WPI 17Sep2022

Coming after busy days of tryouts, we were delighted to start our fall season with talented new players Abby Headstrom, Erika Huston, Avery Jones, Daniella Nichols, Genevieve Schaefer and Kelly Zreloff - at home under sunny skies and with warm temperatures! And we were delighted to see Krista’s parents!

Never quite sure what to expect from WPI, we suggested that keeping the ball moving might help avoid excessive physical contact. WPI was later to play UVM on our field, so they might have preferred shorter halves but agreed to 40 min halves.

We wasted no time getting close to their goal, with Julia having a shot saved and one blocked after only a minute or so. Caitlin had a shot blocked before WPI had a chance that Caris saved in the 7th minute. 

Zanna had her shot saved a minute later, then Lizzy sent in another of her soaring and accurate corner kicks before Abby Burgess set up Eliza’s goal in the 15th minute. Lizzy had another corner and Abby B had a shot go over their cross-bar before Nathalie’s shot was saved in the 18th minute.

After Rachel’s free kick, Lizzy had a shot blocked for a corner kick that she took; Sara had a shot go over. WPI got a free kick just before Kalyn did her magic in the 32nd minute for our second goal. Then Abby H set up Kalyn for a third goal; Kalyn had a shot go wide and Kate had a shot saved just before the break.

We were feeling well in control of the game and were delighted by how seamlessly the new players from the Class of 2026 showed their quality. We scrambled the line-up so that players could play with different teammates.

The second half started with Julia immediately getting free to take another shot that went wide and Avery having a shot saved. Zanna earned a corner kick that led to a (saved) shot by Sara. Avery had another shot saved before WPI’s free kick from mid-field and their ensuing corner kick in the 47th minute.

Mudia earned a corner kick and WPI had another free kick from mid-field before Mudia had shots blocked and saved. After Lizzy had a shot go high, Abby B had a shot blocked before Abby H’s shot hit the cross-bar before going over.

It was a great showing for a first game!

Shots 23:1 Saves 1:8

G: Caris White
CD: Kalā Harman, Molly Knox, Rachel Horne, Kelly Zreloff
OD: Kate Clark+Kelly Rutherford, Erika Huston+Sara Pickrell
CM: Claire Meli+Lana Kanno+Krista Schemitsch, Lizzy Strapp+Alison Sasaki+Abby Burgess, Avery Jones+Abby Headstrom

OM: Caitlin Evers+Zanna Stutz, Eliza Durban+Nathalie Maffei, Daniella Nichols+Kalyn Dawes

F: Julia Gottschalk, Mudia Ikoba, Genevieve Schaefer

2 Julia shot saved

4 Julia shot blocked

5 Caitlin shot blocked

7 WPI shot saved by Caris

8 Zanna shot saved

13 Lizzy corner kick

15 Abby B pass to Eliza -> 1:0

16 Abby B shot wide

17 Lizzy corner kick, Abby B shot over

18 Nathalie shot saved

22 Rachel free kick

23 Lizzy shot blocked for a corner taken by her,

     Sara shot over

30 WPI free kick

32 Kalyn -> 2:0

39 Abby H set up Kalyn -> 3:0

    Kalyn shot wide

40 Kate shot saved

42 Julia shot wide

43 Avery shot saved

44 Zanna earned a corner kick

     Sara shot saved

46 Avery shot saved

47 WPI free kick from half-field, corner kick 

56 Mudia earned a corner kick

60 WPI free kick from half-field

61 Mudia shot blocked

63 Mudia shot saved 

69 Lizzy shot over

70 Abby B shot blocked

77 Abby H shot hit the cross-bar then over

Middlebury 30Apr2022

Last game for seniors - boo hoo! A beautiful day eventually 15C/60F, with LOADS of parents - of Katie, Sophia, Abby, Nathalie, Caitlin, Kalyn, Zanna!!!

A couple minutes after we spoke about moving the ball quickly, Caitlin got off a shot that was saved. A minute later Julia from the right put the ball in the upper left of the Middlebury net.

After Caitlin had a shot saved and Lizzy and Caitlin had shots go wide, Nathalie had a shot saved then hit the upright before Ava took a corner kick. Then Abby had a shot go over, Ava took another corner kick and Sara had a shot saved.

Abby scored in the 20th minute! Ava had a shot go wide, then Lizzy had a shot saved for a corner taken by Ash. Sophia had a shot saved before Caitlin set up Ava for her goal in the 29th minute.

Caris saved a Middlebury shot five minutes before half-time. We spoke about passing more diagonally and to feet to maintain better possession and going in strongly on tackles.

Ash had her early second-half shot saved just before Caitlin scored her goal in the 39th minute. Sophia had a shot go over before Caris saved two Middlebury shots.

Nathalie had a shot go over, and Sophia had her shot saved for a corner taken by Ash. Then Sophia had a shot go wide and Ava had a shot go over.

George Cook, our official today, remarked about how enjoyable it is to ref for our team - a huge compliment! And it was wonderful to see so many parents there and for them to see the team’s quality and level of fun!

