We saw snow flakes just before leaving campus for Boston, but for our first time at Northeastern's (new turf) field we had blustery but sunny 40F/5C. They were 2nd in their division -- just as we were -- and got an at-large bid to Regionals, so this was their tune-up game for their trip to Delaware next weekend.
So many fans! ELEVEN parents! Julia's dad, Lizzie's folks and friend, Callie's folks, Izzy's, Sophia's and Caroline's (and her twin sister from Wesleyan Univ), Tina's sister, Bri's friend from the Navy -- perhaps more? And great treats, especially in recognition of Katie Bernardez's birthday!
We spoke about making ground passes in light of the huge gusts of wind and being quick to move the ball since we expected high pressure from Northeastern. We didn't know how long the halves would be, but in now in retrospect I wish we had played 35-minute halves (we'd have had a tie!).
Our hosts got off shots wide and over the cross bar in the 4th and 5th minutes, then Sophia had a shot go wide. Neither team could keep much possession due to the extremely high pressure both teams put on each others. Northeastern did a good job of stepping in to intercept many of our passes, but we worked hard to get the ball back each time.
In the next span of only 3 minutes, Bri made 3 saves and Julia blocked one of their shots for a corner. Then Dani got off a shot that was saved.
There was a great deal of grabbing and pushing by our hosts that we imagine the officials either didn't see or thought was ok!
Northeastern had a shot hit our upright in the 14th minute, and another shot right after that go over our cross bar.
After twelve minutes, Bri saved a Northeastern shot for a corner. They scored by getting to the ball in the midst of a very crowded goal mouth.
After their free kick and another corner kick, Caroline showed her immense speed and skill to get in behind their defense for a shot that was saved. They had another shot blocked and a free kick saved by Bri just before the break.
During the break we tried to stay warm, recommending shorter (ground) passes in order to keep better possession and more communication so we know what pressure is on us and what options we have for passes.
Northeastern wasted no time getting two more shots off that were saved by Bri. Izzy almost got us on the score board in the 44th minute with a powerful shot just wide. Northeastern had another shot hit our upright followed by another one Bri saved.
Namya earned us a free kick in the 47th minute (taken by Callie), then Dani had a shot on target saved. Then Northeastern had another corner, Bri saved a follow-up shot and they sent another shot wide.
Namya sent a perfect cross from the right side of the field to set up Sarah J's tap-in equalizing goal in the 56th minute. It was great to see our hard work and quality be rewarded. Northeastern was showing great energy and perhaps too much physicality, but our skill and good passing showed them we were still in the game.
Bri came out bravely in the 61st minute to squash a ball at the feet of a Northeastern attacker. Then Caroline earned a free kick on the left side of the field that was taken by Callie.
Northeastern showed their persistence and high energy by getting the ball to an unmarked forward who put the ball into the middle of our net for their second goal in the 71st minute (see why I wanted 35-minute halves?!). After a shot Bri saved, they got very little power on a rolling ball that was able to find the left floor of our net to put them up two on us.
Namya almost scored in the 77th minute with a shot that surely had beaten their keeper but barely went over their cross bar. Northeastern had the last shot of the game go wide.
It's good to play good teams, and much credit goes to Northeastern for their intensity and quickness. We will want more chances to play them -- preferably on real grass and not in such crazy wind!
G: Bri
CD: Tina+Julia
OD: Callie+Izzy, Katie R+Katie B
CM: Namya+Sophia, Jenny
OM: Jenny+Meredith S, Caroline
F: Lizzie+Dani, Sarah J
Shots 7:21 Saves 11:3
4 Northeastern shot wide
5 Northeastern shot over
7 Sophia shot wide
8 Northeastern shot saved for a corner
9 Northeastern shot blocked by Julia for a corner
10 Northeastern shot saved
11 Northeastern free kick
13 Dani shot saved
14 Northeastern shot hit the upright, another over the bar
26 Northeastern shot saved for a corner
Northeastern scored on the corner --> 0:1
28 Northeastern free kick
31 Northeastern corner
36 Caroline shot saved
37 Northeastern shot blocked
39 Northeastern free kick from 40 yd saved
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42 Northeastern shot saved
43 Northeastern shot saved
44 Izzy shot just wide
45 Northeastern shot hit the upright, another saved
47 Namya earned a free kick taken by Callie
48 Dani shot saved
50 Northeastern corner, shot saved
53 Northeastern shot wide
56 Namya cross from right to Sarah J --> 1:1
61 Bri came out to squash an expected shot from the left side
67 Caroline earned a corner taken by Callie
71 Northeastern from close range in the middle --> 1:2
72 Northeastern shot saved
73 Northeastern roller from close range --> 1:3
77 Namya shot just barely over
79 Northeastern shot wide
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