| The Cougars proved today that size means little on the soccer field. Despite being generally 6 to 12 inches shorter than almost every Notre Dame player, they took their game of finesse and style and crushed the Spirits. With characteristic confidence the Cougars took their game straight to the Spirits. Within 5 minutes Daniela took a great pass from Kate to open the scoring. While the Spirits countered, the Cougar back four of Jess Foster, Laura Wright, Isabelle Williams and Seaira Truppelli was able to deny most reasonable attempts on goal. They played a fantastic game! Settling into their game, April was able to find Jackie free on the left. Jackie deftly drove to goal and made it 2-0! As soon as the Spirits kicked off, Kate dispossessed them of the ball and punished them with goal # 3! The rest of the first half saw the Cougars with the majority of the possession. Shots from Daniela, Jackie and Kate threatened the Spirits goal, while Sarah Griffith was able to deal with the two Notre Dame attempts that managed to come near her goal. The second half opened with Jackie and Sarah Morris repeatedly at the Spirits’ goal, but the net could not be found. Backing off a little around the 55 minute mark, the Cougars let the Spirits spend a little more time in their half, with Sarah making a couple of important saves before the Cougars gave up a long 30 yard shot on goal In the 58th minute. Waking up, the Cougars decided to take charge for the rest of the game. Kate took a fine ball from Daniela, juked the ‘keeper and lone defender and put the Cougars up 4-1. Four minutes later, in typical fashion, the Cougars backs destroyed yet another Spirits’ attack, countered through the midfield, where Kate, Daniela and Jackie played a spectacular one touch combination sequence to make it number 5! The Spirits seemed to be reeling under the relentless Cougar pressure, and had a tough time stringing passes together without the Cougars anticipating and intercepting their play. Kate had two great chances before Daniela won the ball in the 73rd minute and drove to goal for number 6! Almost immediately April had one great chance denied by the Spirits, but then in the 76th minute, won possession again and sent a superb 30 yard ball into the Spirits net. This sealed the game at 7 – 1 for the Cougars. |