Match #5: Determination

Our fifth match of the season, played on a breezy Saturday evening, brought us back into the sites of  a Fusion Lightning squad that had naught to lose but an opportunity to take us out of the running to lead our flight.

Spoilers can be dangerous.

The entire first half represented a titanic defensive struggle with both sides getting some good shots on goal.  Fortunately Hannah Derezinski had one of her best matches defending the net with a heads-up display of dexterity and confidence. She had some solid booming punts as well.

I love yelling:

“That’s My KEEPER!”

Late in the second half our Shockers rallied themselves with some particularly ferocious fast-breaks. A brilliant cross from the right side by Sara Bowers put the ball cleanly at the boot of Mars Twitchell whom knocked the ball cleanly past the defending keeper, and the upper left corner.

In the final fifteen seconds, three Lightning had broken past all defenders with only Haley Anne Cork between them and her Keeper. As both a coach and a father, my gut told me were fine. And, sure enough, Haley Anne positioned herself perfectly forcing an early and poorly-timed pass that she was able to deftly knock out of bounds. Moments later we had our fourth victory of the season.

This was another team victory with all players digging in and fighting for every ball. I think the Lightning may have had a faster step on us. However, we some how managed to take the ball back, and mount one attack after another.

Determination, a mounting sense of destiny, and a belief in ourselves as a team, gave us this well earned victory.

Everybody is improving as players and citizens.

Shockers 1 vs Lightning 0.

Coach Brian