On Dec 19, Wednesday night the Tracy Bulldogs win their league opening match against the St Mary’s Rams in a very close 1-0 victory.
Straight after kickoff the two teams take their time with calculated passes and plays, taking advantage of their field space with passes back to their goalies.
Tracy battled hard but are met with similar skill from St Marys’s side, causing each scoring opportunity to be quickly closed for both teams.
Sprinting down the left side of the field Delaney Sams found her older sister Olivia Sams in the box, distributing the ball with a cross which is unfortunately shot slightly over the goal. This being the first shot on target 15 minutes into the game.
Tracy’s momentum carried on as Eden Fry dribbled the ball through two defenders and released a powerful shot from 17 yards out, which is barely deflected by the goalkeeper and cleared out by defenders.
In result of a foul by Sita Saenz, St Mary’s is awarded a freekick on their turf, luckily Tracy’s defenders scrambled to intercept.
Goalkeeper Breea Lewandowski worked tirelessly to block over ten shots by St Mary’s in the half and passing all caught balls up field. Lewandowski stated that she relied on her yelling and communication to get the ball up to her midfielders, “It can be difficult sometimes finding people open but communicating to them to get them open or move around really helps.”
In a shocking turn of events Sophia Lindt was harshly brought down in the box from a foul, awarding Tracy with a penalty kick. Stepping up to the ball, Lindt meticulously placed her shot deep in the left corner of the goal for the first point of the night going to Tracy 23 minutes into the half.
The clock continued to run with no further scoring opportunities being made giving Tracy the upper hand, confidently going into the second half.
Many saves followed the beginning of the second half. Tracy’s defensive line led by Eden Fry continued to group to the ball exceptionally quick.
Saenz took the ball up the center of the field, weaving through defenders as she took her shot outside the box. Her powerful shot was blocked by St Marys’s goalkeeper once again.
With the ball in possession Fry makes a decisive pass across the field from the defensive line to the offensive side which Saenz claims quickly. Taking this chance Saenz found an opening of space and took it. St Marys’s goalkeeper noticed quickly and dived to close the space. Saenz’s shot is blocked and taken away by defenders.
In the winding down minutes of the game Tracy defenders held possessions to run out the clock and secure their first league win.
Coach Kalis recalled Tracys defense playing a crucial role in the shutout on St Mary’s and working hard to not concede any goals. Kalis remarked
“These girls really have a lot of talent when they join us and we try our best just to not screw up you know. I’m really proud of the girl’s effort and defensive effort they put in tonight. Our league season is looking promising this year.”
