The weather would
be a challenge, since it would be in the mid 90's, and the games were scheduled
for noon and 4:30. Avalanche would start off against Marin FC. From the
start Marin also had a very organized attack and had several shots on Christy.
However, Avalanche was able to defend a bit better with the four backs.
Marin did break thru on the 16th minute off a fast break. "All of the
teams we faced had a fast, skilled striker that had a nose for the goal,"
said Ed. "It's important that we try to identify those players early
in the game and adjust ." The shots continued to come hot and heavy.
Only a minute later Marin scored again off a long shot on the right side.
Avalanche managed to keep the score to 2-0 at the half, and Christy seemed
to have saved at least half a dozen shots by then. "At halftime we
recognized we had to play the ball on the ground, shorter!passes, and maintain
possession. Most of our lofted balls we were losing to the other team,"
said Ed. Unfortunately, Marin scored in the 41st minute for a seemingly
insurmountable 3-0 lead. But Avalanche continued to work hard, and gradually
the game began to turn. Passes were beginning to connect, and Avalanche
was able to keep the ball for longer periods of time. Then off a quick pass
to Kaitlinoccurred. Kaitlin dribbled down the right side, realized that
there were defenders converging on her, so she quickly played a back pass
to Chelsea, who was trailing her and running at speed. Chelsea uncorked
a hard shot from about 20 yards out that sailed into the upper top half
of the goal just beyond the keeper's reach. The Avalanche fans exploded.
"Wow, that really fired us up," said Ed. "Chelsea didn't
hesitate, and placed that ball about as well as it could be done."
Avalanche continued to push, and just 7 minutes later, struck again. This
time Kaitlin did all t!
he work, receiving the ball into space, forcing the defender and keeper
to come out. Kaitlin quickly changed ball direction and got pass them, and
with a very confident push, placed it into the net. "Great execution,
because she was facing an open net and it's easy to get so excited that
you just crank it and miss the entire net. Kaitlin calmly knew to just place
it like a simple pass, and bang, we're only down by one!" Marin was
on their heels and were very grateful that time ran out 5 minutes later.
Although Avalanche lost, they made their point: no game is over until the
final whistle, and staying positive and playing hard throughout the game,
good things will happen. "I also want to give credit to Christy. If
she hadn't kept the game close by making all those saves, we never would
have been able to fight back and get within a goal. She really kept us in
the game," said Ed.
