Game 4 NWAL vs. Bollstanas SK lag 2

This Bollstanas team was by the best opponent we have faced in the tournament.

Like most of the teams we are facing they were big and had a great deal of speed. Keep in mind over here they go by true birth year and not school year as we do back home so we are playing up a full age group.

Bollstanas had the opening kick off and kept very good control of the ball and got the first 2 shots off on goal, we were able to keep them out though.

Before our first game this morning we put in a few more new set plays for when we have throw ins. We had set them up for the play and Tayler took a mid field throw in dribbled down to the 18 and took a great shot that got us the first goal.

We had a great deal of back and forth play until AD crossed one to a waiting Paige who one touched the ball in for our 2nd goal to give us a 2-0 lead with about 5 minutes left in the half.

Right before half AD hit a long shot along the side lane past the 18 to give us our 3rd and final goal of the half.

I cant say enought that although we had a 3-0 lead the game was much tighter and tougher than the score indicated.

Our defenders are playing some of the best soccer that they have every played. They are really working well as a unit. We are getting more comfortable dropping to the goalie and the goalies are really playing smart soccer. Taking their time working the ball with their feet and finding the pass instead of just sending the ball. Wathcing our mids drop back to the defenders who than rotate the entire field is really great to watch. Doing it to a very quality team like the one we just played should really start building confidence.

Bollstanas knowing they were down really came out hard to try and get back in the game. They were more physical than in the first.

I wanted to come out and play possession soccer and work the clock down. I changed the formations several times to keep the other team off base and our defenders and mids adjusted very well.

TW got our first goal of the 2nd half off a looping cross from AD a great one touch shot about 5 minutes in to the half. 5 minutes later Sara had some great in and out moves dropped a pass to the side and AD nailed our 5th goal of the match to give us a 5-0 lead.

I have to give Bollstanas a great deal of credit because they had to pressure the ball so hard to try and get back in the game it left them vulnerable as long as we kept possession which is just what we did. Tayler, AJ and Emma Nilsson worked hard to control the middle of the field and we kept our opponent running. With about 10 minutes to go Tayler weaved in and out of the defenders and went one on one with the goalie. This was one of the best goalies we have gone against. She was all over the field and had great skills. The goalie was able to fight off Tayler's first shot, Tayler got the ball back from the defenders and took a 2nd that the goalie fought off on a diving save, Sara then fought the ball back and took another shot that the goalies saved, but Paige was waiting on the last defelction and put it in the goal to end the game 6-0

A great game by everyone. Only Hope sat out this game. She tweaked her hamstring and I am trying to rest her. She has not played at all today but she should see the field this afternoon.

We play our last pool game today at 6 or 11 your time. This next opponent will be just as tough as this one. Dont let the 6-0 score fool you on the quality of this opponent. They got behind early and had to attempt drastic formations that will burn you if another team can take adavantage of it. I expect a very rough and physical game.

Jay dropped his sun lens and broke it at the end of the 2nd game. So we are down for just a little bit on pictures. I might be able to post a few later.

We relaxing and knapping this afternoon.

Doug