Shots 20:3  Saves 3:7

G: Caris White
CD: Aislinn Mitcham+Sara Pickrell

OD: Kate Clark+Katie Reisman

CM: Sophia Greszczuk+Claire Meli+Lizzy Strapp, Krista Schemitsch+Abby Burgess+Ava Neijna

OM: Caitlin Evers+Nathalie Maffei, Kalyn

F: Julia Gottschalk

2 Caitlin shot saved

3 Julia from right shot upper left -> 1:0

5 Caitlin shot saved

9 Lizzy shot wide, Caitlin shot wide

10 Nathalie shot saved

15 Nathalie shot hit the post, corner taken by Ava

17 Abby shot over

19 Ava corner, Sara shot saved

20 Abby! -> 2:0

23 Ava shot wide

24 Lizzy shot saved for a corner taken by Ash

26 Sophia shot saved

29 Caitlin set up Ava -> 3:0

30 Middlebury shot saved by Caris

4 Ash shot saved

5 Caitlin! -> 4:0

10 Sophia shot over

11 Middlebury shot saved by Caris

14 Middlebury shot saved by Caris

15 Nathalie shot over

17 Sophia shot saved for a corner taken by Ash

21 Sophia shot wide

28 Ava shot over

Yale Ivy Tournament 23-24Apr2022

We were delighted that Yale offered to host games in a spring tournament! We were unable to find a team to play April 9th, and Brandeis appears to have discontinued its April tournament that we attended for over a decade.

Harvard, without enough players was replaced by Sacred Heart; Cornell, Brown and Yale’s two club teams played.

G: Caris White
CD: Kalā Harman+Molly Knox, Rachel Horne

OD: Aislinn Mitcham+Katie Reisman, Kate Clark+Kelly Rutherford

CM: Sophia Greszczuk+Claire Meli+Lizzy Strapp, Krista Schemitsch+Abby Burgess

OM: Caitlin Evers+Zanna Stutz, Sara Pickrell+Nathalie Maffei

F: Julia Gottschalk

In our first game with Yale 2 at 2pm 23Apr2022, we each shared goals for the game, including passing well, being quick but not frantic, winning the game, regaining possession, playing well and having fun. Julia wasted no time in getting our first goal in the 5th minute! 

After Ash’s free kick, Kelly and Zanna had a shots go wide. Then Sara sent a magnificent shot from over 30m that sailed over their GK’er into the upper right corner! At some point during the game, Yale2 had only 10 players, so we graciously agreed to play down as well.

Yale 2 got a free kick in their third before Caitlin set up Lizzy’s lower-left slotted shot for our third goal. Yale had another free kick - this time in our third - just before Julia used her immense speed to breakaway in behind them, but her almost-perfect shot hit the upright. She had another shot go wide before the break.

We spoke during the break about keeping a high tempo and connecting more passes. Yale 2 got off a shot in the direction of our goal, but it was way out in front of our goal and gave Caris no trouble. Zanna and Nathalie had shots saved before. Zanna set up Sara for her composed and successful one-v-one with their keeper that gave Sara her 2nd goal in the 42nd minute.

After Caris saved Yale2’s free kick, Lizzy, Abby and Julia had shots saved - the last resulting in a corner taken by Ash, who a minute later had her shot saved for a corner taken by Zanna. Then Yale had a non-threatening corner kick.

Kate, who made numerous wonderful runs up-field, had her shot saved in the 61st minute. Then Krista set up Sara for another one-v-one that she handily converted to complete her hat-trick. Kelly followed that with a one-v-one of her own, showing her finesse and high quality for our 6th goal of the game!

Ais had a shot go wide before Abby and Ash had shots go over their cross-bar. We knew we should be proud of the result but thought we should focus on the possibility of Cornell being a more difficult team to play.

Shots 20:2  Saves 1:7

5 Julia! -> 1:0

8 Ash free kick

13 Dartmouth corner, Kelly shot wide

20 Zanna shot wide

21 Sara from over 30m! -> 2:0

23 Yale2 free kick in their third 

27 Caitlin set up Lizzy’s goal lower-left corner -> 3:0

29 Yale2 free kick in our third

30 Julia’s shot hot the left post

31 Julia shot wide

35 Yale2 shot short

37 Zanna shot saved 

38 Nathalie shot saved

41 Yale2 free kick

42 Zanna to Sara 1v1 -> 4:0

49 Yale2 free kick saved by Caris

50 Lizzy, Abby shots saved

53 Julia shot saved for a corner taken by Ash

54 Ash shot saved for a corner taken by Zanna

55 Yale2 corner

61 Kate shot saved

63 Krista to Sara for 1v1 -> 5:0

64 Kelly 1v1 -> 6:0

67 Ash shot wide

68 Abby shot over

70 Ash shot over

Cornell (4pm Saturday 23Apr2022) also had only 10 players but certainly didn’t act like they were down a player! They got off the first shot, which luckily for us went high. Then they had a free kick from 30m that also went over. Cornell proved to be scrappy and aggressive, but we were up to the task without being abusive.

Kelly had a shot go wide before Sara’s free kick went wide. Then Claire, Ash and Abby had shots saved. We were pleased to be able to match Cornell’s high tempo and to win many 50-50 situations.

Abby got off the first shot of the 2nd half (saved), then in the 52nd minute made a beautiful cross to Kelly, who pounded the ball from something like 20m into their net for the game’s only goal.

Just after that, the Cornell defender who had been hounding Kelly got a yellow card - seldom seen in club games. 

Sara had a shot go wide, Cornell had a free kick and a shot wide before Ash successfully defended a Cornell attack that won them a corner kick. Caris saved a shot from them a minute later. 

