July 6, 2008

Sirens Battle Back

Sirens  3   Portage Trail   3

Portage Trail thought the Brandon United Sirens were dead and buried.  They were down 3-0 on 3 goals in 20 minutes to open the second half after a scoreless first half.  Cue the comeback.  All the Sirens needed was for the door to open a crack and they kicked it down.  Breezy Thompson cooly converted a penalty kick on a Portage Trail handball to pull the score back to 3-1.  Next, Ashlea "The Earl Girl" deposited a free kick off the keeper's fingertips into the corner on the far post from 25 yards out.  With the final seconds ticking away, Shay "It's My Birthday" Wlock took a quick throwin, which was passed back (I'm sorry--I can't remember who passed it back--I was too excited) and Ash slotted it through a mass of players into the bottom left corner to bring the Sirens all the way back.

While the Sirens were clawing their way back into the game, Hattie "Stonewall" Melvin was making more key saves that kept us in the game.   Some excellent possession passing was on display.  We are improving but we need to be more consistant here.

The Sirens could have called it quits down 3-0 but showed great character in fighting back and never giving up.  An excellent team effort.  Well done.

July 5, 2008

Sirens Win On the Road

Sirens   3   Northern Lights   1

The Brandon United Sirens made their second trip of the year to Lansdowne Park, home to the Northern Lights, this time to take on the premiere side.  The back four of "Punch" Imlach, "Urshlea", "Ice" Stewart and "Crush" Dabbs-Fehr was spectacular all day, constantly soaking up pressure and clearing the danger.  The opposition back four was terrorized all afternoon by "Steamin" Heaman, whose speed struck obvious fear into the Northern Lights defenders as she took balls played up the middle to her.  The only way they could stop her was by pulling, pushing or fouling her.   The Siren goals would all come from withing 10 yards on this day, though.  "Mad Dog" Lyall, perfectly positioned at the far post, volleyed home a cross.  "Jazz" Duthie calmly headed a ball over the keeper with a defender on her back.  Kendra "Front Page" McKinney would cooly slot home a ball she won at the top of the goal crease.  Hattie needed to make a couple of key saves to keep NL at bay.  Breezy, Stanley and Alleycat (before being carted off early in the second half) handled the defensive mid duties.  Pops, Kendra and Jazzy played playmakers up the middle.  Shady and Madi held the fort at the wings.  The ball movement was ok at times, but we are still kicking it away too much   We can work on that, though.

Good weekend, girls.  We fought hard both games.  You have earned a week of practice with no shinpads to work off your soccer tans   We will be working on possession passing and making the space to make those passes.

Thanks to Shelley, our new team photographer !!!!!