4/15/12 Game Recap (2-2 Tie)

Clara patrolled the midfield

The stars aligned in all the wrong places on Sunday as the Devils scratched out a 2-2 tie against a feisty Mount Hamilton PAC Lighting squad in East San Jose. Playing on a field that’s best described as a “jungle”, the Devils overcame a 2-0 deficit to salvage a point in the standings with a pair of late goals.

The playing surface at Matsumoto School in San Jose was deplorable, with uncut gas extending above the ankles. It was a far cry from the pristine pitches of the Sunnyvale Soccer Complex. The tall grass played a pivotal role in the game, as the Devils were unable to utilize any team speed in attacks.

Sunnyvale was also without their goaltender for the first half of the game, which also bit the Devils.

The Lightning took advantage of the Devils roster issue in the 12th minute, punting a ball over the Sunnyvale backline, then lofting a shot over Kelly for the game’s first goal.

Audrey missed on a partial breakaway in the 20th minute, pushing a shot wide left.

A Devils shot is deflected

The Lightning made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute on another lofting shot. Anna replaced Kelly in the goal, but the height of both players were factors on the high arcing shots. Similar to the first goal, Mount Hamilton booted a ball past the defense then pooched a long shot from distance over the outstretched arms of the Devils goal keeper.

Sunnyvale regrouped at halftime and focused on pressing matters. Overall the early start time, the field and a disorganized attack all contributed to the Devils difficulty in generating many offensive chances.

Jess Jess surprised everyone with an offensive run up the left side, uncorking a shot that was gloved by the Lighting keeper.

The ankle high grass hindered the attack

The Devils finally converted off a penalty kick after Mount Hamilton was called for a hand ball in the box. Marlene scored her 3rd goal of the season, sliding a low shot to the right corner.

Clara played a strong game, patrolling the midfield, and shutting down any further threats from the Lighting.

With the clock winding down, the Devils were forced to press in order to score the equalizer. Audrey tied it in the 66th min after Karsyn looped a lead pass over the defense from behind the mid-line. Audrey raced up field and slid a shot past the Lightning keeper.

Game Positives --

- Fought at the end to salvage the tie

- Communication was better

- Defense played well in the 2nd half

Development Areas --

- Abandoned organizational approach to attacking

- Vision on attacks needs to be better.

- Got caught repeatedly by offside trapping

4/14/12 Game Recap (3-0 Win)

Christene clears a ball safely out of the back end

The Devils played their first road game of the season, traveling to Aptos to take on the Santa Cruz (SCC) Breakers at Cabrillo College. The Devils bounced back from their tough loss to SF Athena a week earlier, turning in a 3-0 win over Santa Cruz.

In a complete turnaround from a week earlier, the Devils failed to play with the panache they showed against Athena, relying on more of a brute force attack than the beautiful game they turned in 7 days before. Sunnyvale would be rewarded with a victory, but the outcome didn’t fit the performance.

Part of the issue was the early lead Sunnyvale claimed in the contest. Once they established the buffer on the scoreboard, the level of play fell off. Part of that may have been attributed to the lack of practice earlier in the week because of the nasty weather that closed the Devils training facilities.

Karsyn's free kick sailed just high

That early lead came courtesy of a pair of goals inside the first 12 minutes of the game.

Marlene drilled a shot in the 4th min after taking a lateral pass from Audrey on the left side. The shot knuckled a bit, crossing up the Breakers goal keeper who dove over the ball as it headed to the back of the net.

Anna made it 2-0 in the 11th minute, taking a diagonal feed from Audrey. Anna received it on her right boot, carried it forward two steps then ripped a shot that caught the inside of the left corner.

She just missed on a one time chance in the air after Marlene sent a cross from the left corner in the 31st minute.

Audrey fights for position

Audrey missed on a breakaway in the 37th min pushing a shot wide right after Kelly sent a pass up the left side.

Audrey was fouled in the box in the 56th min after she gained a step on a Breakers defender and carried the ball into the box. A tackle from behind brought down the Devils striker, setting up a free shot that Anna deposited for the 3-0 lead.

Hazel posted her second shutout of the season, making several saves in the 2nd half that could have been trouble for Sunnyvale. Her best save came on a crossing attempt that was launched on goal from the top of the 18.

Game Positives --

- The girls put the ball on goal and were rewarded

- The backline was solid all game, controlling the front of their own goal

- The goaltending was solid

Development areas--

- Possession play was not the top priority

- Communication was lacking, which resulted in several turnovers

- There was a let down in intensity in the 2nd half, which allowed the opponent to generate several scoring chances.

