Game 13: Championship of TOC vs. Visitation

2 May in Burlington, Iowa vs. Visitation (2-1, 2OT's)

This championship match of the Tournament of Champions became a real character test for our girls. We scored pretty well. 

Coming into the match Top Drawer had highlighted Visitation's Stahlschmidt as the player of the tourney. She had been part of all 7 of Visitation's goals from the first two days. Well she did not get a good sniff of the goal box today. That back four (Schmidt, Crow, Reynolds & Tyler) hung tough all day, but especially BWhite shoutout and Top Drawer Player of the match, sophomore, Hania Crow. #6 will have her in her dreams tonight, (perhaps nightmares). 

BWhite loved Hania's play and the rest of the defense, but he thought Madi Holmes was special today at the holding mid. Madi's instincts to sit-in that holding spot nullified many a Vis attack. Their two opportunities (one they cashed) came off a low throw-in that Vis handled nicely and a 45 yd. direct kick that we misjudged.  And BTW Madi did drill the game winning PK in sudden victory. 

Vis is big and strong in the midfield, and throughout most of their matches that size and strength explains how they get ball up to their dynamic forwards. Well, Alex Moss went to center midfield for most of the second half and all of the overtime. Meyers toe flared up badly in the second half, so Moss really changed things. We had possession on our end virtually all second half and overtime. Vis had only one shot in the second half and the OT's, one.

And we have to mention Jamie. What a trooper. She gets fouled, she gets up and does it all over again. Today her continued efforts, her stick-to-it-ness earned us both PK's that became the match. Yes, we could of put away 4 other balls where we were either 1 v 1 with the keeper inside the box or framing the back post (or half of them, let's say), but we did not. 

How about Caroline Romme getting us 5 corners. Wow. 

And a special shoutout to our two freshman goalies. They both hung tough all weekend. Mac did not give up a goal. 

Vis is a great team, favored to win it all again. What a great opportunity Eric Stratman's Tournament of Champions gave us to play them for the title. 

Stats:

First Half: Shots. 6 (5) Corners. 4 (Romme 2, Kutey, Pugott)

35:32 Meyers (Kutey taken down in the box, PK after a fine pass from Romme)

Vis. Shots. 4 (2). Corner. 1. 

13:06 Davis (it starts with a small throw-in that becomes a quick 1-2 into a T-ball with all framing positions covered nicely by Visitation)

Second Half and Overtime. 

Saints: Shots. 8 (4) Corners. 4. (Romme 3. Petty. 1)

4:15 2 OT. Holmes (Kutey taken down in the box as Sarah Tyler once again finds her in OT)

Vis   Shots 1 (0) Corners: 2

Top Drawer Take on Finals:  Here

Top Drawer Top Players for Saturday: