Wow, what can I say girls. I have had this vision for many many years of exactly how I want you girls to play, and today you showed you are getting close!. As I stated before, that vision was displayed another team--the only team we have lost to this fall (MEAD CUP-CUSA). But today, in the second half, you girls played VERY close to how that team played--my vision. I am so proud of you, as is both Coach Eric and Coach Gary.
I want to put things in perspective of how good the team was you played today. The first place team in our league, has only 1 loss of their 7 games. And that one loss was against the team you beat today. The team you beat today, beat the first place team 5-1. I would have to say that after us (the WieKings!), that the team we played today has to be the best team in our league. In fact, the way that team played the first half, they too displayed the vision of play I have for your girls.
The first half was definitely in their favor. We didn't play bad, but there were three things we weren't doing correctly, which led to that team really having their way with us by possessing the ball and keeping it in our defensive half the majority of that first half. Congrats to our back four and Olivia for staying organized and getting us to halftime with a 0-0 score to make these 3 adjustments.
1. They had very talented center mids that were controlling the game. When we lost the ball anywhere on the field, we weren't guarding their Center Mids quickly or tight enough; And they were quickly looking to play it to their Center mids. So once they received the ball, we were applying pressure to late. Their touch was so good on the ball that they were QUICKLY finding options and making the successful passes. We just needed to apply pressure WAY sooner by denying them the pass, or putting pressure on them the very instant the received it. When teams are that skilled, they rarely need a second touch to gain control. Other teams might need that second or third touch, which then gives us enough time to close down. Today, we needed to close down way sooner than usual. Well done that 2nd half center mids! Well done!
2. We were all ball chasing. That first half reminded me of our teams defense against the CUSA team in the Mead Cup. When we applied initial pressure to the girl with the ball, and then after she passed it, you were leaving her and chasing the ball. This had two of our girls now going to apply pressure on BALL, leaving the girl that passed it wide open. And because their touch was so good, and their movement off the ball was so good, it was leaving them with an automatic option every time. We discussed this at half, and I don't remember seeing it again the second half. This was HUGE in taking them out of their possession game. That adjustment alone had their coach wondering what the heck was going on, and he started screaming at his team to "work harder". Great job girls in your communication on defense from every position that second half. Well done!
3. That team was very fast. Their back four had great speed and matched our speed up top. A through ball or long ball over the top wasn't going to work against this team. Against that type of speed, we have to recognize it and play more to feet. We discussed this at halftime, and girls, I can't tell you how proud I was of you for not only attempting to make the adjustment, but how you successfully executed it. You played to feet so well with accurate passing and incredible movement without the ball to be an option. As great as that team showed off possession soccer by playing to feet and always finding the right options the first half, you girls made it look better the second half!!!! And remember, the more you play to feet against a team like that, the more pressure it makes them have to play; thus creating opportunities to find that though ball when it presents itself. I have never seen you girls play that great of possession soccer. And girls, you did it against a very very good team. I mean this when I say it--you exceeded even my expectations on this today in that second half. I was hoping by next spring that we would be where we already are now!!! Great great great job!
Girls, we have spent so many years on skill, skill, skill (S4). I wanted us to be the most skilled team around. And you girls are!!! And then this year we spent so much time on 1 and 2 touch passing and tactical work. And you have been showing decent 1 and 2 touch passing the past few games, but were forgetting the skill part. TODAY though, you showed how to bring them together! You were making the easy 1 and 2 touch passes that second half, and when you didn't have the options for the pass, you didn't force a pass-but instead you were using S4 skill to create more time for someone to get open. WOW, WOW, WOW!!! That vision your coaching staff had for you girls is starting to become real!!! And by the way, we are the only team in our division of 12 teams that is undefeated!!! Two more games to go!
With 15 girls on the team, it has to be something pretty darn special for me to sit hear and type about each one of you individually. This game--it was that something special! This game was the biggest jump in getting to our "vision"--and you did it against a team that I believe is by far the second best team you have played this fall--and maybe all year. So, here it goes (please disregard grammar and spelling, this is going to be even to long for me to read again!).
