Academy Game Reports January 27
Age/Gender: U11 Girls
Location: SportsPlex (indoor)
Result: W 4-3
Players: Erin, Hope, Marayna, Ava, Aliana, Nicole, Laura
Goal(s): Hope, Aliana, Nicole (2)
Player of the game: Nicole
Defensively, the Dutch Lions girls were very focused and organized during whole game, especially the back line. Quick transitions after losing the ball were quite positive, mainly in the 1st half. The girls were aggressive on the ball and won most of the individual duels.
Offensively, the Lions showed some good moments of soccer with great passing and combination play, with quick transitions that allowed the Lions to create some dangerous situation with numbers up against the opponent and a lot of shots at the goal. There were also some moments of good individual initiatives and it was possible to see the creativity and nice footwork from the Dutch Lions girls.
Coach Paulo said after the game “The girls did a really good job today. Despite of conceding an early goal, they kept their focus and were very supportive to each other. An aspect where the team was particularly well, was on the runs of the ball that gave us some situations of 1v1 against the Goalkeeper, where we have not been able to finish in the best way”.
Nicole was nominated the player of the game “ Nicole scored 2 goal for us that were very important for the end result. She was very confident today, with some good moments of creativity, showing good skills on individual initiatives. She appeared well in the box and had a couple of good chances to score”.
Age/Gender: U11 Girls
Location: SporstPlex (indoor)
Result: 1-1 T
Players: Erin, Aliana, Marayna, Ava, Laura, Nicole, Hope
Goal(s): Hope
Player of the game: Erin
The Dutch Lions girls played well, with good defensive organization, defending as a unit for most of the game. Coordination, good anticipating plays and communication between the back line and goalkeeper were the strengths of the team this game.
In some moments they showed some good pressure, pressing the Goalkeeper, which allowed the opposing team to take advantages and play the ball in the spaces left open. Overall, the girls showed good field occupation, marking and cover of the spaces in front of goal.
Offensively, the girls started the game confident with ball, looking for the best collective solutions to reach the opposing goal more efficiently. Good possession, effective communication, fast combination play and support provided to the ball carrier allowed the girls to switch the field quickly and create fast attacks, with several shots on goal.
Coach Paulo said after the game “I’m happy with the way the girls played today. They worked hard, showing confidence and good dynamic on the ball, and confidence at the time to shot on goal.
Game after game, I feel that our team is starting to to increase the pace of the game, keeping possession at the same time, and that is what we want to implement”.
Coach Paulo nominated Erin as a player of the game.
“Erin played very well today. It was not a game where she constantly was put to the test, but when was necessary, she made it exemplary. Her decision making on coming off the line and anticipating the play were very good, and she made two saves that definitely had a huge contribution to the final result”.
Age/Gender: U11 Boys
Location: Kingdom Sportscenter
Result: W 5-1
Players: Braxton, Connor, Holden, Daniel, Sean, Aaron, Tyson, Christian, RJ (U12)
Goal(s): Aaron, Connor, Sean
Player of the game: Christian
Offensively, the Lions maintained an excellent pace throughout the game and were efficient in getting numbers into the attacking half. The Lions made the most of their 1v1 situations and confidently finished the scoring opportunities created in the final third.
Defensively, the Lions were aggressive in their defensive challenges and did well providing cover on the field. The Lions had a tremendous work ethic in their transition to defense made it difficult for the Springboro offense.
Coach Shane was quoted, “I was impressed with the U11 boys effort in their first indoor game. Our transition on both sides of the ball was excellent as we were able to get players forward in the attack and then worked extremely hard to get back into our defensive shape.”
Coach Shane nominated Christian as the player of the game as he kept the balance on the field and had a tremendous effort on offense and defense.
