Rochester Pride - RSC Lightning '96

After an intense match in the heat of the day 4 hours earlier, the cooling of the evening was a welcome visitor to the field. Pride were tired, warm-up was sluggish, but the team that stepped onto the game field for the opening whistle were the same Pride that, all season long, had made a growing habit and eventually a signature hallmark of quality passing, communication, individual skills, team cohesion, stingy defense and relentless attack. And for this one last game, they delivered… again. The first goal came in the 4th minute on a picture-perfect cross from Lindita on the left wing into the far-post channel. It was finished in spectacular fashion by Chelsea with a one time strike whilst still in full stride. It could not have been a prettier goal. Knowing not to rest on laurels, Pride continued their constant and consistent pressure, crafting yet another 15+ shot half and coming off at halftime with a 3-0 lead after 2 lovely goals by Lindita. For the second half, it was clear that this team was determined to finish in the fine style they have made their own this year. Quality play continued all the way to the final whistle capped by Lindita’s 3rd goal of the match for a natural hat-trick. The post match celebration was a joyous romp. The sideline spectators, armed with air horns, mad it sound like Joe Louis Arena after an Yzerman game winning goal. The happy shrieks of the girls running off the field nearly drowned out the air horns, I got drowned in ice water and everything about the moment was sheer happiness. I was very gratified to see Aly Vogt come out to the Sunday matches because, although she played for her school this spring, having played with us the last 2 years before that, she is to me, as much a part of Rochester Pride as anybody and I was happy she could be there to share the day with us. I’ve said it a hundred times over the last two years. But I only say it because it is so true. I am so very proud of each and every one of you girls: Amanda Swann Alison Vogt Kelly Noren Alyssa Zarski Jessica Munson Chelsea McGee Karen Alexander Rebecca Heck Mallory Parker-Zibel Brittany Sparks Sandi D'Alimonte Megan Stevens Kandyse Fee Sara Driscoll Julia Musialowski Kelsey Van Maele Milissa Anderson Tenealle Tenwolde Lindita Ivezaj Lisa Zelenak You girls are the reason it is such a joy for me to coach this game. And it is not the winning as to what makes me proud of you. It is the effort you put into the endeavor and the manner in which you carry yourselves. You ARE a very good team – because you have WORKED HARD to become a very good team. Your accomplishments could have, conceivably, lead you to have swollen heads and inflated egos – but they have not. You are a confident lot, but very much a well-grounded and good-natured group; sweet, fun, funny and eager. We have many very good players, but you are a great team. This is evidenced by the fact that on a roster of 19 players, 15 different players have scored goals – and nearly everybody contributed with assists. We don’t have one “go to” player – we have a team full of them. Your accomplishments on the year have been impressive – but your attitudes have been exemplary. You have always conducted yourselves with the class, grace and sportsmanship I would ask of anybody associated with me. The manner with which you carry yourselves speak well of you and reflect most positively on your teammates and families. You are good players but that’s not what makes me so proud of you. You are GREAT kids – and THAT is what makes me so very proud of you, and what I will always remember when I think about 2001-2002 Rochester Pride. Congratulations girls, this has been a job excellent well done. GAME SUMMARY: Goalkeepers: Melissa Anderson, Lindita Ivesaj Goals (assists tbd): Chelsea McGee (1st half) Lindita Ivesaj (1st half) Lindita Ivesaj (1st half) Lindita Ivesaj (2nd half) Shots recorded: 24 Corner Kicks: 8 Crosses: tbd

The tournament semi-final set us against long-time rival, Revolution. From the beginning of the match, Pride took full control of the field and applied the attacking style they have demonstrated all year. The 1st goal came early as Julia continued the torrid pace and scored her fifth goal in 6 games. She’s been just amazing – and all the more so considering she barely comes up to the waist on many players on the field and weighs only half as much. Two more goals came soon after and frustration began to mount for the opponent. The 2nd came on a sure strike from Sandi on the right wing. And the 3rd on brilliant thru ball by Lindita to Rebecca making an excellent run and then Rebecca demonstrating a very polished piece of finishing slotting the ball on the deck, two feet to the left of the keeper - textbook perfect in form. By the 20th minute with a 3 goal lead, the affair began to take a bit of a nasty turn. The opponent, in their frustration became increasingly more physical in an effort to neutralize the efficiency of the Pride attack, and noticeably more vocal in an effort to rattle the team off their focus. Chops to ankles and an elbow to the back sent Pride’s top goal scorer off the field in tears – but only for a few minutes. It was getting ugly, but Pride would not be deterred and continued to carry play until the halftime whistle. With the game in control and the championship match yet to be played later that evening, the objective became 2-3 touch possession with long passes, quick switches and open spacious play so as to minimize the risk of injury from play in tight quarters. That objective was met and the game finished 3-0. Having now faced and beaten what I consider the 2 most difficult teams in the tournament, Pride were in good form, but had to rise to the occasion one more time. 4 hours to rest. And then…. GAME SUMMARY: Goalkeepers: Melissa Anderson, Jessica Munson Goals (assists tbd): Julia Musialowski (1st half) Sandi D'Alimonte (1st half) Rebecca Heck (1st half) Shots recorded: 17 Corner Kicks: 6 Crosses: tbd