Olivia--Where do I begin? You made some flat out amazing saves today. Many of those saves, I think a month ago, you would have slapped or punched the ball away. Today, you were just flat out catching them, and the ones you didn't, you went bananas to pounce on it after you deflected it the first time. I was most happy with your talk and direction on the field. This is sooo crazy of a statement I am about to say, because you have always been the best goalie in what ever league or tournament we played in. But, you truly are one of the most improved girls on our team from just 6 months ago. Hear me out on this--You've always had incredible saves with incredible reaction time and great hands. But your talk and leadership on the field, along with always being a passing option, and then today you taking your time when you had the time and looking up to find an option---this has taken you to a whole new level. It's probably not fair to give out an MVP award for today's game, but how can't I give it to you?! Just awesome Olivia.
Molly--You have shown this fall season how you could be the most improved player I have ever seen in a span of 6 months. You have gone from a girl I was playing the least, to someone I really need in the middle to help control the game. BUT, I will be very honest--your good games always seemed to be against the weaker teams (they are all good teams this fall, but some are just simply better). Today though, could have been one of your very best games, and it was against one of the best teams we've ever played!!! And you were using skill on them like they were a bunch of 5th graders!! Thanks for having confidence in your skill and using it so well. And way to step up to the challenge of controlling the middle this game! That was huge. So so so proud!
Ciara--You really play with your head up! I know we made adjustments and said the long ball might not be the best option this game at halftime, but that first half, you did a great job in receiving the ball, looking across the field, and making that pass--thank you SO much for doing that because we practiced that a lot lately for a "quick change of field". You did so well today checking back to win balls, beating girls one on one, and making very very good 1 and 2 touch passes. I sound like a broken record to you after every game telling you it was your best game yet--but you continue to get better every game!! Well done Ciara!
Morgan--I am so proud of how you made the adjustment when we subbed you out the first half. We talked about how the second we get the ball, I need you thinking offense and getting further up the field and not worrying about your defender when we have possession. I also reminded you that when they play the ball back to their fullbacks to try and switch fields from their back, that with your speed, I NEED you to leave your outside mid, have faith that your fullback will make that rotation to guard your mark, and that I wanted to see you fly through and intercept that pass to their outside back. Within 30 seconds of putting you back in, sure enough, you did exactly what we talked about and intercepted that pass for a breakaway! Great job. Your passing and comfort with the ball is on par with Molly's improvement. I really didn't think that would be possible in this short amount of time for you to improve so much. Seriously kid, I never realized how much we need you as I did that weekend you missed our double header! Don't miss again! ;)
Jenna--Best game from you-- not even up for discussion! Your assist was fantastic. Your passing to feet and finding the open person was simply great today. You are playing soooo well with your back to the goal everywhere on the field. God gave you incredible speed. I think he gave you even more today! You checked back so many times to win the ball, and made so many GREAT 1 and 2 touch passes. And then moved off the ball so well. I will never ever judge your play at striker on if you score or not. Today was a testament to that. You were a play maker for our team, and a play BREAKER for their team. Your hustle today from the very first whistle was fantastic. You covered so much more of the field than usual. You are gifted, and are really using your gifts well! Very proud of you today.
Sheena--Your fantastic play began at practice last Saturday, continued at Tuesday's practice, and definitely continued today. I know this might not sound like a big deal, but when you used that studder move to beat that girl down the line that first half, and then purposely kicked it off that girls foot to get us a corner kick--that gave ME the confidence to know we had a chance. Up until that point, I wasn't so sure we would beat that team with how they were dominating us. I think when you did that, it was the first real chance we had! It showed off your great skill with such a simple move (that you have mastered), and it showed your incredible soccer IQ. You did such a good job with so many good passes. And THANK you for tightening up your defense that second half with the other Center Mids. I am excited to continue to watch you play this year, and for indoor. Your game went to another level this past week. Great job!
Taylor--I am going begin this by saying this--You goal was awesome, but I am WAY more excited for you for how you played the entire game. You weren't just running forward like you use to. You were always being an option. You were checking back to receive the ball from your center mids and you weren't playing into traffic. You were playing many first touches away from pressure, and using skill, such as your step-over-turn, to move forward. You were HUSTLING today more than I've seen before. You soccer IQ simply went up about 10 notches. You grasped the concept of playing to feet and always making yourself a true option. Never standing next to your defender when we had the ball ("staying out of their shadows" as I've talked to you about). Ok, the goal...---it was SWEET!!!! I just am glad you did it this game, because you deserved it. And the reason you got the goal was because your spacing was perfect in being the option for Jenna to see. WELL DONE--SO SO SO proud of you.