Zanna won a corner kick taken by Kelly, and perhaps it was Kalā who got her head on it for a near-goal. Abby and Zanna earned us free kicks and Abby had a shot go wide at the end of the game. 

Throughout the game it was notable that Kalā, Molly, Kate, Ash, Rachel, Krista and Kelly defended with great authority, while Sara, Kate, Ash and Kelly made numerous runs up the outside channels. Zanna, Caitlin, Abby, Sophia, Claire and Nathalie created many give-and-go runs and crosses, with Julia using her speed to get in behind their defense. It was great fun to see so much good playing, movement and skill!

Shots 9:5  Saves 1:4

11 Cornell shot over

12 Cornell free kick from 30m, shot over

14 Kelly shot wide

17 Sara free kick wide

23 Claire shot saved

27 Ash shot saved

32 Abby shot saved

42 Abby shot saved 

52 Abby cross to Kelly -> 1:0

54 Cornell yellow card!

60 Sara shot wide

66 Cornell free kick

67 Cornell shot wide

68 Ash defended for a Cornell corner

69 Caris saved a Cornell shot

74 Zanna earned a corner taken by Kelly, header went over

77 Abby earned a free kick

78 Zanna earned a free kick taken by Kelly

80 Abby shot wide 

When Yale 1 arrived for our 9:45am semi-final on Sunday 24Apr2022, they said they only had 8 players due to illness/covid, so Kelly Rutherford offered to play GK for them - a gracious and selfless solution! She played for them until more of their team arrived for the 2nd half.

Sunny but extremely windy/chilly, we were delighted to see Sophia’s parents and Abby’s mom and sister and Claire’s mom - all from Massachusetts.

Kelly helped her adopted side by saving Caitlin’s shot for a corner in the 9th minute just before Lizzy’s shot was blocked. Caris saved a shot from Yale 1 seven minutes later, and Nathalie had a shot go wide after that. 

Kalā took a free kick from half-field and Abby had a shot saved (by Kelly) before half-time. During the break we decided to proceed with Kelly back in our team and to go for the win.

Caris saved a shot from Yale 1 in the first minute, and they had a shot go wide of our goal a couple minutes later. Abby and Ash had shots go wide before Yale 1 got a free kick in our third.

Kate sent a glorious diagonal cross from the left side of the field to Caitlin, who put the ball immediately into the Yale 1 net in the 62nd minute. Julia had a shot go wide before Yale’s header from a free kick sailed wide of Caris’ goal.

We waited for the penalty shoot-out between Brown and Cornell to see which team we would play in the final.

Shots 8:4  Saves 2:2

9 Caitlin shot saved, Lizzy shot blocked

16 Yale 1 shot saved by Caris

19 Nathalie shot wide

22 Kalā free kick from the half

23 Abby shot saved

41 Yale 1 shot saved by Caris

43 Yale 1 shot wide

53 Abby shot wide

54 Ash shot wide

59 Yale 1 free kick in our third

62 Kate diagonal cross to Caitlin -> 1:0

69 Julia shot wide

72 Yale 1 free kick in our third, header went wide

Brown converted more PK’s than Cornell, and we had been impressed seeing them play near us yesterday, so we were excited to face such a strong team at 12:15pm. Katie Reisman was back from her other weekend commitment, so we were at full strength! Her parents and Rachel’s were there, too! Julia found high-school classmates there playing for Brown and Yale, presenting a nice photo-opportunity.

Brown got off the first shot and followed that with a free kick five minutes later. Both teams were playing high-pressure, fast-paced soccer; neither had much possession. 

Nathalie made a perfect pass to set up Julia for a 1v1 with their GK - Julia succeeded by slotting her shot calmly and precisely into their net. Our team erupted with joy! 

Brown bounced back with a shot Caris saved and one that went high. A few minutes later Caris came forward quickly to quash another attempt, and a following shot of theirs went wide just before half-time.

We spoke about keeping up the pressure and connecting more passes to keep the ball from them. They had a shot go wide, took a free kick in our third, and had a shot saved by Caris ten minutes later.

Nathalie and Kelly took corner kicks before Sara worked her long-range magic again for an arching shot that chipped their keeper, giving us an 2nd (insurance) goal. 

Brown kept firing, with a wayward shot over/wide, a corner kick and two free kicks Caris saved. Abby’s free kick just before time was saved, and a minute later our celebration ensued - complete with 1st place Ivy Tournament championship medals!

Shots 3:10 Saves 5:1

3 Brown shot wide

8 Brown free kick from the half

16 drop-ball for Dartmouth 

27 Nathalie set up Julia for 1v1 -> 1:0

28 Brown shot saved by Caris

29 Brown shot over

36 Brown shot blocked by Caris

40 Brown shot wide

41 Brown shot wide

43 Brown free kick in our third

53 Brown free kick saved by Caris

56 Nathalie corner, Kelly corner

62 Brown shot over/wide

64 Brown corner

66 Brown free kick saved by Caris

70 Brown free kick saved by Caris

79 Abby free kick saved

Middlebury senior day 23Oct2021

Perhaps it was fortunate for parents that we didn’t get into Regionals - we were close, but instead of taking the usual 24 teams they took only 18 - because this was Parent’s Weekend! Parents of Carly, Rachel, Zanna, Julia and Abby and friends of many were there under sunny skies and 10+C/50+F temps. After enjoying our game two years ago, Middlebury today had enough players to have two simultaneous games and displayed improved quality after three years as a club/former JV team.

