The Finale In Burlington

Game 13: 28 April in the B-Bracket Championship Match vs. West Des Moines Valley ()

After beating #18, Normal Community, yesterday, we agreed to switch from the A-Bracket Consolation Championship game to the B-Bracket Championship match against West Des Moines Valley, the #3 team in the country. This switch might not have been a brilliant coaching decision if we were trying to improve our record, but hey, we just want to compete against the best up here. So.

Our goal was to get something in the net early in this one. And we had a couple of good early chances off a throw-in and a corner, but 7 minutes in they got a corner. It looked as if Allyiah had the ball in her grasp when the Valley kicked it out and in, but probably didn’t matter much as once again we failed to put away any of our 3-4 dangerous chances, and, with less than 5 left in the half, Helverson laced one from the left side from 25, side-netting. 

The second half we switched into our diamond to control most of the half. Des Moines got one shot on goal and one corner. We should have cut it to 1 the first 30 seconds in on a great Heying ball to the back post. Gabbi Cox boxed one late for Grace at the top of the 6, another great opportunity. 

So we have a couple of formations we can shift into now that work pretty well. 

Without BWhite it’s tough to name a BWhite Player of the Match. I would have to go with Alex and the battle she had with their right forward. I declare Moss the winner, but it might not feel like it in the morning. 

The trip to Iowa is always good for us: the bonding, the challenging teams, the dinner at the Drake, the Talent Show—the whole thing just great. 

We thank so many of our parents for not only traveling to the event but also stocking the buss, making talent show runs to the store, and just making the weekend fun. 

9 days left in regular season. Let’s finish strong and make that playoff run. 

Stats:

First Half. Saints. Shots. 5 (3). Corners. 3 (Ryan 2, Bryson). 

West Des Moines. Shots. 7 (3). Corners. 1

33:20 Overstreet (left-footed service goes high and to mid post, before attempted to be cleared and then kicked out of Allyiah’s hands?)

4:09 Helverson (turns the diagonal switch into a quick shot and finish, side netting from 25. 

Second Half:

Saints. Shots. 6 (3) Corners. 3 (O’Keefe, Heying, Pigott) 

West Des Moines. Shots 4 (1). Corners. 2