This weekend we were on the road again to open conference play at Youngstown on Friday and Cleveland State on Sunday. We arrived in Cleveland Thursday evening after another long bus ride and went for dinner at the House of Blues. Friday morning we ate breakfast and then had a team meeting. We played a trivia game to see how well we knew each other with questions about us players and, of course, Mike threw in some tactical soccer questions. Led by Laurel and her flawless tactical knowledge, Team Panthers came from behind to beat Team Milwaukee by a score of 15-14.5.
After lunch and some studying/relaxing we left Cleveland for the two hour bus ride to Youngstown for the game against Youngstown State. The game was a little bit slower than what we’ve become used to against other opponents. Despite sometimes lacking the crispness and possession we’re capable of, we were able to take control of the game. Our first goal came in the 38th minute when Apple was taken down in the box and converted the penalty kick. We outshot Youngstown by a considerable amount and Apple scored again in the 59th minute. Roadie served a great ball into the box and Apple headed it over the keeper and just under the crossbar. The score would remain 2-0, starting off league play with a win.
Saturday we headed over to the Cleveland state campus for a training session in the morning. Afterwards we had the day to catch up on homework and studying we were missing while on the trip and to rest. That evening we went to Hoolihan’s for dinner and then got some sleep for our game against Cleveland State the next day.
We came out against Cleveland State and really took control of the game. We did a good job of keeping possession in the midfield. When we did lose it we put them under quick hard pressure and forced a lot of turnovers. We scored first in the 13th minute when Kelly played a ball through to Apple who finished it off. Then, just before half, Stern scored to make it 2-0. Cleveland cleared a cross into their box but it came free to Stern who hit a nice shot to beat the Cleveland State keeper. Near the end of the second half we let up on our pressure a little bit and allowed Cleveland State to push forward a little more. We still kept them out though and managed to get another goal. Apple hit a shot off the far post and Meghan followed it in and finished. The game ended 3-0, taking us to 2-0 in conference play. Gabby made her collegiate debut against Cleveland State and made the only save of the game.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