4/8/12 Game Recap (2-1 Loss)

Marlene scored for Sunnyvale

The Devils turned in what may have been their most impressive performance as a team on Sunday, but succumb to a late goal to fall to visiting San Francisco Athena 2-1 at the Sunnyvale Soccer Complex. The girls put on a magnificent display of passing and ball control throughout most of the contest. Several multi-combination plays were strung together all afternoon.

As Coach Sonya said after the match, “it was the best game you’ve ever lost.”

The outcome on the scoreboard was a cruel fate after such a fine performance by the girls.

Surrendering early goals has become one hole that the team needs to figure out how to address. Athena scored in the 6th minute after pushing the ball to the top of the 18 then cutting back on the Devils defense. The Athena forward positioned the ball after making the about face and fired it just inside the right post for the early 1-0 lead.

Anna jockey for position

The defense settled down, but the goal would play a big role in eventual outcome. Ruhi, Karsyn, Jess and Lindsay shut down the big Athena shots by playing a tighter approach.

Marlene tied it in the 23rd minute after Audrey and Anna worked a combination at the top of the box. Anna took a shot that the keeper couldn't handle. As the ball trickled the keeper’s left, Marlene swooped in and cleaned up on the doorstep.

Athena had an apparent goal overturned in the 40th min after an off side call was made by the assistant referee.

Anna controlled the middle of the field after that scoring attempt, playing a solid game at center mid.

Kelly just misses on a corner

Audrey fired a shot off the keeper two minutes later after Kelly vaulted a pass up the left sideline. The save prevented Sunnyvale from grabbing the lead as the end of the contest approached.

Athena exploited the left side in the 55th minute, chipping a ball past the defense then shooting on an angle from left to right, slipping a ball past Hazel.

4/1/12 Game Recap (1-0 Win)

Grace mixes it up

Devils98 kicked off their 9th season as an organized girls soccer team, playing in their second season at the Gold level in CCSL. After a rough fall season, the Devils battled to a hard fought 1-0 win over the visiting Ajax East Bay at the Sunnyvale Soccer Complex.

Playing with a thin roster, the Devils opened their 2012 Spring Season on a chilly SSC field against an AJAX roster that totaled 19 players. Wind gusts blew most of the game in an easterly direction, giving the game more of a late fall feel, than that of game being played in early April.

Ajax took early control of the game, showing off their team speed by pursuing the Devils kickoff deep into the Sunnyvale end. The Devils back-liners were pressed into action early as Ajax pushed the ball in an around the 18 from the onset.

Clara played a strong game

The first salvo of shots was fired by Ajax as a pair of lateral passes just outside the small box crossed to a player on the right side. A blistering shot sailed into the Devils net, but the offside flag went up to nullify the goal.

The play served as a wake-up call for the Devils, who immediately marched down the field setup their own scoring chance. Clara took a long from the back line at midfield in the 4th minute, then carried diagonally toward the middle of the field. She then made a pass to Grace, who was positioned at the top of the arc. Grace made a pivot to her left then fed Audrey who was cutting up the left side. The striker carried the ball across the 18 and ripped a shot that squeezed between the Ajax goal keeper and the left post for the games only score.

The Devils pressed on the next possession and worked a chance inside the 18 once again, ending with a shot from Marlene that sailed over the cross bar.

The first half would end with another Devils scoring chance after a series of deflections pin-balled in the big box. Anna looked poised to get a big shot off from about 14 feet out, but the choppy turn in front of the goal mouth cruelly bit the Devils when the ball hit a divot and short hoped over her boot.

Hazel's punts were a strength

The Devils started the second half with the wind and a setting sun in their faces. Ajax employed a possession game that worked in their favor early. Blessed with some exceptional speed up front, Ajax tested the Devils mids and backs with a number of combination plays that often resulted in lateral runs.

Ajax had a talented striker on the left side that was able to work several scoring chances from that side after short combinations by the mids moved the ball up the left sideline. Lindsay adapted her game to the tactic and was able to recognize the play much sooner. This enabled the Devils to focus more attention on the midfield where Ajax was beginning to mount a strong push.

Hazel was forced to step up her game and made several stops on long lofting shots that got past the backs. She gave Ajax no second opportunities, gloving every shot, including a bullet that came from the left side in the 48th minute.

Game Positives –-

- Aggressive approach to the ball
- Took shots from distance
- Adapted to the opponents game

Development Areas --

- Playing the triangle from a defensive perspective
- Communication
- Playing the ball back to the goalie