Advising to “do it for the seniors” - Carly Brown, Caroline Collins-Pisano, Sophia Greszczuk, Katie Reisman and Cate Rozelle - we looked as happy as ever to have a game today!

Lizzy got us started by earning and taking a corner kick and a free kick in the Middlebury third before her shot sailed over their cross-bar. Claire had her shot saved in the 7th minute before Julia’s went wide seven minutes later. 

After Sara earned a free kick, Rachel’s shot went over. Kalyn earned a corner in the 17th minute, resulting in Lana’s three corner kicks and Kate’s sweetly struck shot that was saved. 

Kalyn earned another corner taken by Lana. Kalā acrobatically got her foot on the ball and chipped it over their keeper, but the goal was disallowed because we had an extra player on the field.

Mudia had a shot go wide and then made a perfect cross to Eliza, whose attempt at a tap-in hit the upright. Ash had a shot go over before Lizzy had two shots saved and a third that hit the cross-bar. 

Kalyn and Abby had shots saved in the last minutes of the half before Julia earned a corner taken by Lizzy. During the break, we discussed following up shots that bounce back into play and continuing our good field-switching and give-and-go passing.

Eliza had a shot saved right away before Mudia earned a free kick in the Middlebury third taken by Ash. Then Sophia’s shot went wide.

Zanna earned a corner taken by Lana, and Kalā had a shot blocked. Mudia earned a corner taken by Ash, and Eliza had a shot go wide. Zanna earned another corner taken by Lana in the 49th minute. 

Abby had a shot go over the cross-bar before another player’s shot went wide. Lizzy had a shot saved and later took another corner kick. Julia had a shot saved and Lizzy took another corner. Mudia earned another corner that was taken by Ash in the 69th minute.

Ash set us up for great success with her shot saved in the 71st minute for three corners, resulting in Kalā’s goal on the third corner kick.

Middlebury had a free kick from their end-line before they got a shot on our goal that Caris saved in the 78th minute. Julia earned a corner taken by Nathalie before Kalyn and Abby had shots saved. 

After Middlebury’s free kick from mid-field, Julia earned a free kick taken by Claire and Abby took a corner in the last minute.

With almost 30 shots to their one, we well deserved the win, but it was perhaps more impressive to see our stepping to the ball, getting the ball away from Middlebury players, connected passes, switching the ball to the opposite side of the field and the individual moves we made to keep the ball and open up space for passing options!

The glorious day was capped by a lovely ceremony honoring the seniors and memorable chances for parents to admire their talented children!

G: Caris White

CD: Kalā Harman+Molly Knox, Rachel Horne

OD: Ash Mitcham+Lana Kanno, Kate Clark+Sara Pickrell

CM: Sophia Greszczuk+Claire Meli+Lizzy Strapp, Krista Schemitsch+Abby Burgess

OM: Eliza Durbin+Zanna Stutz, Kalyn Dawes+Nathalie Maffei

F: Mudia Ikoba, Julia Gottschalk

Shots 27:1  Saves 1:14

4 Lizzy earned and took a corner kick

5 Lizzy earned a free kick in their third, her shot over

7 Claire shot saved

14 Julia shot wide

16 Sara earned a free kick, Rachel’s shot over

17 Kalyn earned a corner taken by Lana three times

     Kate shot saved

19 Kalyn earned a corner taken by Lana

     Kalā scored with her foot but disallowed due to 12 players fielded

25 Mudia shot wide

27 Mudia cross to Eliza whose shot hit the upright 

     Ash shot over

28 Lizzy two shots saved, a third hit the cross-bar

34 Kalyn shot saved

38 Abby shot saved

40 Julia earned a corner taken by Lizzy

42 Eliza shot saved

44 Mudia earned a free kick in their third, taken by Ash

     Sophia shot wide

47 Zanna earned a corner taken by Lana

     Kalā shot blocked

48 Mudia earned a corner taken by Ash

     Eliza shot wide

49 Zanna earned a corner taken by Lana

52 Abby shot over, another player’s shot wide

54 Lizzy shot saved

59 Lizzy corner

61 Julia shot saved for a corner taken by Lizzy

69 Mudia earned taken by Ash

71 Ash shot saved for a corner taken by Ash three times

     Kalā scored again! ->1:0

74 Middlebury free kick from their end line

78 Middlebury shot saved

     Julia earned a corner taken by Nathalie

     Kalyn shot saved

     Abby shot saved

79 Middlebury free kick from the half

80 Julia earned a free kick taken by Claire from the half

     Abby corner

at MIT 16Oct2021

Our president, Caroline Collins-Pisano, had - last summer - arranged a game on Sunday October 17th with Northeastern as a way to continue our post-league division season - we preferred Saturday, but they had a conflict, so we agreed on Sunday. In late August Northeastern cancelled, and we were unable to find another team that would agree to come up that day, so we decided to consider traveling for an away game. Harvard invited us but then gave the date to BU, but Caroline found out only three days ago that MIT could host us.

Only eleven players were available, given the late notice, but Ash’s dad John Mitcham was here from Utah and wanted to see her play, so we were excited to play! Sophia’s parents also came to see our game under windy, partly cloudy skies and warm 20+C/70sF temperatures.

