| The Cougars opened cautiously against the Alisal Trojans, but after about 5 minutes began to show their confidence and flair. Our backs - Laura, Dixie, Isabelle and Sarah Luksik switching with Vita, were able to handle almost everything Alisal could send their way. From their solid denying, delaying and destroying defensive tactics, they launched quick counter attacks through the midfield (April, Blair, Jackie, and at various times Danielle, Sarah Luksik, Maddy and Vita), who, in turn, were able to deliver to the strikers (Kate and Daniela) and make for a comfortable win for the Cougars today. Particularly impressive was Blair's and April's defensive midfield game: Dominating midfield, denying control to Alisal, and regularly intercepting Alisal's goalkicks to deliver accurate penetrating balls to their teammates. Kate opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a through ball from Danielle. In the 10th minute Kate took possession of the ball from a Cougar counter attack, and delivered it to Daniela for a fine finish. Nine minutes later, Daniela returned the favor to set up Kate. In the 24th minute, Kate made her hattrick, winning the ball directly from Alisal's goalkick and delivering it to the back of the net. The game settled down a bit, with the Cougars largely in control, and containing the Alisal attacks. In the 38th minute, Alisal won a corner kick, and a weak clearance gave them the chance to pull a goal back just before the half. The Cougar's opened solidly in the second half and applied steady pressure on Alisal. they were rewarded in the 51st minute when a loose ball from Blair's and Kate's attacking combination found Jackie open on the left, and the ball placed soundly in the net! Alisal continued to absorb a lot of pressure from the Cougars, launching quick counter attacks, only to be pressured in return all the more effectively. the 70th minute saw Kate win the ball at about halfway, dribble up the right, through the penalty area, and selfishly deliver to an open Sarah Luksik on the far post - Sarah did not need a better invitation to score a goal! Kate finished off the scoring in the 75th minute when Blair took direct possession from an Alisal goalkick, passing to a perfectly positioned Kate. Sarah Wright looked comfortable in goal, recording six saves. |