Cultivating Christian Minds and Character
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Fall 2010 Season
Wildcats Slip By Feisty Orchard Farm
Westminster traveled north to Orchard Farm to take on the Eagles in the championship game of the Holly Goodman Tournament. The Wildcats struggled but managed to slip by the Eagles in overtime by the score of 2-1.
The skies were threatening as the Wildcats lined up to play. With the wind blowing firmly in their face and the grass high enough to completely hide their boots (soccer word for cleats), the Wildcats got off to a very slow start. Struggling to find any offense, the Wildcat attackers were often met with firm contact from the aggressive Eagles. Defensively, the Wildcats were sluggish. At 7:20, a miscommunication at midfield allowed an Eagles attacker to break in on the left. Cutting towards the goal, the attacker hit a hard shot on keeper Whitney Calvin which rebounded out to another Eagles attacker who was parked 5 feet off the far post and staring at the wide open net. Miraculously her shot from 5 feet went straight up and over the crossbar. Orchard Farm controlled the better part of the half as they mustered 4 shots on goal to 0 shots for the Wildcats.
The 2nd half brought renewed hope for the Wildcats as they took the field with the wind at their back and the storms moving away. Pushing into the attacking zone proved difficult for either team because the tall thick grass slowed down both the ball and the feet running through it. In spite of the difficult conditions, the Wildcats did manage to get better organized and execute some nice 1-2-3 combinations to get the ball deep. At 11:50, one of those combinations resulted in Adrienne Boyd sending a firm cross in from the right side. Emily Sherman breaking in on the weak side picked up the cross and buried her shot into the left corner for a 1-0 Wildcat lead. While Westminster had the better play in the 2nd half, Orchard Farm was not without opportunities. At 20:02, the Eagles’ leading scorer thumped the crossbar. A scrum ensued and at 20:59, an Eagle’s player was presented a yellow card for an overly aggressive foul. As the game clock was winding down, it appeared the Wildcats would escape with a victory. Not so fast. Late half desperation paid dividends for Orchard Farm. At 36:39, an unlucky turnover at midfield allowed an Eagle attacker to break in on the left. Carrying the ball into the attacking 1/3 of the field, the attacker launched a nice cross towards the far post to an undefended Eagle who simply knocked it in to even the score at 1-1. About 4 minutes later, the officials’ whistle sounded the end of regulation and gave notice that the Wildcats would head into overtime for the 3rd consecutive game.
Seconds after the start of the overtime period, Orchard Farm nearly ended the match with a shot that slipped just wide of the post. The early scare had a positive affect on the Wildcats. Pushing into the Eagles zone, the Wildcats finally started to throw shots toward the net. The Wildcats managed 6 shots in overtime to 1 for the Eagles. At 9:29, Christine Ehrmann sent a high arching service towards the box from 35yds. Kenzie Pfitzinger calmly trapped the service and, with a quick turn, put the game away with a shot into the right corner. The goal was a welcome relief for the weary Wildcats who walked off the field knowing the outcome could have been much different.
On Thursday May 14th at 4:30pm, the Lady Cats take to the Westminster field for the final time this season where they will take on Lutheran South. Prior to the game there will be a brief ceremony to honor the departing seniors. It is the hope of the entire team that the students and faculty will continue their overwhelming support of the team and come out to honor the seniors and cheer the team to victory.
Game Stats:
Shots: Ehrmann (2), Pfitzinger (4), Probst, Sherman, Zee-Cheng
Goals: Pfitzinger (GWG), Sherman
Assists: Boyd, Ehrmann
Saves: Calvin (4)