4/24/10 Game Recap (2-0 Win)

Katrina clears the ball

The Devils kept up their winning ways on Sunday on the peninsula, by steaming to a 2-0 win over the Menlo Park Strikers. The Strikers were a technically sound team that challenged the Devils with a nice mix of offensive pressure and sound defense.

Playing in what has arguably been the warmest day of the season thus far, the Devils had to deal with a fast Strikers team that used its quickness to create several offensive chances early. Things would get interesting for the Devils once they warmed up the offense themselves.

Marlene missed on a pretty chance in the 14th minute, hammering a shot off the crossbar after Audrey sent a perfect cross from the left side. The shot didn’t go in, but it set the tone for what would be a very nice stretch of offensive chances.

She would send another lofting shot from 40 feet that the Strikers keeper was forced to snare above her head 5 minutes later. Audrey would follow that up by ripping a shot from the left side in the 29th minute that hit the keeper in the chest.

Marlene would finally crack the Strikers defense by depositing a rebound after Akayla sent a corner kick into the box from the right side. Grace chipped the ball off a defender that landed right on Marlene's boot for the laser shot.

The Strikers almost countered two minutes later when a breakaway was deftly defended by Karsyn from the keeper position. She would challenge the shooter by racing out to the 8 yard mark and deflecting a shot off the break. The rebound kicked out to the middle of the box where a follow up shot sailed just wide of the right post.

Christene mixes it up

Marlene made it 2-0 in the 49th min after a wild sequence that started with another corner kick that sailed past the goal mouth. Audrey retrieved the ball from the far side then sent a pass to the box where it pin-balled over three players before landing on Marlene drilled home the goal.

Akayla would loft a ball into the box three minutes later that Marlene put her head on for a pretty scoring chance. The Strikers keeper snagged the head-ball shot in front of the goal line to keep the score at 2-0.

Game Positives—

Rotation: The girls did a nice job of rotating to a variety of positions. The heat and short bench required more positional rotation than usual. Christene played in three positions throughout the game, showing off her ability to play all over the field.

Attitude: The demeanor at half time was very confident. These kids enjoy playing the game.

Fitness: The fitness level of the team is exceptionally high right now. All those mile runs in school are paying dividends on the field right now.

Support: The cheering section was incredible!


Areas of Improvement—

Adjusting to the Opposition: We had a difficult time adjusting to the skill level of the Strikers early in the game. The girls were flustered a bit by the speed of the opposition, which forced them to move away from the game they’re used to paying.

Rattled a Bit: The girls panicked a little on first time clears because of the pressure being applied by the Strikers. They settled down over time, but have to trust their skills.