We spoke about turf being fast and the value of good passes and quick pressure.

Ash wasted no time getting off a shot in the first minute, followed by Caitlin seven minutes later. After MIT’s free kick in their third, Lizzy had her shot deflected for a corner taken by Ash, and Lizzy had another shot hit the upright.

After Caris saved an MIT shot, she distributed the ball perfectly to Mudia, whose shot rocketed into the MIT net. Ash and Caitlin had their shot saved five minutes later. Most of the action was in their third, while Caris communicated what she was seeing and our passes was quick and well connected.

Ash had two more shots saved in the last few minutes of the half.

We spoke during half time about making through balls more successful by using less force and about passing to feet and passing back to keep possession.

Caris saved an MIT rolling shot in the fifth minute before Ash made a wonderful cross from the left side to Caitlin on the right side - her powerful shot landed in the MIT net.

Sara earned a free kick in the middle of the field taken by Lana before MIT put a shot over our cross-bar and had a free kick from their third in the 55th minute. Their GK came out swiftly to squash Sophia’s chance a few minutes later, Lizzy earned and took a corner kick, Ash had a shot blocked and Mudia had a shot deflected.

We had a great amount of communication during this half, ending with Claire’s corner, Sophia’s blocked shot and Caris making another save from a cross/shot.

G: Caris White

CD: Lana Kanno+Sara Pickrell

OD: Aislinn Mitcham+Katie Reisman

CM: Sophia Greszczuk+Claire Meli+Lizzy Strapp

OM: Caitlin Evers+Julia Gottschalk

F: Mudia Ikoba

Shots 12:4   Saves 3:5

1 Ash shot wide

8 Caitlin shot wide

9 MIT free kick in their third 

12 Lizzy shot deflected for a corner taken by Ash

     Lizzy shot hit the upright

13 MIT shot saved by Caris who distributed to Mudia for her rocket-shot ->1:0

18 Ash shot saved, Caitlin shot saved

30 Ash shot saved

34 Ash shot saved

40 MIT rolling shot saved

     Ash cross from the right side to Caitlin on the left ->2:0

47 Sara earned a free kick from the half taken by Lana

51 MIT shot over

55 MIT free kick in their third

57 MIT GK out to squash Sophia’s chance

58 Lizzy earned a corner she took, Ash shot blocked, Mudia shot deflected

67 Claire corner, Sophia shot blocked

69 MIT cross/shot saved

UVM 9Oct2021

Delighted to welcome alumnae and parents - Molly’s parents from MD, Caitlin’s dad from CA, Ella’s mom from TN, Katie R’s parents, Katie Bernardez from Seattle, Meredith Srour from Duke Medical School, Jenna Salvay from San Francisco, Dani Black from NYC, Jenny Kane and Namya Malik (here for a masters degree in computer science) - we were excited to play our best with a team we usually find difficult to beat. 

The 15C/60F cloudy weather was perfect for soccer! 

Sophia gave a motivating pep-talk about playing our best, and we looked sprightly as Mudia got off a shot in the 2nd minute that went over their cross-bar. In the eighth minute, UVM made a goal with shot from the right side of the field into the left side of our net. 

After UVM had a free kick in their third, Lizzy’s free kick in the 16th minute was saved, and her shot four minutes later was saved, as was Eliza’s shot a minute later.

Caitlin blocked a UVM shot in the 26th minute, and Caris saved a UVM shot four minutes later. Julia, in an attempt to wrest the ball from UVM, was cautioned.

UVM made their second goal in same manner as their first, curling the ball into the lower left corner of our goal in the 34th minute. After UVM’s free kick from the half-line, Molly made a free kick from our third. In the last minute of the half, UVM had a shot go wide and awarded a free kick from the middle of the field. 

During the break, we discussed opening up more when we get the ball, making more dynamic runs and shorter passes, passing back when desired, closing the gap in the midfield and beating them by passing around them.

Kalyn showed her great energy and earned us a free kick in the 42nd minute that was taken by Kelly, then Sophia had a shot go wide before Kalyn’s shot went over their cross-bar. Caris squashed a UVM chance in front of our goal just before Julia earned a free kick that was taken by Claire. 

Claire made a beautiful free kick from 20 yd that was almost a goal but instead hit their cross-bar in the 44th minute. She made another free kick from 30 yd out before her corner kick earned by Julia in the 51st minute. Sophia’s ensuing shot was on target but saved. Sophia earned us a free kick just after that before UVM had a shot go wide. 

Sophia had s hot go over their cross-bar in the 55th minute before UVM had a free kick, two shots saved and one shot go wide. After Kalā saved a UVM shot for their corner in the 74th minute, Julia earned a free kick for us. 

Claire made another sweet free kick from 20 yd that again hit their cross-bar. After that, Kelly earned a free kick taken by Claire.

We played so well in the second half, with many scoring chances, so we couldn’t feel deflated. It was a very well played game and a great chance for friends and family to see our quality!

