Fall 2008 - MNJYSA game #6
Apparently the Wildcats game against Cranford was the only game played in the flight last (Columbus Day) weekend... so the lay-off of the other teams allowed the Wildcats' victory to vault them into first place in the flight. This was also a dangerous game, since our first encounter was the first game of the season, where we were at full strength and dominated on a hot day at home, whereas today the temperature was cold, the opponents might have missing players back and we had to travel over an hour to play on a surface (artificial turf) that we historically struggle on.
We lost the toss and started playing into the wind with the sun in Bri's eyes.. and played the early part of the game as if we playing up hill. The Wind's #5 tall center midfielder was being serviced from the back and creating opportunities for the S. Brunswick forwards, but our solid defense of Liz, Chelsea, Rachel, Andy and Lin stifled well to keep the ball away from Bri's goal. After about 20 minutes the Wildcars shifted the pressure to the Wind's end of the field, but couldn't produce any real threats against the opponent's goal, and the first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
The coaches had commented to our AR that our players (and us) couldn't tell the difference between the Wind's white shirts and the Wildcats' Carolina blue shirts, but they chose not to ask the home team to change into their yellow shirts at half time. At the break, the Wildcats commented that it was difficult to get under the ball on the artificial surface, so it was emphasized that the probing passes that split the defenders to the corner should work well to advance the bal,l and once advanced, to keep the pressure at the Wind's end of the field.
The second half started with the sun not as much a factor in the Wind's goalie's eyes since we started at 11:30am, but the w???ind was helping; blowing diagonally from right to left toward the S. Brunswick goal. The Wildcats defense and midfield continued to deny any scoring chances for the Wind as the game was primarily played between the 18's. On the 20 minute mark Amy took a throw in on the left side about 18 yards out to Jules who centered to Hannah, who shot quicky and was nicely blocked my the keeper, but it rebounded out right into the path of the on-rushing Jordan, who blasted the ball into the back of the net for the go-ahead score.
After the score the Wildcats started playing like the coaches know they can .. they moved the ball with first touches in traingles, and tore through S. Brunswick with 1-2's and passes to space and created shot after shot that were either saved by the well-positioned and technically sound Wind keeper, or went close for gola kicks. Eight minuted after Jordan;s strike, Paige fed Jules through on the left post side of the 18.. Jules took a step a BLASTED a rocket from about 16 yards with her right foot that went right through the keeper's hands, and gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead,
That second goal almost completely deflated the Wind, as the Wildcats continued to play possesion ball, but with less than two minues left they sent a ball to their left wing at the half, who collected well and drove towards the Wildcat goal with every dribble. Rachel was on her inside shoulder the whole way, and forced a weak toe-poke shot from at least 10 yards out from the left, but the dribbler eluded Bri and rolled in her near post to give S. Brunswick their first league goal of the season.
The game ended a minute later with a 2-1 Wildcats's win, and gave the Wildcats 2 points to maintain their 1st place position in the flight ahead of their clash next week against their rivals, ???????????the Flemington Cyclones
GO WILDCATS !!!