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Last updated
05-21-09 06:54 AM
 
Green Hope Falcons
Webmaster
2500 Carpenter-Upchurch Road
Cary, North Carolina
27519
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Green Hope Falcons vs |
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Sanderson Spartans |
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Game Played 5/19/2009 6:30PM
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Falcons survive against Sanderson, 3-0; advance to 4th round
This was a tough match. I think the ladies were not quite ready for the level of fight received, in fact, I know they weren't. Sanderson really hit us hard this match, and for a good portion of the game, and most of the first half, they outworked us. Sanderson's movement and anticipation was as good as any team we've played, particularly up front. As a result, we looked a step slow and a tad sloppy, and they looked crisp and quick. Don't get me wrong, the ladies played hard throughout, but Sanderson came in poised for the upset.
In the beginning, we were on our heels. Our passes were not getting to our targets because of the anticipation and speed of Sanderson. Our defense was having problems due to a central mid pushing though and into the front line, without us tracking her back properly. It was this run that lead to a foul in the box, giving Sanderson a penalty kick. However, as she did all night, Morgan Burk stepped it up and stopped the kick. That gave us some momentum to get our attack going, or at least moving better, which led to our first of only two corner kicks. On this one, Ashley Stokes hit a beautiful strike to the far post, where Rachel Wells volleyed it in.
The second half saw us come out a bit better, and had more movement, and better marking of the midfield. Rachel Wells played wonderfully in the defense, as did her fellow defenders. Michaela Clark and Haley Patsey ran with their outside speed, allowing Haley Rafols to rove a bit and cover. Caitlin Messina was everywhere, and saved us on more than one occasion by racing back to cover up for a missed mark. Emily Dunn spelled her, and kept the defense going towards our shutout, the 3rd in 3 playoff games.
In the last 15 minutes, we finally started flowing offensively, and when we did, the results were immediate. Keris Evans got the ball to Ashely Stokes, who created a chance and slammed home a shot from around the 18 yard line. We went a bit defensive, pulling a forward for a defender, but the offense kept going. Ashley Shaffer, again from a Keris Evans assist, finished one of her own from about 20 out. It made the score 3-0, but anyone at the game realizes that it was much closer than that.
But the hero of the night was Morgan Burk. She was simply outstanding, and all 9 of her saves were of the highlight reel variety. That may have been the greatest performance ever for a Green Hope keeper. She is the reason we are moving on.
The theme in the playoffs is survive and advance, and even though we did not play our best, we survived. Every team in every playoffs have one match that they didn't play their top game, and if they can get past it, they are in good shape. We need to be sharp against our next opponent, Leesville, who are the defending state champs and undefeated this season. We will play them at Green Hope, in what should be a great game.
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