Team Resolve Prevails in 2012
Goal to Get Back to the Cup Final Began with 2011 Contest
May 13, 2012 was officially Mother's Day but it also was two days short of the one year anniversary of the 2011 State Cup Final -- a game the Blast fell short by a count of 0-1. What struck me on that day is that through the adversity and the hurt of not qualifying for Regionals, the team was incredibly poised. Nobody blamed teammates, the officiating, or even the meadow that they played upon during a very wet day. Instead I heard the kids talk about how they would be back next year. Wow! Although the 2011 medals would forever say "Finalist", the 2012 championship outcome was already being pieced together by the girls who came up one goal short.
Fast forward to the 2012 Final. The opponent is a worthy CUP Crew Jrs Gold squad who plays the game alot like the Blast -- with respect and grit. Like in 2011, it is wet but the track is mowed this time. The 90 minute contest ebbs and flows with both teams having some good chances but neither team can strike for a goal. Then the unthinkable happens. A goal by CUP early in the first OT. It is 0-1 (just like last year). The girls are visibly tired but they are running to fetch balls that travel beyond the endlines and sidelines to buy every precious second of play. Nobody on the pitch is critical of teammates. The Blast sideline is on their feet and the ultimate champions of this match, the few that did not see a single minute on the field, are supporting their mates in an attempt to will them on. The first OT ends.
The second OT begins but something is wrong. The 15 minute period is racing by but the girls are still on the short end of a 0-1 score. The Blast push the defense up to create offensive chances which results in some scary run outs by CUP when the field gets switched. A near miss by the Crew keeps the Red one behind. There are some promising shots by the Blast girls in the second OT but none can find the net. Then a long strike by our center back gets defelected by the goalie. A corner is awarded. The kick floats towards the backside of the 18. G-O-A-L!!! The CUP team slumps to the turf. The whistle blows. Just like in 2010, the Final will be decided by PKs.
CUP wins the toss and converts on their first three kicks and the CUP keeper makes a save. The Blast are on the ropes again. Down 2-3 with two kickers remaining. The fourth CUP kicker is just wide right and the Blast take advantage by making their kick. It is 3-3. The fifth CUP kick hits the post and bounces away. The U17s are a kick away from becoming 2012 champions. A goal they established way back in May of 2011. Guess what happened???
DRAMATIC WIN!!! BLAST ARE 2012 STATE CUP CHAMPIONS
Late OT Goal and PKs Decide U17 Final
CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND
Blast Advance to 4th Straight State Cup Final
The Red earned their fourth consecutive State Cup Final berth after a 4-3 semifinal win against CSA 94 Elite. The Blast jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead and had numerous other opportunities in controlling the offensive pressure across the pitch. With 30 minutes left in the match, the girls had added two more strikes and looked like they would win going away as they led 4-0. The problem was that nobody told CSA of the plan. The Elite scratched for three unanswered goals in the final half and the Blast held on for a 4-3 win. The victory sets up a CBus vs Cincy final against CUP Crew Jrs Gold on Sunday -- the first time that has happened in four years.
Red Off to Quick Start in MRL
No Goals Allowed Through Two Games
As has become typical of the Blast over the last few years, the girls regrouped following some adversity in Vegas and put the next prize in their sights. Determined to compete for the MRL crown, the U17's turned back a tough Javanon team 1-nil in the MRL opener for both teams. At the Blue Chip in Oxford, the girls secured their second MRL shutout of the young season in turning back Carmel 2-0. A game against Hammer FC was rescheduled due to weather. No makeup date has yet been announced.
