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Falcons rebound for big win; blank Jordan, 2-0
This was one of the most rewarding wins I have ever been involved in at Green Hope. Though we were missing 8 players to the Vegas tournament, the ladies got back to the way Green Hope teams are expected to play. The ladies stepped up on this night, and while playing some new positions, finally came to play.We started the game with 3 defenders playing midfield positions, but did have our starting defense on the field. We were concerned about getting the needed offensive punch, as we have had some difficulties finishing this year. We also started a new defensive formation, making sure we had Shea Reynolds playing a supporting role in the defense. We went in hoping to hold the score down, looking to spring a goal and then hold on. But the way we were playing, we changed tactics in the second half. In the first half, we only had 4 shots, as did Jordan. We did a good job of defending in that half, but we couldn't get behind their defense. Our midfield was controlling the play, and our defense kept any real dangerous chances from developing. The ladies were playing with passion, and working as hard as they could. When the players came off, they were exhausted, as they should be. It was great to get back to the level of hustle we are used to. At halftime, we changed our tactics, which allowed us to get off 14 shots. Another great thing about this game, unlike the previous game, is that the ladies listened to the halftime adjustments, and tried to make the changes on the field. We stopped trying to exclusively through ball to Keris Evans and Grace Hamashima, and had them check back to the ball, and take on the defenders one on one, directly to goal. Grace Hamashima, within 3 minutes did just that, beat 3 defenders and got off a shot that went just wide. The team adjusted beautifully. On defense, Shea Reynolds kept things organized despite many personnel changes. Haley Rafols and Emily Dunn moved to different spots, and played their best games yet. Carly Blaeser gave good minutes at right back, along with Marie Morrissette who filled in at centerback. Defenders Michaela Clarke and Olivia Meek controlled the outside midfield positions, and even gave us good flank attacking play, getting several crosses into the box. Rachel Wells went up to defensive central midfield, and looked good there, allowing her to get more involved in the offense. Rachel was able to control the center defensively, and got herself 3 shots as well. Danielle Janick played well at outside midfield, and we need to use her extensively at all midfield positions. Cameron Lasater, who was under the weather, and Meghan Shea, came off the bench to fill in for the starters tonight, and allowed us to keep up pressure while resting players. Morgan Burk got herself her 2nd shutout of the season, and played well both with making saves and communicating/organizing the defense. Maria Rodriguez played a 2nd straight dominate game, playing the role of workhorse in the center of the park. Even with the calls going against her, she was composed and calm. She also did a wonderful job of setting up the forwards. Finally, the work of Evans and Hamashima was wonderful. Keris Evans played "cheeky" tonight, including a great flick over top the defense on goal. Her speed and cutting broke down Jordan's defense repeatedly, and it allowed her to do most of the work for the first goal. She broke through the defense, and with several players converging on her, slotted it across to Grace, who placed it home. Grace Hamashima also tore it up once she started going straight to goal, rather than side to side. She stole the ball on the extreme right flank, 30 yards out, ran past the whole defense, then flew across the goal, finishing perfectly in the final 2 minutes. Both earned minutes in future games. The ladies showed tonight that it wasn't about any one player, but what you can do as a team with the right work rate and right attitude. I hope we can take that same attitude into Monday's game against Middle Creek (weather allowing), the start of our conference season. As of that game, they start to count, and we are going in with the momentum we need. |
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