The Vikings finally got the style of play (and weather) that they’ve been looking for, but couldn’t pull out a road win in Rolla, losing 0-1. The first half found the Rolla Bulldogs getting the better of the play, possessing the ball a bit more and getting a couple of solid scoring opportunities. McKenzi Payton and Caylin Manary were able to keep the Vikings in it, with strong defensive play and goalkeeping respectively. Midway through the first 40 minutes of play, the Bulldogs were able to finish an opportunity and take the 1-0 lead. The Vikings had some trouble connecting passes in the first half, but defended well and took a few nice shots of their own.
The Vikings did not give in however, and were a second half team for the second match in a row. Better team defending in the midfield and up top tipped the match’s possession in the Vikings favor, as both teams found some quality scoring opportunities in the second 40 minutes of play. Melanie and Meaghan Allen held down the two outside-mid spots both defensively and offensively, working hard, defending when needed, and creating opportunities for the forwards. Jessica Maerz and Kelsey Loderhose found themselves with a few opportunities, but there were no easy shots for the Vikings, and they were unable to put the tough chances away. Late in the match the Vikings pushed forward in an effort to find the equalizer, which resulted in Anna Withers sweeping and holding down the back fort just fine. Shelby Stewart used her speed to create a few opportunities of her own, including beating three defenders and putting the ball past the keeper and off the bottom of the post with five minutes left in the match.
The Junior Varsity squad continues to be a first half team, as they went up again 1-0 early in the first half, but could not hold on to the lead this time, losing 1-4. While four goals is a bit much to give up in any match, it’s tough to blame this one on the defense, who actually played rather well. The biggest issue that the Junior Varsity seems to be struggling with is marking (or lack there of) in the midfield. With offensive center mids and far post runners sprinting through the defense like a hot knife through butter, the Vikings can probably guess what they’ll be talking about at many practices to come.
Now for the positives: The Parkview JV goal came 15 minutes into the first half, showing another good start by the Vikings. Amanda Leckrone, getting a surprise start at forward, played brilliantly up top (and may have found herself a home away from home, or at least a nice little vacation spot). Leckrone made a great pass in to Alex Shupert inside the box, who collected the ball and ripped a shot straight at the keeper. Shupert followed up her first hit and placed a much more composed shot into the corner netting for the 1-0 lead (and her first goal of the young season). The Viking defense has come a long well as well, with Lauren Fetty, Carsen Miller, and Andrea Wynn rotating in at the outside back spots, Kelsey Fritts having her best game of the year at stopper (and Kaila Pittman logging solid minutes there as well), and Anna Bingham continuing her solid progression at the sweeper spot.
Check out the other days matches and results on www.sgfsoccer.com.
Next on the schedule for the Vikings is a tough match against Lebanon at home on Thursday. This will be another tough but winnable match, as Lebanon recently tied Nixa. (We recently lost to Nixa 0-1.) The match will be on the PHS grass field, with the Varsity squads facing off first at 4:00pm, and the JV teams to follow around 5:30pm.