at UMass B 22sep2019

We arrived in Amherst around 11am to find sunny 80sF/~30C temperature and a very dry and firm field of mostly weeds - probably still better than turf! We noticed after the game that relatives of Lana's and Claire's were there!

We spoke before the game about our rocky history with UMass teams -- both 'A' and 'B' teams are really good but very aggressive. So we suggested keeping the ball moving quickly to encourage our possession and to avoid injury.

Kelly immediately got a free kick, and Meredith had a shot saved, before UMass had their free kick go over our crossbar. Kelly had another free kick in the 6th minute. It was hot and dry, so we were fortunate to have 6 subs every 10 minutes.

In the 13th minute, UMass had a shot ring off our crossbar and another just afterwards go over - whew! Zanna had a couple shots go wide before UMass got incredibly lucky in the 21st minute when we cleared their shot but they put the rebound into our net to put them up one goal.

Dani had a really solid shot blocked, Sarah had one go over their crossbar, and Caris came out smartly to smother a UMass advance in the 26th.

Kala set up Jenna on the left wing in the 29th minute -- her composure and patience paid off wonderfully with our first goal to even the score.

Katie F's cross to Ella got us a corner kick in the 30th minute, followed by Katie R's shot wide. Zanna had a shot go wide before Mudia beat several defenders and struck the ball strongly -- the UMass keeper got her hand on it but it was too powerful for her, and it rolled into their net for our second goal.

During the break we discussed using the width of the field, being quicker, attacking together and looking for opportunities to drop the ball back to the 18.

Katie F did her magic again with her incredibly dribbling skills to beat several defenders before having her shot go just wide. After a UMass corner kick, they got another huge piece of luck when their lofted ball bounced awkwardly and unexpectedly high over Caris' head for their second goal in the 60th minute.

But Dani sent in a ball for Sarah to volley to put us ahead again in the 63rd. After that, we continued attacking as did UMass, with Zanna and Aislinn putting shots wide and UMass doing the same.

It was a very intense and sometimes pushy event, but our shot total versus theirs demonstrated how strong we were today -- it was extremely impressive to play so well already (only our second day playing games with our amazing new 2023's), especially in what felt like 90F on the pitch!

G: Caris White
CD: Katie Bernardez+Molly Knox, Kalā Harman
OD: Kelly Rutherford+Katie Reisman, Aislinn Mitcham
CM: Ella Steinhilber+Claire Meli, Lana Kanno, Sarah Abramowitz
OM: Meredith Srour+Jenna Salvay, Katie Fearon, Sarah A
F: Sarah A+Dani Black, Mudia Ikoba+Zanna Stutz

Shots 15:7  Saves 2:3

1 Kelly free kick
2 Meredith shot saved
5 UMass free kick from 30 yd over
6 Kelly free kick
12 UMass corner
13 UMass shot hit the crossbar, a 2nd shot over
16 Zanna shot wide
19 Aislinn shot wide
20 Zanna shot wide
21 we cleared a UMass shot but they put in the rebound -> 0:1
24 Dani shot blocked
25 Sarah shot over
26 Caris out to smother a UMass attack
29 Kalā to Jenna -> 1:1
30 Katie F cross to Ella whose shot was blocked for a corner
30 Katie R shot wide
33 Zanna shot wide
35 Mudia power shot touched by UMass GKer but rolled in -> 2:1
-------------------------------------
43 Katie F shot wide
56 UMass corner
60 UMass ball bounched unexpectedly high over Caris' head -> 2:2
63 Dani to Sarah for a volley ->3:2
64 UMass free kick
67 Zanna shot wide
70 UMass corner
73 UMass shot wide
77 Aislinn's shot wide
79 UMass free kick