Game 1

Tonight marks the beginning of the end for Samantha's high school soccer career, as she begins her senior season playing for the Venice Indians. This is where her varsity career got its start four years ago, so it is fitting that she can close it out where it all began after playing for the Holly Bronchos team the past two seasons.

The first game of the season would see the Venice Indians facing off against the Lakewood Ranch Mustangs. This one got off to an unusual start, as the first goal of the game (and the first shot for either team) would come on a penalty kick, which the Indians would covert for an early 1-0 lead. The Indians would score once again before the midway point of the first half, making it a 2-0 game at that point. The Mustangs would go on a bit of a roll after the water break, taking the next three shots and controlling the ball, but thankfully the Venice keeper was up to the task and stopped each of those shots. The first half would come to a close with the Indians up by a 2-0 score.

The Mustangs would dominate the majority of the second half, save for a brief stretch on either side of the water break. They would score an early goal to narrow the gap to 2-1. They would continue their attack, rattling off shots that the Venice keeper was able to save. A header goal off of a corner kick would restore the Indians two goal lead shortly before the water break. They would get the next few shots as well, but this time it was the Lakewood Ranch keeper making the stops. Venice got back on the board after the water break, grabbing a 4-1 lead. The Mustangs would carry play after that, however, and would score a short while later to narrow the gap to 4-2. Thankfully the Indians goalie was able to fight off a furious attack by the Mustangs as time would expire, giving them a 4-2 victory in their first game of the season. Way to go girls!

Venice Indians Game #1 - at Lakewood Ranch Mustangs
	Samantha at the start of the pregame handshake line at the Venice Indians opening game of the season.
	Sam winding up for a sideline throw-in...
	...and launching the ball on to the field.
	Sam dribbling the ball down the field...
	...and poking the ball ahead to a teammate.
	Sam taking another sideline throw-in...
	...and watching as the ball flies through the air.
	Sam in position in case her goalkeeper bobbles the ball (she didn't).
	Sam passing the ball across to a teammate.
	Sam surveying the field during a throw-in...
	...but deciding the throw back to an open teammate...
	...and launching the ball.
	Sam passing the ball ahead.
	Sam challenging for the ball...
	...and coming away with it...
	...sending the ball ahead...
	...but being knocked down in the process.
	Samantha got the pass off before being ran into.
	Sam kicking the ball through the air.
	Sam lining up a kick...
	and watching the ball on her follow-through.
	Sam pressuring a Lakewood Ranch player...
	...and trying to cause a bad pass.
	Sam passing the ball ahead.
	Sam settling the ball down to survey the field for the best play.

Venice Indians Game #1 - at Lakewood Ranch Mustangs

Samantha at the start of the pregame handshake line at the Venice Indians opening game of the season.

Sam winding up for a sideline throw-in...

...and launching the ball on to the field.

Sam dribbling the ball down the field...

...and poking the ball ahead to a teammate.

Sam taking another sideline throw-in...

...and watching as the ball flies through the air.

Sam in position in case her goalkeeper bobbles the ball (she didn't).

Sam passing the ball across to a teammate.

Sam surveying the field during a throw-in...

...but deciding the throw back to an open teammate...

...and launching the ball.

Sam passing the ball ahead.

Sam challenging for the ball...

...and coming away with it...

...sending the ball ahead...

...but being knocked down in the process.

Samantha got the pass off before being ran into.

Sam kicking the ball through the air.

Sam lining up a kick...

and watching the ball on her follow-through.

Sam pressuring a Lakewood Ranch player...

...and trying to cause a bad pass.

Sam passing the ball ahead.

Sam settling the ball down to survey the field for the best play.