at Harvard 5Nov2011

Bright sunshine, blue sky and 15C/59F on Harvard's turf field -- a pleasant recovery in conditions after last Saturday's snow!  So many parents!  Ally's, Molly's, Katherine's, Courtney's, Julia's, Shelby's mom and Christine's mom al the way from southern CA!  Amazing!


We talked about keeping it simple (making the easy, close passes), being quick with the ball (since it moves faster than players can run), using the full width of the field, and sending the ball diagonally.


Harvard's style-of-play was very in-your-face, physical, chippy.  We had the first corner but they made the first shots of the game.  In the tenth minute Harvard was called for hand-ball, and Emily Niehaus calmly scored, just as she had with Tufts.


Only two minutes later, Molly's free kick was almost saved by Harvard's GK, who couldn't hold onto it.  Mila put in the rebound for our second goal.  


Harvard had several chances at getting close to our goal, but Tessa, Ally, Blythe and Liz shut down all of them.  Harvard did a job on Tessa's lower legs but she played through it.


In the 29th minute Emily N launched a shot from the right side of the field from more than 30m that the Harvard GK touched but couldn't save.


At half-time we talked about making the easy close passes and using more width -- trying to be calmer.  It worked -- in the second half we started to string together more of our passes.  


Two minutes in, Jenn's corner found Molly, who made it 4:0.  Ten minutes later, Harvard returned the favor and scored their only goal on a corner that we couldn't clear.


For the remaining half hour, we dominated possession, getting increasingly calmer and in control.  Harvard made two more shots but they were off target.  We were blessed by players who were happy to switch position in order to give defenders a rest.


The parents all were beaming, and they complimented your playing.  It was good that we were able to do so well under such physical play by Harvard.    


F: Emily N + Courtney, Caroline
OM: Jenn+Mila, Natalie+Katherine
CM: Molly+Julia, Shelby+Christine, Emily B
OD: Blythe+Liz, Christine+Ally
CD: Ally+Tessa, Ginny+Julia
G: Hannah


Shots 6:8  Saves 4:0


6 Mila corner
8 Harvard corner saved off the line by Liz
8 Harvard shot saved by Hannah
10 Harvard called for hand-ball, Emily N Pk --> 1:0
12 Molly free kick bobbled by the GK, Mila got the rebound --> 2:0
15 Emily N shot hit the cross-bar
16 Harvard corner, shot wide
17 Harvard shot wide
19 Emily N shot wide
22 Harvard shot from distance, Hannah save
27 Blythe squashed a Harvard shot
29 Emily N shot from 30+m --> 3:0
35 Harvard shot from distance, Hannah catch
47 Jenn corner --> Molly --> 4:0
49 Mila corner
54,55 Harvard corners
58 Harvard corner --> 4:1
69 Harvard shot wide
78 Harvard shot over