Home vs. Sooke

Gorge Canadians Battle Sooke for a 2-2 Tie

Today's game was a very close game against a much improved Sooke team (compared to last year). Sooke had some fairly large girls that were tough to get the ball from, and a couple of fast girls who could carry the ball skillfully and finish well. Our old team mate Emma was on Sooke's team and played very well at defense. It was nice to see her (and her mom Jane).

Play throughout the game was fairly even (50/50) but we opened up the scoring with another of Erin's long shots. She shot from about 20-25 yards out and it slipped through the keepers hands only to trickle into the net. Goooooaaalllll!

Sooke was not to be disheartened by the goal and added an equalizer near the end of the second half. Their top player (#7) ran down the right wing and beat our defender and placed a very nice goal by Paige (making her dive for the very low shot).

In the second half Jennifer replaced Paige in net and it was quite apparaent that we missed her midfield skills as Sooke started to penetrate our midfield quite a bit. However, our defense were able to stop Sooke's attack before they could take any close shots.

In the mid-half, again the fast/skilled Sooke player broke down our right side with the ball and blew by our defense and this time placed a very nice shot in the upper part of the goal (Jennifer did not have much chance on that one). The rest of the game saw Sooke trying to score a go-ahead goal only to be denied by our defense. Sooke's push forward opened up the mid-field and created a number of near breakaways and 3 vs. 2 for Gorge. We finally capitalized with about 7 minutes left in the game on a nice passing play between Taylor, Kaitlin and Cara. Cara took a nice shot on net and Kaitlin was attacking the goal and was able to "pick up the scraps" and put the ball in the back of the net.

The final 5 minutes saw many chances at both ends ... a very exciting (stressful) last five minutes!!

Some standout plays and players for todays game...

• Kaitlyn Hughson ... excellent midfield play today especially marking their top player. Good tackles, transition from defense to offence. Kaitlyn was also seen taking a good left foot shot on net and passing with her left foot
• Alanna on defense ... nothing got by her today (or at least by her in a dangerous spot) - those that did get by her were taken out of the centre of the field by Alanna to the sidelines. Alanna was also completing a number of long passes up the wing to our midfield which is very nice to see.
• Kaitlin Minnvielle - great midfield play and counter attacking.
• Paige in goal and Jenn backing her up. Thanks Jenn! The two goals they got were both good goals and because we did not stop their players further up the field.
• Taylor's confidence with the ball is building ... she even took on someone 1 v1 today
• Our passing is improving ... way to go girls! Maybe those passing practises are working?!

Some other notes...

• A near goal by Lauren created by her taking on the Sooke defender head-to-head and stealing the ball from her and taking a hard shot just missing the net.
• Some smart playing by Cara at forward - she is watching the offside calls.
• A couple of girls were placed in new positions today to try them out ... Olivia at midfield today and Heather on forward.
• I think we missed Joslyn at midfield today ... with the extra midfielder it allows me to move some players around.
• We looked very sharp out there with our new 50th Anniversary Jerseys.

Some things to work harder on ...

• First to the ball!
• Closing down attackers further up the field --> don't let the come down to the defense.
• More shots on net ... we must take them a bit closer to the net (patience).
• More talking between ourselves on the field.
• Keep facing the ball - not turning our backs on the ball.