at UVM 5oct2019

Starting out at freezing temperatures when we went to pick up our rental vans, the drive to Burlington was magical with blue skies and trees turning their green to reds and yellows. Most often we play on their turf field, but we were directed to their grass "Centennial Field" today.

With 17 players -- some or our players had Rush and frisbee conflicts -- we were out-numbered by their 24 (or so), and historically UVM is a very strong team that has been difficult to beat (we lost 0:1 last fall at home). We usually try to schedule games during Rush at home, but with so many home games last year the fair plan was for us to travel more this fall. 

Our last trip to this field was in pretty intense rain, but we did well that day. One of the UVM players got so frustrated by not being able to score on us , after one of her fouls on us she got a yellow card -- very unusual for this league! 

The field was bumpy but soft and well covered in grass rather than the weeds we found at UMass, and the bright sun made it feel more like 70F/20+C, so we didn't need any of the gloves I brought.

We spoke about keeping the ball moving quickly since we expected UVM to put high pressure on us. Sophia's great energy in the midfield immediately earned us a free kick just before UVM almost scored on a shot that barely went wide.

UVM had a corner and free kick before Katie Fearon used her incredible skill and speed to beat her defenders, sending a pass for Zanna to slot into the right side of the UVM net in the 16th minute. 

UVM had some threatening passes but seemed to resort to longer 50/50 passes just as we settled down and started making better/shorter passes rather than more frenzied passes -- demonstrating one of our big strengths that we are quick learners and astute problem-solvers.

Jenna had a great shot saved just after UVM's free kick and just before their two corner kicks, which could have been threatening given the number of tall UVM players. 

Bri came up big in the 32nd minute by stepping out to catch a ball sent in. That might have been the same time a UVM player fouled Bri by running directly into her after she got her hands on the ball. 

Mudia had a great shot saved in the 34th minute for a corner taken by Meredith, and Aislinn had her powerful shot from a long distance saved. Sophia's quickness earned us another free kick just before halftime; Zanna did very well to get her free kick over the UVM wall and on target, but it was saved.

During the break we suggested simpler/shorter passes rather than longer ones, switching the attack, more communication, using the width of the field, quicker passes to beat their skillful center midfielders and containing rather than trying to get the ball from them.

Ella used her amazing skill and speed to beat several defenders before her shot beat the UVM keeper and rolled toward the left upright of the UVM goal. Sarah was there to tap in the rebound in the 44th minute.

Aislinn had a free kick just before UVM had another threatening shot go wide, and Caris bravely came out quickly to quash a UVM attack in the 46th minute.

UVM got another good chance with a free kick from about 19 yd, but they were unable to put it on target. Immediately after that, Katie F sprinted by several defenders and had a great shot saved.

UVM had another shot go wide in the 56th minute just before Katie F's cross was blocked for a corner after she made another great run up the right side of the field.

Sarah showed her shot-taking ability in the 70th minute, awarded with a free kick due to its being handled by a UVM player about 19 yd out. Her free kick hit the upright, but Jenna quickly got her head on it to put it into the UVM net.

After UVM had another shot go wide, they somehow got in behind Caris to find an open net two minutes before time was up. Mudia responded with a powerful shot just barely wide to the right of their net in the last minute of the game.

Sarah, our president, remarked how proud she was of our team -- a fitting statement in light of UVM's strength.  We showed our learning abilities and immense skill in defense -- special thanks to Katie B, Molly, Kanā, Lana and Aislinn, aided also by midfielders Sophia, Claire, Ella, Jenna, Meredith and Katie F who ran back to help. Even forwards Namya, Sarah, Mudia and Zanna got back behind the ball many times, helping us all defend as a unit.

And of course we attacked as a unit, too, putting together good passes and runs to set up 13 shots to UVM's 6.

Molly's dad came with his high-quality camera all the way from Washington, DC, and her sister came up from Middlebury with some of her basketball teammates. They celebrated Molly's birthday and brought cupcakes, drinks and other goodies for the players. THANKS!

G: Bri Lowe, Caris White
CD: Katie Bernardez+Molly Knox, Kalā Harman
OD: Aislinn Mitcham+Lana Kanno
CM: Sophia Greszczuk+Claire Meli, Ella Steinhilber
OM: Jenna Salvay+Meredith Srour, Katie Fearon, Sarah Abramowitz
F: Namya Malik+Sarah Abramowitz, Mudia Ikoba+Zanna Stutz

Shots 13:6  Saves 2:4

1 Sophia earned a free kick
2 UVM shot wide
6 UVM corner kick
14 UVM free kick
16 Katie F set up Zanna's shot right side 1:0
20 UVM free kick
29 Jenna's shot saved
30 UVM corner (2)
32 Bri came out to catch a ball sent in
34 Mudia's shot saved for a corner taken my Meredith
36 Aislinn's shot saved
39 Sophia earned a free kick taken by Zanna, saved
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44 Ella's shot rolled to the left upright, Sarah got the rebound 2:0
45 Aislinn's free kick
45 UVM shot wide
46 Caris out to quash an attack
48 UVM free kick from 19 yd wide
49 Katie F's shot saved
56 UVM shot wide
59 Katie F's cross blocked for a corner
70 Sarah's shot handed by a UVM player
    Sarah's free kick hit the upright, Jenna headed the rebound 3:0
74 UVM shot wide
78 UVM got in behind Caris 3:1
79 Mudia's shot barely wide