Monday, May 24, 2021

Lady Gunners v. Westford Knights

 

May 23rd, 2021 | Princeton, MA


2nd of a Double Header Day
Both teams are playing their second game today, therefore the playing field was leveled and fair. Westford being the top team in the league is a tough opponent to compete against. These Lady Gunners are up for the challenge with team braided hair, looking up to the task.

Opening 
The Lady Gunners came out ready to take the lead. In the first minute, Lexi hit the post from a freekick. A few minutes later, she outhustled two defenders to a 50/50 ball, took them on, and missed her shot just wide of the post. The first half balanced out with the Knights creating a few chances of their own, but it ended 0-0.
2nd Half- Final Result
At halftime, we asked the Lady Gunners to be more clinical with their scoring opportunities, and continue to be aggressive offensively. However, the Knights ended up being the ones who converted their opportunities. They scored twice from two well-placed shots inside of our box. A 2-0 final in their favor; Lady Gunners played well but suffered their first loss of the season. 
Players of the Match
Another gutsy performance from the Lady Gunners, leaving it all out there! Every player made a significant contribution, without exception. However, the two outstanding performers were  Ryan and Aurore.

Ryan was a handful all day long for defenders. Especially in this match where she was consistently the threat, the Knights had to defend closely, and the Go-to Option for the Gunners offensively.  Aurore was phenomenal with her aggressive play, coming way out of the box to make a sliding tackle, key saves to keep her team in the match, and solid reliable last line of defense. 

Congrats to you both on a well-deserved Players of the Match Award!!

Lady Gunners v. Legacy Pride

 

May 23rd, 2021 | Princeton, MA


First of a Double Header Day
With yet another key player missing, it is the norm to play without a full squad at this point. Next Lady Gunner up should be our mantra. Legacy Pride dominated, won against the Lady Gunners last season. Let's see how this one goes...
Opening 
Legacy Pride started well, with so many of their players possessing individual skills. Taking on defenders seemed to be their strength. Lady Gunners were disciplined, keeping them at bay. At the half, it was a 0-0 deadlock, a fair score with their keeper making a great full stretched save from a well-struck freekick by Lexi.
2nd Half- Final Result
At halftime, the Lady Gunners were encouraged to create more scoring opportunities, such as corner kicks, shots, crosses, and freekicks. However, Legacy was far more creative in that sense. True to their resilient character, the Lady Gunners withstood the pressure. Towards the end, the Gunners were knocking on the door to score, but this one ended in a scoreless tie. 
Players of the Match
A phenomenal team effort, from defenders shutting down attackers, midfielders creating chances, and forwards taking scoring attempts well. The two outstanding performers were Lydia and Bailey.

Lydia was instrumental in her poised control, ball distribution in the center of the park. She consistently anchored her team's attacks all game.  Bailey was physical, sharp at disrupting crosses and shots, and recovered with surgical precision. 

Congrats to you both on a well-deserved Players of the Match Award!!

Monday, May 17, 2021

Lady Gunners v. Medfield Soccer Academy

 

May 16th, 2021 | Princeton, MA


Team Sacrifice in Goal
With key players missing, including our goalkeeper, one of our players had to make the sacrifice to play in goal. Lilly stepped up to the challenge, took one for her team, and did not disappoint while on the job. Thanks for being such a team player! We know it was not an easy role. 
Opening 
Medfield SA has always been a tough opponent for the Lady Gunners to match up against. As many times in the past, Medfield came out playing well and took a 1-0 lead. This time, the Lady Gunners showed resilience, backed up by quality. Gunners matched their possession play and evened the score at 1-1 with a well-derserved goal of their own. 
2nd Half- Final Result
At halftime, consistency + No Letdown were the concerns addressed. The heat may have played a major part in this game, as both teams lowered their intensity at times. However, Medfield SA found a way to take a 2-1 lead. Once again, equal to the challenge, Lady Gunners tied up the score, and created numerous opportunities to take the lead, but finished at 2-2 in the end. 
Players of the Match
Once again, the entire team put the work into this match to get a result. No excuses made, several players shifted around, playing in different positions, all made this a great team effort.

The two outstanding performers were Hope and Ryan. Hope played in the left-back position for the first time this year;  covered well defensively, with great poise in possession, even assisted on the first goal. Ryan continued to take shots until she covered twice. None better than the equalizer when she took on the defense and fired a low-hard shot far post to beat the keeper.
Congrats to you both on a well-deserved Players of the Match Award!!

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Lady Gunners v. CORDAGE SC SELECT GU15

 

May 9th, 2021 | Plymouth, MA


Mother's Day Battle 
A Happy Mothers Day to all soccer moms who support our players unconditionally. We know moms make it all work. This game is dedicated to you! 
Opening 
From the start of the first whistle, the Lady Gunners took control of possession, and ultimately the game.  It was clear Cordage SC plays a direct style of soccer, sending long balls over the top behind our defense. Gunners adjusted accordingly, prevented the ball from bouncing, and reduced the danger. At the half, it was a 1-0 lead for the Gunners, the goal scored by Lexis from a converted free-kick.
2nd Half- Final Result
At halftime, our team discussed the positive points surrounding the possession game that put us in the driver's seat, and lots of encouragement to take more shots.  The Lady Gunners picked up where they left off, created even more scoring opportunities through combination plays from the midfield.  Lexis converted a penalty to close out the game, with 2-0 win. 
Players of the Match
Lady Gunners played a complete game against a physically strong team. Every Gunner has lots to be proud of, not only for the win but for the way they played. Defensively, the team got behind the ball quickly to pressure the ball, transition to offense was done consistently by stringing together 5-10 passes. 

Every player performed well for this game honestly. The two outstanding performers were Maddie and Lilly. Maddie was instrumental in the middle controlling play with poise,  distributing the ball well.  Lilly played in the center of defense, disrupted dangerous attacked with controlled aggression, then made quick sound decisions to find midfielders from the back. 
Congrats to you both on a well-deserved Players of the Match Award!!

Monday, May 3, 2021

Lady Gunners vs. MAF- Spring Opener 2021

 

April 25, 2021 | Canton, MA


Season Opener
After a long indoor season, the Lady Gunners were ready to play an outdoor game. They worked hard on their possession game, shooting, and finishing. Above all, this group is in search of team leadership during games. Will a few place their candidacy for the position? 
Opening 
Historically, the Lady Gunners start slowly and come to life in the second. The issue with that approach is they are usually trying to dig themselves out of multiple goals deficit. This time, they did come out playing with great intensity. 

MAF is a formidable opponent, but overall it was an even match, with both sides taking turns at controlling play. At the half, it was a 1-0 deficit for the Gunners, but no question this match was up for grabs.
2nd Half- Final Result
At halftime, the team discussion was about creating more scoring opportunities and taking shots on goal. The Lady Gunners improved their offensive play, spent more time in MAF's half, and managed to score from a direct free-kick by Alexis. A 1-1 final score was a fair result for both sides. 
Players of the Match
Lady Gunners played short-handed, down to just 2 subs. Players had to play out of position, made no excuses, or fuss about it.  The entire team responded well honestly to the adjustments. Gabby had a strong game offensively, helping her team transition from Defense to Offense. 

However, the two outstanding performers were Alexis and Aubrey. Both played out of position, going from midfielders to defenders. As a duo, they were sound disrupting attacks and poised in transition to offense. 
Congrats to you both on a well-deserved Players of the Match Award!!

Lady Gunners v. RI Surf 5/22/22

Sunday May 22nd, 2022 | Princeton, MA The entire, Gunners have yet to play with their full squad... why break the streak today? Two players ...