We returned to Amherst to play UMass B “Minutewomen” after two years, but instead of playing on grass as we did last time we found them on a new turf field behind the (American) football stadium. Turf is abrasive on bodies and about 10 degrees F warmer, so we prefer grass. It was sunny and 75+F/25+C but felt much warmer.
Fans came! Caitlin Evers’ dad who extremely helpfully fetched water for the players at half-time, Katie Reisman’s parents who brought cookies, Lizzy Strapp’s mom, Kalā’s cousin, perhaps others.
We decided to use the 4-5-1 formation we tried last Sunday, with three center-midfielders and two wing players. With 18 players we were able to sub the mid-field, forward target player and outside backs. We spoke about keeping the ball moving to keep possession and avoid tackles.
After a spell of high-pressure, Nathalie got off our first shot on the 15th minute. Kelly, having her first game in goal since high school, made a huge save from a UMass free kick. After Kate’s excellent corner kick, Eliza had her shot go over the cross-bar.
Kalyn had her shot saved for a corner well taken by Aislinn in the 28th minute, and just after that Caitlin’s shot went wide. Kalyn came up with a huge opportunity in the 30th minute when she wrestled the ball away from a UMass player and fed it to Mudia for her rocket-shot to the right upper-90.
After Lizzy drew a free kick taken by Kalā, UMass in the last minute of the half on a breakaway counter-attack rolled the ball into the right side of our net.
At the break, players made great suggestions: find feet with ground passes in the midfield, move together as a team, don’t kick and run as UMass was doing, switch the ball to the opposite side to use more width.
After Sara’s shot wide, Zanna had one go over before UMass got a free kick and put a shot over our cross-bar. Julia earned a free kick taken by Kate just before Kelly made another huge save on a UMass shot in the 59th minute.
Kate had a shot go over their cross-bar, and Caitlin had hers go wide before UMass launched another counter-attack that ended with their shot going over. The last few minutes were all in the UMass third, with our four corner kicks, great passes and Zanna’s clinic on cuts to open up space.
It was clear we played really well and were the better team with more shots and scoring opportunities, so the score didn’t tell the whole story. The division rankings show us tied in points with them, so we are eager to see what we can do with the other UMass team and UVM!
Shots 9:5 Saves 2:2
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