Outnumbered but not outmatched

The opening day of the Oswego Nike Cup proved to nothing short of expectations as great soccer was played on nearly every field.
The defending State Champion and tournament host LOSC Extreme met with our very own team Sodium to start the days festivities. The fact that Sodium was down 3 starters and only had a roster of 12 didn't diminish the determination or confidence of the lady warriors. LOSC was first on the attack with flurry right out of the gate but the sturdy Sodium defense would not budge under the pressure. The play was fast and physical but contained to the mid-field as Kelly, Taylor C, Lexi and Moscoe were flexing their defensive muscles. Great keeper play on both ends brought the first half to a close in a 0-0 deadlock.
The second half started out with a bang as the Extreme launched an attempt from about 40-yards that was gobbled up but Taylor Luty who had an outstanding game. This would be just the tip of what was to come. As the first half was mainly defense, the second was all offense. KJ, Mac, Marisa & Eli were getting great feeds from Erika, Aliyah and Jadyn all day. Late in the second half an Extreme forward drove deep down the left side and in traffic, her cross finished into the net by a diving right side forward to give LO a 1-0 lead with about 7 minutes remaining.
One thing I admire about the 09/10 squad is their ability to calmly and efficiently assess the situation and get the job done. I almost like to see them behind because it brings to the surface a businesslike air. Confidently the lady warriors strode to the midfield stripe. They knew what they needed to do. They had been here before. KJ barked a couple of instructions to the offense, Taylor barked a couple of instructions to the defense, and the game was on. The whistle blew and you could almost immediately see the change. The passing was crisp, there was no rush, communication was evident. A couple of corner kicks placed brilliantly by Moscoe were just shy of the mark as the Sodium team crashed the box. Taylor M even lined up a free kick that Jadyn just missed as she flew in for the header at the far post. Then, with under 4 minutes remaining another free kick was awarded to Sodium. From over 30-yards out Lexi came up from left back as the lady warriors took their offensive positions. She lined it up and let it fly. The entire Sodium team crashed into the 6-yard box as the kick soared just over the finger tips of the Extremes very talented keeper and into the net! The sidelines erupted as the team mobbed Lexi on the field. As play resumed you knew LOSC was anything but done. Again they started their attack, but just as they had done all game, Kelly P and Taylor C put relentless pressure on LOSC's all star forward, Chloe, and shut her down. She is one of the most physical forwards in Oregon and Kelly and Taylor pounded her all game and would not let her get just a crease. Otherwise, the outcome could have been much different. But in the end the Sodium defense would not bend and the final remained a 1-1 tie.

These 12 warriors took the field and would not be denied. They didn't let anything stand in their way. Not the records, not the hype, nothing. They were given specific instructions by Tom and their execution was flawless.

Tourney Notes;
Surprisingly, most of today's games ended in ties. Here are the breakdowns. Teams total points are bracketed.
EMFC 95 Magic[1] 1-1 Columbia Timbers GU14 Red[1]
Placer United Prestige 96 Gold[1] 0-0 Emerald City F95 Green[1]
LOSC Extreme[1] 1-1 THUSC Sodium[1]
SSC 95 Hotspur[2] 2-2 FC Portland Platinum[1]
EMFC 95 Magic[1] 0-2 ESUFC Arsenal[3]
SSC 95 Hotspur 1-1 Oregon Rush U14 G Nike[1]

Up Next
9:15 @ Field #14 vs EMFC 95 Magic

Keep hydrated lady warriors!

GO SODIUM!