Going into our game with Asbury University it was hard to believe it was to be our final game of the season. As a team we have come so far, and yet the time since that first training session in August seems to have gone by so quickly. For myself and all the players it was the harsh reality that this was to be it for our 2012 season.
With this said, we wanted to make the most of the occasion. We felt as though we could win the game, and we wanted to finish the season on a good note. Though often times this season the results have gone against us, what we have built and will continue to build over the coming months and years is impressive. We are not a team that likes to lump the ball forward and chase it down field. We are a team who enjoys and embraces possession of the ball and a team that aim to control the game this way. In my opinion there are far too many teams who go for been effective in their execution of their game plan, and yet their game plan does not teach them anything about soccer. Soccer is a spectacle, it is to be enjoyed by players and spectators alike, and this is what we as a team are trying to bring to the University. If we play the right way, the results will come.
As with every game this season we wanted to gain control of the game early through our possession. Sadly, we came out flat and again conceded a goal within the opening minutes of the game. Whether a lack of focus or desire within these opening few minutes it is something we must curtail going forward.
As the game progressed we began moving the ball well, getting it into wide areas and linking up well with the center midfielders. The main focus of practice over the past week has been patience, and this is most important when we are in the oppositions final third. We must learn to find the right opportunity’s when in this area and then capitalize on these chances. As it turned out this happened within five minutes of the Asbury goal, with Michelle Bailey putting the ball in the back of the net after a ball from Kim Robinson.
For the rest of the half we controlled the game well, moving the ball effectively and drawing Asbury out in order to create chances. There was no better example of this than the passing that brought about our second goal. As we moved the ball from side to side, the ball found Toni Dempsey’s feet, who in turn slipped the ball into Kim Robinson’s path, and she duly executed.
As the half wore on Asbury did work their way back into the game slightly, though our defense stayed resolute. None more so than Ginger Johnson who was outstanding throughout the game and the season. With this display we entered halftime with the score 2-1 in our favor and the optimism we could kill the game off early in the second half.
The half time talk discussed a few tactical aspects and also the fact that we had control over the game. We knew that only we could win or lose the game, and the only chances Asbury would have would be chances that we gave them. Focus was called for, and again patience in and around the final third. We felt an early goal for us would kill the game off.
The second half started exactly as the first, and unfortunately this meant an equalizing goal for Asbury. Goals are always hard to take, but when we control the game and allow teams opportunities it makes it even harder. Throughout the second half we struggled to get any fluid passing going. Part of the reason for this was Asbury’s pressure defensively, but a lot had to do with our lack of patience to build the play up and create quality opportunities. The times we did show patience proved that the game plan is effective, the only problem being we failed to hit the back of the net, and hit the post and the crossbar on several occasions.
Another goal did come in our favor on the 67 minute mark, as Victoria Paynter found the ball in the box and scored her second goal in two games. I really felt once this had gone in that the flood gates would open and we would go on and win the game comfortably. We created several more chances that we could have taken but that next goal never came. As I had said at halftime, the only chances Asbury would have would be chances we gave them, and in the 74th minute this is just what happened, gifting Asbury the goal to tie the game 3-3.
The final 15 minutes of the game saw chances for both teams. As we pushed to find the goal that would clinch the game for us, we often left ourselves exposed at the back. With some great saves from Autumn Williams, and recoveries from our defense we were able to keep the score level and head into overtime.
Overtime is more about belief and desire than it is about skill and quality. With tired legs and exhausted minds, players must remain focused on the job at hand. We felt as though we could win the game, looking to go out and get the golden goal we needed for the win. The first 10 minutes was a stalemate, with both teams creating but unable to finish. As the second 10 minutes ensued we again wanted to find that goal to finish of our season with a win. As we got a corner in the second minute of the 10 Ana Derrico leapt and steered the ball goal-wards with her head. Though it was probably less than a second the ball seemed to take an eternity to find the net, but find the net it did. The game was over, we had won, and we had finished our season on a high we deserved.
The emotions were fierce. The joy of winning were quickly turned to sadness for the players who will never step foot on the field again. Toni Dempsey and Katie Ullery have given so much to the program. There impact will live on in years to come. As we continue as a program we must remember all those who have come before us, that have helped us to where we are. We must build a program that shows respect to the past by building success in the future. From here, the only way is up. Though the season is over, plans for 2013 are already been made. We will be ready to challenge, and mark my words, we will be where we need to be.
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