JV Cougars stung by Hornets, 0-3

The Damascus Hornets capitalized on three Cougar clearing errors to make an evenly played game worse than it really was. The final score was 0-3, but our ladies demonstrated that they could still fight to the very end and thrill the fans with some dynamic runs on the goal.

The first half was all Damascus with the Hornets setting the tone early by getting two corner kicks within the first 2 minutes of the game. The lady Hornets were aggressive, won most of the 50-50 balls, and were relentless at getting the ball into our defensive end of the field. Our defense was challenged and pressured to the point where we were booting the ball out of the penalty area rather than passing it up field in our typical controlling style passing game. We simply could not get the ball out of our end of the field very much during the first half.

After 9 minutes of play, our Cougars cleared the ball out to the middle of the field where a Hornets player sent a 30 yard shot on goal that bounced over our keepers head for the first score of the game. The Hornets second goal came with less than 2 minutes remaining in the first half. A Hornet corner kick was cleared back to the Hornets, another cross entered into the goal area and the Hornets player sent the bouncing ball into the back of our net for a 0-2 lead.

The second half was almost all Cougars. Our lady Cougars became the aggressor and really pressured the Hornets for most of the second half. We began to control the midfield and keep the ball on the offensive end of the field. When we sent the ball wide we were able to get some beautiful crosses to the front of the goal where we had plenty of opportunities to score. Unfortunately, we just could not get the ball in the net.

With just over 11:00 minutes remaining, the Hornets took advantage of another Cougar missed clearing attempt and sent a 25 yard shot into the net for the final score of the game.

"This was just one of those games where the girls could not get into a good rhythm and play sound fundamental soccer," Coach Alison noted after the game. "Our normal aggressive style of play was absent during the first half and we did not have a good passing game. I told the girls during half time that we needed to get aggressive and take control of the game in the second half."

Coach Alison was pleased with the way the Cougars responded and felt that the team worked hard to win the ball and control the game in the second half. "We were able to mount a number of challenges on goal and make it more exciting in the second half. When our girls used the width of the field we were able to spread their defense out and get more quality shot opportunities on goal."

"We did not execute as we normally do and I feel confident that if we played them again we could beat the Hornets," Coach Alison added.