Match Report: UC v's Pikeville College

A great exponent of the American College Soccer season is that there is always a fast turnaround between games. Loosing to Shawnee State hurt, but we knew that we had little time to dwell on this, and we had to look forward to our next game against Pikeville College. Another conference game meant that we had to be up and ready to play. Conference games are never easy, and they are a true test of physical as well as emotional capabilities.
    Going into the game I felt confident we could have the performance and get the result we have been looking for. As we started the game it was clear that we would dominate possession as usual. As with most teams in the conference Pikeville look to play simple yet effective soccer. Our main aim is ball retention, and as we started the game we showed that we have the capability to do this effectively, just as we have against every other team this season. As we pushed to get that opening goal we created several chances that were well dealt with by the Pikeville goalkeeper.  As we battled against both Pikeville and the wind in the first half we knew we had to keep pushing on in search of the goal we needed. Sadly that goal didn’t come before the break, and for all the pressure we had applied, we went into the half tied 0-0.

    The half time talk discussed our aim to continue our retention of the ball, and to get an early goal in the half and then kill the game off. With the wind on our side we knew that we would have an advantage, but we also knew that our overall quality must continue to shine through.

    The second half started very much like the first. We controlled the ball when in possession, and did a great job of closing down play and cutting of passing lanes when defending. As we pushed on for the opening goal however, we began to show a lack of patience. It is always hard when dominating games not to get your reward for it, and the longer the games goes on the more desperate you become for that reward. But it is the bet teams that show composure throughout, and just to look at some of the greatest teams in history, their defining moments come by beating teams in the late stages of games.
   
    Thankfully we didn’t have to wait that long as we continued to pressure, the ball eventually finding Toni Dempsey’s feet as she majestically put the ball into the top corner from the top of the box. As with the game against Shawnee I felt that once we had scored once we would go on and open the flood gates, but this was tampered by a resilient Pikeville, who showed that hard work and graft is a major factor in soccer and life. As the game was coming drawing to a close, I was comfortable with the 1-0 lead we had built. Autumn Williams our goalkeeper was yet to be tested in the second half and we had dominated play. But as I have said to the players several times over the course of the season 99% concentration will lead to 100% failure, and in the 88th minute we made a simple mistake which gifted the ball to Pikeville in out final third and they duly struck the ball home to tie the game.

    After the unfortunate results we have had this season it was like one final kick in the teeth. we had again dominated possession and the game and it seemed like we were destined for overtime. As the final second ticked off the scoreboard we got the ball forward and found Ana Derrico who found herself clear through with only the goalkeeper to beat. With so much time to make a decision it is often times difficult to convert such chances, however Ana picked her spot and put the ball high across the keeper into the back of the net. Illation and relief was etched across each players face, as well as my own. We had 30 seconds left to play and we had battled back through adversity to get the result we deserved.

    As always, I am proud of the team I coach and the school I represent. There will always be bumps in the road, and the season has not gone in the direction we have wanted. What we must do is continue to learn and develop as soccer players, coaches, and most importantly individuals. We must push on and finish the season on our own terms, gaining the results we want, and sending a clear message of our future intent. This is a program heading in the right direction. both on and off the field we strive to be the best we can be, to be role models in our community, and to give back everything that we have been so blessed to have.