Junior Varsity: Bellevue vs Stadium 9-2-2023

JV Recap: 1-0 Bellevue vs Stadium
 
33’ Anna (Morgan)
 
It was a bright and sunny day on Saturday for our first Junior Varsity match of the season in Tacoma. After watching Stadium’s freshman team handle our JVC team in the early match, we knew it was going to be a hard-fought match.
 
The game started with a few jitters and nervous touches. It took us some time to settle into the game and get ahold of the ball. We struggled to link passes together and get any real possession for the first 20 minutes or so.
 
As the temperature began to rise, so did the intensity of the game. We slowly began to find teammates in dangerous positions, but we just couldn’t quite make that final pass or shot on goal.
 
Things changed in the 33rd minute as Morgan found herself at the top of the penalty box for a shot through a crowd that bounced like ping pong through several players. Anna Cody pounced on the loose ball and hammered home our first goal of the season.
 
We melted into halftime nursing our one-goal advantage. It was a break everyone needed. The hot day required lots of substitutions to keep the girls fresh and give the players a chance to hydrate. Everyone contributed a little something in the game.
 
We talked at halftime about getting more possession, winning those 50/50 balls, and picking up our intensity and effort.
 
Unfortunately, the hot weather and steamy turf continued to plague both teams throughout the second half. The play got a little sloppy as the girls tired. We did manage a few dangerous chances, but we never really tested the Stadium goalkeeper.
 
We survived a close call with about 15 minutes to go as Stadium played a nifty short corner kick that resulted in a blistering shot from the top corner of the penalty box. The ball skidded just wide, and we all breathed a sigh of relief.
 
From there we slowly saw the game out and held on to a nice 1-0 victory. We outshot Stadium 11-5 and only gave up that one corner kick. So, it was a hard-fought victory against a good team.
 
I believe we were the better team on this day but there is still work to do. We looked a little tired at times and struggled with our first touches. All things we can work on in training in the upcoming days.
 
Next game is Tuesday for another nonconference tilt against Shorewood. Should be a great game. See you on the pitch.