Gryphons scrimmage a success

Scrimmaging against an unknown team on Friday night, the Devils had a chance to keep in tune, rather than go three consecutive weeks without playing against a live opponent. The girls held their own during the regulation event at the Sunnyvale Soccer Complex.

The San Andreas Youth Soccer Gryphons (San Mateo) trekked down from the peninsula in their team bus (yes, I said team bus), which got the attention of the Devils. The Gryphons pre-scrimmage drills also got the attention of the Devils who may have been a little intimidated by the whole thing.

When the opening whistle sounded however, the Devils were all business. The coaching staff used the event as an opportunity to move players around to positions they may not be totally comfortable with, in order to get those players more experience in the event they need to fill in at those spots.

The Devils played remarkably well, given many had not played against live competition at those off-positions before.

The first half was limited to a single Gryphons goal (which should have been called off-side), but Marlene and Shivani played impressively on the back line to keep the Gryphons from scoring on several chances early in the half.

The Devils opened the 2nd half with a goal when Audrey raced up the right wing from the center line and punched home a 25-foot rocket that sailed into the left corner of the net.

Things turned sour, when a Gryphon forward got a little aggressive on a play in the box. The Devils goaltender, Lindsay, scooped up a shot that fell short, but was knocked over by a Gryphon forward. The shin guard of the Gryphon player hit Lindsay in the head, leaving a bruise.

Tough as nails, Lindsay stayed in the game, but the ensuing goal kick landed right on the boot of a Gryphon player. With a one step toward the net and a big shot, the Gryphons re-took the lead.

Ruhi almost converted on a breakaway 4 minutes later, but a Gryphons defender just got back in time to disrupt the shot. The ball dribbled clear of the net, but Kelly intercepted a pass to midfield and punched a shot that rang off the right post.

The Devils also narrowly missed on a beautiful corner kick from Marlene that sailed over the first line of defense, right to Ruhi’s boot. The Gryphons collapsed three defenders in the box to snuff out the scoring chance.

The Gryphons would add another goal later in the period after working the ball up the left side and chipping a shot off the goaltender’s glove.

Audrey would strike again with 3 minutes to play on a carbon copy of her first goal. Taking a centering pass along the right side line, she raced past the Grypons defense, then sent another laser past the Gryphons goaltender.

Two more late scoring chances by the Devils were turned aside late, after Sammie made two steals along the right sideline, setting up long range shots. Jessica and Christene also played very well in defensive situations, utilizing back passing exceptionally well. This was a focal point during practice the previous week, so it was great to see the fundamental applied in a game situation.

The event turned out to be a great success for both teams. Practice is no substitute for game experience, so getting the girls out and into a game situation was a great way to help maintain the momentum that they’ve built over the first three weeks of the season.