GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN 3 - FOREST HILLS NORTHERN 1
HUSKIES CAN'T FIND THEIR LEGS AS GR CHRISTIAN TAKES ADVANTAGE
Playing two games on back to back days is hard enough. It’s when you’re playing your second game in two hours and your third game in two days that really starts to show and takes its toll. Following their game with Unity Christian in the opening round of the Calvin Christian Quad, the Huskies took on Grand Rapids Christian. A Battle of state ranked teams (FHN #7 and GR Christian #8), it was Grand Rapids Christian who was able to come out on top with the 3-1 victory.
The game was found to be a back and forth game for the first few minutes as both teams each had two shots in the first three minutes of the game. GR Christian however carried the play, as they were faster to the ball, more physical and just “Wanted” it more. The Huskies however weathered the storm and found themselves up 1-0 at the half.
With about 10 minutes left in the half, the Huskies started to show their possession style, and individual skill. Playing in an unusual spot on the field, Junior Maria Rich was able to collect a ball that was switched from the left side of the field from Junior Sophie Rammal. Rich, was able to use her individual skills to break down the Eagle defense and find Sophomore Teigan Mitcham. Mitcham, playing with her back to the goal, was able to use the tight pressure to her advantage and turned the Eagle defender and fired a shot back post for the 1-0 lead.
The Eagles would strike metal two times right before half. With a whistle being blown on the “East” field, the Husky defense stopped. The bad news was the Eagles offense did not. Luckily for the Huskies, the Eagles would put the shot off the cross bar which lead to a little bit of furry in front of the Husky goal. The ball was cleared out over the end line by the Husky defense leading to an Eagle corner kick. The Eagles ensuing corner kick, found itself with a shot once again off the cross bar. The Huskies escaped trouble as an Eagle was called for a pushing foul in the box. “When you have two games being played side by side and you hear a whistle, you have to play until you hear multiple whistles, not just the one” Bogart continued “That issue is on me. Inexperience of playing in a situation with two games side by side at the same time, you have to have an understanding that things like this may happen. That play is on me”.
The Huskies were able to survive to halftime.
Not playing the best game they are capable of, the Huskies found themselves up 1-0 but with a lot of issues leading into the second half. “We simply weren’t moving, weren’t communicating and we were just letting Christian control us. That is not what we expect of our team. We looked tired” Playing three games in less than 20 hours could have been part of the problem, or was it fitness that was the issue. “I felt we were simply out of shape, however there is a HUGE difference when playing on grass vs. training on turf. You have to be at a different fitness level to play on grass than turf. Our legs were gone”.
Hoping to fight through the second half, the Huskies continued to struggle with energy. The lack of energy led to two goals by the Eagles. It wasn’t until after that second goal given up that the Huskies would start playing with urgency.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard when a shot off the far post skipped across the goal mouth and to an open Christian player who redirected the ball into the open goal. “We were just stood, watched and didn’t mark up” Bogart said of that play. “We have talked for the past few games about making defense a priority and making sure players were marked. We just let players loose on that play”. The Eagles would strike again a few moments later when the Huskies were called for a pushing foul in the box. Mekala DeVoss placed the PK to the left of FHN goalkeeper Kristiana Griffith. The Eagles quickly led 2-1.
For the next 20 minutes, the Huskies went on the attack and started to play some inspired ball. “We sensed urgency and we took over”. The Huskies would have a few scoring chances however were unable to connect. “Those 20 minutes of the second half we started to look like us.” Bogart went on “I think our energy came from the play of Joanna Chen, Maria Rich along with Lindsay Rich and Alex Fraser. The rest of the girls just feed off these four”. GR Christian would get on the board one more time late in the game for the final count of 3-1.
“We are going to take today and grow. I know I saw some things in myself I could do better and I am sure the girls will understand what they need to do better too”. Coach Bogart stated. “We aren’t used to this type of day, or environment. It was a great experience and event to be a part of.” Bogart Continued “I just wish we would have showed a little better”.
