Midland Tournament Results

The Midland tournament was a good proving ground for us. All four opponents are MSPSL premier league A teams. The quality of the matches was excellent and I think we demonstrated a high caliber of competence at this early stage of the season, though there were some lessons learned also.

Game # 1 vs. Midland Fusion (Home team)
Lady Warriors 1 Fusion 0

This game was excellent from beginning to end. 70 minutes of skill, determination, and team work. We played this team last year in a heated contest that ended in some player ejections. Alyssa Bolling scored the winning goal in last year's game...and opened this year's game in similar fashion, beating their keeper with a nice rip when she framed the net off a pass from Meggy. We adjusted several times to keep their star player in check, and played the remainder of the game as a good balance between patient defense and well setup attacks built on possession. Finishing continued to plague us in this contest though...we registered 19 shots on goal (7 of them quality shots) and 4 corner kicks but only walked away with 1 in the net.

Game #2 vs. RSSC Lightning
Lady Warriors 0 Lightning 3

This is a game I would like to rewind time and play again. We played 60 minutes of good soccer and made intelligent adjustments to counteract a very speedy and skilled front line that RSSC had. Unfortunately, the games are 70 minutes long. We allowed penetration on two central runs early in the first half by the forwards on the RSSC team that setup shots on net. The shots were not neccessarily that good, but we had some obvious screening of the keeper issues that resulted in us being down 2-0 fairly early. The keeper must take control of the goalbox and set the tempo for the rest of the team in these situations. The second half of the game saw us take control. We controlled possession, out shot the RSSC team, and built up an attack throughout the half based on controlled possession and dangerous runs. We were a very different team in the second half.

Game #3 vs. Gross Pointe Breakers
Lady Warriors 1 GPSA Breakers 2 (PK)

This was a well fought contest by both teams...unfortunately it was decided in the end by the referee instead of the players on the field. GPSA came out very aggressive and determined in the first half. Their front line sported one player that required several adjustments by us to counteract (switching between speed with Meggy and muscle with Alyssa to mark her). GPSA had a slight advantage in possession in the first half and got a number of strikes on our net (outshot us 8-2 in the first half). However, our defensive rotation led by Kelsey Beach and including Shellie Marentette, Emily Mayer, Faith Lieder, and Aimee Jackson (along with the marking players of Meggy or Alyssa) held them off. Katie Ging made some spectacular early saves in the game to help keep the GPSA attack at bay. Hannah Huff and Shelby Watts combined before the half to put us up going into the break on a nice strike from Hannah. The second half was much more even and a true pleasure to behold. The offense pressed the back line of the Breakers relentlessly... long runs by Shelby Watts, deep penetration and goaline crosses by Andrea Dumais, central penetration by Meggy McConkey, flighted balls into the danger zone by Hannah Rhoades, and longer driven shots from outside the 18 by Hannah Huff. As beautiful as it was to behold...it did not result in a single goal. GPSA setup a counterattack, caught us out of position, forced us to chase them into our own 18...and just like that it was tied. The remaining 15 minutes or so were pretty balanced between us. The final two minutes of the game a penalty was called just outside of our 18 yard box...however the referee allowed the dive and landing spot of the GPSA player to set the point of the foul and they were awarded a penalty kick in the waning moments of the game. It was a very disappointing way to end a great contest on both sides.

Game #4 vs. NMSC Lightning (Rivalry game...lol)
Lady Warriors 1 Lightning 1

We have had so many well played and heated games with this team, that aside from Clarkston, we consider them our rivals. We showed up ready to send these guys home with a whooping. Funny thing about whoopings...you actually have to follow through on them. We out possessed this team by about 90-10 in the first 35 minutes, recorded 8 shots on goal in addition to 5 corner kicks, and just outplayed them in general. Hannah Huff registered our only goal for the half on an unassisted finish in front of the net after winning the ball on a failed corner kick attempt. Even the NMSC coaches admit they have no idea how they survived the barrage...but they did. The second half was much more balanced and more akin to our past contests. NMSC built their confidence on some early saves by their GK, connected some passes, and then started turning up field and striking on us. Our defense continued to prove their mettle and turned away most attacks. A turnover deep in our defending third led to NMSC's only goal...but it was the only one they needed to dig out a tie in a game they know they should have lost.

Summary

Like I said in the beginning, it was a good competitive weekend. Finishing our shot attempts, mainly by placement choices, and working more aggressively to finish set play opportunities (corner kicks and free kicks) are the keys to putting more goals on the board. We worked so hard to lockdown the defensive third, control the midfield, and setup opportunities...that when we fail to finish the ball it becomes a drag on our confidence. Jonathon and I are working on some more finishing activities...but like I've said before...scoring is more of an attitude...knowing that you are going to put the ball in the net and placing the responsibility of stopping you on the defenders and goalkeepers of the opposing teams is the key.

A standout player from the weekend that did not get mentioned in the game recaps was Erin Castillo. She played with intensity all weekend long at the outside midfield spot, winning several balls and combining with team members on some exciting plays. She even contributed half a game as goalkeeper in our RSSC encounter...registering a shutout in her 35 minutes of play in the second half.

Next weekend is the Romeo Peachfest. Practices are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at Rotary Park from 6:30pm - 8:00pm.