With so many WAGS games rained out this weekend thanks to the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, it was exciting that the Red squad would get to play their home opener on September 11. Defending the full Mason District for the first time, Red got off to a rocky start against the visiting ASA Arundel Attack. Much of the first half saw Red on defense, and Happy Feet, in goal for the first time in months, was brilliant, turning away all 15 (fifteen!!) shots she faced.
Red settled down, and though they had trouble getting their precision passing game going, they did generate some good offensive chances. The first official Shot on Goal of the season belonged to Big Foot, who took the deflection from a Sunshine corner kick and put the visiting keeper to the test. A test she was up to – making a great sprawling save.
Red generated a few more quality scoring chances in the first half, but it would end knotted at nil, thanks in no small part to The Hammer who was a shot blocking machine all day.
The second half began with the tables turned and Red found itself on the attack for most of the half. The girls had found their passing game – for a time anyway. Happy Feet, sprung from the goal, showed just how fast she is, beating two Attack players consistently down the right side and bringing the fans to their feet as she tested the Attack keeper with three quality scoring chances. The Taxman added several exciting scoring chances; Sunshine, the Professor, and Hollywood also added SOGs in the second half, but then Hollywood left the game after taking a nasty knock to the head inside the box.
Eli provided the most exciting moment of the game for Red fans when she lobbed a long, high ball in towards the goal from close to the center line – her trademark ICBM. Eli has seen so many keepers misplay that ball – and it is easy to misplay – but the Attack keeper did a great job tracking it and jumping at just the right time to catch the ball. But it was close.
Then at 56 minutes there was a Red defensive breakdown, Attack had numbers in the box and a shot was deflected off a Red arm, taking a weird bounce. Before the referee could blow his whistle however, an Attack player found the rebound at her feet and was able to slide it past the Red keeper. The goal was awarded.
But Red has fought back against the Attack before, and the girls were determined to tie it up quickly.
Red pressed, but then a freak play at 72 minutes sealed the game for the visitors. Attack, with at least one player in an offsides position, took a strong shot on goal. The shot sailed high, hitting the football portion of the goal, which should render the ball dead. A goal kick was in order, but the ball returned to the field of play, and the referee kept his whistle in his pocket. A confused Red pulled up just long enough for an Attack player to finish the play, and the visitors went up 2-0.
And that is how it would end.
Red was definitely off their game for much of the match, but they did show sparks of brilliance, and we're fully expecting them to bounce back quickly and put their formidable skills and soccer smarts to work. They head into next weekend with an at home double header, hosting Loudon on Saturday and a new FPYC team on Sunday.
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