The end (and beginning) of a long week

The Knights went into Friday's game against Caroline thankful that they had the school day off, but during soccer season, there is no day off.  JV went into the game with only 11 healthy players, and that proved to be decisive factor in the loss to Caroline.  Caroline's goal came with about 3 minutes left to play, and proved to be the difference in a 1-0 loss.  JV played extremely hard in the heat of the late afternoon, and had no subs to give them a break.  Unfortunately, the team ran out of steam at the end, but JV played very well and have nothing to hang their heads about.  Remember, they still have to come to our house!

Varsity played a very physical game, with several instances of shoving and fouling happening on both sides.  Unfortunately, only one team got calls made against them: us.  That didn't stop the team from completely dominating time of possession, getting several crosses in the first half and just missing scoring chances.  SHS finally broke through in the second half with Raven Bruce's first two Varsity goals, both on assists from Nikki Donnelly.  Aldinger and Sullivan each made great runs into the offensive set, and Luttrell and Aggy kept the offensive sets moving.  Floyd unleashed what had to be a 60-yard punt while being fouled, and when given the kick after a penalty was finally called on Caroline, she proceeded to kick the ball 60 yards again.  With some of the starters nursing injuries, several players came off of the bench to play significant roles in the second half, adding their take on the physical tone of the game:  Tiffany Hare and Kaytie O. came in to "lay down the law."  Katie Brewer amused the team with her attempts to lose a defender on corners, but perhaps no one played a better game than Lauren Stewart.  Making her first start of the season, Stewart made 3 saves to earn the shutout victory, and came out on several other plays to make sure that Caroline would not get a decent shot on goal.  Game ball to Stewart for her play!

With four games next week, it is vital that the team continue to support each other and play with energy and effort.  With both teams playing .500 soccer, the playoffs are looking sweeter with each game!  Go Knights!

Getting back on track

Congratulations to both the JV and Varsity teams for their performances on Thursday. The JV team was able to maintain possession throughout most of the game and got several good looks against the Washington & Lee keeper, and walked away with a hard-earned 2-0 win. Lauren Stewart turned a corner kick into a goal, Jessie Strong scored on a nifty pass from Kelsey Link, and Megan Stewart made sure that Livelsberger didn't have to work too hard in goal. This team continues to play every game with energy and intensity, so keep up the good work!

Varsity continues its trend of playing the role of "cardiac kids" by recovering from a Washington & Lee 2-0 lead by scoring 4 goals in the last 20 minutes to earn the win. Make no mistake about it: W & L's keeper worked very hard, especially considering that the Knights put 39 shots on goal. Michelle Aldinger scored her first varsity goal and also got an assist, Floyd again scored from a different time zone, and Kate Sullivan and Lauren Luttrell also scored. Katie Brewer turned up the intensity on defense, and W & L didn't even sniff the goal in the second half. As a coach, I can honestly say I have never seen this team play with more energy and passion than the second half of that game, and I was proud of the way that Varsity pulled together.

Outfoxed?

JV played a very intense game Friday night, and left with a 1-1 tie. Valerie Perry scored from about 30 yards out, and the team played exceptionally physical right from the start. Celia Edenton totally shut down her side of the field on defense, and the majority of the time Spotsy held the ball on offense. Livelsberger had perhaps her best game yet for the Knights, stopping 6 of 7 shots including a diving stop with 10 minutes left to play. The game was played exceptionally well, considering that JV was playing without two starters and only one sub available. Keep up the good work, JV.


Varsity was faced with yet another physical game without several starters. SHS came out very aggressive early, and got several shots on goal. However, halftime saw the ladies down 3-0. The Knights really turned the intensity up in the second half, dominating the time of possession and peppering the King George keeper with shots. Tiffany Hare came in and played exceptionally well, switching between several positions. Kreutzer stepped in to keep when Stidham injured her ankle and had a couple of clean saves. Olivia, Mindy, and Katrina all played the entire 80 minutes and stayed intense throughout. With three games this week and injuries becoming a factor, it will be important to stay intense and physical but also continue to be supportive of each and be prepared to step in to any position or situation when called upon.

Swatting the Jackets

Tuesday night was a study in contrasts: the JV team tied 2-2, but dominated most of the game and had the opportunity to score on several chances. The Varsity team played very well but was on the short end of a very decieving 7-1 score. The JV team was led by Chelsea White's two goals, Jessie Strong and Kelsey Link's assists, and six saves from Livelsberger. Kelsey Link was especially impressive in her ability to connect the passes through the middle. Jasmine Gray continues to shine on defense, and Megan Stewart has really grown into her sweeper role. Good job, ladies, continue to work hard and stay positive.

For Varsity, first credit should go to Aggy for her twisting goal from about 2o yards out. What is unfortunate about that shot is that it was one of only 6 shots on goal for the entire game. Varsity needs to get greedy and start taking a more aggressive stance on offense. Stidham is credited with 13 saves, including one particularly tough block with her face during a breakaway attempt by JM. Megan Hesse continues to excel in whatever role she is placed in; in this instance she played a little defense for the first time this season. When we get a little thin roster-wise due to injury, we need everyone to be flexible and willing to do whatever the team needs. Katrina also played very well when she shifted to the outside.

There will be games when we can't get a call or the ball always seems to bounce the other way. It is important to stay focused, keep the intensity up, and to continue to work hard in practice. Above all else, remember to stay positive and supportive of your teammates.

Accepting the "Charge"

Friday's games were a good example of the kind of progress needed for the program to reach the elite level of the district. Chancellor controlled the midfield, scored quickly and early, and their defense recovered quickly. We all need to step up if we want to be able to compete against teams like Chancellor and Courtland. This means a re-dedication to conditioning in the offseason, a re-emphasis on working hard in practice, and year-round playing.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. First of all, kudos to Lauren Taylor for scoring the lone JV goal on a direct kick. The Varsity team was able to play much better defensively once the marking situation was figured out. The key to success is to have a long memory, but be able to forget quickly: Remember what you need to improve on, but don't let it affect your next game.