It was an unusually hot day (considering it was the last day of March), and the game did not kick off until noon. The heat and the late start might have had something to do with the Coyotes play...but that is no excuse...it was hot and late for the Panthers as well.
The Panthers simply overpowered the Coyotes and dominated them from the opening kick to the closing whistle. You know you had a bad day when all you could manage was 9 total shots on goal for yourself, and allowing the opposing team to take shot after shot on goal all day long. You know you had a rough day when, despite 12 saves by the goalies, the Panthers managed to score and find the back of the Coyote nets 13 times. You know you have been soundly beaten when you come away empty in the score column and you can't seem to find an answer to stop the bleeding.
Despite the mauling, our young Coyotes held their heads and tail high, displayed great sportsmanship, and never stopped trying. They gave it their all, and they played with great heart and spirit. It seems that every time the 'Yote offense showed a glimmer of fire, the Panthers were there to quickly extinguish the flame. Matt kept trying..taking 5 shots on goal, but the Panther goalies were on their game. Actually...3 of Matts shots got past the goalie...but they bounced off the goal frame....try as he may, he just could not find the back of the nets.
All of our Strikers played hard...but at times lacked aggressiveness. I was very pleased to see Addison go after the ball (it was the first time she ever played in the Striker position), and Rebekah, Brock, Akil, Nick, Tyler, Kendrick and Callie also did well playing at that spot.
Defensively, Nick was a wall back there...making 4 tackles on the ball...Rebekah and Addison also combined for 5 more tackles from the Midfield (or Defensive) positions. The trouble was simply that the Panthers were constantly on the attack...and they slipped by our defense more than we were able to stop them.
One of the Panther players was big for his age...and he had the speed and the power and the skills to go along with his size. He was simply unstoppable. And while it would have been more sportsmanlike for the other coach to put him in a defensive position in the 2nd half instead of letting him continue to run up the score (I am guessing he scored at least 95% of the Panther goals) when it was obvious the 'Yotes were not going to mount any kind of a comeback, would have been nice. But, the other coach did not pull back his offense at all. Despite that...our team kept their cool and their heads...and just played the game. This coach is proud of the gamesmanship and sportsmanship displayed by Team Coyote! Great Job 'Yotes!
Next week, Team Coyote will face another well coached team. I have complete confidence in the skills and abilities of our team to match up with them completely. We have got to find a way to get more aggressive on the ball...attack it constantly and don't back off. We were able to do that in week #1...so I know it is possible. Defensively, we have got to get our young Midfielders to also be more aggressive and attacking the ball whenever it ventures past the center line. Our goalies are doing an outstanding job thus far...keep up the good work! Our Strikers especially need to attack the ball more..not just kick it down field and stop...but kick it, dribble it, pass it, and take power shots. We will try to work on that this next week in practice.
Ok, 'Yotes...lick your wounds this week..rest up...and let's come out on Saturday and be aggressive and relentless. Let's go against our next opponent and show them what Coyote soccer is all about! We got beat...but we aren't done yet! Next week is a new game!
Here are yesterdays Stats:
Strikers:
Matt..............................5 shots on goal
Rebekah........................2 shots on goal
Brock............................1 shot on goal
Callie.............................2 shots on goal
Midfielders:
Nick.............................4 tackles
Rebekah.......................3 tackles
Addison........................2 tackles
Goalies:
Akil..............................3 saves
Brock...........................3 saves
Callie............................3 saves
Tyler.............................3 saves
The mauling by the Panthers left the Coyotes with a 1-2 record on the young season...with 7 games left to play, there is plenty of time for the 'Yotes to come out with a decent record. Let's hope it starts next week!
GO COYOTES!
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