Opening Night

Game 1: 23 March at BV (1-0)

Ok, we have already improved upon last year as we caught a win at Blue Valley.  (I am not sure why we played them at Blue Valley since we played there last year, but whatever.)

I thought we did a lot right, but with the smaller field and the hefty wind, the conditions did not portend a lot of scoring.  And in soccer, as we all know, you can get more shots, have more opportunities, play great defense and still lose.

Statistically, we were all over them, but in the second half we fouled them in a dangerous spot, survived the dead ball that kept giving: a corner and then another corner off the corner. Those 3 opportunities all gave the Tigers an excellent shot at cashing a goal.

Our back line was just tremendous as usual and freshman Moira Kelley had a brilliant 80-minute debut at defensive center midfield. BWhite gave big shoutouts for Moira and Brigid Linder, but named Hania Crow BWhite Player of the Match.  She shut it all down, everything in the middle of the front third.

Blue Valley played hard and physically, so it was definitely a match. They should have a good year as they are solid throughout their lineup.

I thought for a first game we weren't too bad.  We did not have many, if any, critical gaffes that come so often with first games.

The Tigers played well and we wish them well.

STATS:

First Half:

Saints: Shots: 10 (5) Corners: 5 (Klanke 2, Kelley, Linder, Moss)

Blue Valley:  Shots: 1 (0) Corners: 1

Second Half:

Saints: Shots: 7 (4) Corners: 1 (Kimball)

19:10 Klanke (Raunig finds Kelley who turns, goes forward to find Klanke on the check who creatively drops it to Marge who then completes the up-back-through) GWG

Blue Valley: Shots: 3 (2) Corners: 2