| The Cougars were still not back to full strength, but they didn’t hesitate to take the game to Soledad. Within 2 minutes Kendra drove down the left, sent in a cross to Daniela, who passed it to Kate to opening the scoring. Dixie had a shot a moment later, then Daniela bounced one off the post in the 5th minute. Soledad rallied and had a couple of shots. Their target players had excellent 1 v 1 skills combined with a lot of speed, and were clearly needing to be watched very carefully. Kate had another go in the 9th minute, then moments later Stephanie’s throw-in found her in space with the opportunity to go to goal – a fine finish to make it 2 – 0. Immediately Soledad came at the Cougar goal. Attacking down the left with speed they squeezed through the Cougar defense to slot a ball just past Gen at the near post. A bit of back and forth, then we won a free-kick in the 14th minute. Dixie sent it over the wall, the goalie seeming not having seen it, only to have it bounce of the cross-bar! It was poorly cleared, and the Cougars won possession back. Another foul, and another chance for Dixie. This time she dropped it under the bar perfectly! 3 – 1 Cougars! The Cougars settled into dominating the rest of the first half with a total of 12 shots, the majority from Kate and Daniela. In the 35th minute, Eliza’s throw-in found Kate on the right, who drove to the goal line and crossed to Daniela in the center to make it 4 – 1! Soledad started the second half strongly, earning a dangerous free-kick in the 42nd minute. The Cougars rallied with Daniela and Kate combing in the center, Kate moved and set to shoot, drawing the defense to her. Seeing the pressure, she faked the shot and slotted the ball diagonally to Daniela running through unmarked to her left! 5 – 1 Cougars! Soledad definitely was not admitting defeat, and soon won a corner kick. The ball came fast to the near post, a Soledad player got their head to it, then it bounced off Isabelle’s face to sneak into the net! With a bloody nose, Isabelle needed to come out, Ashley took her central position and Laila took charge of the left. Laila was dealt to deal with the brunt of Soledad’s attacking play, but consistently was able to shut down their most talented player! Isabelle soon came back onto the field, now playing in the midfield for Sarah. Soledad was fighting the entire second half, keeping Gen’s fingers warm! The Cougars had the better organization and were rewarded with another goal in the 64th minute. Kate had won the ball on the right again, moving to goal, and drawing the Soledad defense to her. This left all the room in the world for Isabelle to run up the middle – a simple pass, and Isabelle put it away! Cougars win 6 – 2! |