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.