Lakeland Girls Soccer Blanks Northland Pines

JV 0 Lakeland 0

Yet another game without our largest scoring threat and again trying to produce scoring with a young roster.  They are working hard and trying to execute things we have been working on.  Before the game, I talked about not taking fouls in the box and that Lakeland is willing to take tactical fouls 2 minutes into the game our center back marked tight on Lakeland’s forward and she tumbled to the ground, and just like that there was a PK in the box.  Two minutes into the game we are down 1-0.  This created some panic and as a result, we started chasing the ball which with a good coach and upperclassmen heavy team it is hard to get possession.  Some significant injuries sidelined two of our starters.  With adversity comes opportunity which meant that many of the upperclassmen especially 5 of my freshman who were in pretty much the whole game.  I think our girls are doing a great job adapting, but its the lack of experience on the field that cause the 1-2 mental breakdowns that cost us goals and games.  Based on their desire to learn and succeed, I am confident as they log more minutes and gain that experience they will mature much quicker than expected.  Late in the first half down on numbers for substitution, A  forward got behind our defender and raced towards the left goal line getting a cross through the goal mouth and finding the other forward who took it out of the air and in the back of the net.  This one I think was a bit of ball watching and fatigue.  The other three defenders were in the box but were so focused on the player with the ball they failed to mark the one player in the box.  This in theory was a 3 v 1 in our favor and 99% of the time the team numbers up will win.  Again the lack of experience played a huge role in the other goal.  Second half was back and forth and we were able to gain  great deal of possession and had a number of scoring opportunities especially when freshman Ava Gaetano turned freezing a Lakeland defender getting behind the defense and a 1-0 against the keep putting the shot right into the keeper’s hands.  As Ava gains experience opportunities like this will result in goals.  We are able to successfully penetrate teams on a consistent basis and get the balls in the box but have not solved the problem of finding the back of the net.  1-2 extra touched, leaning back and sending the ball wide or over the net or shooting right at the keeper are the items seen frequently when getting great looks at scoring.  Final score Pines 0 Lakeland 2

Shots				3	8
Shots on Goal				2	6
Corner Kicks				1	2
Penalty Kick Goals				0	1
Penalty Kick Attempts				0	1
Fouls				5	8