Although Blair and Maddy remain on the indefinitely injured list, the team was ecstatic about having April and Jackie back on the team (commiserations to cross country).

With the start of the game however, it appeared that the Vikings had not got the message – they were at the Cougars’ net, and with the sun behind them, looking to take charge! Within 2 minutes a weak ball rolled over the Cougar’s line to put them down a goal! 12 minutes later a strong charge from Sarah Griffith combined with a spectacular dive (i.e. a yellow card to the NSAL player if the ref had been paying attention) from the Viking’s #11, gave a Penalty Kick to the Vikings! Fortunately and appropriately the ball went wide off Sarah’s net (the pressure from the NSAL coaches aiding it all the way too!), and the Cougars were still in the game!

Still in the game? Ya betcha! The Cougars promptly took control of the rest of the half with a total of 12 shots on the Vikings goal! Kate Wright followed through from a great ball off of April to open the Cougars’s scoring in the 33rd minute. Although it was 1 -1 at the half, the Cougars had taken control!

The Viking’s key strength was in their forwards with great 1v1 skills – good patience and shape in defense was the key to limiting their attempts on goal, and the rest of the Viking team was out played by the Cougar midfield and offense.

In the 45th minute Kate sent in a perfect free kick from 25 yards to make it 2-1. The Vikings had the wind taken from their sails, and the Cougar’s confidence soared! Daniela combined with Kate in the 52nd minute to make it 3-1. Two minutes later Daniela set it up for Jackie to put the Cougars at 4-1. In the 60th minute Daniela took a pass from Kate (again) to make it 5-1. Kate won a poor clearance from the Vikings at 67 minutes to drive back to goal. Finally, in the 73rd minute, Jackie delivered the perfect ball to Kate to finish it at 7 – 1!

Special mention to Sarah Morris, reinforcing the Santa Catalina tradition of having the smallest, but greatest soccer players - who has played in all three games, and I forgot to give due credit to earlier. Go Sarah!

Within 3 games the Cougars have gone from losing 7 – 1, to winning 7 – 1, and are clearly back in their game!

GO COUGARS!