G: Caris White

CD: Molly Knox+Kalā Harman, Rachel Horne

OD: Katie Reisman+Kelly Rutherford, Sara Pickrell+Kate Clark

CM: Sophia Greszczuk+Claire Meli+Lana Kanno, Ella Steinhilber+Krista Schemitsch+Lizzy Strapp

OM: Aislinn Mitcham+Nathalie Maffei, Kalyn Dawes+Eliza Durbin, Caitlin Evers+Abby Burgess

F: Mudia Ikoba, Julia Gottschalk

Shots 10:10   Saves 6:4

2 Mudia shot over

8 UVM from right side of the field to left side of goal -> 0:1

12 UVM free kick from their third

16 Lizzy free kick saved

20 Lizzy shot saved

21 Eliza shot saved

26 Caitlin blocked a UVM shot

30 UVM shot saved

31 Julia cautioned

34 UVM from right side of the field to left corner of goal -> 0:2

35 UVM free kick from the half

36 Molly free kick from our third

39 UVM shot wide, free kick from half

42 Kalyn earned a free kick in their third taken by Kelly

     Sophia shot wide

43 Kalyn shot over

     Caris squashed a UVM chance

44 Julia earned a free kick taken by Claire

     Claire free kick from 20 yd hit the cross-bar

49 Claire free kick fro 30 yd

51 Julia earned corner taken by Claire

    Sophia shot saved

52 Sophia earned free kick from half

53 UVM shot wide

55 Sophia shot over

57 UVM free kick from half

60 UVM shot saved

61 UVM shot saved

70 UVM shot wide

74 Kalā saved a shot for a UVM corner 

     Julia earned a free kick from half

78 Claire free kick from 20 yd hit the cross-bar

80 Kelly earned free kick taken by Claire

UMass A 3Oct2021

 Having played the other UMass (B) team to a draw last Saturday, we braced ourselves for today’s match with UMass A, telling ourselves to bring our best soccer to them using our 3-center midfielder formation. The drizzle let up just in time, and ~15C/60F temperatures were perfect. 

At first, neither team could hold the ball very long. After UMass got a corner kick in the 3rd minute and a free kick from their third, Claire took a free kick.

Just after Katie Fearon took a free kick earned by Julia, Katie set up Julia for her shot to the upper left side of their goal in the 15th minute. Then Kelly earned a free kick and Ella fired a shot that sailed over their cross-bar.

Kalā got aggressively tackled, and Molly took the ensuing free kick in the 22nd minute. Five minutes later, Lizzy earned a free kick before Caris came up big to save a shot that ricocheted toward our goal.

Rachel blocked a shot for a UMass corner in the 30th minute before Abby set up Mudia for her shot that was blocked. Just before the end of the half, Zanna took a free kick.

We spoke about well we improved during the first half, with better passing and sending the ball back to switch sides, and pushing up the midfield to close the gap.

Kalā cleared a UMass free kick and UMass had a shot go wide of our goal. Kalā earned a free kick before Ais took a corner kick in the 45th minute. Kelly took a free kick and Mudia’s solid shot went over their cross-bar. After UMass’ free kick, Caris came out quickly to squash a shot and was given a yellow card for dissent. UMass converted their penalty kick to even the score. 

Zanna’s shot was saved in the 53rd minute before Julia’s shot was blocked and she earned a free kick that was taken by Katie F. Ella’s shot went over their cross-bar before Molly’s clearance resulted in a corner for UMass.

Nathalie had a great shot saved in the 60th minute before Caris smothered a UMass chance. Nathalie had a subsequent shot blocked, earning a corner for Katie F, whose shot in the 65th minute was blocked for a corner taken by Nathalie. Ella’s shot went over their cross-bar. It felt as if we were close to scoring again.

Ella had another shot saved in the 69th minute before she fired a rocket-shot into their net to give us the lead in the 70th minute.

After UMass put a shot over our cross-bar, Caitlin had her shot go over their cross-bar and earned a free kick for Sara to take; in the last minute of the game Caitlin put her shot from the right side of the field into the upper left corner of their net to put us two goals ahead.

We felt that it was our best playing - we won possession and kept it with passes that connected, kept the ball moving by seeing the next pass and we created many good scoring opportunities - the refs and even their keeper complimented our playing! 

G Caris White

CD Kalā Harman+Molly Knox, Rachel Horne

OD Kelly Rutherford+Katie Reisman, Kate Clark+Sara Pickrell

CM Claire Meli+Sophia Greszczuk+Lana Kanno, Ella Steinhilber+Krista Schemitsch+Katie Fearon, Abby Burgess+Alison Sasaki+Lizzy Strapp

F Aislinn Mitcham+Mudia Ikoba, Kalyn Dawes+Julia Gottschalk+Nathalie Maffei, Caitlin Evers+Eliza Durbin

Shots 15:6  Saves 3:7

Assumption 26Sep2021

Since we traveled to Worcester for our game with Assumption two years ago, they agreed to visit us this fall. Sunny and comfortably warm, Sachem field offered a perfect soccer day, complete with fans, including Katie Reisman’s and Sophia Greszczuk’s parents, Abby and Kalyn’s (student) booster club (!!), and perhaps others?

We spoke before the game about trying to make more diagonal runs and passes.

Claire got off our first shot (saved) in the second minute, then Zanna chipped their keeper a minute later for our first goal. Then Zanna had a shot go wide before Lizzy earned two corners and had  shot go wide.

After Zanna’s shot overmtheir cross-bar in the 7th minute, Mudia had a shot saved for a corner taken by Zanna; Caitlin was there to head in the ball, but their keeper saved it. After an Assumption free kick, Kalā made a wonderful field-length dribble and almost scored with a barely-wide shot.