In a 1st round match against our toughest opponent of the season, Pride started fast to score in the 4th minute of the match. For most of the rest of the match, it was tension and drama on the field. Pride carried most of the play but after the first goal were unable to beat the outstanding play of the Clash goalkeeper who made 15 saves after the 4th minute – often of the spectacular variety. Meanwhile, Clash would occasionally find the seams of the defense look for their quick counter-attack to provide the equalizer. All year long Clash have demonstrated an excellent quick counter. Highest praise to captain Mallory Parker-Zibel who was assigned the unceremonious job of man-marking Clash’s best offensive threat. Mallory did the job to perfection, denying her the ball, time and space all morning long. And without #11 available to be highly involved, Clash were ultimately unable to compensate. Nonetheless, the affair was not truly decided until with 4 minutes left to play, the insurance goal was finally scored. Two minutes later, Pride’s 3rd goal capped the affair. Hats off and congratulations to Coach Norberto Lesczuk and a quality team in the Clash. GAME SUMMARY: Goalkeepers: Melissa Anderson, Jessica Munson Goals (assists tbd): Sandi D’Alimonte (1st half) Lindita Ivesaj (2nd half) Sandi D’Alimonte (2nd half) Shots recorded: 30 Corner Kicks: 5 Crosses: tbd

Pride turned in a rock solid effort in their final regular season match to earn a 7-1 victory. Six different players scored and but for some excellent goalkeeping by the opposing keeper, several others would have added to the tally. Use of field width and diagonal play continue to improve as does team communication, field vision, and combination play. First touch has improved markedly on this team and the use (and success) of take-on moves demonstrates an assuredness and confidence which can only come about with hard individual work I have asked each team member to commit to. Now I am going to ask that very same hard work of you one more week. Spring Tournament is next weekend. Your challenge is to re-focus and put every energy into honing your very best skills this coming week. The take on-moves you do well – practice them at home ‘till you do them great. The pass you may give half-heartedly and shank at practice – make a decision to give full concentration to each pass and deliver each with pinpoint precision. The player who is trying to attack - refuse to allow her goalside of you. Focus and take pride in your first touch. Focus and take pride in making the extra effort to run down a ball. Focus and take pride in making certain your get your body square behind a ball for a skilled trap rather than trying to cherry pick it. Focus and take pride in the fact that you work hard not only for yourself – but for your teammates as well. Focus and take pride in the fact that your attention to these tiniest little details all add up to make the 18 teammates around you just a little bit better. I’ve asked this all year of you and you have responded. Now I’m going to ask to you do it do it for one more week; to do it with even more intensity, focus, resolve, dedication, and determination than any week so far this year. If I’ve earned your trust at all during this season, then trust me now when I tell you: Do this for one more week and you will never regret the effort. Let’s go train harder! GAME SUMMARY: Goalkeepers: Melissa Anderson, Jessica Munson Goals (assists tbd): Sandi D’Alimonte (1st half) Lisa Zelenak (1st half) Kelsey Van Maele (1st half) Sara Driscoll (1st half) Julia Musialowski (2nd half) Julia Musialowski (2nd half) Lindita Ivesaj (2nd half) Shots recorded: 32 Corner Kicks: 7 Crosses: tbd

In trademark fashion the attack was constant, well spread out and highly balanced. 31 shots yeilded six goals, which (also in tradmark fashion) were spread among 5 different players. Congratulations and hats off to Jessica Munson who tallied her 1st official goal ever in league play. Today's other scorers include Sara Driscoll, Sandi D'Alimonte(2), captain Lisa Zelenak, and Kelly Noren. Goalkeepers Melissa Anderson and Alyssa Zarski shared the win. More game details to follow. GAME SUMMARY: Goalkeepers: Melissa Anderson, Jessica Munson Goals (assists tbd): Sandi D’Alimonte (1st half) Sara Driscoll (1st half) Lisa Zelenak (2nd half) Sandi D’Alimonte (2nd half) Jessica Munson (2nd half) Kelly Noren (2nd half) Shots recorded: 31 Corner Kicks: 6 Crosses: tbd