10/3/10 Game Recap (3-2 Win)

A day after the Devils dropped a tough 3-1 decision, they would rebound to defeat West Valley Surefire at the Sunnyvale Soccer Complex on Sunday, winning their first game of the season. The game was a nice turnaround from the setback that soured the start of the weekend less than 24 hours earlier.

The girls came ready to play and showed it with a flurry of scoring chances right out of the gate. Akayla put a nice header on goal just two minutes into the game, but a tall Surefire goal keeper would avert danger by gloving the ball.
Courtney would follow that up with a dive up the right side four minutes later, cranking a shot that sailed over the crossbar.

Karsyn's 1st goal clears the keeper

Kelly was fouled from behind in the 14th minute, setting up a free kick from 35 yards out. Playing from her stopper position, Karsyn was tasked with taking the kick. She would unload on the ball, launching a shot that cleared the Surefire keeper for her first league goal.

Courtney would make it 2-0 five minutes later after Marlene slid a pretty diagonal pass to the right corner. Courtney carried the ball on goal and ripped a shot that stretched the twine in the back left corner of the goal.

Audrey just missed putting the Devils up by three goals with two minutes remaining in the half, when her shot just missed wide left. The momentum would swing moments later.

Marlene played big on Sunday

Surefire would cut the Devils lead in half with less than a minute remaining before the intermission by bending a corner kick around Katrina’s glove.

They would strike while the iron was still hot, tying the game 40 seconds into the 2nd half. A Surefire forward slipped up the middle of the field and jumped pas a defender before snapping a point blank shot from just inside the 18.

It looked as if the game was tilting in West Valley’s favor, before the Devils pushed another ball deep into the Surefire zone. They would draw a corner kick, but the ensuing ball would pin-ball in the small bow for an eternity before being cleared to safety.

Celebrating the game winner!

The Devils would get the goal they needed to put them back on top from an unlikely source, when Karsyn converted her second goal of the game. Trapping a clearing attempt outside the 18, she would get her left foot on the ball, firing a shot to the right corner with ten minutes to play.

The play of the game would come with 5 minutes remaining, when E snagged a sure goal out of the air from her goal keeping position. Surefire worked the ball to the left side of the goal, where a forward ripped a chest high shot that was destined for the back of the net. Diving to her right, she would make a backhanded grab of the ball to preserve the Devils slim lead.

The defense would take over to shut down a final attempt by West Valley to score the equalizer. Ruhi would direct a solid backline in the second half, teaming up with Lindsay, Clara and Jess Jess to put the clamps on any comeback.

Game Positives—

Rebounding: In typical Devils fashion, the girls built on their loss from the day before and played with confidence. They showed no ill effects from setback and played with the enthusiasm that has made them so successful.

Defensive Positioning: The girls cleaned up some of the defensive positioning issues to takeaway opportunities from Surefires big shots.

Shot Quantity: The girls recognized that they need to shoot more to generate scoring. They addressed that by taking plenty of shots.

Focus Areas—

Shot Placement: The girls let several scoring chances slip away by putting shots directly on the goal keeper. Poise with the ball in shooting situations can be converted to more breathing room.


Timing Focus: Surrendering a goal right before halftime provided a big momentum shift, which the opposition used to start the 2nd half. The girls relaxed right before halftime and it bit them. Recognizing that the opposition will push late in any half is something the girls need to be more cognizant of, especially at the direction of the coaches.