Rochester Pride - RSC Lightning '96

(click headline or accomanying picture for 20 more game pictures) A quality performance to begin the season. The weather was perfect for a game and the team put every bit of pre-season preparation to good use in our first outing of the season. In a match chocked full of positive points, the first thing which must be noted was the stellar job done by the defensive efforts of the team. Anchored by team captain, Tenealle, the “wall”, Jessica, Karen, Kelly, Melissa and Sandi all sharing the defensive back duties in their turn, lived up to their assignment in fine fashion, jealously guarding the defensive third of the field to near perfection. The opponent were only allow 3 forays into our penalty area the entire match. Other facets of the match particularly well done include good use of wide play, good use of support (particularly between Kandyse & Jessica and again between Kandyse & Karen), switching the point of attack, and general passing, possession and communication. Scoring opened up early when in the 5th minute Kelly from the left touchline played the ball back to Lindita in support who then switched the ball deep to the right corner for Chelsea. Under double and triple team pressure, Chelsea kept possession of the ball over 30 seconds before finally finding support from Lindita who had now moved over to the right to help. Lindita then served a strong 1-time ball to the front of the net. Sandi collected & controlled the ball out of the air with her first touch and then finished strongly with the next touch. A very lovely sequence to score. Next, in the 24th minute Kelsey passed to Julia from a wide position on the left and Julia began a run toward near post. She got clipped in the ankles and taken down about 4 yards out but was back up in an instant and played the ball across the face of the net where Sara was crashing and put the ball home with a 1-touch finish. The next tally came 8 minutes later. Sandi won a goal kick on the left flank, then served a strong cross to the far post channel. Lindita flicked the ball on to Chelsea who finished with yet another 1-time shot on net. In the second half, Pride continued to carry the play and maintained pressure throughout the half. 55 minutes in, Alyssa won a clearance attempt, settled the ball nicely and then played a fantastic cross into space right on the 18 yard-line where an on-running Lindita was able to strike the ball full-on and in full stride, sending it authoritatively into the left side netting. With 7 minutes remaining in the game, the opponent were awarded a penalty kick. Jessica made a fantastic initial save, but opponents were allowed to crash in unmarked and with Jessica down on the ground from the first dive, played the ball unchallenged into the net. If there is anything I would like to really see improvement on, based on this showing, it is [1] stronger crosses and shots across the face of the net (too many shots & crosses did not make it in front of the net but only barely to the near post) and [2] players from behind overlapping and getting involved in the attack when the play is “on”. But, truly, this was a marvelous outing and outstanding effort by every player on the team. Well done, Pride. Now we shift out focus to the next match. Goalkeepers: Melissa Anderson, Jessica Munson Goals: Sandi D’Alimonte (Lindita Ivezaj, Chelsea McGee) 5th min Sara Driscoll, (Julia Musialowski, Kelsey Van Maele) 26th min Chelsea McGee, (Lindita Ivezaj, Sandi D’Alimonte) 34th min Lindita Ivezaj, (Alyssa Zarski) 55th min Shots recorded: 21 Corner Kicks: 5 Crosses: 6