Alison had a shot go over in the 14th minute before we almost scored on a scramble in front of their net. Then Alison placed a powerful shot just left of center for our second goal in the 19th minute.

Only a minute later, our corner bounced odd their keeper into their net. Then Zanna had her shot go barely wide and Alison had a shot go over their cross-bar.

Abby rocketed a shot into their net in the 26th minute before Assumption sent a long pass over our defense for their forward to slot her rolling shot into our net.

Nathalie made a perfect cross for Kalyn to tap in, but it was saved in the 30th minute; Alison had a shot go over. Abby’s shot was saved for a corner, and our shot was blocked.

Nathalie had a shot go over in the 32nd minute, then immediately afterward Kalā set up Kalyn’s shot that bounced out for Zanna to fire into their net. After an Assumption free kick, Kalā had a shot saved forma corner taken by Lana.

Nathalie and Kalyn both scored in the next two minutes to finish the half.

We discussed making more diagonal passes and continuing to play our usual good-passing game. 

After Mudia’s shot was saved, she dribbled down the right side of the field and then cut inside her defender - a wonderful move to give her time and space to make a cross that Zanna allowed to pass her (dummy-pass) so that Lizzy could tap it in.

Sophia had two shot saved before Lizzy selflessly sent the ball to Mudia so she could score in the 43rd minute. Seconds later, Mudia made another cross for Sophia to tap in. After Assumption’s corner kick Caitlin set up Abby for our 11th goal, then she did the same for Lizzy whose shot went wide. Lizzy returned the favor and sent Caitlin a cross, whose shot went wide.

During this period, we were making more use of diagonal passes!

Mudia scored another beautiful goal with a shot over their keeper in the 53rd minute before Kalyn earned a free kick for Lana to take, Nathalie had a shot blocked, Alison had a shot saved, Mudia had a shot go over and Caitlin earned another corner kick.

In the 66th minute, Nathalie via Kalyn set up Lizzy for her second goal, Alison’s shot went wide, Sophia earned two corner kicks for Lizzy, Katie earned a free kick for Abby, and Kelly saved an Assumption free kick before Kate’s long distance (30m) goal a minute before the whistle blew to end our game.

Nine of our players scored! We were happy with our style of play, and are eager to see what we can do with UMass A and UVM in our last two division league games!

G Kelly Rutherford

CD Kalā Harman+Molly Knox, Claire Meli+Lana Kanno

OD Lana+Katie Reisman, Kate Clark

CM Sophia Greszczuk+Claire Meli, Alison Sasaki+Abby Burgess

OM Caitlin Evers+Lizzy Strapp, Nathalie Maffei

F Mudia Ikoba+Zanna Stutz, Kalyn Dawes

Shots 38:2  Saves 1:13

2 Claire shot saved

3 Zanna’s chip shot over their GK -> 1:0

4 Zanna shot wide

5 Lizzy earned 2 corners, shot wide

7 Zanna shot over

9 Mudia shot saved for a corner taken by Zanna

   Caitlin’s header saved

11 Assumption free kick from mid-field

12 Kalā field-long dribble, shot barely wide

14 Alison shot over

18 scramble in front of the Assumption goal, Dartmouth shot saved

19 Alison line-drive left of center -> 2:0

20 Dartmouth corner scored after hitting their GK (OG) -> 3:0

24 Zanna shot hit outer side netting, just wide

25 Alison shot over

26 Abby’s rocket shot -> 4:0

27 Assumption counter-attack long-ball pass in behind us -> 4:1

30 Nathalie beautiful cross for Kalyn to tap in saved

31 Abby shot saved for a corner, our shot blocked

32 Nathalie shot over, Kalā set up Kalyn’s shot (blocked), 

     Zanna got the rebound -> 5:1

35 Assumption free kick

36 Kalā shot saved for corner taken by Lana

37 Nathalie -> 6:1

38 Kalyn shot to upper left -> 7:1

39 Mudia shot saved

40 Mudia dribble right side, cut inside, cross to Lizzy (Zanna dummy) tap in -> 8:1

41 Sophia two shots saved

43 Lizzy unselfish pass to Mudia -> 9:1

     Mudia cross to Sophia tap-in -> 10:1

45 Assumption corner off a deflection 

46 Caitlin to Abby -> 11:1

49 Caitlin to Lizzy shot wide

     Lizzy cross to Caitlin shot wide

53 Mudia from the right side rocket over their GK -> 12:1

54 Kalyn earned free kick taken by Lana

55 Nathalie shot blocked

56 Alison shot saved, Mudia shot over

58 Caitlin earned a corner

66 Nathalie to Kalyn to Lizzy -> 13:1

67 Alison shot wide

68 Sophia earned corner taken by Lizzy

    Katie earned free kick taken by Abby

69 Sophia earned a corner taken by Lizzy

71 Assumption free kick in our third saved by Kelly

73 Kate from 30m out -> 14:1

74 Claire free kick

At UMass B 25Sep2021

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!

