Junior Varsity: Bellevue vs Shorewood 9-5-2023

Bellevue 5-0 Shorewood

9th min 1-0 Kasia (Alyson)
14th min 2-0 Anna (Morgan))
28th min 3-0 Morgan (Calla)
37th min 4-0 Tara (Calla, Mack)
75th min 5-0 Calla (Sophia)

Peter and I talk all the time about the soccer want our girls to play throughout the program. We try hard to get the teams to play a possession-based game where we play to our feet, move the ball quickly and spread the field. It opens up spaces for our teams to punish our opponents. And in just our second game of the year the JV girls showed they are beginning to learn the process.

Now let’s be clear, it was not for the whole game. The first half of the game was a little sloppy and a bit frantic. However, we managed to put in four goals and in soccer, isn’t that the point? Yes and no.

We scored some nice goals against an overmatched opponent which is what we should be doing. But I’m trying to prepare this team for tougher opponents. I was pleased with our first half goals but a little underwhelmed on our overall play. Our first touches were still a little off and we struggled to put more than two passes together.

Our first goal was a bit fortunate. Kasia lashed a nice shot on goal that the Shorewood keeper mishandled resulting in a goal. It was a great shot from outside and when you put shots on frame, good things can happen. The second goal was just as fortunate. Another great shot from Morgan forced the keeper to push the ball out of the goal right to Anna who popped it in the back of the net.

The third goal was similar as well. After some nice combination work, Morgan took a pass from Calla and put home a nice goal just inside the penalty area. The final goal of the first half had several players involved. Calla fed a pass to Mackenzie who ripped a shot the keeper had difficulty handling and Tara was in the right place to put home another goal and send us into halftime.

At the break we felt we had the game in hand, so we discussed how we wanted to play to see this game out. Goals weren’t important but we wanted to up our game and really focus on possessing the ball and moving it around the field quickly. The girls all agreed on our game plan, and I have to say they executed it perfectly.

The second half was full of possession, and we basically played keep-away from Shorewood. That is how we want to play when games get tough. Possess, possess, possess and pounce when the opportunity arises.

We always respect our opponents no matter the level of play and we never want to embarrass anyone as we’ve all been on the wrong side of those types of game. With shots only coming from outside the box, no breakaways and only header goals in the box, we still managed tack on one more goal toward the end of the game.

Sophia made a great run deep into the corner and managed to send a great cross in Calla’s direction. Now, did Calla get a head on that ball or did it come off her shoulder? Either way, she redirected it into the net to finish the scoring on the night.

Overall, it was a great effort, some promising soccer and a fun night all around. Great win and we got the shutout as well. Once again, everyone on the roster contributed and that is how it has to work if we want to accomplish our season-long goals.

A little break from games as we don’t play again until Tuesday when we welcome one of our rivals, Lake Washington, to Bellevue Stadium. Hope to see you there.