UVM 23sep2017

We have great respect for UVM's team and usually have trouble scoring on them. Today was no exception, although we improved as the game progressed and outshot them 10:2!

We had hot summer conditions and even some fans -- Claire's grandmother and Lizzie's family! We spoke about being quick with the ball -- anticipating UVM's speed and immediate pressure they always seem to exert.

We started strong, earning an early corner and Meredith G's promising shot in the 11th minute. Bri saved us by saving a powerful UVM shot in the 19th minute; we were fortunate she played -- she had a quad pull in our game at Holy Cross.

Callie almost scored with a shot from long distance that could have snuck in over the goalkeeper's head but sailed over instead. Soon after that, Lindsey issued a strong shot that was saved. 

The warm weather made it difficult for either team to maintain much possession, and there were periods late in the first half when the midfield was relatively vacant. Both teams exhibited very strong defense that limited scoring opportunities.

During the break we spoke about more diagonal runs/dribbles, better and more positive communication and trying 4-3-3 instead of our starting 4-4-2, hoping to gain more control of the midfield.

We had some difficulty getting settled into a new formation, and we were fortunate that Mari was faster than the UVM attacker who fired a shot that Mari was able to block in the 46th minute.

For about 15 minutes neither team could be very threatening, but after we decided to return to our 4-4-2 formation, Lizzie got off two shots -- one blocked and the other saved. Immediately after that Sarah A, Meredith S, Elise and Dani all had shots blocked or saved. Dani's shot earned us a corner taken by Elise, and we almost scored on the melee in front of the net but their goalkeeper prevented us.

With our many shots in the second half, we seemed likely to win, but UVM's defense and goalkeeping got the better of uas -- credit to them! We somewhat wished there would be another chance to play UVM since they have so much quality. 

We relished our strong play with wonderfully tasty and individually wraped cookies sent from Meredith S's mom -- THANKS!

G: Bri
CD: Mari+Tina, Julia
OD: Izzi+Katie, Callie+Katy
CM: Lindsey+Elise, Namya+Meredith G
OM: Meredith S+Jenna, Sarah A+Julia C, Jenny+Nat
F: Lizzie+Claire, Sarah J+Dani

Shots 10:2  Saves 2:9

5 Claire corner
11 Meredith G shot blocked
19 UVM shot saved
20 Callie shot over
21 Callie free kick
24 Claire corner
25 Lindsey shot saved
33 UVM corner
35 UVM free kick
38 Dartmouth corner
39 UVM corner
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46 Mari blocked UVM shot
60 UVM corner
66 Lizzie shot blocked
67 Lizzie shot saved
68 Sarah A shot saved
72 Meredith S shot saved
73 Elise shot saved
74 Dani shot blocked for an Elise corner, rebound saved
77 UVM corner
80 UVM corner
81 UVM free kick