STATE CUP round #1
The Wildcats travelled to Warren NJ to play the Watchung Hills Freedom for their first round game of State Cup. After two weeks of league play the two teams find themselves in a tie for first place, both with 2-0 records against different opponents, so it promised to be a tough game. The weather was surprisingly warm for late September, and was emphasized by playing on a very large artificial turf field.
Watchung demonstrated from the start that they were well skilled as they effectively moved the ball crisply around the field with short sharp passes. They had the Wildcats on their heels in the first ten minutes or so, until we started challenging a little harder for the ball. Once we managed to get the ball into the Freedom's defensive third, their defense had to really work hard to handle our wide-outs, Amy, Reb and Siobhan and forwards Jules, Paige and Hannah.
The game flowed from end to end, but neither team was putting a lot of pressure on either goal. Our defensive squad (Liz, Rachel, Bre, Bri, Chelsea and Andy) contained the Freedom's advances well with Lin only having to handle the ball once during the flow of play. Inside middies, Mattie and Syd worked hard, but the large field, back and forth flow of the game and quality play of the opposition didn't make their job easy.
After making some positional changes at the half, the second half continued similar to the first. As time went on though, both teams were getting more opportunities in front of net. The Wildcats were the more physical team, and perhaps were wearing on the Freedom a bit. After a good flurry in the Freedom's end a goal kick was awarded.. but on the insuing kick Jules darted to intercept the low drive just outside the box, and touched the ball onto her left foot and launched a near post drive from the edge of the box which beat the keeper and gave the Wildcats the lead.
The Freedom came back strong in the last ten minutes and challenged the defense hard.. we flexed a few times and were helped out by some good stops by second half keeper Bre, but we didn't break. The final whistle blew with the Wildcats leading 1-0; we now advance to play at home on Oct 13th against the winner of the Freehold Galaxy and the Wall Lizards.