| The Cougars opened very confidently, and quickly put pressure on the Seaside goal. Pressure, pressure and more pressure for most of the first half, yet after 16 shots on goal, the score remained 0-0! Seaside was quick and strong, but lacked the combination play that allowed the cougars to dominate. They often pulled all their players back into the penalty area and combined with their keeper to frustrate the Cougars. The second half saw a lot of long balls sent into the Cougar half, followed quickly by a Seaside forward. While there was some risk of a lucky breakaway, the Cougar defense and goalie, Sarah Wright, held them at bay. Finally, in the 50th minute, a counter attack from the Cougars developed down the right wing with a cross finding Blair in the center, a fight for the loose ball, and the ball slipping past the Seaside keeper and defenders. This took some of the fire out of Seaside, and the pressure built on their goal. In the 68th minute, Sarah Luksik drove a great ball from the right, hitting the post and then landing at Blair's feet for the decisive goal. This was the last pre-season game for the Cougars, and other than surviving the next few weeks without playing, we should be more than ready for league play beginning in January. |