level on this team and we'd be sure to cause any opponent fits.
As it turned out, I had come across Darren, the CIS coach, before. When I coached the Woodbury Inferno group, the CIS Knockout were a respected team at our age group. The "Knockouts II" team name now made more sense as Darren had another daughter at this age group. We chatted for a bit and he seemed like a good guy. The CIS team was obviously well coached and it would be a good match this afternoon!
We came out in our 3-3-1 that we'd used all tournament. We talked pre-game about defending in numbers behind the ball, and dropping back to the middle as the ball was worked across the field in midfield by the CIS girls (which was one of their team strengths). We also talked about staying positive with each other regardless of the current game score. We'd win this on as a team, both defending and attacking as a unit rather than a one-man show.
The CIS GK was a giant, so I also brought up many of our past goals this weekend as we had scored a number off low hard shots. We'd need this type pf finishing again this afternoon.
We started out on fire again. Sharp and quick to the ball and dangerous in the attack.
Maddog (Point) just missed giving us the early lead as she raced past a CIS defender on a breakaway, but missed the goal just wide.
9 minutes in we conceded our first goal of the weekend as a fast and skilled CIS attacker split Barbie (CM) and Babes (CD) on her way to goal and ripped a low hard shot past the diving Normy in goal.
Interesting challenge for the Blues to respond to, in unfamiliar territory having to battle back from a deficit.
6 minutes later I got a good idea of the response as Chels (RM) hammered a shot off the crossbar from the top of the box. Just as I was yelling out to her reminding her that we need low, hard shots, the ball rolled back to Mal (CD) about 30 yards out from goal. Mal, with a terrific attitude for goal, stuck a high shot that sailed over the CIS GK's fingertip. Low shots, huh? I could see the girls looking at me and giggling. Nice.
A minute later we were awarded a corner kick to the left of the CIS goal. B-Money hit a low service to the near post that found Quicksy (LM). Quicksy did a right foot Arc Turn and dropped the ball to Maddog who found the net with a first time finish.
Just as I was explaining to the girls on the bench the smart play by Quicksy, I saw out of the corner of my eye the ball roll back to B-Money (RM) near midfield. In the zone and feeling it, B decided to shoot and cracked another high shot that sailed over the CIS GK. Funny.
3 goals in 3 minutes to put us 3-1 ahead. Two good long strikes at goal, though a little lucky to go in on this GK, and one really good goal. However, lucky or not, the girls had a great attitude and their ball striking was solid. Not many girls at our age group would even think about striking a ball on goal from those distances.
The rest of the half was a battle with neither team able to capitalize on their chances.
8 minutes into the second half we got a great combination play goal as Bargsy (CM) and Chels (RM) played a nifty Give & Go at the top of the CIS box. Chels used a left foot Inside Arc Turn at the corner of the box to touch the ball inside to goal and hit an absolute bomb into the upper corner. Again I heard the "low shots, huh?" giggles from the girls on the bench.
At the 14 minute mark CIS made it a game again with a good goal off an individual effort. 4-2 with half a half to play. Next goal would be key.
We got it as Babes (CD) found B-Money (who I moved up to Point forward to try and take advantage of her pace) over the top with a through ball. B sped past the CIS defender and finished a low far-post shot. Sometimes things work out just as planned :) I turned to the bench in an attempt to save some face with the girls - Hey guys, that was a low, hard one, wasn't it? They reluctantly agreed...
At the 18 minute mark, CIS once again made it a two-goal game off some good flank play down the left side and a cross and far post finish. Next goal would be key... again.
We got it again 2 minutes later when Meg (RD) found B-Money again with a through ball. Once again B's pace was too much for the CIS defenders, and once again she finished well.
We put the game away two minutes later, but I missed Maddog's goal as I was tending to Quicksy who had come off the field with a bruised ankle.
7-3 in a goal-fest.
Darren was very complementary after the game. He mentioned his defenders have never been exposed to the kind of speed the Blues had, and was impressed with the overall skill level. I told him I was dually impressed with his group (which I had been all weekend) and we knew we'd see each other many times down the road as these teams would battle each other again and again at this age group.
Good first event this year for the Blues. Fun times in the hotel and at team meals and bonding activities, good soccer on the pitch.
