The game started with both teams trying to control the movement of the ball while building an attack. The lady Falcons came out and played good solid soccer for the first 10 minutes. In the 12th minute of the game the lady Spartans put together a string of passes for an attack on our net. One of the Spartan players lost her Falcon defender, settled a pass to her feet at the left goal post. She then fired a good shot across the net, by our Falcon goalkeeper Emily Johnson and into the right upper side of the goal for a Spartan score. Our Falcons regrouped and worked hard to keep pace with the Spartans. Freshman Audrey Liebenberg and senior Sarah Shaughnessy put two excellent shots on the Spartans goal but were not able to punch the ball in. The half ended with the Spartans putting 6 shots on goal while the Falcons put three shots on goal. The halftime score was the Spartans 1 to the Falcons 0.

The second half was played with good intensity and strong play. In the 55th minute of the game the Spartans again scored after driving the ball down the right side, passing to the front of our net where one of their players headed the ball into the net for a score. The game ended with the Falcons having 0 shots on goal and the Spartans putting an additional 3 shots on goal in the second half. The score ended with the Spartans 2 to the Falcons 0.

Our Falcon goalkeeper, senior captain Emily Johnson had an excellent game. Emily kept her team in the game with some remarkably athletic saves and stops. Emily's foot skills and hands were critical in keeping the score down to 2 goals.

Our defense had an OK game which was led by senior captain Rachel DuBridge, junior co-captain Megan Keating, junior Melinda Lane, junior Darby McFall and freshman Mary Lonhart. Our midfielders were led by senior captain Madison Black, junior co-captain Lena Gustafsson, senior Sarah Shaughnessy, sophomore Taylor Raymond, junior Nicole LaPorte and junior Allie Carl. Our forwards were led by freshman Audrey Liebenberg, freshman Anna Payne, freshman Mikaela Inman and senior Jessica DuBridge.

We have a young team that needs to work together towards improving, remaining poised and building an offensive attack. Our mental and physical game along with the basics of soccer need to come together against worthy opposition. Our lady Falcons will learn to work hard at their individual game and working as a team. I want to congratulate senior captain Emily Johnson, senior captain Madison Black and junior co-captain Lena Gustafsson who brought their A game and set an example for their younger teammates to achieve and follow. I also want to thank injured players, senior captain Kacey Lilly, junior Claire Covert and freshman Emmy Koflanovich for their team spirit and support.

We are now 1 win, 1 loss and 1 tie in our new 2012/13 season. Our next game will be on Tuesday, December 4th, 6 PM at Salinas High School.