Rochester Pride - RSC Lightning '96

RSSC Thunder 1 - Bay Area Battle 0 Thunder’90 finally stepped onto the field for their long awaited league opener Saturday on a cold and overcast afternoon. All the pre-season preparation paid off as Thunder chalked up a well earned 1-0 win against an undefeated Bay Area Battle (New Baltimore). The 1st ten minutes were very much a feeling out process for both teams. Thunder soon found it’s rhythm and twice threatened to take the early lead. First in the 13th minute when Danielle Cook struck a shot that beat the keeper but caromed off the back post; then again 3 minutes later When Alyssa Zarski took excellent initiative, volleying a lovely cross from Hillary Finet straight out of the air, not allowing the bounce – and therefore not allowing the defense a chance to close her down. The shot went wide, but I’ll take that effort 10 times out of ten!
Meanwhile, the defense was rock solid allowing no shots on goal for Jessica Munson to handle. The back three simply dominated and the wide mids were exemplary in their workrate tracking back and never ignoring their defensive responsibilities when the situation required, and then getting up and wide when the chances presented themselves. The first half ended scoreless.
Play opened up a bit more in the second half and Thunder continued to carry play logging eight shots and a half-dozen quality crosses, as well as some very attractive buildup sequences. The center mids were key during the 2nd half especially, establishing control of the center of the park and making great choices to advance our attack. Three times during the 2nd half Thunder crafted shots at goal after a buildup of six or more passing movements that started from the defensive third of the field and moved through the midfielders before ending with quality scoring chances. Finally, in the 67th minute, Hillary won a goalkick in the attacking third, moved to the left wing and let go a shot from 20 yards out. The ball arched over the reaching keeper and found it’s way home into the side netting of the back post for the first and only goal of the match. Battle (3-1-0) did not go quietly, threatening with two very dangerous breakaway opportunities in the last ten minutes. Emily Liles, now in net, was every bit up to the task. Once she recognized the threat, she was very decisive & quickly off her line to close down the angle. Both threats ended with textbook examples of how a breakaway save is executed, as Emily absolutely stoned the attackers. Excellent job, girls. You came out focused, sharp, disciplined and organized. And your victory today was very well deserved. It’s a nice start. Let’s get back to work in training this week and use this match as a building block for the next match.