This particular game started out in the first 5 to 10 minutes to look like it would be all Crossfire. Crossfire was controlling the ball, changing the points of attack and getting numerous crosses in. Getting very good outside midfielder play and time and time again having very few problems mounting an attack.

Then it all changed on a ball played out wide to Emma Whitfield. Whitfield used her explosive burst of speed to beat her defender and sent in a low driven cross into the box that left her teammate Sarah Smart a tap in from 3 feet away. The goal was exactly what the Nationals needed and the play of the game changed. A few minutes the Nationals had a free kick that Kayla Anderson sent in to Sarah Smart on the ground and she missed just wide.

The next 5 minutes or so Crossfire pressed the issue, but the Nationals continued to play good defense and stop any threats on goal. I was particularly impressed with Katherine Brown in the midfield who seemed very composed and silky smooth on the ball. Helping Crossfire change the play of the ball and get their composure back after the shocker of a goal the Nationals had just put in.
Crossfire’s patience was rewarded on a ball played out wide left that Erin Foley collected and drove down the sideline slightly angling in and then hitting a blast across the box. It was difficult to tell if it was a cross or a shot, but either way it hit a Nationals defender and deflected into the goal near post to tie the game 1-1. There was nothing the National keeper could do but watch it go in. It seemed to bring the play of Crossfire up and they played faster and with more conviction for the remainder of the half. They had another chance before half in which Erin Foley drove a low corner to the top of the box, which Hillary Heath collected and drove a shot that deflected and went to teammate Anna Allen in a crowd. Allen’s shot was hit just wide, understandable considering the crowd and the angle of the shot.

They end the half tied 1-1, with both teams playing fairly equal. Overall a half though that Crossfire had much of the play, but little to show for it. I thought the Nationals, played a solid first half and really did a nice job on defense.

The second half started fairly equal for both teams. Then on a ball sent into the Nationals box with a Crossfire player in pursuit. The Nationals defender was called for a high kick (dangerous play) which led to a PK. Kind of a strange, but the referee, talked to her AR and they made the call for a PK. It was calmly finished for Crossfire and a 2-1 lead.

The Nationals didn’t lose composure though and continued to play hard and at times controlled the play. I personally thought Jessica Duty did a nice job of finding players and helping the Nationals keep their heads. Her play in the first half and the second half was truly special. As the game progressed she continued to make runs out of the back and serve balls to the forwards from her defensive position. It was Duty who took a ball at the 50 on the right side and sent a high diagonal ball across the top of the 18. It went over the Crossfire defender and found her teammate Hayley Zevenbergen running on at full pace and she slotted it home. An amazing ball considering the distance and great anticipation from Zevenbergen to meet it in stride for the 2-2 tie.

The game ended 2-2 in regulation and the teams headed to OT

The first overtime neither team created a lot of chances. The play was fairly equal for both, neither taking any chances that may cost them a transitional numbers issue. Truly only one good chance for either team on a ball sent in by Emma Whitfield of the Nationals to her teammate Sarah Smart streaking into the Crossfire penalty box, but the Crossfire keeper was there about the time the ball got there to snuff it out. The first overtime ended 2-2, heading to the second.

It started out fairly well for both teams in a back and forth frenzy. Then Emma Whitfield had what can only be described as amazing individual effort. After receiving a pass on the right sideline, she drives at the Crossfire player and does a quick inside out move. Whitfield beats her and drives towards the end line, where she basically gets the next defender to bite on what looks like is going to be a cross. Instead she cuts it back, goes around her with a quick touch and then sends a perfect cross to a streaking Mika Matsui. Matsui finishes the ball off with a clinical header to win the game on golden goal. Giving the Nationals the State Championship and a trip to Denver and Regionals.

My understanding is both teams will go to Regionals, Crossfire getting the Wildcard.

(Program for game was incorrect....sorry for the name mix up, it was not intended by WPS)

(Feel free to check the program Sarah Smart is listed as 16-Kate Taylor as 17)

 

U-18 Boys State Cup Final-Crossfire Premier vs Columbia Timbers

This game started out very fast for Crossfire, who wasted no time in knocking the ball around and establishing this was their year. Within minutes of the kick off Crossfire was making numerous penetrating runs and whipping in crosses. David Martin took a ball and crossed it in and Jason Bjorgo raced in and headed past the keeper for a quick 1-0 Crossfire lead.
This was one of many times the Timbers would face the Crossfire attack, that would strike from all over the field as the game went on.

Later in the first half George John who was effective all game in the air and on the ball. Received the ball 25 yards out drove towards the goal from the left side, faked an inside pass then pushed it to his left by the defender gaining the needed room to crack a shot on goal and put it in for a Crossfire 2-0 lead.

The rest of the half Crossfire maintained control of the ball and we saw some flashes of brilliance from just about every Crossfire player. The defense played a very tough and controlled just about every long ball the timbers sent in and then started the attack over and over. The half ended 2-0, but it was only the beginning of the scoring.

In the second half crossfire continued their attacking and it wasn’t long before they won a ball on the left side about 35 yards out. Micah Hoffman sent a beautiful ball into the Timbers goal area where Brayton Knapp score a spectacular one time flick, at full speed out of the air. The keeper could do nothing as it went over him and into the net for a 3-0 Crossfire lead. This goal was serious highlight material. I wish I could see again in slow motion.

The Timbers at no point looked to give up, and they were rewarded. Chris Currie collected a ball that rebounded out of a crowd and hammered it home for their first goal and bringing the game to 3-1.
The excitement didn’t last long though. George John collected a ball 30 yards out from the Timbers goal in the middle of the field. John then penetrated to the left side of the box, leaving the Timber defender no choice but to foul him or let him go for a sure goal. He fouled him giving Crossfire a PK. Brayton Knapp took the PK, slotting it slightly to the right as the keeper dove left for a Crossfire 4-1 lead.

As quickly as they made it 4-1, they struck again on some very nice combination play. The ball starting on the right sideline when Hunter Joslin beat his defender and sent a ball into the box, where Jason Bjorgo calmly played it back to Aaron Roberts. Roberts then hit George John, who scored his second goal of the day. At this point the game was 5-1 Crossfire.

The Timbers did a few minutes later draw a PK, which Micah Crowson finished to make it 5-2.
The game however belonged to Crossfire on this day. The whistle blew and they dowsed their coach with an ice filled cooler of water. It was a fine display of soccer from Crossfire, and the Timbers played their hearts out. I never once saw them get down or quit, and for that the Timbers should be proud. If Crossfire plays like this at Regionals they should make our State proud…good luck in Denver.

WPS Staff article