May 24th, 2014              

    Coming in to this tournament I don't think anyone expected much - after all, the girls hadn't won a game all season thus far and had only managed to score three goals total. Being placed in the lower bracket for their age group was appropriate based on their results. They must not have liked that, however, because they played together as a team for the first time all season, they played with fire and passion, and they played like we knew they could if they would just put for the effort required to do so. Samantha started today's game in goal, and played well enough to stake her teammates to a comfortable lead before moving to the field after halftime. She allowed one goal, on a line drive shot that never slowed down in the tall, wet grass like she thought it was going to. She played far better in the field than she did in net, maintaining possession of the ball despite being crowded by defenders, and finding open teammates to pass time when necessary. She had a couple of strong shots on goal, but wasn't able to capitalize on any of them. After struggling to put the ball in the net all season, the girls found the back of it 6 times today, doubling their season total so far. Sam's replacement in net allowed another goal, resulting in a 6-2 final score in their first win of the tournament and of the season. Way to go girls!

Canton Cup Game 1 - vs. Plymouth United 02 Blue
	Samantha and her La Forza teammates getting some last minute instruction prior to the start of their first game of the Canton Cup Tournament.
	Sam started today's game in goal.
	Sam lining up a drop kick after making a save...
	...and watching it fly down the field.
	Sam was happy when her teammates opened up the scoring.
	Sam doing a goal kick.
	Samantha moved to the field in the second half of today's game.
	Sam gathered in this ball deep in her defensive zone...
	...and carried it through mid field...
	...and around defenders...
	...before finally having her momentum stopped by an opposing player.
	Sam managed to make a move and pass the ball between two defenders to a streaking teammate.
	Sam moving in towards the ball on offense.
	Sam helping out by applying pressure on defense.
	Sam dribbling the ball...
	...and keeping it away from a defender.
	Sam running down the field.
	Sam pressuring the ball once again.
	Sam knocking a pass down out of the air.
	Sam lining up a shot on goal.