SOHS over Elizabethtown 2-1

Note: Game summary written by Tim Hay!

The game started in World Cup fashion with players from both teams introduced and lined up in the middle of the field. As the game began, it became obvious that each team would have to work hard for every advantage that they would achieve. The first five minutes of the game found both teams working hard at both ends of the field. One minute later, Kari Clark brought a ball down the side of the field and centered it in front of the net, catching the E-Town goalie out of position. Beth Morris picked it up and drilled it into the back of the net making the score 1-0 in favor of the Lady Dragons.

Coach Tucker initiated what became his game substitution pattern just ten minutes into the game keeping the forwards fresh by bringing in Tamryn Tuller and Kristen Young for Shana Bertetto and Kari Clark. This would be a night of a select few dangerous shots on goal by either team. About eighteen minutes into the first half and with Shana back into the game, Beth Morris connected with Bertetto on a fantastic ball delivered in front of the goal resulting in a blistering shot on goal by Shana only to be saved by a great play from the E-Town keeper. Chelsea Rueff and Michelle Huber sparked the defense by consistently coming up from their positions to win balls and seal off the E-Town offensive attack. However, twenty-six minutes into the half, off one of the many great throw-ins by E-Town during the game, the ball managed to find it's way across the Lady Dragon's goal and was shot in by an E-Town player, knotting the score at 1-1. The score remained tied at the end of the first half.

For most of the second half, both teams played the ball between the eighteen-yard lines, trading a series of foul calls and strong physical play. Right at the beginning of the half, Katie Moore started a great series by winning a ball deep in the defensive zone, sending a bullet directly to a streaking Beth Morris up the sidelines, who tapped over to Kari Clark, who crossed to an on-rushing Steph Hay for the best overall offensive play of the second half. The shot went high and the score remained 1-1 at the end of regulation.

The overtime periods played out much like that in regulation with just a few good scoring opportunities. While the defense kept the E-Town players at bay, Steph Hay rang the crossbar on a very strong shot in the first overtime period and Claire Workinger sent a powerful shot just wide of the net after receiving the ball from a free kick during overtime period number two. As the teams remained tied after this overtime play, it was time to regroup, check the fuel tank and get ready for possibly two “sudden victory” periods. As you would expect the Lady Dragons came out strong, sending a clear message that they were going to leave all they had on the field of play tonight. The defense held strong, lead by the active play of Libby Smith who made sure that any dangerous ball was cleared from the area. Both “sudden victory” periods ended with no damage done at either end of the field, so the game was ready for a Shoot-Out to determine the winner.

Each team took time to settle their players down, get a couple minutes rest and choose their respective shooters. Ally Tucker would take her position in goal for that all important first shot, with the E-Town player just hitting the crossbar and spinning the ball away from the goal. Steph Hay would shoot first for the Lady Dragons and drilled her ball in the upper left section of the net, well behind the outstretched hands of the goalie. Ally took her position again in goal and forced the next E-Town player to sail her shot high over the net. Kari Clark stepped up and buried a ground ball into the lower left corner of the goal. The Lady Dragons’ lead was now 2 – 0. The third E-Town shooter faced a very determined Ally Tucker; she out maneuvered her opponent and blocked her shot up over the goal, leaving E-Town with just two more opportunities to score. A solid play by the E-Town goalie saved a shot by Libby Smith and set up a must make for the next E-Town shooter, which connected making the score: Lady Dragons 2 & E-Town 1. Since E-Town had only one more opportunity left, the Lady Dragons could win this contest if their next player could get her shot past a more confident E-Town goalie. Amanda Moore boldly stepped up to the ball and sealed the Lady Dragons Sub-Sectional win with a screaming shot up into the right corner of the net.

WAY TO GO DRAGONS !!