Tigers Rally Late to Upend Coyotes

It was a cold fall morning as the Coyotes took to the fields hoping to continue the momentum they had gathered the week before, coming off their first victory of the season.

The Coyotes came to play, and jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the 1st quarter. The 'Yote Strikers were running up and down the field, taking shots on goal, while the 'Yote defense kept the big cats frustrated at the opposite end of the field.

Team Coyote kept the pressure on the Tigers as the 2nd quarter got underway, keeping the cats out of the nets and out of the scoring column. But the Tigers also stiffened their defense, and held the Coyotes scoreless in the 2nd quarter as well. At half, the 'Yotes were hanging on to a precarious 2-0 lead.

As the 3rd quarter got undeway, the game continued with both teams playing tough defense, but the Coyotes managed to sneak another ball into the Tiger nets to take a 3-0 lead going into the 4th quarter. The game looked to be securely in control of Team Coyote...but the big cats were not done.

It should be noted, once again..that the Coyotes were playing down 4 players..with only 6 Coyotes hitting the field...while the Tigers were at full strength with 10 players. Understandably, the Coyotes were getting tired out by the time the 4th quarter got underway, while the Tigers were relatively fresh because they were able to keep substitutes in the game. That being said, as the 4th quarter got underway, the undermanned Coyotes began to show signs of being tired. They backed off offensively, not being quite as aggressive as they had been throughout the game...and it showed. The tigers took advantage of the fatigue factor, and began finding the Coyote nets..scoring 4 unanswered goals to take a 4-3 lead as the final whistle blew.

The heartbreaking loss dropped the Coyotes record to 1-5-1 on the season. But, again...the loss was not indicative of the way the team played! They played their little hearts out, and but for the lack of substitutes, the 'Yotes could have (and would have...in my opinion) held on to their 3-0 lead and pulled out the win. They have nothing to be ashamed of...they played very well! Good job, Coyotes!

Here are the stats:

The Strikers

Cole 7 shots on goal; 2 goals
Nick 1 shot on goal
Rebekah 3 shots on goal; 1 goal
Matt 2 shots on goal; 1 assist
Callie 3 shots on goal
Savannah 3 shots on goal

The Goalies

Nick 10 saves
Matt 6 saves
Savannah 1 save

The Coyotes took 17 shots on goal, while the Tigers took 21 shots..so it is easy to see that our kids played tough and toe to toe (or paw to claw, as it were :-) )with the Tigers! Great game...nothing to hang our heads at over the effort of our young Coyotes!