The girls hadn’t played in an actual game in over a week when they played Highlands on October 6th. It showed. Most would agree the Highlands game was the team’s best game of the year. On the other hand, most would also agree that for most of tonight’s game, it was the girls’ worst game of the year.
The team came out flat. They were outplayed by Villa but the score was knotted at zeros at half-time. My compliments to Villa defense. Their sweeper and keeper were absolutely nails tonight.
The Pioneers fell behind when a ball hit by #11 climbed out of the reach of Stacy Lankheit and found the top of the net. Things would get worst for SK. At about the mid-point of the second half, the Blue Lightning was awarded a penalty kick that was drilled for the 2-0 lead. The Lady Eers didn’t panic but definitely brought a sense of urgency to the table. SK finally woke up and scored when Ali Ponzer scored from the left side of the 18.
There is an old saying that the most dangerous goal in soccer is 2-1 for the mental aspect of the game. SK gave Villa a dose of that reality. An SK player (Sorry, I missed who it was) took a shot that hit the cross bar went down towards the left side of the net, actually hit the side of the net and rolled about 18 inches across the goal line. A SK player tangled with the goal keeper and the keeper was able to push the ball out of the net. The referee was blocked out by the entangled players and signaled corner kick. However, the assistant referee ran to the 18 without a signal. That is the indication to the referee that they have seen the ball cross the goal line. The referee then went over and conferenced with the AR and then pointed towards the center of the field which means a restart and a goal. The game is now tied. I was standing near the goal and clearly saw the shot travel into the side of the net and beyond the goal line. The referees did a nice job of officiating and getting the right call. I didn’t get a picture of the goal but I did get a picture of a Villa girl burying her head into her hands. She had the same look I did where the ball went over the goal line.
Right after the tying goal, Villa sent a ball for the corner flag for one of their wing players. Aris Kuntz won the ball and played it up to Krista Russell. Krista got enough touches on the ball, wound up for a shot and connected. SK goes up for the final score of 3-2 with about 5 minutes to go. The Lady Pioneers held on for the win and dodged a last minute bullet on a direct free kick just a few yards out of the box.
SK had way more possessions and sets than Villa. They just didn’t always use their opportunities that could have maximized their scoring chances. They held onto the ball when they should have shot or passed, shot when they should have passed or chipped and didn't run through the ball all the time when the opportunity presented itself in order to pressure the defense. The biggest thing they are going to need to do if they are going to advance in the post season is win balls out of the air. Teams that let balls bounce on the ground or put a shin guard trap that causes the ball to bouce wildly have an uphill road on winning post-season tournaments. They simply need to not be afraid to put thier heads on the ball. Everything that they know they need to do. This team is definitely capable of winning another regional title if they can do these little things right and play as a unit.
The girls advance to the regional tournament with the win. They will be looking for their consecutive district title when they play the Scott/Dixie winner on Saturday at 4:30 at Dixie.
Boy’s Game
The boys team fell by a score of 4-2. It was a game where the boys played very hard but came up short. Calvary took the first lead of the game on a PK and it seemed to set the tone for the entire game. Calvary took a 2-0 lead into the first half as a player running out of the back got beyond the SK defense for a goal. Some wanted an offsides call but it was not to be.
SK came out at the beginning of the second half and said a cheer on the field that could have been heard at the Crestview Town Center. They put all kinds of pressure on the Villa Keeper and on a ball that ricocheted all over the box went in for a goal kick. Score now 2-1. Calvary wasn’t comfortable with that and scored shortly after to go up 3-1. At that point, you could sense some air coming out of the Pioneers as the team started getting down.
SK got a boost when Calvary was whistled for a foul in the box. Tyler Blau struck a perfect ball beyond the guessing keeper. Score now 3-2. SK got some good scoring chances but like the girls, failed to capitalize. Calvary didn’t stand pat and scored on a beautiful cross that was volleyed in for the 4th and final goal.
Game over and a lot of disappointed faces in blue. I wish good luck to a huge group of senior boys who played their last game tonight. You are one of the hardest working teams in the athletic program and give it your all every time you step on the field. What you might not have in talent, you always seemed to make-up in effort. You were a fun team to watch. The President’s Cup win this year will be something you will remember for a very, very long time. Thanks boys.
Celebrating the first lead of the game.
The go-ahead goal leaves Krista's foot.
Cool sequence.
Terrible picture but here's what a Villa Player did after the ball rolled across the goal line. She saw what I saw. The call was controversial because the referee didn't see it but the AR saw the ball across the line and made the right call.
No comments:
Post a Comment