GameNotes: eXtreme 2 (2) - Demolition 4 (0)

Training matches are useful for us to analyze what we are doing well, and what we need to work on without the pressures of a real game. Last Saturday's game will go a long way to helping us perform better in the last few months.

We were cruising in the first half on Saturday. We were in control, two goals up and it looked like we could get more.

The hard work the girls have put in working on our attacking skills really showed in the first half. I feel we combined well in attack with good mobility of our runs, the quickness and sharpness of our passing & our attacking attitude. It was the first time the girls really made a determined team-effort to get behind the opposition and cause problems with our cleaver running. Full marks to LP for such a confident performance at the #10 orchestrating the attack & to Sierra for bagging the two goals - although credit for each goal needs to be shared with the team as both were the product of good team play.

Another positive from Saturday was our soccer progress with understanding how to pressure the ball in the attacking half. Our wingers & full-backs did a much better job channeling their attacks to the outside and anticipating (almost inviting) the pass into areas that we could outnumber them and win the ball back. The second goal was a direct result of good work to this affect by Lindsey Bock & Mo.

But we made some mistakes defensively and Demolition got back into the game. In the second half we did not have the same fluency or control in the game, not the same pace.

I am a little disappointed with how easily we were undone by direct running. While the Demolition's first goal was a great shot from well outside the area, the last three were the result of us being caught by one quick & determined player.

I'm not sure if it was our lack of match practice or something as simple as our fitness, but we will be spending time focusing on fixing this problem.

Overall though I am pleased with the training match and might ask the Demolition for a rematch in February.

Thank you for your continued support.