Devils keep rolling in Jaguars scrimmage

The Devils returned to the field where it all started on Saturday afternoon in a friendly scrimmage with the CV Jaguars, a Group A team from the Delgado Tier 3 pool. It was only last spring when the Devils defeated the Jaguars in their first game as an organized competitive team, winning 2-0 against the same Jaguars. That would be the only game the Jaguars lost during the spring season, which elevated them to Group A.

This time, the game was an opportunity for both teams to stay focused during a long break in between regular league games. The Devils turned in another strong performance, in the modified contest, which featured three 25-minute running periods.

The Devils coaching staff also used it as an opportunity to rotate the girls through all positions. This provided everyone with a chance to show their stuff in areas they don’t normally play.

After a scoreless initial period, the rotations began to open things up. Marlene would break the ice with a breakaway goal three minutes in. Shivani setup the goal with a pretty lead pass from the right mid position. Drawing a defender away from the center full spot, she feathered a pass up the slot to Marlene, who slipped a shot past the Jaguars goaltender.

With the confidence of that early goal, the Devils began to press more on offense. Another breakaway chance was thwarted four minutes later when a whistle sounded on a neighboring field just as Courtney slipped past two Jaguars defenders at the top of the box. Thinking play had been whistled dead, all three players slowed down. When the referee indicated that play was still live, the goaltender cleared the ball to safety.

Courtney would exact some revenge with two minutes to play in the period. After the Devls defense pushed the ball up the right sideline, Courtney streaked up the line, then drew the goaltender out to defend the right side of the net. Displaying great patience, Courtney then sent a crossing shot that slipped inside the left post for the 2-0 lead.

Ruhi, Christene, Karsyn, Lindsay and Jessica teamed up to anchor a stingy defense which allowed few scoring chances.

The Jaguars would score in the 3rd period on a break after Karsyn misread the line a Jaguar forward was taking.

The momentum could have easily shifted back to the Jaguars, but Audrey, Kelly and Ruhi kept the ball in the Jaguars zone for a stretch of about 4 minutes with great ball handling near the right corner. This setup multiple corner opportunities, and several Jaguar goal kicks.

Marlene would push the Devils lead back to two goals by sending in a shot from 45-feet that tucked just inside the left post.

The scrimmage ended as a success, keeping the Devils momentum rolling and building on the girls confidence

The day was capped off with a couple notables. Each player presented a Jaguars player with a treat bag after the game as a thank you for hosting the scrimmage. Special thanks to Judy C. the Devils Team Manager for arranging the gifts. Karsyn also celebrated her 9th birthday with a round of cupcakes, that were in the words of her brother Ryan, “jy-nan-tic”!