At this point in the season, this game was between the #1 and #2 teams in the division. Unfortunately, we came into this game with a series of unfortunate injuries and absences, half of which happened to be in the defense. We made several adjustments to bolster the defense while balancing the midfield and strikers. We had several individual standouts in the game, but just never seemed to click as a team on this cold gameday.
Alyssa Bolling aided the defense and played an extremely physical game on both ends. She added a goal off a well placed corner kick from Hannah Rhoades to give us the first lead. Shelby Watts made a good run into the attacking third and got dumped in the 18 yard box. Moments later, Hannah Huff would finish a penalty kick to give us our 2nd and last goal of the game. Kelsey Beach anchored the defense as we were forced to play a little more lean than normal under certain circumstances. Emily Loza played a physical game forcing several turnovers on the outside lane, while Hannah Rhoades contributed several flighted balls into the attacking third including one that rebounded off the crossbar and missed being a goal by mere inches.
Our main issue in this game came from the Gators star striker. Basically placing herself with the last defenders and waiting for thru-ball passes. The Gators only managed about 35% possession time with fewer than half the shots on goal as us...but they converted 3 of them into goals. It was a very competitive game overall...but definitely one we could have won. Tied 2-2, we got caught in transition between our 3-4-3 formation (to push for goal) and converting back to our 4-3-3 formation (to defend/balance). The Gators striker took the ball with a defender on her heels and finished one on us with minutes left in the game.
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