Trinity Soccer took to the road again, continuing to pound the Texas pavement...this time heading into Tyler and Richardson for what are always difficult results to earn. Tyler on a Friday night early in the Fall proves to be a big match, and this one would fit the mold.
The match started with an emotional and energetic Tyler squad doing their best to impose themselves early and a Trinity side doing all they could to keep a hold on the game. It's always so important not to allow an early goal, and even more so when you're on the road. We conceded some shots, but non were overly dangerous, and most were from well outside the box.
after the first quarter of an hour, things would settle and we began to build and create. We identified a few areas that we wanted to exploit, and played with a few personnel changes that we thought might enable that. Sophomore, Stephanie Segovia, would come off the bench and need just a little more than three minutes to take hold of a deflected cross from Kelsey Falcone, wrong-foot her defender, and take the net off the frame with her finish to the far post past the virtually motionless goalkeeper.
That would be all that we would need on the night to secure three points. Tyler were relentless in trying to get in behind our back line, but goalkeeper Katie Garrett did a great job all night of managing that space and cleaning up most of the direct services, though a couple proved to be less than comfortable with pacey attackers charging at her.
A much improved UT-Tyler side from just a year ago will make some waves this year, but we felt good about our result, knowing there were a number of positives to take away from the performance.
Trinity -v- UT-Tyler; W 1-0
Following a good sleep and great breakfast, we loaded up to deliver Frank Pena to Love Field on our way to Maggie Olvera's home where her parents, Michael and Nancy, provided a team lunch and a wonderful opportunity to relax and enjoy the lovely afternoon in Dallas. Then it was off to the hotel for some studying prior to dinner. A team pool recovery would cap off the day as we ramped up our preparation to get another result against regionally-ranked UT-Dallas.
Going into the match, we emphasized being better than Friday night...working hard AND smart. We succeeded in possessing the ball and building, but continued to be slightly out of rhythm with our final ball. The tenth minute would display a fantastic bit of build-up between Shelby Hopkins and Kelsey Falcone down the left-hand side near midfield that shifted out to Katy Lipscomb on the right side by way of a great ball from Emily Jorgens. Katy took her first touch toward the near post beating her opponent and drove a ball hard and low across to the goalkeeper's opposite hand forcing a rebound that was tidied up with a tap-in by Emily who worked hard to stay connected after her service. Up 1-0 in ten minutes is a nice way to start any match, but 2-0 is better!!
We found that answer!! Just before the half, super-sub Shelby Guenthardt, whose form has been progressing nicely since having to miss a chunk of time due to injury, snuck across the face of her defender to get on the end of Kim Polasek's 40-yard diagonal service from the left touchline just at the edge of the attacking third, to one-time the ball through the hands of the UTD goalkeeper. After not having given up much, we took two opportunities well and felt good about where we were, but knew we had to complete the match with a solid second half.
The second half would see more of the same with the addition of a little more desperation from our opposition in transition, looking to get dangerous balls behind us, which our back line managed quite well. Getting help from all available players on the day, including all three goalkeepers, was important for us. We know December 1 is a long away, and we want badly to be in the mix at that point, which means EVREY SINGLE PERSON the represents our family has to pull their weight and stay engaged.
It wasn't until the 87th minute that we would add the third goal of the day, as the UTD goalkeeper made some great saves to keep the game within reach. Shelby Hopkins found the back of the net from 25 yards on a free kick, tallying her first of the season.
Ending the four-game stretch away from home at 3-0-1 having conceded only 1 goal and having to make only five saves in almost 400 minutes speaks to our ability to control the flow of the game during that time. We realize we are going to be broken down from time to time, but also realize the importance of our decision making on AND off the ball in an attempt to keep the ball with purpose when we have it and win it back effectively and efficiently when we don't.
Trinity -v- UT-Dallas; W 3-0
Friday night, September 14, will be our 2012 Home Opener as we take on Our Lady of the Lake University (NAIA) at 7 pm.
Showing posts with label Fall 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall 2012. Show all posts
Monday, September 10, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Trinity #6 in National Rankings
Opening Weekend 2012
The bi-annual trip to Abilene for a big opening weekend against Hardin-Simmons ALWAYS proves to be a tough trip, and a meaningful one, but we would have to play a season opener before we got the chance to try and pick up where we left off in 2011.
Trinity -v- UMHB; W 3-0
UMHB appeared first on our schedule for the 2012 campaign, so we would be focused on preparing for them. A much improved side from 2011, we seemed to have a difficult time finding the back of the net. Despite a 10-2 shot advantage in the first stanza, the game would go into the locker room scoreless.
