The point? Beware of counter-attacks, particularly after massive invasions of defenders on corner kicks.
Game two seemed to be lining up to go the Force's way. They had pulled off a good win against the Jags. Waza waited for the afternoon with a weaker record. The girls had time to rest and recuperate (but not too much). And we had our secret weapon: a Panera Bagel lunch -- suitable for sensitive pre-game tummies.
But there were some bad omens. Just before we hit the field we discovered we would be down 3 players -- Kyra, Jazzy, and Rhea. No white team players were available as they were playing at the same time. And the weather had turned from chilly and overcast to warm and humid. More troubling, the first 7 or 8 Force rushes into Waza territory were called offsides. We might not have been in Ardennes, but the MSDSL Twilight Zone. Who received a throw in seemed to be a matter of, well...I am not sure how that was being calculated, it was just dizzying.
Still, things started out well in terms of play and that is what matters (he said). Zoe controlled most of the first five minutes from her midfield spot, picking up where she had left off in game one. She has developed a "diZangle" cut off her first touch which allows her space and time to find Force feet.
Sophia, continuing to show flexibility when needed by playing up front, delivered a terrific pass to Sawyer who banged one off the far post.
And the Force even got a free kick somewhere near the 18! But powerstiker Lauren went with the six iron instead of the seven and sent one just a foot or two over the crossbar.
Late in the half, though, after controlling the game, the Force got a break. The Waza keeper let a goalkick drift too far from a defender and Anastasia jumped artfully on the opportunity, snagging the ball and sending a perfect pass to Sawyer.
1-0.
Cookie, styling after his first game coaching brilliance in a white fishing hat, green shoes, and black socks looked comfortably American and enjoying a middle aged victory of sorts going into half.
Indeed, after watching Rockstar chase down an athletic Waza a forward and have the gas for a run back up field for an opportunity the Force looked good. Lauren and Sophia "double downed" consistently at midfield to come up with the ball and control the pace. Kate had to dive left for one -- but what of it? Zoe showed the diZangle works on the run, leaving a Waza player standing still (guess you can't say looking for her jock strap) and gave Sawyer a chance.Grace took a beautiful header inside the 18 and managed to get off a good shot.
Then, the Force coughed it up in their own end and a Waza played turned and scored from some distance on one of their few moments of ball control.
1-1.
The Force still looked very much in control. Jill ("Rocksteady"?)looked like she was going to provide one of her game changing runs up the left when she took a hard body blow (I think the Waza player regretted delivering it). Sawyer and Anastasia combined for great runs with Waza defenders reaching, clutching, and grabbing. Stasia, though she burned up the right side, just wasn't big enough to turn the corner against larger Waza defenders.
Then....the counterattack. Off a Force corner kick one of the two Waza athletes pushed past Force defenders. Sophie and Rockstar caught her at the net but the damage had been done. When the ball popped to Kate's left and Waza forward had an open shot
2-1.
Even shorthanded and tired the girls should have had this one. Still, one has to be pleased with the quality of play. Special kudos to the girls for playing a second game with one sub and the never, never land of MSDSL officiating.
No comments:
Post a Comment