G Kelly Rutherford 

CD Kalā Harman+Molly Knox, Rachel Horne

OD Aislinn Mitcham+Katie Reisman, Sara Pickrell+Kate Clark, Rachel

CM Kalyn Dawes+Lizzy Strapp+Krista Schemitsch, Abby Burgess, Eliza Durbin

OM Caitlin Evers+Zanna Stutz, Nathalie Maffei

F Mudia Ikoba, Julia Gottschalk

Shots 9:5  Saves 2:2

15 Nathalie shot saved

17 UMass free kick, Kelly save

19 Dartmouth corner taken by Kate

25 Eliza shot over

28 Kalyn shot saved for a corner taken by Aislinn

     Caitlin shot wide

30 Kalyn wrestled the ball away from UMass, 

     set up Mudia’s rocket upper right 90 -> 1:0

38 Lizzy drew a free kick taken by Kalā

40 UMass counter-attack grounder shot -> 1:1

46 Sara shot wide

51 Zanna shot over

55 UMass free kick, shot over

56 Julia earned free kick taken by Kate

59 UMass corner, shot saved by Kelly

64 Kate shot over, Caitlin shot wide

68 UMass counter-attack, shot over

72 Kate won and took two more corners, Ais took a 3rd

77 UMass free kick in their third

79 Julia earned a corner

At WPI and Holy Cross 19Sep2021

 Our first games after selecting 12 new players a few days ago, we found Worcester bathed in sunshine and balmy 70+F/20+C! Today’s fans included Sophia’s parents from Stow, MA, who brought cider, donuts and apples, Lizzy’s parents from CT, Claire’s mom, and Abby’s parents from Boston. Our club president, Caroline Collins-Pisano, had arranged for us to play both WPI and Holy Cross today since they are both in Worcester.

We warmed up on a corner of the turf field above a parking garage at 1pm, and we remembered how physical and pressuring WPI has been in the past. So the advice was not to hold the ball very long, to have fun and “smile at least once”, per Mudia.

Most of the play was in WPI’s half, and Lizzy wasted no time in getting off the first shot. Mudia followed that 10 minutes before Julia was able to sail the ball over their keeper for our first goal. 

WPI got a shot off in the 34th minute, but it was wide. Lizzy and Kelly had several corner kicks, Kelly had a shot go over the cross-bar and Kalyn had a shot go wide.

In the second half, Mudia and Kalyn had shots go wide and saved before Julia had two saved and one wide. There was a goal disallowed when their keeper couldn’t hold onto the ball but seemed to be injured somehow as we put it in their net. She was replaced and WPI retained possession of the ball. 

Julia made the best of a scramble in front of their goal and scored a very opportunistic second goal - a brace, as they say. Mudia and Abby had shots prevented late in the game.

At Holy Cross, we were impressed by how well they pressed us and created the first chance, which Caris squashed handily. Kalyn’s shot in the 10th minute was saved for a corner taken by Ella, and Eliza had a shot saved.

After Zanna’s shot went wide in the 24th minute, Caris made another save before Eliza and Julia had shots saved. Immediately after that, in the 37th minute, Ella fired an extremely powerful and unstoppable shot that gave us the lead. Holy Cross had a shot go wide just before half-time.

Caris made a wonderful suggestion to change our formation to 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 with three center-midfielders and wingers that help in midfield as well, based on how flat our structure looked her. It worked really well, and the players responded very well to it!

After Claire got a shot off, Alison scored our second goal in the 58th minute. Caris made another heroic save by coming out strongly to squash another shot for a corner. In the 70th minute, Mudia set up Zanna for our third goal. Our passing had improved as the game progressed! Near the end of the game we had 4 corner kicks when, Caitlin and Ella had shots saved.

It was a joyous time for us to be playing again and to play so well without much preparation!

G Caris White
CD Kalā Harman+Molly Knox
OD Aislin Mitcham+Katie Reisman, Kate Clark+Sara Pickrell, Kelly Rutherford
CM Sophia Greszczuk+Claire Meli, Abby Burgess+Alison Sasaki, Ella Steinhilber

OM Kelly Rutherford+Lizzy Strapp, Eliza Durbin, Kalyn Dawes, Nathalie Maffei

F Mudia Ikoba+Zanna Stutz, Julia Gottschalk+Caitlin Evers, Kalyn Dawes, Nathalie Maffei

At WPI

Shots 13:1

6 Lizzy shot wide

7 Mudia shot over 

17 Julia chipped their keeper -> 1:0

21 D corner

34 WPI shot wide

38 Lizzy corner

     Kelly corner headed out

40 Lizzy corner, Kelly shot over

     Kalyn shot wide

43 Mudia shot wide

51 Ais corner

54 Kalyn shot saved

64 Julia shot saved

66 Julia shot wide

68 Julia shot saved

69 Lizzy corner

70 Julia scored -> 2:0

72 Lizzy corner

78 Mudia shot blocked

79 Abby shot saved

At Holy Cross

Shots 11:4

9 Caris came to block a shot

10 Kalyn shot saved for a corner taken by Ella

19 Eliza shot saved

24 Zanna shot wide

25 Caris saved another shot

27 Eliza shot saved

30 Claire free kick

36 Julia shot saved

37 Ella rocket-shot -> 1:0

40 Holy Cross shot wide

44 D corner

51 Claire shot wide 

58 Alison scored -> 2:0

59 Caris huge save coming out strongly

65 Holy Cross corner

70 Mudia assisted Zanna’s goal -> 3:0

75 D corner

76 Caitlin shot saved for a corner

78 Ella shot saved for a corner taken by Zanna

   two more D corners