LADY FISH CHASING SOCCER HISTORY
The Astoria Lady Fishermen started sluggishly, but finished strong, scoring three second half goals to pull away for a 4-0 victory over the winless Rainier Columbians Monday.
With that win, Astoria improves to 3-1-0 in District 1 play, one win away from making history on multiple fronts. Astoria has already equalled its most ever district wins, matching the 2001 team that went 3-7-2 and made the only playoff appearance in the program's history. If Astoria can win it's next match at Oregon Episcopal School Wednesday night, they would equal the 2005 team for total wins in a season (4) and, because they would have to score to win the match, they would record their first goal against the Aardvarks this decade. In their last ten meetings, including a playoff game in 2001, O.E.S. has outscored Astoria 39-0.
In a year when the Lady Fishermen expect to be able to compete with the Catlin Gabels and O.E.S.'s of the world for the first time, they need to dominate teams like Rainier. And while possession analysis, shots on goal and corner kicks prove they did just that, the Lady Fishermen are still struggling to finish scoring opportunities.
Astoria had multiple close range looks at the goal early on, yet despite six shots on goal and three corner kick opportunities, the match remained a scoreless draw until a Kristina Wilson cross made it's way through the box, where junior forward Shelly Gregory tapped it just inside the far post for Astoria's first goal in the 19th minute.
A first half with more frustration than exaltation ended with Astoria leading 1-0.
"We came out flat in the middle," said head coach Jim Flint. "Were were not possessing the ball. We kept winning it, but we did not retain possession and that's frustrating."
Neither did Astoria take advantage of seven corner kick attempts. However, it took only four minutes of the second half for Astoria to get on the board as Melissa Law scored on a one-on-one challenge with Rainier goalkeeper Sarah Farrell after receiving a pass from Jordan Crownover.
Astoria deluged the hapless Columbians goalminder with 18 shot attempts in the second half, but Farrell hung in tough with ten saves, often operating with traffic deep in the goal box.
Sarah Pope put the game to rest with an unassisted goal in the 64th minute and Dani Stevens scored off a Lynnae Huber assist to account for the final margin.
"We had both Melissa Law and Dani Stevens had one-on-ones with the keeper and were very patient and really focused and finished," said Flint. "That's exactly what we need to do, particulary against stronger sides. When we get against stronger teams like the Valley Catholics, O.E.S., even Catlin Gabel, we're going to have to be able to finish our opportunities because we're not going to have as many as we had today."
The Fishermen rarely allowed Rainier over the half-line over the final 40 minutes, outshooting the Columbians 27-1 with a 12-0 edge in corner kicks. Rainier's only shot on goal came from midfielder Kayla Nagunst off a second-half free kick. The shot from 30-yards out was easily saved by Bug Coggins.
Astoria played without senior leader Brooke Schauermann, sidelined by knee troubles. Schauermann was a vocal presence on the sideline and took over the huddle at halftime, breaking down the team's deficiencies and explaining what had to be done in the second half.
"After three years it's really nice to see these players coming together," said Flint, "because so many of them have been playing varsity for the three years I've been here. They are beginning to understand the game better. They are beginning to look to how they can work off of each other. That's when it's fun."
What could be more fun than knocking off one of the private powers? Oregon Episcopal is still a tough customer, but graduated a number of senior standouts, including Jessica Tsao, now playing for one of the top college programs at the University of Portland. Wednesday's game kicks off at 6:30 p.m.
With that win, Astoria improves to 3-1-0 in District 1 play, one win away from making history on multiple fronts. Astoria has already equalled its most ever district wins, matching the 2001 team that went 3-7-2 and made the only playoff appearance in the program's history. If Astoria can win it's next match at Oregon Episcopal School Wednesday night, they would equal the 2005 team for total wins in a season (4) and, because they would have to score to win the match, they would record their first goal against the Aardvarks this decade. In their last ten meetings, including a playoff game in 2001, O.E.S. has outscored Astoria 39-0.
In a year when the Lady Fishermen expect to be able to compete with the Catlin Gabels and O.E.S.'s of the world for the first time, they need to dominate teams like Rainier. And while possession analysis, shots on goal and corner kicks prove they did just that, the Lady Fishermen are still struggling to finish scoring opportunities.
Astoria had multiple close range looks at the goal early on, yet despite six shots on goal and three corner kick opportunities, the match remained a scoreless draw until a Kristina Wilson cross made it's way through the box, where junior forward Shelly Gregory tapped it just inside the far post for Astoria's first goal in the 19th minute.
A first half with more frustration than exaltation ended with Astoria leading 1-0.
"We came out flat in the middle," said head coach Jim Flint. "Were were not possessing the ball. We kept winning it, but we did not retain possession and that's frustrating."
Neither did Astoria take advantage of seven corner kick attempts. However, it took only four minutes of the second half for Astoria to get on the board as Melissa Law scored on a one-on-one challenge with Rainier goalkeeper Sarah Farrell after receiving a pass from Jordan Crownover.
Astoria deluged the hapless Columbians goalminder with 18 shot attempts in the second half, but Farrell hung in tough with ten saves, often operating with traffic deep in the goal box.
Sarah Pope put the game to rest with an unassisted goal in the 64th minute and Dani Stevens scored off a Lynnae Huber assist to account for the final margin.
"We had both Melissa Law and Dani Stevens had one-on-ones with the keeper and were very patient and really focused and finished," said Flint. "That's exactly what we need to do, particulary against stronger sides. When we get against stronger teams like the Valley Catholics, O.E.S., even Catlin Gabel, we're going to have to be able to finish our opportunities because we're not going to have as many as we had today."
The Fishermen rarely allowed Rainier over the half-line over the final 40 minutes, outshooting the Columbians 27-1 with a 12-0 edge in corner kicks. Rainier's only shot on goal came from midfielder Kayla Nagunst off a second-half free kick. The shot from 30-yards out was easily saved by Bug Coggins.
Astoria played without senior leader Brooke Schauermann, sidelined by knee troubles. Schauermann was a vocal presence on the sideline and took over the huddle at halftime, breaking down the team's deficiencies and explaining what had to be done in the second half.
"After three years it's really nice to see these players coming together," said Flint, "because so many of them have been playing varsity for the three years I've been here. They are beginning to understand the game better. They are beginning to look to how they can work off of each other. That's when it's fun."
What could be more fun than knocking off one of the private powers? Oregon Episcopal is still a tough customer, but graduated a number of senior standouts, including Jessica Tsao, now playing for one of the top college programs at the University of Portland. Wednesday's game kicks off at 6:30 p.m.
posted by Matt Richert at 1:39 PM
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