Age/Gender: U12 Girls
Location: Kingdom (Indoor)
Result: 1-6 L
Players: Brooke, Ilana, Alexis, Maddie, Hannah, Morgan, Kira, Camlyn, Audrey, Mallory, Ellerie, Milan
Goal(s): Kira
Player of the game: Kira
Defensively, the ladies had some positive moments. They were able to maintain good organization and they stayed compact on defense. However, after they allowed the second goal, the ladies struggled to keep the ball out of our defensive half due a more direct and physical style of play from our opponents.
Offensively, the team had a really nice start. They moved the ball around on the ground well, looking for short passing options rather than long balls. Within that period of time it was clear that the girls had the right intentions; to play with a lot of successful combination, which ultimately lead to the production our goal. During the second period of the match, our opponent’s pressure and aggressive play limited our offensive productivity.
Coach Katie had the following to say after the game "I was pleased with the beginning of the match. We kept the ball on the ground and looked for short combinations to move and build our attack. Although it was not the best result, wins and losses are the not the most important aspect of the game during the winter season; especially considering the rules and field conditions differ significantly to Fall and Spring play." continuing "I believe in the potential of this group and I'm sure we will improve as the season progresses" to conclude coach Katie said "Today we've nominated Kira as the player of the match. Her creativity and dynamic resulted in some positive opportunities in our offensive half. In addition to her offensive production, she also played a significant role for us on defense."
Age/Gender: U13 Boys
Location: Sportsplex (Indoor)
Result: 5-3 L & 7-0 L
Players game: Collin, Matthew, Noah, Dominic S., Robbie, Tommy, Dominic M., Dimitri, Enrico. Luke, Evan, Tristan, John, Simon, Nick, Noah.
Goal(s): Robbie, Matthew
Player of the game: Robbie
During both games the young lions struggled on defense, giving to much space to the opponents for the dribble or shot putting Collin and Luke under a lot of pressure in the goal, forcing them to make some great saves.
In attack the intention was many times the right one, trying to connect passes and avoiding playing with the wall but the teams struggled with finishing the chances that were created. A lot of shots just missed power or would o straight at the opponent's GK. There was also some lack of confidence going forward leaving the ball carrier isolated against 2 or 3 defenders.
Coach Sid after the game had the following to say, "Today we played against teams that are more used to the indoor game then we are and I asked the boys not to play with the wall to much. That haven been said I feel that we lacked energy going forward and we where to worried that we would concede goals. Sometimes soccer s about fun and forgetting about the result. We are playing indoor soccer to get touches on the ball and get in shape for the spring season, the score is the last thing that matters here", coach Sid continued, "Robbie played a good game today, he worked hard on defense and was dangerous going forward, one of the few that played with a smile on his face and was clearly having a good time and, one again, that is what indoor soccer is all about."
Age/Gender: U14 Girls
Location: Kingdom Sportscenter
Result: W 9-3
Players: Nicole, Alessandra, Alicia, Shelby, Ema, Sumera, Emma P, Katie, Camille, Ashley, Ainsley
Goal(s): Emma P, Sumera, Katie, Ema
Player of the game: Emma P
Offensively, the Lions did an excellent job keeping possession of the ball and created many scoring opportunities by being patient in the attacking half. The Lions attacked the 2v1/3v2 situations and were creative in their offensive play to finish their goal scoring chances. Defensively, maintained an effective defensive shape and did well in transition to get number behind the ball. The Lions were strong in their defensive challenges and won a majority of 1v1 tackles on the field.
Coach Shane was quoted, “Today’s game was a great showing offensively for us! We were creative in the attack showed tremendous technical skills by finishing our scoring chances. Our fitness continues to improve and it showed in the game as we were sharper on offense and more organized defensively.”
Coach Shane nominated Emma P as the player of the game for a standout performance on offense and was an attacking threat every time she touched the ball in the final third.
Age/Gender: U14 Boys
Location: Kingdom Sportscenter
Result: L 9-1
Players: Gareth, Teddy, Kyle, Hunter, Silas, Luke, Caden, Gradey, Dominic, Elijah
Goal: Luke
Player of the game: Elijah
Offensively, the Lions were limited in their scoring opportunities as the attackers had a difficult time maintaining possession of the ball. The Lions had their best moments in the attack when they moved the ball quickly and were able to get numbers forward.
Defensively, the Lions were effective when they had cover for their defenders but were exposed in their 1v1 situations against a fast and aggressive attack from their opponent. The Lions did well pressuring their opponent as a team but need to do a better job transitioning when the opponent breaks the pressure.
Coach Shane was quoted, “Another tough game for us today but we have to realize we are playing a higher level opponent and we need to continue to build off our improvements whether big or small each game. We will get better as our fitness improves and we can get more number behind the ball defensively and also more players involved in the attack.”
Coach Shane nominated Elijah as the player of the game for his aggressiveness on the field and his will to get into the attack.
Age/Gender: U15 Girls
Location: Wall2Wall (Indoor)
Result: 2-0 W
Players: Grace T.; Peyton; Olivia; Sarah; Morgan; Meera; Emily; Paige; Grace P.; Veronica; Ashley; Anna; Kayla; JJ (U14)
Goal(s): Nica - Peyton
Player of the game: Emily
On defense the young ladies presented a solid performance conceding no goals for the second consecutive game. Part of the success of this game, was an effective defensive organization, good moments of pressure and aggressiveness on the ball to win the individual duels. The defensive transition was also very successful, having a quick change of attitude as soon as they loss the ball possession.
Offensively the team presented a good soccer game, despite the speed of play that we should be able to increase, the girls kept the ball possession for the majority of the game, controlling the moments well and the pace of the game. It was also very positive the way they generally found the open space to play, due a good team dynamics on and off the ball. Several chances were created, however the ladies couldn't find the better way to finishing those opportunities with success.
After the game coach Bruno has the following to say: "More than a win it's important to mention the way we play today, very organized and focused on defense and at the same time with a good dynamic and creativity on the ball. Compared to the last game, I really liked to see how we moved the ball around, with good combinations and constant movement. The girls looked more confident with the ball, something we've been working on these last couple of weeks. However, the speed of play is something we definitely can increase and we need to be more effective and determined on that last moment, to conclude successfully the scoring opportunities we created." To conclude "This week we nominate Emily as player of the match, besides her talent on the ball and ability to read the game, she showed a tremendous personality keeping the team connected by her work rate"
Age/Gender: U18 Boys
Location: Wall2Wall (Indoor)
Result: 2-0 W
Players: Trent; Scott; Drew; Tony; Matthew; Bradley; Cody; Makay; Trevor; Alex; Britton; Triston; Marien; Collin; Wyatt; Declan
Goal(s): Cody – Trevor
Player of the game: Cody
On defense not conceding a goal is always something very positive, it shows that the team had a solid and a well-organized performance without the ball. It is true that the opponents had a couple of chances to score, but is also true the boys were able to fix these situations, by holding the defensive line, using the offside rule as an useful tool, and pressuring the ball carrier closing the pass lines around him, and at the same time reducing the time and space avoiding the long ball on the back of our defensive line.
Offensively the team presented a quality soccer game, moving the ball on the ground, with great dynamic, looking most of the times for short combinations and constant movement, to create spaces and unbalance the opponent defensive organization, from where resulted the first goal. Despite this short passing game, the team was also able to take advantage of the width as a valid option to create danger from the outside, ending by scoring the second goal after cross into the box.
After the final whistle coach Bruno has the following to say: "I think the team looked good today, very dynamic, always with the correct intention on the ball, and at the same time focused and organized." continuing "I do believe we have a lot to improve but the boys are responding well during the training sessions, understanding and executing better after each week, what we want from them at each moment of the game." To conclude " this week we nominated Cody as player of the match, his game knowledge and ability to dictate the game tempo was absolutely important today. He was the key to connect our game between the two sectors (offense and defense)."