Baltimore March Mania Tournament
The Gazelles reached the final this weekend without ever producing their best soccer. If we had im confident we would have come away as comfortable winners of the competition.
Gazelles - 1 vs. Montgomery Magic -1
We looked rather nervous upon taking the field after last weekends heavy defeats and were quite poor in the early stages. After assessing the opposition our girls suddenly realized that we were much the stronger team and began to take control of the game. We created numerous chances and finally hit the net through Lauren Pacewicz after great work by Tiffany on the wing. After dominating the majority of the game but not finishing it off, we then gave control over to our opposition, we started to look edgy all over the field and eventually gave up a goal. However, our reaction to conceding the goal was good and we were disappointed to not win the game.
Gazelles -1 vs. Long Valley United Rage - 1
We had an extremely poor start to the game and during the first 15 mins gave our opposition too much time and space allowing them to control all aspects of the game. We looked a little intimidated by their aggressive style and size, allowing them to win all combative situations. However, even during this period of poor play we never gave up any rel chances. We found ourselves a goal down after clearing a ball just outside our penalty area, and watching as their player hit a long range shot over our GK. There was no way our GK could have saved it, but with pressure to the ball before the shot it would never have happened. After going 1-0 down we then increased our intensity and began to fight for the ball. We took control of the game and our hard work payed off with an excellent goal from Amanda Kopacz, very similar to the goal we had conceded earlier a fantastic shot from the outside of the box. If anyone deserved to score it was Amanda after a colossal defensive performance. The remainder of the game was very even, with few chances and both teams looking to win in an exciting encounter. We probably should have won the game in the dying moments after creating a great breakaway chance, but unfortunately we couldn’t find the goal.
Gazelles - 2 vs. Kirkwood SC Blue Ice - 1
Another extremely exciting game, we made it hard for ourselves by not finishing our chances when we were dominating the play and also with some uncharacteristically poor defending which lead to us going 1-0 behind against the run of play. 1-0 behind at half time we were always confident to overturn things, stepping up our play we took control of possession and started to play some excellent soccer, moving the ball at speed. Alexis Castanheira tied the game finishing from close range after a great corner kick. The girls with confidence rising could sense the next goal coming and we finally took the lead with a smart finish from Lauren after an excellent assist and wing play from her sister Ashleigh. A good team performance and smart play saw us close off the game and progress to the final. The only downside was an injury to Michaela Straley.
Final
Gazelles - 0 vs. Long Valley United Rage - 1
We knew what to expect from the final having played this team already, it was going to be a physical battle, a close game with few chances. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get into our stride and move the ball. We could not retain possession up the field and gave the ball away far too easily. Without the ball we worked really hard and showed great passion and appetite for the game, but we just could not produce our quality when we needed to. In a very close game we were always a threat even though we didn’t play particularly well with the ball. We didn’t create the chances to win the game on the day, which is a slight disappointment.
All in all a good weekend, will be a great confidence boost to our girls - reaching a final and knowing you can play a great deal better is always a positive thing.
