Our Falcons entered the game with high expectations and wanting to play a solid game through out the match. We started play well and went toe to toe with our competition. We generated run after run and attacked their defense repeatedly. Our defense broke down on a Knights attack in the 7th minute of the game. A Knights player was able to punch the ball into our net on the right side from point blank range. We regrouped and went back to attacking and trying to control the tempo of the game. Once again we broke down when not executing a play and a Knights player was able to steal a pass, go one on one with our goalie, was able to make our goalie commit to one side then simply put the ball into an empty net for their second score. Our team did not lose our momentum or composure and ended up the half with 5 shots on goal compared to the Knights 3 shots on goal. At halftime the score was, Knights 2 to our Falcons 0.

At halftime we spoke about raising our communications, energy and making better passes to one another. Our team came out, kept to our positions and played a lot better together and had several opportunities to score. Our team was attacking with a vengeance but was not finishing with a score. We put relentless pressure on the Knights and ended up placing 9 shots on goal the second half while the Knights managed 2 shots on goal the entire half. The final score ended up being Knights 2 to our Falcons 0.

Our team was led by senior captain and goalkeeper Claire Covert who played well and had 3 saves during the game. Our defense played extremely well at times and was led by senior captain Darby McFall, sophomore Desiree Rakela, sophomore Maddie Hitzeman, sophomore Marissa Sion and sophomore Mary Lonhart. Our midfielders pretty much controlled the middle of the field against some good players, played well on the 50/50 balls and won many battles in the air. Our midfielders were led by senior captain Melinda Lane, sophomore Emmy Koflanovich, sophomore Brittany Cartee, sophomore Anna Payne, freshman Serena Garcia, junior Emily Todd, sophomore Allie Carl, junior Taylor Raymond, freshman Marcela Margiotta and freshman Mackenzie Wessell. Our attackers or forwards were consistently making runs that beat their opposition several times. Our forward was sophomore Audrey Liebenberg. Darby McFall, Melinda Lane, Brittany Cartee, Emmy Koflanovich and Maddie Hitzeman get special kudos for having a good game.

We continue to focus on being a team and relying on each other. We will continue working hard in practices to improve our performance. We continue to work on improving our weaknesses and build upon our strengths. Our players have a positive attitude and understand the importance of playing their positions and believing in each other. We are building good soccer players, strong characters, trust and respect in each other that will eventually turn us around. We're asking our players for more effort, passion, energy, focus, discipline and to put in their work towards the fundamentals of the game. We are moving forward while dealing with a little bit of adversity and we have made goals to be recognized and play like Falcon Warriors who get respect by our play.

Our next game will be on Saturday, December 14, 2013, 6:45 PM against the lady Wildcats at Watsonville High School. We will play like Falcons and uphold our soccer tradition and legacy at SVHS.