Girls U-16 State Cup Final- NW Nationals Fusion vs Dosveedanya

This was a game of contrasting styles to me. Fusion looking to pass the ball and use the width against a much more direct Dos team playing longer balls out of the back.

Early on in the game Fusion took control and kept it for the first fifteen minutes. With the exception of one high ball played in that the Fusion keeper Miranda Hanson got up and punched wide, it was mostly in the Dos end.

Multiple times in that fifteen minute span Fusion sent the ball down the left side with Lily Albin and Kelsey Cline combining. Most of the time Albin was beating her player on the dribble and sending in great crosses. On one occasion Cline hitting Albin with a diagonal pass that Albin just missed high and wide.

During many of these attempts by Fusion to score with their methodical passing and crossing, Dos would connect on a long ball to their forwards. Each time it looked like they had a chance to penetrate the Fusions defense. They either didn’t win the ball in the air, thanks to great play by Alex Kirk in the air. Or it was a Kirk tackle that would dislodge the Dos forwards from the ball. There was also an occasion Dos had a chance down the left side but Kit Rood made a perfect slide tackle to snuff out any chance of getting to the box.

In the final 15 minutes of the first half Dos began to find a rhythm and began to link passes more often. In fact they had numerous times they combined near the Fusion goal only to have Alex Kirk continue to dominate the defensive end for Fusion. Time and time again she headed, cleared, and tackled the ball away from the Dos forwards.

For all of the play Fusion had, they still had nothing to show for it. It would seem to come to haunt them as the half neared its end. In referee stoppage time, a hard tackle by a Fusion defender led to a free kick for Dos. Just outside the eighteen and a bit on the right side Dos put 2 players on the ball shielding it from Fusion keeper, Miranda Hansons view. As Michelle Borth came to strike the ball they separated and Borth sent a missile far post that hit side netting for a Dos1-0 lead. Fusion left a bit stunned as the half ends.

To start the second half Dos has more of the play, and the late first half goal has given them new life and energy. For the first 8 minutes of the half Dos has most of the play.

Finally the Fusion regain their composure and begin winning more balls and pressuring. Fusion wins a corner and Kelsey Cline sends it in, having it deflect off a Dos defender and almost going in. Luckily cleared off the line by a Dos defender. Minutes later Cline again has a chance when slipping passed the defense on the dribble only to have her shot block by another Dos defender.

As the second half went on it looked like Dos would hold tough and weather the Fusion storm. Then the unthinkable happened, Michelle Borth received a yellow card, and seconds later a red. Dos was down to 10 players of the rest of the game. Fusion with 18 minutes left in the game tied it up. After a deflection on a corner the ball dropped to the feet of Tess Bartlet who knock it in for the tie at 1-1. The rest of the time Fusion spent trying to get the game winner, but the game ended a tie and they headed to two15 minute overtimes (golden goal)

Dos actually had some very good chances in the first overtime. Kelci Howard for Dos making a few good runs and if not for a good tackle by Alex Kirk would have been in one on one with the Fusion keeper. The Fusion mounted a few attacks, their best being a combination of passes from Calista Victor to Kelsey Cline who quickly turned at the top of the 18 and fired a shot that a diving Dos keeper saved. The first overtime ends tied, with Fusion coming on strong in the final minutes.
Within the first minute of the second overtime, Dos almost wins the game on a Fusion mistake, but the Dos forward hits it wide. Dos minutes later has Courtney Vandersloot get free and only a great save by the Fusion keeper Hanson preserves the game from being over. Dos again pressuring gets a free kick, it’s struck on goal and the Fusion keeper Hanson touches it wide.

From this point on it was all Fusion. The final 5 minutes of the second overtime Fusion are pressing the issue. A header on goal by Raelynne Lee, then a hard shot by Tess Bartlett just a minute later. Fusion then received a free kick, and after it’s played into the box it rebounds out to the top of the 18. Kelsey Cline takes a touch and then finishes it high and hard to end the game.

I have to give credit to Dos, for playing with 10 players for nearly 50 minutes. I’d also like to say their coach did an absolute miracle job in playing his bench. He seemed to sub players all game, and even once subbed 4 or 5 at once. Amazing job of coaching in a final, when many coaches limit their subs. Good luck Fusion at Regionals

2-1 Fusion on golden goal

 

Girls U-17 State Final-FC Royals vs Spokane Shadow

Of all the games played on Saturday, this was the one game that ended up being a highlight reel for one team. Although Spokane played tough, it just seemed to be the Royals day from the second the whistle blew.

A few minutes in the Royals are awarded an indirect free kick. Rebecca Thomas takes the kick and bends it in from 25 yards out far post. The only problem with this beautiful kick, it was indirect and no one else touched it. Even though it didn’t count it was just the beginning of the magic that Thomas would do on the day. She was a human highlight show for the limited time she played in the first half, beating her player on the dribble time and time again.

Just a few minutes after the indirect kick that didn’t count the Royals got Dolly Enneking open at the top of the 18 yard box. She calmly took the ball it hit it into the left corner of the goal, beating the keeper who could only watch. From this point on the Royals continue the half knocking the ball around and changing the attack from one side to the other.

Halfway thru the half the Royals got their second goal on a free kick. Jen Lee putting a ball into the box and Jennifer Baker getting up and heading it in just past the keeper. It was one of many crosses the Royals had in the half and just a piece of their dominance on the day.

Not long after the second goal Spokane actually had a legitimate chance to score off a free kick that was headed on goal by Alexandra Marquard, only to have her great effort cleared off the line before going in. This would be one of the few chances the Shadow would get mainly due to the play of Sarah DeLeon and the rest of the Royals defenders. DeLeon was truly special controlling the back line and switching the play around the back.

The second half was much of the same for the Royals. They tallied their third goal when Rebecca Thomas received a pass from her midfield teammate Megan Sweeney. Thomas then drove down the left side beating her player and whipped in a cross that found the head of Jennifer Baker who got up over a crowd and headed it home for the 3-0 lead, her second of the game.

Thomas was so magical on the day. She dribbled at her player and did a perfect rainbow kick then raced inside the box and hit a shot that the keeper saved. Minutes later she hit a 25 yard shot that was a bullet but she just missed over the crossbar. Most of the game Thomas had her way with who ever she was matched against. She was a fabulous player at least in the final for the Royals today.
The Royals finished their scoring on the day when Jenelle Jacka found the net in what was an all Royals final to make it 4-0.

This doesn’t take away from what Spokane accomplished making the final and finishing second in State. Today the Royals were just that good. The players of the match for the Royals in no particular order… Rebecca Thomas, Megan Sweeney, and the voice at the back on defense Sarah Deleon. Good Luck at Regionals girls.

4-0 Royals

WPS Staff article