Glendale Falcons – 4
The Chiefs home opener this year (Branson was rained out) was a lively affair, enhanced by the Booster Club’s remarkable fund-raising effort (video) on behalf of Coach Stephanie Phillips and her family. A large crowd was on hand for both the JV and Varsity match and it looks like there will be close to $4500 raised via 300+ tshirts sold and other donations. The largest donation was $450, made by a group of 9 referees in the area that included the three working tonights game – Tim Noonan in the middle along with Jan Stahle and Bradley Hamman as Alternate’s. You can see photos of the players, coaches and ref’s on my Flickr site and Facebook.
The game offered the expected – the Falcon’s broke free for 4 goals on the evening, surprising the Chiefs with goals in the 8th (video), 39th and 47th minute as well as an own goal in the 59th minute when Molly Brewer’s hard ball square across the front of the goal bounced in off a defender, who was concentrating on Emily Cline who had already scored twice this evening. What was unexpected was how well Kickapoo moved the ball against the Glendale defense, especially since an already young Chief’s squad lost central midfielder Katie Lynn to strained ankle ligaments in the game against Lebanon Tuesday evening.
After the initial flurry that led to the opening goal, the Chief’s slowly but certainly moved the ball into the offensive end. With junior Jacinda Lemon’s in the net and a year of experience under her belt, she saved two potential goals when she tipped McKenna Adam’s hard shot over the crossbar in the 12th min and then stopped Adam’s breakaway opportunity in the 18th. By keeping her team in the game, when Cline was able to score in the 39th and 47th minutes, the Falcon’s had the cushion they needed and Lemon’s had positively impacted the game.
The Chief’s goals were scored by Kaylee Stephen’s when the junior alertly moved into the box following Lauryn Young’s speculative ball over the defense that ended up being knocked down, but not controlled, by Lemon’s. Stephen’s pounced on the ball and slipped it in from 6 yards out (video). The second goal was scored as the Chiefs moved forward in numbers and almost scored in similar fashion only to see a loose ball pushed out. Senior Hilary Carr was there to put a shot in from the right side to the far post.
Both teams introduced new players this evening but I’ve got to give sophomore Katie Etter a shout out for her play tonight, in particular when she came from nowhere it seemed and shouldered Emily Cline off the ball as she was making a dangerous run into the box in the 1st half. It represented the type of play the Chief’s newcomer’s offered as they came out and challenged the Falcon’s. Lot’s of time, and plenty of games to prepare for the one that matters. A very nice beginning to the season which was also enjoyed by Alf Bilbao from Drury, who was keeping an eye on Ashley McWilliams and Lindsey Sprouse, and Rob Podeyn from Southwest Baptist, watching Megan Melugin.
Alix Opfer scores the game-winner for Glendale
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K67KcfNDBss]Scoring summary:
8th – Alix Opfer from Molly Brewer (0-1)
39th – Emily Cline from Lindsey Sprouse (0-2)
47th – Emily Cline from Molly Brewer (0-3)
54th – Kaylee Stephens, from Lauryn Young following McKenna Adam’s cross (1-3)
59th – own goal after Molly Brewers square ball into the box (1-4)
71st – Hilary Carr from 25 yards out to far post (2-4)