The halftime conversation was less than profound, consisting simply of an agreement that we needed to carry on doing what we set out to do, but do it far better.
Sophomore, Kelsey Falcone, having made her move from outside back into the attacking third, tallied early in the second on a 51st minute goal off a feed from first-year Kim Polasek who earned her first start in her first ever collegiate match. Two and a half minutes later, another youngster, Maggie Olvera got on the board with the second goal of the game from a Lauren Henderson setup. In the 60th minute, Kelsey would find the back of the net yet again after a great challenge from first-year Emily Donnan that freed the ball inside the box for a first-time finish. The goal would close the scoring for the afternoon.
Trinity -v- HSU; D 1-1
The always anticipated annual top 10 match up would yet again, not disappoint the suspense seeker. We were disappointed that we were not able to come out with the win, but feel we did some things quite well, and probably well enough to get that result, but had to settle for a draw. We did some things that were absent of quality, allowing the hosts to keep the game very closely contested, and even enabled them to develop and create some chances to win the game.
As is often the case, set pieces become critical in these kind of matches. Perhaps most disappointing was the number of opportunities we gave up by giving corners...11...compared to earning only 1 ourselves. The two All-Americans we opposed would combine for an early score in the 7th minute off a corner forcing us to almost immediately pull ourselves from a hole that we helped to dig!!
Carrying that deficit into the locker room at the half was certainly not ideal, but would force the issue of resolve and grit which is not necessarily a bad thing.
The second half would prove to be a great response to information and understanding of the importance of the circumstance we found ourselves in the middle of. While we certainly had our share of work to do on the defensive side of the ball, the girls certainly picked up their efforts, creativity and effectiveness. In all, we almost doubled our goalscoring opportunities that we had created in the first half, and in the 62nd, Kelsey Falcone would take a pass from sophomore All-American, Emily Jorgens, after she lost the ball and regained it with immediate pressure, cut across the edge of the box and smack a great ball past the outstretched hands of a very competent goalkeeper for the equalizer.
Despite having more of the ball and the opportunities to score down to the very last second of the match, the game would end in a draw.
We headed back to Trinity 1-0-1 with another tough weekend ahead...away to UT-Tyler and UT-Dallas. Nursing lots of little pulls and tweaks, we certainly have our work cut out for us moving forward, but in the midst of a great deal of promise!
-LK
Trinity -v- UMHB; W 3-0
UMHB appeared first on our schedule for the 2012 campaign, so we would be focused on preparing for them. A much improved side from 2011, we seemed to have a difficult time finding the back of the net. Despite a 10-2 shot advantage in the first stanza, the game would go into the locker room scoreless.
The halftime conversation was less than profound, consisting simply of an agreement that we needed to carry on doing what we set out to do, but do it far better.
Sophomore, Kelsey Falcone, having made her move from outside back into the attacking third, tallied early in the second on a 51st minute goal off a feed from first-year Kim Polasek who earned her first start in her first ever collegiate match. Two and a half minutes later, another youngster, Maggie Olvera got on the board with the second goal of the game from a Lauren Henderson setup. In the 60th minute, Kelsey would find the back of the net yet again after a great challenge from first-year Emily Donnan that freed the ball inside the box for a first-time finish. The goal would close the scoring for the afternoon.
Trinity -v- HSU; D 1-1
The always anticipated annual top 10 match up would yet again, not disappoint the suspense seeker. We were disappointed that we were not able to come out with the win, but feel we did some things quite well, and probably well enough to get that result, but had to settle for a draw. We did some things that were absent of quality, allowing the hosts to keep the game very closely contested, and even enabled them to develop and create some chances to win the game.
As is often the case, set pieces become critical in these kind of matches. Perhaps most disappointing was the number of opportunities we gave up by giving corners...11...compared to earning only 1 ourselves. The two All-Americans we opposed would combine for an early score in the 7th minute off a corner forcing us to almost immediately pull ourselves from a hole that we helped to dig!!
Carrying that deficit into the locker room at the half was certainly not ideal, but would force the issue of resolve and grit which is not necessarily a bad thing.
The second half would prove to be a great response to information and understanding of the importance of the circumstance we found ourselves in the middle of. While we certainly had our share of work to do on the defensive side of the ball, the girls certainly picked up their efforts, creativity and effectiveness. In all, we almost doubled our goalscoring opportunities that we had created in the first half, and in the 62nd, Kelsey Falcone would take a pass from sophomore All-American, Emily Jorgens, after she lost the ball and regained it with immediate pressure, cut across the edge of the box and smack a great ball past the outstretched hands of a very competent goalkeeper for the equalizer.
