FHSAA Soccer District Game #1

Half Length

Seeing as how the Lady Sharks were the last team to qualify for the districts from their area, the outcome of this game was not a surprise. It took the Plant side six shots before they finally broke through, scoring the games opening goal just seven minutes in on a header that came after a Riverview save. They would widen their lead to 2-0 with just under thirty minutes to play in the period on a kick across the box that resulted in another header into the back of the net. The first half water break would happen at the 23:54 mark, an that is when Jayden found herself on the field for the first time, perhaps unexpectedly. Her coach thought that she may be able to use her speed to step up and challenge the attacking Panthers players, which she did her best to do. With a little under 18 minutes to play a Panthers player would drive through the defense on the opposite side of the field from Jay, kicking the ball into the net from up close to make it a 3-0 score. Just over a minute later the Panthers would once again drive through the defense, scoring another relatively easy goal to make it a 4-0 game. With thirteen and half to play, the Panthers would make it a 5-0 game on a kick from the left side of the field into the right side of the net. Jay would come out of the game at that point, though I don't think she was to blame for the quick scoring outburst. She did what the coaches asked of her, closing in to challenge the attacking players, though she probably could have done a better job of keeping the Panthers in front of her on the fifth goal. Removing her from the game did little to slow the Plant attack, however, as they would make it a 6-0 game just three minutes later. The Lady Sharks finally managed to get their first shot on goal shortly after the sixth Panthers goal, but it really wasn't a good scoring opportunity. That would be it for scoring in the opening half, however, so the two teams headed into the halftime break with the score 6-0 in favor of the Panthers.

It would take nearly ten minutes, but the Plant side would add to their lead thanks to a pass to the middle that was converted to make it a 7-0 game. A little over three minutes later they would make it a final score of 8-0 on a cross that was kicked in to the Riverview goal. The mercy rule ended the game at that point. Certainly not the outcome that the Lady Sharks wanted for the season, but they should be proud of their season regardless after qualifying for the playoffs. Great job girls!