Game #8

Neither team was able to get much going in the early going, with only a single shot on goal coming before the first half water break, coming off the foot of the Cougars. Midway through the latter part of the opening half the Sharks got their first shot on net, on a play where the attacking forward was able to run past the Cougars defenders. When the Durant keeper came out to challenge, the Riverview player was able to get behind her and make an easy shot to take an early 1-0 lead. It took ten minutes before the next shot on net, but this one came off the foot of a Cougars player after the Sharks couldn't clear the ball from the front of their net, leading to a kick over the Sharks keep from in close, knotting the score at 1-1. Riverview stormed back, however, answering with their second goal of the half moments later, on a nearly identical play as their first goal, with the keeper coming out to challenge and the Sharks attacker getting behind for the easy goal. That 2-1 lead would hold until halftime.

Durant controlled the action in the early part of the second half, and they opened the scoring on their second shot following another play where the Riverview players couldn't clear the ball from the zone in front of the net, resulting in another high kick that sailed over the Sharks keepers outstretched arms, tying the score at two goals apiece. Late in the half Jayden was racing across the field in pursuit of a Cougars attack, and when she went to make a cut her knee gave out and she went to the ground. The trainer came out to the field, and I ended up heading down to the field to meet her once she made it to the sideline. Thankfully there was no muscle or ligament damage done, but the injury ended her day. She had to be helped off the field, but said she'd walk to the opposite sideline to join her team on the bench, but thankfully the trainer convinced her to make the ride on the golf cart instead. While we were on the sideline discussing the injury with the trainer, play resumed. Unfortunately I missed the third Durant goal, but they had a 3-2 lead when I got back into the stands to rejoin Tara. Durant would add another goal later in the half, this time with theirs following suit of the two Riverview goals - get past the defense and beat the challenging keeper for an easy shot into the net. That goal would end the scoring, with the game coming to an end with the score 4-2 in favor of the Cougars.

Nice start to the game, but not a great second half - for the team or Jayden. Better luck next time ladies!