810 Classic

Game 16: vs. Olathe Northwest at STA in the 810 Classic (1-2)

As B called it, this final match of the 810 Classic was like a state championship game.  And in all high-level matches, the team that can capitalize on the other team's mistakes generally gets the "W."

We had 2-3 golden opportunities in the second half, but we did not capitalize. Esteban made just a great dribble towards goal that he finished with a rip that came off the keeper to sit in the box for 2-3 seconds, but we didn't get to it.  And then less than 30 seconds after ONW scored the winning goal off a restart, we built an attack that ended with a shot that the keeper dropped—it also stayed on the turf for 2-3 seconds without us knocking it in.

But the field was littered with a lot of the best high school soccer players in the area, and I thought both teams played very well—as B said: "like a state final." Olathe Northwest is better than anyone else we have played this year, outside of BV Southwest.  So I would think they would be the favorite in 6A. We wish them well.

BWhite named Esteban Arias the BWhite Player of the Match.  He played well at the "6," and even better at the "7." He gave us 2-3 great opportunities to score, and he played intense defense when he didn't have the ball or wasn't moving the ball.

B also gave a huge shoutout to Gabe Kraft.  We were not defending the middle of the field very well in the first 15 minutes.  We inserted Gabe and the game swung quite a bit.  All of a sudden we a lot more of the possession; we had the ball in their end quite a bit. He only came out in the second half to get a breather.  Gabe just had a special match.

We had a nice final week of the season. We didn't quite make it out of Dodge, but we came close.  We now have a Southwest game in our future, probably in the State Quarterfinals. We are playing well, and despite losing some key players to injuries, we continue to get better each match.

STATS:
First Half:

Saints: Shots: 3 (1) Corners: 2 (Neely, Kraft)

36:04 Mason (Neely t's it off the Parker throw)


Ravens: Shots: 3 (1) Corners: 2

24:45 Beard (dribble by 2-3 and then we treated to allow the shot)

Second Half: Shots: 2 (1) Corners: 2 (Arias, Mason)

Ravens: Shots: 6 (3) Corners: 0

Kaloupek (direct kick service to a line run-in)