Awesome job Katie! Shut-out, stopped PK, solid play all night long!
Before I describe this game, I wanted to recognize Katie for her outstanding performance tonight...worthy of upfront recognition. Katie had an answer for everything Huron Valley threw at her (and even the things the officials tossed her way). Good job.
A very frustrating game to say the least. We played very well in the first half...almost too well it would seem. 11 shots on goal with 5 of them being 1-on-1 with the keeper or quality shots. While the HV goalkeeper (a former Warrior) played well, we made her look better by putting shots right to her or by missing open net opportunities after we had beat the defense and the keeper in some instances. Control of simple passing options hurt from time to time, but there were solid stretches of good ball control and well set up strikes on net. Unbelievably, we went to the half 0-0.
We decided to unbalance the HV defense and concentrate on sewing up the middle of the field (which is where HV had set up the few counterstrikes they put together on us). We switched to a 4-2-4 formation putting a big emphasis on outnumbering the defense and consolidating the midfield with the outside defenders forming their shape (by pushing a player on the strong side) to fill in for the wide midfielder. We ran this formation for about 10 minutes and then worked back into the 4-3-3 when we saw them drop a forward back into the defensive midfield spot to try and counter the number of attacking players. In the midst of them switching again to adjust, Shelby Watts made a great run into the box with the ball unassisted and struck on net. The goalkeeper actually saved the first attempt, but Shelby stayed with the attack and put the rebound in.
This was an aggressive and physical game on both sides. In and of itself, that is fine. We can handle a rougher game...and even tend to like it. Huron Valley was getting desparate to score a goal and we were conversely stepping up to prevent that. However, the official starting calling a tight game...but mainly against us (in my opinion). Even though HV racked up an impressive number of yellow cards (2), it paled in comparison to the obvious focus he was placing on us (3 yellow cards and 1 red). He also awarded an unusually high number of free kicks, corner kicks, and even a PK for what most at this level would consider incidental contact. I want to thank everyone for keeping their cool (as much as possible) and gritting it out. It was getting way too predictable. I did stay after the game and have a very lengthy discussion with the officials. While I am not sure how much of my feedback got through, I do plan to let the state know about how this game was called.
Lesson learned from this game relating to officals for the players. When you are on the field, you are a player not a referee. You are encouraged to question calls in a respectful manner when you do not understand...but do not get emotional or talk back to the referee. In this case, this main official considers that unsporting behavior and it continued to color his calls against us for most of the night. You have to continue to play hard, but when we have the lead...settle down, focus on possession and controlling the clock. Don't do anything to put the fate of the game in the official's hands. Even incidental contact becomes a penalty when the focus is on you (especially certain players that he can point out by number). HV was awarded a PK on a defensive battle in the far end of the 18 yard box for exactly this issue. As stated previously however, Katie had the answer to this PK in the form of a punch over the crossbar (yay).
This game saw the return of Meggy McConkey to the line-up for those that having been following her progress. We are glad to have Meggy back from her injury. The rest did her well and she looks game fit once again.
We will close out our September schedule this Wednesday against the Michigan Sting, and look to finish the second half of the season in October in similar statistical fashion as the first half.
Go Warriors!
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