Despite having more of the ball and the opportunities to score down to the very last second of the match, the game would end in a draw.
We headed back to Trinity 1-0-1 with another tough weekend ahead...away to UT-Tyler and UT-Dallas. Nursing lots of little pulls and tweaks, we certainly have our work cut out for us moving forward, but in the midst of a great deal of promise!
-LK
Choices.
Following a longer than planned for hiatus, we pick up with some more information and updates for Trinity Soccer...
The program has adopted a slightly more evolved perspective since our disappointing end in the NCAA Sweet 16 of the 2011 NCAA National Tournament. Losing 1-0 in 2OT at the hands of the host team in Ithaca, NY stung...badly...but as we reflected back upon the stretch of time between mid-August until late November, we know we had many great and significant moments and experiences that if we retain and access them, we are better for them.
With the God-given choice each day when we wake up in the morning to be better than we have previously been, there really is only one choice to be made...to pursue a greater version of ourselves than there has ever been.
Starting the 2012 campaign, we will collectively choose each day to actively and passionately pursue our own best versions. Should we choose otherwise, we will surely perish, and that simply is not acceptable. Much has been discussed in both small and large-scale conversations between November 2011 and August 2012. With the absence of another fantastic group of seniors, and the introduction of a bright and promising group of new players, we recognize the importance of clarity, communication, and collective commitment. In the presence of an absurd amount of political rhetoric, we have pledged to compose our collective commitment of genuine intent and accepted responsibility, which seems to contrast deeply that which we here from society.
The spring was an important time to build that foundation for ourselves to move forward without the assistance of some heavily relied upon personalities and skill sets, and in the midst of the best competition we could access. Playing against two programs with a combined scholarship total of roughly 23, we tallied 6 goals and conceded three, proving to ourselves and many others that we can PLAY, and we can compete with anyone.
The preseason has been a time of development and progress from that foundation. Unfortunately we started a few steps behind where we planned, in that the collective fitness of the group was inferior to our acceptable standard, but a credit to the girls, they have worked hard to make up for their inadequate preparation. We adopted some themes to keep us focused and motivated, and we have adhered to them into the start of the 2012 campaign, knowing full well we would have to be well prepared for our annual matchup against a very good, and highly respectable geographic and competitive rival on the first weekend. Time will tell for this 2012 version of Trinity Soccer. What choice will they make??
-LK
The program has adopted a slightly more evolved perspective since our disappointing end in the NCAA Sweet 16 of the 2011 NCAA National Tournament. Losing 1-0 in 2OT at the hands of the host team in Ithaca, NY stung...badly...but as we reflected back upon the stretch of time between mid-August until late November, we know we had many great and significant moments and experiences that if we retain and access them, we are better for them.
With the God-given choice each day when we wake up in the morning to be better than we have previously been, there really is only one choice to be made...to pursue a greater version of ourselves than there has ever been.
Starting the 2012 campaign, we will collectively choose each day to actively and passionately pursue our own best versions. Should we choose otherwise, we will surely perish, and that simply is not acceptable. Much has been discussed in both small and large-scale conversations between November 2011 and August 2012. With the absence of another fantastic group of seniors, and the introduction of a bright and promising group of new players, we recognize the importance of clarity, communication, and collective commitment. In the presence of an absurd amount of political rhetoric, we have pledged to compose our collective commitment of genuine intent and accepted responsibility, which seems to contrast deeply that which we here from society.
The spring was an important time to build that foundation for ourselves to move forward without the assistance of some heavily relied upon personalities and skill sets, and in the midst of the best competition we could access. Playing against two programs with a combined scholarship total of roughly 23, we tallied 6 goals and conceded three, proving to ourselves and many others that we can PLAY, and we can compete with anyone.
The preseason has been a time of development and progress from that foundation. Unfortunately we started a few steps behind where we planned, in that the collective fitness of the group was inferior to our acceptable standard, but a credit to the girls, they have worked hard to make up for their inadequate preparation. We adopted some themes to keep us focused and motivated, and we have adhered to them into the start of the 2012 campaign, knowing full well we would have to be well prepared for our annual matchup against a very good, and highly respectable geographic and competitive rival on the first weekend. Time will tell for this 2012 version of Trinity Soccer. What choice will they make??
-LK
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