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