OLYMPIAN

ORACLE

September 23, 2000

The team's hard play was quickly rewarded when, with only a few minutes into the game, Tiffany lofted the ball high into the air, over the keeper's head and into the net for a  goal.  The Olympian front line continued to press the attack with Jordan on right wing making a nice crossing pass to center strikers Amanda and Emily.  But the Pink Ladies would not go down without a fight.  They mounted a counterattack and despite good defense from backs Nora and Juliette and Casey at sweeper, the Pink Ladies scored the equalizer. 

But the Olympians fought back -- constantly trying to be first to the ball and challenging the opponents.   And again their efforts were rewarded, first when a nice crisp shot from Sarah found its way into the corner of the net and shortly thereafter, when a kick from winger Erikka, on a nice setup pass from Amanda, got past the keeper for a goal. But even down now by two goals, the Pink Ladies were not out of it.  They had several attacks of their own, one of which finally paid off.  And as a soggy first half ended the Olympians were on top 3-2.

While for much of the first half  the Olympians were on the offensive,  the second half would prove to be a real test for the Olympian defense.  First, the Pink Ladies had the advantage of the slight downward slope of the field.  More importantly,  these Pink Ladies simply did not want to lose.  So much of the action in the second half was in the Olympian half of the field with Jordan, Simone and Amanda in the backfield fending off the Pink Lady attacks.   One big opportunity for the Olympians came in the third quarter when a hand ball was called on a Pink Lady defender in the penalty area.  The penalty kick was taken by Erikka, but unfortunately went just wide of the goal.

With time running out in the fourth quarter, the intensity of the Pink Lady attacks only  increased.  And while backs Jordan, Simone and Amanda as well as midfielders Casey and Emily all worked extremely well together to thwart the Pink Lady onslaught, a number of balls got through, leaving it all up to keeper Sarah who did a superb job and made a number of difficult saves.  Fortunately time was on the Olympians' side.  When the referee blew his whistle to end the game, the Olympians were still on top 3-2.

Play of the Day

This week's "Play of the Day" goes to Sarah.  With only a couple of minutes left in the game, one of the Pink Lady attackers got by all the Olympian field players and had the ball about twelve yards directly in front of the goal.  It was a 1 on 1 play, very much like a penalty kick.  The attacker ripped off a hard shot.  Sarah dove for the ball and although she wasn't able to catch it, she managed to deflect it  up the field where the backs were able to clear it out of the center.

Coaches' Commentary

The Olympians continue to amaze.  This week not only did you girls have to play a tough team, you had to do it under lousy field conditions. (I don't know about you, but your coaches hate getting wet!)  But do it you did; playing hard and keeping your composure when under pressure.

Although the season's young, the Olympians have already scored eight goals in two games.   What's even more amazing is that five different girls scored in the first game and three different girls scored in the second.  So far, six Olympians have scored, which is nearly half the team.  Your coaches would like to see if we can set ourselves a goal, or objective, for the team -- to see if we can get every player to score at least one goal before the season ends. 

The team missed Colette and Devon and looks forward to their return at our next game.

As always, a special thanks to this week's keepers, Erikka, Jordan and Sarah.