Announcement
Lightning opened up their 2005-2006 season in strong fashion at the Dearborn Invitational. On deck for Saturday were 2 games.
The first game of the year was against Saline Sting. From the very start Lightning carried play and never relinquished control of the game. Passing was crisp. Communication was great. Players were using take-on moves and ball skills and players were looking to all portions of the field for opportunities. Rochester scored two early goals to establish control before giving one up about halfway through the half. Lightning bounced right back with two additional goals before halftime and sealed the win in the second half with two more. Maria Zandi and Kari Lewis combined in goal for the 6-1 win.
Livonia United were next up in the afternoon. Lightning came out a little slow for this match and struggled with the crispness and speed of play displayed in the first match. We had difficulty clearing defensively and it cost us several times. But despite our troubles, we were able to craft some nice attacks in certain stretches of the game and tally 4 more goals to edge out United 4-3. Emary and Bella shared Goalkeeper duties this match.
Sunday’s match was exciting because both Lightning and Sunday’s opponent, Livonia Meteors, entered this last round-robin match with two wins and no losses, so we were fighting for the right to move on to the Championship Match later that day.
Lightning once again showed that speed and effort displayed in the first match and were matching Meteors step for step as the match progressed. But although we were playing well (and we were), this meteor team was a far strong opponent than we had yet faced… and they were playing well too. Late in the first half, Livonia got their break and broke the scoreless tie to give themselves a 1-0 halftime lead. The second half was just as hard working, just as sharp, and just as exciting as the first. We had our chances, but Livonia were up to the task and kept the scoresheet clean. Livonia popped in their second goal with about 7 minutes left. With five minutes left, coach ken decided to pull Maddie S. back onto the field from her goalkeeping turn in an effort to try to steal a quick goal or two late. During that changeover, Livonia pounced on the chance to score another last goal while we were still getting sorted. The third goal totally counts against the coach, not the team. Kari Lewis and Maddie Schupbach and, late in the match, Maria, each gave outstanding turns in goal.
Livonia would go on later that day to win the Championship game. So we lost to eventual champion – that’s not so bad. But even more importantly, we PLAYED very, very well against the eventual champion – and that’s GREAT. We had two brilliant games, and even in the one game we struggled, we found a way to get the job done.
Girls, I am so proud of you and the effort you put into this weekend. You’ve been working very hard for a month, and this weekend you put that hard work to use. This is a lot to build on. And if you keep working this hard, and if you keep bringing that work rate and effort to the game field, it is going to be a very special season indeed. Well done all of you.
Next weekend: Troy City Classic. Let’s get to work.
![Maddie S. scores one of our 10 goals this weekend](http://eteamz.active.com/highlandersoccer/images/goal.jpg)
![Rochester Heart! Rochester Pride!](http://eteamz.active.com/highlandersoccer/images/rochesterpride.jpg)
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