This week we were able to practice on campus for the first time! Our new turf field is finally done so no more travelling to Bradley Tech for practices. We can sleep in a little bit later before morning practices and can go out there anytime for additional individual training.
Friday’s game against Valpo was the first game on the new Engelmann Field and we couldn’t have asked for a better opening game on the field. We completely took control of the game and came away with a 5-0 win. Apple opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a diving header to score her record-breaking 58th career goal! I beat a Valpo defender wide, served it into the box, and Apple laid out to send it into the back of the net. Kenzie made it 2-0 in the 28th minute when she headed in a cross from Helen and in the 42nd minute I scored off a loose ball just outside the box. We headed into half with a 3-0 lead. We had dictated the play in the first half but knew that we still had to make a statement in the second half. We made sure we did just that by adding another 2 goals. First, Helen played a great ball over the Valpo backline for Apple to run onto. She beat a Valpo defender and finished. Then, Meghan converted the final goal of the game in the 83rd minute off of a cross from Hannah Kaul. First game on the new turf field, first win on the new turf field.
Sunday was parent’s day we were back on our new field to take on Butler. We had a great performance against Valpo and really wanted to build on that during the Sunday game. We came out flat in the first half and just didn’t play with the same energy that we did on Friday. We got down in the 17th minute when Butler scored off of a deflection in the box. We held a majority of the possession and generated numerous chances, especially in the second half, but couldn’t break Butler’s 1-0 lead. Apple hit a free kick off the crossbar and Hirsch nearly scored in the final five seconds but, despite creating several scoring opportunities, we were unable to finish our chances. The game ended 1-0 for Butler.
It was a very disappointing loss against Butler but, fortunately, it’s one that we can recover from. All the other teams in our conference also have at least one loss. So, if we can close out the rest of games with wins we can still win the regular season. It is something that will take a lot of work and focus, but it’s also something that we are definitely capable of. The first step will against Green Bay on Friday and then Loyola on Sunday.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
