Development Player League Game #14

With only 11 girls at the game, Jayden got the start on defense today, and she (and her teammates) obviously played the whole game. The first half was a slow, slogging affair, as neither team generated much offense. In fact, there was only one shot on goal prior to the first water break, and it resulted in the lone goal of the first half. The Hawks goalkeeper came out to play the ball but was just a touch late, and the Rangers player was able to fire a pass across to a teammate who kicked the ball into a wide open net. Coming out of the water break, each team managed two shots on goal, but none of them were successful. The half would end with the Hawks trailing 1-0, but in the game despite being outmanned.

The second half didn't get off to a good start, as the Rangers used their fresh legs to run up and down the field. They opened the scoring early in the half, as they got out to a 3-on-1 breakaway and when the lone defender headed to the ball the attacking player made an easy pass to a teammate who once again had a wide open net to score into. A short while later the Rangers would score again, this one on a short, high kick that just squeezed over the outstretched arms of the Hawks keeper, making it a 3-0 game. Not longer after that goal, the Rangers were awarded a corner kick, and while the initial defense on the kick was good, they managed to maintain possession and another high shot was fired at the net. This time the Hawks keeper got her hands on the ball, but not enough to keep it from hitting the back of the net and giving the Rangers a 4-0 lead. Before the second half water break hit, the Rangers scored once more, this time on a long kick from well outside the 18-yard box that the Hawks goalkeeper misjudged, resulting in a 5-0 score. Thankfully the Rangers didn't score again after the water break, despite some good looks. The Hawks keeper made a few good saves, preventing the score from getting any worse. Better luck next time, girls...