4/17/10 Game Recap (5-0 Win)

Courtney bags her 4th goal

The Devils made it three wins in a row on Saturday afternoon, with a resounding 5-0 victory over the SCC Breakers in beautiful Aptos CA . The scoring barrage was led by Courtney, who set a team record with four goals in a regular season league game.

All ten field players put on a passing display in the first half, controlling the ball throughout the first 30 minutes of play. Much of that time was spent in the offensive zone, pressing the Breakers with continuous pressure near the box.

Part of that was attributed to the backline play, which prevented any penetration into the Devils zone. Ruhi played her typical outstanding game, sweeping anything that made its way past Karsyn, Lindsay or Jess Jess.

Ruhi sweeps the ball clear

The midfielders dominated the middle by continuously feeding balls up the lanes for offensive chances. Grace would preview the offensive fireworks with a 30-foot shot at the 5 minute mark that seemed to test how the Breakers would defend against the Devils attack. E played her best game of the season and Katrina continued to frustrate opposing defenders with her footwork in tight quarters.

Courtney would open the game’s scoring by burying a 16-foot shot from the right side of the box after E pushed the ball to Marlene near the semi circle from the right side. With her back tot eh goal, Marlene received the pass, pivoted to her left and sent a diagonal pass to the right side of the box where Courtney finished it off.

E played her strongest game of the season

E would setup the next goal 2 minutes later from the left side with a lofting ball from 40 feet out. Marlene redirected the pass with a beautiful head-ball that hit the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.

Starting in goal, Kelly touched the ball two times in the first half and never faced a serious threat. Christene and Ruhi made the defensive plays of the half by snuffing out possible drives. Ruhi eliminated one chance with a slide tackle and Christene turned on the jets to run down a potential strike from the left side just before the half-time whistle.

The score was only 2-0 at halftime, so the Devils anticipated a push by the opposition to start the second half. The Breakers did exactly that, forcing the issue, by driving the ball deep into the Devils zone. Lindsay picked up the keeper responsibilities in the half and immediately snared a Breakers shot to preserve the shutout.

Jess Jess shuts down the opposition

Courtney would push the Devils lead to 3-0 at the 44 min mark. Kelly took a long cross and cut across the grain before feeding the ball to Marlene who sent a 15-foot pass across the top of the box. Courtney gathered it in and snapped a shot that sailed just under the crossbar.

She would complete the hat-trick in the 52nd minute. Carrying the ball up the right side, the striker ripped another shot that sailed over the goaltender’s outstretched hands for the 4-0 lead.

Audrey helped ice the game by sending a crossing pass from the left side with 5 minutes to play. The ball floated over the keeper and two defenders before landing on Courtney’s boot. She lunged for the ball, striking it before it hit the ground, stretching the back of the net with the shot.

Game Positives—-

Offensive Prowess: There was no doubt that the girls are clicking in the offensive zone right now. They’re reading each other like a veteran team, anticipating what each other is going to do and reacting accordingly. The team has converted a hat-trick in the last three games…by three different players.

Foot Skills: It’s no surprise that all the juggling the girls do is starting to pay dividends. Several lofting passes, followed by controlled touches doesn’t just happen. The girls are employing much of these foot skills into real game situations, and their control of the ball is starting to pay dividends.

Silent but Deadly: They say that great defenders are the ones you never hear about. A defender’s name usually comes up when they get beat. Our backline doesn’t get the accolades that the goal scorers do, so it’s important to call out the fact that they’ve been flat out shutting down every team they’ve played this season. No two girls have the same playing style, but as a unit they are a force to be reckoned with.


Development Areas--

Quicker Releases: With success can come the opportunity to forget about basic fundamentals. The girls can get caught in the moment and forget to take advantage of the things that make them successful. One of those strengths is great ball movement. Holding the ball, especially on rushes with numerical superiority is something the girls need to evaluate as the play is evolving.