9/12/10 Game Recap (0-0 Tie)

Akayla moving the ball up field

The Devils played their first road game of the season on a blustery day in Santa Cruz on Saturday. The girls turned in a solid performance to tie the host SCC Breakers 0-0 at Cabrillo College. The girls had plenty of scoring chances, but just couldn’t get the goal needed to grab their first victory of the season.

A hot Breakers goaltender was the star of the game, denying several chances in the offensive zone. The Devils controlled the tempo of the game for much of the first half, keeping the ball pinned in the Breakers zone.

Marlene and Audrey teamed up for a pair of scoring opportunities in the first half, but the ball would be smothered by the Breakers goal keeper on both occasions.
The midfield play was exceptional for the Devils, who kept the pressure on the Breakers with several feeds up both sidelines. Grace, Kelly and Clara had nice performances patrolling the middle of the field and sending nice leading passes when the situation warranted it.

Kelly & Courtney attack

The Breakers had a quick sweeper who contained the deep ball threats with her quickness and ability to clear away most of the dangerous balls that were sent across the mid-line. The first half would end without any scoring.

In typical fashion, the Devils turned up the heat in the second half. Sustained pressure deep in the Breakers zone would provide the first big chance for the Sunnyvale squad. A hand-ball call inside the Breakers 18 resulted in a penalty shot for the Devils, but the field was not properly marked. The referee paced off the yardage for the shot, but the ball was placed a good 6 feet beyond where the mark should have been painted.

Courtney would uncork a blast that was headed high center, but the extended length of the shot allowed the Breakers keeper to track the ball easily, knocking it down then pouncing on it.

Audrey fights for possession

Another call gave the Devils a free kick in the 53rd minute from 70 feet out. Karsyn put a big foot on the ensuing kick, launching a ball that found a seam in the defense and bounced six feet in front of the goal line. The Breakers keeper deflected the ball, but couldn’t control it. As it rolled through the box, she pounced on it before a Devils player could reach it.

The Devils defense played superbly, led by Lindsay’s strong showing on the outside. Ruhi and Christene did a great job of locking down the back end.

The offense literally took a hit in the last 4 minutes of the contest, when Courtney was forced off by a bloody nose as a result of an errant elbow.

Game Positives—

Implementing Skills: The team did a great job of infusing overlap runs, wall passes and more advanced passing sequences in their game, which resulted in better ball control.

Communication: The back liners are starting to orchestrate from their vantage point, which is helping to setup attacks and establish better defensive positioning. We’re discovering that several players actually have voices!

Development Areas-

Going in the Kill: The Devils had a few opportunities to establish more control in the offensive zone, but couldn’t generate the necessary scoring.

Swarming: Most of the quality scoring chances could have paid bigger dividends if there was follow through on the plays by the outside forwards. The Breakers keeper had some issue handling the ball on occasion, but there was no follow up pressure to take advantage of the situation.