GU11 Spring 2006

• WEEK 7

Final game of the spring season had us toe to toe with the South Coast Scorpions.
The game started out terrific for Puma as we dominated the game for the first 15 minutes. Keeping pressure on the ball and creating some create combination passes, we took it to them!Our efforts paid off as Megan 'Wheels' Wheeler broke through the scorpion D and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

Not to be outdone, scorpions needed a little less than 5 minutes to get the equalizer.
With minutes remaining in the first half, we had a slight breakdown in the backfield and scorpions went up 2-1.

Second half we came out well, stringing some nice passing together and holding our own again. Luck didn't favor us as we let our guard down for a few seconds and they scored again.

We fought the entire game, only to lose 6-1.
Off to KC Andre Cup for our Puma girls!

• WEEK 6

Playing Pioneers at home, puma came out inspired and played very well.
The girls had more than 5 solid scoring opportunities in the first half and won most loose balls early and often.
Attacking out of a 4-3-3 we dominated the Pioneer squad but could not find the back of the net.
2nd half started at 0-0 and we once again stepped it up well. Looking to build up, the girls made penetrating through ball passes, looking to split Pioneers midfield and defense early and often. The girls switched the field well and had more opportunities sail wide.
Midway through the 2nd half Pioneers found pay dirt on a loose ball on our 2 yard line for a weak goal....extremely unfortunate!
Puma pressed well for the remainder of the game, keeping the ball in Pioneer turf for most of the 2nd half.
Unfortunately, time ran out and we took another tough loss on the chin 1-0.

• WEEK 5

Playing Nova today, we once again came out flat in the first 10 minutes
of the game. Caught on our heels, we weathered a few early attempts and
then regained our composure. Megan M subbed in and got free down the
right flank for a quality cross out front to Jade. Jade one timed her
shot only to have it sail over the bar.
Regaining some confidence, we switched the field well at points and
started to play away from pressure. Megan W was served a nice ball
behind Nova's defense only to be fouled in the box. PK resulted, only
the shot was saved.
Halftime 0-0.

Nova came out charging in the 2nd half, winning many balls early and
often. They hit the crossbar twice and we weathered the let down yet
again. We had some build up in the 2nd half and strung some quality
passes together. We unfortunately lost sight of looking to serve the
ball bigger to the back side away from pressure, and many nice plays
were closed down by Nova because we neglected to switch fields quicker.
FINALLY we were rewarded with a goal off a corner kick with 2 minutes
left in the game! Marialena cross, to a flick on by Jade, and a nice
finish by Megan M. and we are psyched!
Under a minute left in the match, and Nova gets a fast break and a foul
which results in a direct kick from just outside the 18 at the
flank....now into "injury time" the Nova player hits a high floater into
the near post and the whistle blows for a 1-1 draw.

• WEEK 4

Yet another unrewarded effort for Puma today verse Stars of Ma. A wind aided goal in the first 2 minutes of the game had us yet forced to play from a come from behind effort.
The girls adjusted well, and fought their hearts out, only to have a terrific shot by Devinne Aquadro saved on the goal line by an errant defender for the Stars.

2nd half had us playing with the wind and we moved the ball well against a tenacious Stars defense. Stringing passes together well, we switched fields, and had a few quality scoring opportunities. Keeping the pressure on the Stars, it opened the field for quick counter attacks, one of which resulted in a 2nd goal floated over our keepers head.

Down 0-2 our girls never quit and fought back putting pressure on the Stars. After some great combination plays through midfield, we found 'pay dirt' with a terrific ball to the back post which Elisabeth P. coolly settled, finding Ashley out front for a fine finish.

Keeping the pressure on, we caught Stars on their heels, and unluckily could not find the back of the net for the equalizer as time was running out.
Overall, we saw a great effort, probably the best game so far of the season, and a terrific opportunity to build on for the remaining games.

• WEEK 3
  

Playing TVE this week at home the girls found themselves on their heels ball chasing early and often.
Having some early attacks at the TVE final 3rd proved uneventful as we couldn't mount any quality attacking today in the first half.
TVE struck first and hit two posts keeping the score 1-0 at half time. They swarmed the ball well winning everything in the 1st half.

Halftime we talked about being first to the ball and looking to switch fields quicker, but it fell on deaf ears.
TVE came out and struck with two more goals against our girls who were a bit overpowered.

With five minutes remaining in the game we FINALLY started to come alive! A good switch of fields out of pressure opened up the attack for Jade who found the keeper well out of the net and she finished on a nice low roller to the back post. Lucy was right on the door step to make sure it was home!
Restart under 3 minutes and we almost struck again on a ball served again to the weak side where Lauren hit a beauty which the keeper tipped off the crossbar. Final whistle blew and we took another game on the chin...3-1

• WEEK 2

We squared off against the Fuller Hamlets.

Playing out of a 4-4-2 we attacked the ball well this week.
The game was very even, both teams trying to dominate with two completely different styles of play. Puma playing build up, Hamlets playing long ball.
Defensively both teams stood tall, ending the first half 0-0.
Second half it was more of the same, a power struggle to gain some final 3rd superiority.....both teams shutting the door well on one another's build up.
With 3 minutes remaining in the game the Hamlets had a loose ball served back out to about 23 yards, a high rainbow shot at goal floated into the far corner, unsaveable by Lucy.
We pressured well for the remaining minutes but just couldn't equalize dropping game two of the season, 1-0.
The entire team played well. A hard fought battle which was a very tough loss for the girls.

• WEEK 1

Opening up the Spring season in Berkshire, we started a bit flat out of the gates.
On our heels for the first 15 minutes, we conceded an early goal to a fast, tenacious, Berkshire squad. Not to be outdone, we woke up in the final 15 minutes of the 1st half with some spirited play. The girls showed some good teamwork, attacking well, but we just couldn't find the back of the net. 2nd half we ran with the wind and had some quality touches on the ball, but Berkshire's swarming defense closed us down on many opportunities. With time running out, we had some great chances to equalize but it just wasn't our day today. A bit frustrated, the girls never quit and kept solid pressure on Berkshire only to lose 1-0. Some standout play by Chloe, Maddy and Lucy keeping the game close!