What a great end to our spring league season. A spirited performance against a very talented select team and then a pleasant afternoon on the beach - all under clear skies and warm weather!
After watching the morning game between WCA and Langley I was a little apprehensive about how the girls would respond to Langley's physical play and fitness levels. I was also concerned about numbers, as I knew we would be missing Paige, Mia and Leanne from the regular Monster's line-up. As it was Olivia, Monique, Chloe and Sophie offered to play an extra game Sunday so that eased my concerns about players tiring in the midday sun. We had plenty of subs and I knew we would make use of them.
Then it became a question as to whether the Monster's could compete with our guests for seventy-five minutes. The answer to that was a resounding "yes".
We had a rocky first couple of minutes, but after that I thought we were the better team throughout. Our commitment to getting to the ball first was excellent, our decision making was good, we showed good patience when defending and we kept our shape very well. In fact many of you had your best games of the season against the very best team we played over the twelve games. That speaks volumes about your ability to raise your game - something we'll be looking for more of during fall-winter soccer.
Their two goals were of our own making - classic examples of poor-decision making which is natural for 11 and 12 year old soccer players. But when I look back, they were probably our only two real mistakes over the entire game. Beside their goals I cant remember any shots on our goal and I think the worst was when Margaret and Emma clashing knees and heads in the first-half.
At the other end of the field we definitely out-chanced them and 2-2 was the least we deserved. Both Chloe and Leah hit strong, low shots to the bottom corner that gave their goalie no chance. And in-between our goals, Annabel, Olivia, Marissa and Lily all had efforts saved or blocked where a goal looked likely.
In the midfield trenches I thought Leah and Lily both brought their "A" game. Leah in particular who seemed to be everywhere and thoroughly deserved her game-tying goal.
However being the soccer geek that I am, I was most pleased with one play in the second-half.
Our striker received the ball with her back to goal about half-way up the pitch. They then played the ball the way they were facing to our midfielder, who then passed back to our sweeper, who then controlled, moved the ball across her body and passed to her left defender who then passed upfield to the left forward, who then turned and fed a cross into the striker for a shot on goal. We didn't score a goal, but we kept possession, we kept play simple and kept the ball on the ground. No hit and chase, no panic, just good decision-making and movement off the ball. Awesome stuff!
So well done to the Monster's and a big thank you to Chloe, Monique and Sophie.
Now I hope that everyone gets a good month's rest and comes back raring to go in August. For those of you not quite ready to hang up the boots, WCA has a couple of excellent sessions in July for the very, very motivated. I believe Lily and Emma have already registered for another round of punishment but there's always room for more :)
See everyone in August!
After watching the morning game between WCA and Langley I was a little apprehensive about how the girls would respond to Langley's physical play and fitness levels. I was also concerned about numbers, as I knew we would be missing Paige, Mia and Leanne from the regular Monster's line-up. As it was Olivia, Monique, Chloe and Sophie offered to play an extra game Sunday so that eased my concerns about players tiring in the midday sun. We had plenty of subs and I knew we would make use of them.
Then it became a question as to whether the Monster's could compete with our guests for seventy-five minutes. The answer to that was a resounding "yes".
We had a rocky first couple of minutes, but after that I thought we were the better team throughout. Our commitment to getting to the ball first was excellent, our decision making was good, we showed good patience when defending and we kept our shape very well. In fact many of you had your best games of the season against the very best team we played over the twelve games. That speaks volumes about your ability to raise your game - something we'll be looking for more of during fall-winter soccer.
Their two goals were of our own making - classic examples of poor-decision making which is natural for 11 and 12 year old soccer players. But when I look back, they were probably our only two real mistakes over the entire game. Beside their goals I cant remember any shots on our goal and I think the worst was when Margaret and Emma clashing knees and heads in the first-half.
At the other end of the field we definitely out-chanced them and 2-2 was the least we deserved. Both Chloe and Leah hit strong, low shots to the bottom corner that gave their goalie no chance. And in-between our goals, Annabel, Olivia, Marissa and Lily all had efforts saved or blocked where a goal looked likely.
In the midfield trenches I thought Leah and Lily both brought their "A" game. Leah in particular who seemed to be everywhere and thoroughly deserved her game-tying goal.
However being the soccer geek that I am, I was most pleased with one play in the second-half.
Our striker received the ball with her back to goal about half-way up the pitch. They then played the ball the way they were facing to our midfielder, who then passed back to our sweeper, who then controlled, moved the ball across her body and passed to her left defender who then passed upfield to the left forward, who then turned and fed a cross into the striker for a shot on goal. We didn't score a goal, but we kept possession, we kept play simple and kept the ball on the ground. No hit and chase, no panic, just good decision-making and movement off the ball. Awesome stuff!
So well done to the Monster's and a big thank you to Chloe, Monique and Sophie.
Now I hope that everyone gets a good month's rest and comes back raring to go in August. For those of you not quite ready to hang up the boots, WCA has a couple of excellent sessions in July for the very, very motivated. I believe Lily and Emma have already registered for another round of punishment but there's always room for more :)
See everyone in August!
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