JV Cougars Fall Flat Against Whitman Vikings, 0-3

by Bob Jones

Did you ever wakeup and just feel like you have no energy? The JV Cougar ladies woke up on Saturday and try as they might could not seem to muster the energy needed to take on a strong JV Whitman Vikings team. The Cougars were excited and they really tried their hardest, but things just did not seem to click for them throughout the game.

The game started on a beautiful morning at the Quince Orchard soccer field with both teams putting some pressure on each other early. The Vikings threaded some beautiful passes to get up field, but were unable to capitalize with any solid shots. Our Cougars moved up field and put some heat on the Vikings keeper that resulted in two corner kick opportunities, but our Cougars were unable to get a shot on goal.

At the 16:00 minute mark, the Vikings were able to grab an early lead off of a Cougar misdirected pass and send a nice controlled shot on goal. The Cougars pressed on and did not let up, but the team just seemed to be a half step off the ball and were a bit late at winning the 50-50 balls. The Cougar passes were not as crisp as they normally are and team communications, normally a strong suit of the Cougars, was just not as helpful and focused.

Coach Alison was pleased with the way Michaela Peterson played and how she helped initiate some solid attacks on goal for the Cougars. “Michaela’s aggressive play helped our team stay in the game.” Coach Alison thought Kayla Hamedi had a good game and she was happy with her efforts to pressure the Vikings throughout the game.

It only took 4 minutes into the second half for the next score of the game. Unfortunately, after Jessie Wagner made a shot save the ball bounced back towards our own net where two Cougar players met to clear the ball and unluckily the ball bounced off a Cougar player into our own net for a Vikings score.

With 14 minutes left in the game, the Vikings took the ball down the left side of the field and kicked a nice hard 10 yard shot on goal for the third goal of the game. Down 0-3, the Cougars fought on and continued to drive toward the Whitman goal. Allie Solomon and Abby Moran were tough up front and sent a number of shots towards goal, but were just off the mark.

After the game, Coach Alison spoke with the Cougars and said, “Although it is disappointing to lose, I think that many of you played extremely well. I can tell that you have a lot of heart. Walt Whitman and QO are evenly matched, and I don't think that the 3-0 score indicates how well you played; however, the Vikings finished their scoring opportunities, and we did not (we came close!)”

At the end of the game, our Cougar ladies were gracious in defeat and congratulated the Vikings for a well played game. Anyone can be gracious in victory, but it takes a mature, well-rounded athlete to hold their heads up high after losing a game. Our Cougar ladies exhibited wisdom and elegance that the Cougar parents can be proud of!