Fall 2009 Game 6 Photos

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10/17/09 Game Recap (2-1 Win)

Grace sweeps the ball

Playing the first half of their double header weekend, the Devils turned in a hard fought 2-1 win over the visiting Hollister Spirit at the Sunnyvale Soccer Complex on Saturday. Timely scoring combined with a solid defensive performance helped pace the Devils to their 5th win of the season, and second one-goal victory over the Spirit.

The Devils took the early initiative, pressing in the offensive zone with a series of nice passes. Akayla setup the Devils first scoring chance with a pretty diagonal feed to the right side, where Courtney chipped a shot to the Hollister keeper.

Courtney would get the Devils on the board at the 16 minute mark after Kelly slid a centering pass to her from the just past midfield. She would take the feed outside the box and cut toward the right post before shooting across her body and roofing the ball for the 1-0 lead.

The offense would put together another run 4 minutes later a pretty through ball that Courtney collected on the right side and sent another shot that was gloved by the Hollister keeper.

Ruhi at sweeper

The remainder of the half would be played in the Devils zone and Hollister would capitalize. The Spirit would turn up the heat, and convert on a play in the box right before half time. A series of passes ended with a cross along the top of the box that was slipped inside the left box.

Courtney put the Devils right back on top to start the 2nd half. Akayla sent a feed up the right side, where Courtney sent a rocket that caught the back of the Spirit net.

She would almost make it 3-0 seven minutes later by ringing a shot off the right post.

Marlene puts a shot on goal

The Devils backline was put to the test the last 15 minutes of the game. First, a Hollister forward would send a high arching shot in on net from 30 feet, that Audrey knocked down and was forced to pounce on in front of the goal.

That would be followed by a Wild exchange in front of Devils net with 5 to play. The Sunnyvale backs would weather the storm by clearing two chances.

The Spirit would get one final shot on goal with 3 minutes to play that sailed over the cross bar. A Hollister forward would get a huge foot on the ball, missing the crossbar by less than 3 feet.

Game Positives--

Head Balls: The midfielders and backs cleared several precarious situations with a series of solid head balls. On one sequence, the ball was headed three times before touching the ground. The girls are becoming more confident on directing the ball, especially with pressure.

Goal Kicks: One development area that the team has been steadily improving on is to generate some distance on their goal kicks.

Passing Combinations: Stringing together multiple passes, especially in tight quarters was very impressive during the game. The girls continue to improve on their passing, and are beginning to read each other well, which is translating in to better anticipation in terms of where to pass, and where to receive those passes.

Development Areas--

Clearing in Traffic: There was a dangerous tendency to try and dribble the ball out of danger when the ball was deep in the defensive zone. There is a need to work on situational ball handling / clearing.

Reacting to Off-side Traps: The Spirit setup defensive offside traps very well, and sucked the offense into several offside calls as a result. The forwards need to recognize this defensive strategy and better react.

Fall 2009 Game 1 Photos

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9/12/09 Game Recap (1-0 Win)

The Devils kicked off the 2009 Fall league season with a nail-biting 1-0 win over the Hollister Spirit on Saturday. The Devils picked up where they left off last spring, by taking another one-goal win from the Hollister club.

Defense was the theme of the day, as the Devils recorded their 9th shutout in league play. The Spirit were stifled all game by a defensive corps that allowed only two scoring chances on the day. Shivani, Sammie, Lindsay, Jess, Karsyn, Grace, Clara and Ruhi kept the ball out of their defensive zone for much of the game, and prevented any shots from reaching the keeper in the 2nd half.

On the offensive side of the ball, there were plenty of chances to score early in the game. Courtney started a parade to the net with a break that was knocked down by the Spirit keeper just 2 minutes into the contest. E would setup Christene with a beautiful cross 8 minutes later, but the shot attempt sailed just left of the goal.

Clara stood tall in goal in the first half, defending a big chance by Hollister with a glove save midway through the period.

The Devils had another chance right on the doorstep at the 15 minute mark, but the Spirit keeper made a nifty save to preserve the scoreless tie. The Devils would close out the opening half with one final break at the 21st minute that was snuffed out by another big save by the Spirit.

Marlene would finally break the stalemate in the 31st minute, by punching home a 20-foot shot from just outside the 12 yd box.

With the backs and midfielders supplying a steady stream of through balls, the forwards were allowed to throw one attack after another on the Spirit net.

Akayla sent a shot on goal with a chance from the doorstep at the 40 minute mark, after Audrey put a shot off the right post, but the Spirit keeper stood tall once again.

Game Positives--

Positional Passing: The girls continue to show more confidence in moving the ball, which is evident by the lateral and back passing. This is allowing them to setup attacks and retain possession more often than not.

Initiative: The strong midfield play was the direct result of the girl’s initiative to loose balls. The Devils took control of the field by winning the race to space, and in turn the ball.

Development Areas—

Quick Releases: Many of the scoring chances were stifled by our shooters holding onto the ball too long. This was particularly an issue within 10 yards of the goal. Part of this can be addressed by focusing on the placement of the ball off first touches.

Marking the Pass: Anticipating how the opposition will advance the ball is a skill that will benefit any soccer player. The girls can develop this by anticipating where a pass will be placed, and marking that spot ahead of time.

Early Intensity: The girls tend to feel out their opponent, before taking chances on the offensive side of the ball. We must encourage more intensity early in the game, in order to set the tone.