We had our toughest 3 game tournament this past weekend. Also had my daughter miss her first game.
Game 1 - We faced the CENTRAL CA AZTECS, lost 2-1. They had the tallest strongest aggressive girl I've seen this year. Intimidated us at first. She would also run right through our girls as well. Had at least 6-7 fouls called on her, could have been more. They scored on a cross as a girl was left open. The mentioned girl also scored on a break away. My daughter probably should have charged out, but I don't second guess her anymore(at least out loud). Yes, I'm learning. 2nd half the girls played better, we scored on a shot that hit the post and deflected off the keeper. They had another chance to score from same girl on a one on one attempt that my daughter deflected with her left hand off the post out of bounds. 2-1 loss but would be fun to get another crack at them.
Game 2 – IE Surf West. Pretty sure they used 3-4 guest players as I saw the coach handing some girls shirts at the beginning of the game. We ended up winning 1-0. Good through ball early and a strong break away score in the first half. Second half we played all defense, with my daughter having her best game of the tournament at keeper. With about 10 minutes left my daughter was out past the 18 as play started coming into our half. She back pedaled and fell, us parents though it was funny as she quickly got back up and back into position. She hurt her wrist on that play. They then took the ball to the right and lofted a pass into the box which my daughter charged out past a couple of their girls and punched out with both hands, but the punch jammed her the wrist that was already hurting. They shot again which she caught but dropped, but recovered. She ended up taking a knee after her drop kick went out of bounds. Thought she might come out but wouldn’t leave. Made one more save before the whistle.
Game 3 – TFA LA. Easily the best team we have faced, as well as the best one I’ve watched. Great team. We lost 3-0. Sadly my daughter wasn’t able to play as her wrist was swollen in the morning and she couldn’t move her hand. We went and supported the team. So it was backup keeper time. First time all year for anyone except my daughter. First girl gave up a goal on a rebound off the post that was shot back in. Second goal was on the ground and for some reason she jumped over the ball. Yep. She came off at half crying and wouldn’t go back in. 11 year old girls. Down 2-0 at half. Second half another girl came out and played keeper, let a ball go through her hands for a score. 3-0. First half we didn’t have a shot on goal, but second half the girls played better, with a few shots on goal. Would have been 1-0 final if my daughter had been in goal, with a chance(probably small but you never know) that she clears the rebound on their one score. Who knows.
The final game showed me that our team still has a long way to go, but does have some good athletes, as well as girls that won’t quit. Also like that the coaches made adjustments at half. The TFA girls understand where to be at all times, and work as a team. We pass a lot on the ground and it was very difficult to get anything past their defensive line as they shifted well together. The few times we chipped over them we didn't hit the channels with the chips, instead all the way to the keeper. They also have a couple girls that can break a few ankles with their dribbling. Not a large team, just well coached and well trained. You can tell they have been together for a while. On a free kick they lined up and all moved at the exact time putting our girls in the offside position. Very nice. Our coach was very impressed with them as well and hopes to take our girls to that level.
Took daughter to urgent care Sunday, just a sprain.