Maleah--I don't think I have seen you fight so hard. You were checking back to receive balls, always moving and being an option. Your first touches were fantastic. You were finding the options, and your passes were very accurate! You also were giving their defense fits! You flat out beat the girl one time with your dribble and got off a shot--and she was fast, so great job! Like Jenna, today was not going to be a day I judged my strikers on their scoring ability, but more their playmaking ability. I can't tell you enough how happy I am that you are on this team! You really play the striker position well.
Kylie--I know you like Striker better than Center Mid. But I hope you know by now that you play that Center Mid to almost perfection. That position requires these qualities--Someone with great endurance, GREAT FIELD VISION, a team leader, extremely aggressive, extremely skilled, a Playmaker, a great defender, Athletic, Tough... Kylie, I just described you. The two center mids touch the ball more than anyone on the field in a 4-4-2. I want the ball at your feet. You make things happen. I also need a leader to keep the team organized. I need someone to CONTROL the middle. And I will always say this about soccer--"the team that controls the middle will usually win the game". And Kylie, this is what you do. Today, you played away from pressure. I know last practice we had a discussion about you not switching fields enough and playing back into traffic. Today you TOTALLY corrected that. You passing to feet was outstanding. You stepped up to the challenge that second half and shut down their midfielder, and had her chasing you! Great game Kylie--well done!
Delaney--You are definitely in the conversation for most improved player too. Putting you at outside Defense, and you playing it how you did today, was incredible to watch! Today, I want you to know I saw two great things from you. You played Left outside defender, and you were using your left foot to make a lot of very good passes. A while back, you would have used your right foot when your left made more sense; or if you used your left, it wouldn't have gone to your teammates foot. Today, you used your left so well, I would have thought your were left footed!! Your hustle on High pressure was the best EVER. I do not think I had to tell you ONE TIME to get up and play high pressure. You were thinking ahead, and sprinting to make it happen. Your defense on the ball was outstanding too. DEFINITELY, with out a doubt, your best game EVER. So proud of you Delaney!
Hope--You have taken me saying "I want our outside defenders to get up high when possible" and ran with it! You are always attacking by making overlapping runs, and I love it!! You had a crucial clear today too! You were part of a back 4 defense that didn't give up a goal today against a very good team. Hope, do you know we've only been scored on 3x in league play?? That is the best in the league, and you are a HUGE part of that. Great touches on the ball today, and playing with your head up to find the best option. You did great!!
Hannah--All I know is I would not want to be the team to go up against You and Sophie at Center Mid. Hear me when I say this. You are one of the best defenders on the ball I've ever coached. You possess a very good skill set for a defender. 1. You defend the ball well, and somehow take it off the other girls foot, and still maintain possession! 2. You have great skill WITH the ball, and that is huge for a defender to have! 3. You play with your head up better than any defender I've coached. Today you had a huge task in stopping that team. They wanted to play up the middle a LOT. Wow, you did a great job. You play so strong, so fast, and I think the best word for you is "Quick". Great game. Oh yeah, and you had some very timely clears today!
Hunter--Great skill, great passing, great defense on the ball. You are part of our back 4 that makes us so special. You are definitely in the conversation for highest soccer IQ on the team. Great field vision. You showed great strength today pushing girls off the ball. You have added some quality muscle to this team, and we definitely needed that from you today and you brought it! Your touch on the ball was phenomenal today. And you position yourself on the field so well both on offense and defense. And you also had a crucial clear. I am so glad you joined this team. SOO glad!
Sophie--Did you find something today? A left foot maybe??! I couldn't believe in warmups when you girls were playing keepaway, how many PERFECT passes you made with your left foot. And then you did it in the game. I yelled for you to hear in the game ("GREAT TWO TOUCH"), because at the beginning of the season, many of those touches today that you had to keep possession would have been kicks forward with no purpose. I was waiting for the day to type this for you about your offensive ability and use of left foot--and this game was that day!1!--PLEASE keep this up. Yes, you are a warrior in the back defending the ball, and stepping to win the ball--you did it a TON today. But, you showed you are a COMPLETE soccer player today with your offense--great passing, field vision, dribbling, and skill! This could have been your best game because of you displaying a total package! Great job, and am so proud of you for not giving up, even though I scream at you about your left foot. Thanks for making me not scream!! So PROUD OF YOU!
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