The Huskies leave little room for rest. Monday marks the first time, the Conference co-leaders do battle. “Cedar Springs comes to town; we have an opportunity to erase the difficulties of today on Monday”. The game will start at 6:40pm
The game was found to be a back and forth game for the first few minutes as both teams each had two shots in the first three minutes of the game. GR Christian however carried the play, as they were faster to the ball, more physical and just “Wanted” it more. The Huskies however weathered the storm and found themselves up 1-0 at the half.
With about 10 minutes left in the half, the Huskies started to show their possession style, and individual skill. Playing in an unusual spot on the field, Junior Maria Rich was able to collect a ball that was switched from the left side of the field from Junior Sophie Rammal. Rich, was able to use her individual skills to break down the Eagle defense and find Sophomore Teigan Mitcham. Mitcham, playing with her back to the goal, was able to use the tight pressure to her advantage and turned the Eagle defender and fired a shot back post for the 1-0 lead.
The Eagles would strike metal two times right before half. With a whistle being blown on the “East” field, the Husky defense stopped. The bad news was the Eagles offense did not. Luckily for the Huskies, the Eagles would put the shot off the cross bar which lead to a little bit of furry in front of the Husky goal. The ball was cleared out over the end line by the Husky defense leading to an Eagle corner kick. The Eagles ensuing corner kick, found itself with a shot once again off the cross bar. The Huskies escaped trouble as an Eagle was called for a pushing foul in the box. “When you have two games being played side by side and you hear a whistle, you have to play until you hear multiple whistles, not just the one” Bogart continued “That issue is on me. Inexperience of playing in a situation with two games side by side at the same time, you have to have an understanding that things like this may happen. That play is on me”.
The Huskies were able to survive to halftime.
Not playing the best game they are capable of, the Huskies found themselves up 1-0 but with a lot of issues leading into the second half. “We simply weren’t moving, weren’t communicating and we were just letting Christian control us. That is not what we expect of our team. We looked tired” Playing three games in less than 20 hours could have been part of the problem, or was it fitness that was the issue. “I felt we were simply out of shape, however there is a HUGE difference when playing on grass vs. training on turf. You have to be at a different fitness level to play on grass than turf. Our legs were gone”.
Hoping to fight through the second half, the Huskies continued to struggle with energy. The lack of energy led to two goals by the Eagles. It wasn’t until after that second goal given up that the Huskies would start playing with urgency.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard when a shot off the far post skipped across the goal mouth and to an open Christian player who redirected the ball into the open goal. “We were just stood, watched and didn’t mark up” Bogart said of that play. “We have talked for the past few games about making defense a priority and making sure players were marked. We just let players loose on that play”. The Eagles would strike again a few moments later when the Huskies were called for a pushing foul in the box. Mekala DeVoss placed the PK to the left of FHN goalkeeper Kristiana Griffith. The Eagles quickly led 2-1.
For the next 20 minutes, the Huskies went on the attack and started to play some inspired ball. “We sensed urgency and we took over”. The Huskies would have a few scoring chances however were unable to connect. “Those 20 minutes of the second half we started to look like us.” Bogart went on “I think our energy came from the play of Joanna Chen, Maria Rich along with Lindsay Rich and Alex Fraser. The rest of the girls just feed off these four”. GR Christian would get on the board one more time late in the game for the final count of 3-1.
“We are going to take today and grow. I know I saw some things in myself I could do better and I am sure the girls will understand what they need to do better too”. Coach Bogart stated. “We aren’t used to this type of day, or environment. It was a great experience and event to be a part of.” Bogart Continued “I just wish we would have showed a little better”.
The Huskies leave little room for rest. Monday marks the first time, the Conference co-leaders do battle. “Cedar Springs comes to town; we have an opportunity to erase the difficulties of today on Monday”. The game will start at 6:40pm