11/14/09 Game Recap (5-1 Win)

Akayla celebrates a goal

The Devils capped their championship season with a resounding 5-1 victory over the Mount Hamilton Lightning at the Sunnyvale Soccer Complex on Saturday. The win caped the second undefeated season in team history, and allowed the Devils to finish the season with a point margin over the second place Los Gatos Wildcats.

The margin of victory matched the Devils score in their win over the Lightning back in October. In both cases, the scoreboard didn’t reflect the strength of the Devils opponent, who came to play in the second meeting between the two teams.

As has been the case so many times this season, the Devils jumped on their opponent early. Akayla opened the games scoring with a 25-foot goal in the 3rd minute of the game. She took a feed from Clara right up the middle of the field, then dribbled toward the top of the arc before ripping a laser beam that sailed under the crossbar.

The Lightning would prove they were a formidable opponent by tying the game at the 8 minute mark, after a shot was deflected by Shivani, the Devils goal keeper. The deflection landed to her left, but the Lightning got a second shot off that found the back of the Devils goal.

The Devils would respond 4 minutes later, when Marlene chipped a crossing pass from Courtney past the Lightning keeper.

Clara powers through the middle

The midfield play was particularly exceptional on Saturday, led by Katrina, E, Sammie, Grace and Clara. It allowed the Devils to control the middle of the field, which kept the Lightning from generating many more chances in the first half.

Akayla would give the Devils some breathing room by lofting a shot from the top left of the box at the 20 minute mark that sailed over the Lightning keeper’s head.

Mount Hamilton narrowly missed converting at the 46 minute mark when a shot in the box was deflected wide by the Devils new keeper, Jess Jess. She challenged the shooter by coming out and cutting off the shot.

The Devils defense would clamp down Lightning, led by Ruhi’s control of the backline. Lindsay, Clara, Karsyn and Shivani would prevent any further attacks on the Devils net.

Christene would add to the lead at the 52 minute mark by chipping home a cross from the left side.

Ruhi clearing a ball

The game turned scary when a high kick sent the ball into Shivani’s face, knocking her momentarily out of the game. The referee would issue a yellow card for the play, but Shivani would rejoin the game after a brief rest on the bench.

She would re-enter the game, and promptly send a 30-foot rocket with her left foot just inside the left post with 5 minutes to play to cap the scoring at 5-1.

The final whistle would sound and the Devils had once again finished the season without a loss. By winning the league with a resounding 8-0-2 record, the Devils may be eligible for advancement to the Abronzino Class 1 League in the spring. Given the league victory, the team should receive an invitation, as has been the case for most Class 3 league winners in the past.