Game Stories
2004 Fall Athena A Season
NORCROSS CUP
As midseason tournaments go, the Norcross Girls Cup offers exactly what maturing teams need: good, competitive matches and a few out-of-state teams to allow it to rise above a schedule of local "friendlies." Under the heading of "broken record" observations, the Silverbacks started all three of their matches full of confidence and determined to press for a first goal. Following form, each match featured numerous early assaults on their opponents' goals, tons of promising chances, and unfortunately, ultimately, no first-half goals to show for their hard work. While the team continues to play attractive soccer, their collective efforts continue to be thwarted alternately by a combination of bad luck, good defending, near misses, rotten luck, better defending, glaring misses, and a disquieting tendency toward inattentive play up top. The team continues to be somewhat enigmatic, as the overall team play and overall match fitness have improved dramatically in just a few weeks, but collectively the girls have yet to realize their full potential as a cohesive team. However, the Silverbacks continue to show immense promise.
Match 1 - The aforementioned problems aside, the Silverbacks bucked trend with two second-half goals against Athena A league rivals GSA Phoenix White, while keeper Michelle Krengel and company kept a clean sheet for the full match, to get out of the gates with a well-deserved 2-0 victory. The 'Backs' defense has been solid all season, and GSA found the going tough against their rival's midfield and back line. After recording a scoreless first half, the Silverbacks got goals in the second half from forwards Brooke Gallof and Ali Schultz, with the first coming from a very decently slotted pass from midfielder Amanda Masters that met a well-timed run by Gallof for a contested, but successful tap in goal. The second came when Schultz came out of scramble in front of the GSA net with the ball at her feet and hammered home for the team's final goal.
Final Score: Silverbacks 2 - GSA Phoenix 0.
Match 2 - After what seems to have been years of 0-0 and 1-1 draws between the Silverbacks/Quest girls and those of Tophat Navy, one of the teams finally found a way to break through for a victory. Unfortunately, a controversial missed offside call aside (even several the Tophat parents agreed), it was a Tophat goal that sent the Silverbacks packing with a 0-1 loss.
Final Score: Tophat Navy 1 - Silverbacks 0.
Match 3 - In their final tournament group match, the Silverbacks needed a win against visiting Florida Seminole Saturn. Saturn also need to win to advance, so the action was fast and furious from the opening whistle. Saturn defenders consistently shut down the Silverbacks' attacks throughout the first half, and just when it looked like the team might break through in the second half the clock seemed to race away and expire. Saturn had managed to score earlier and once again the Silverbacks had not, further defining the most important task for the team and their coach, learning to finish good and half chances.
Final Score: Seminole Saturn 1: - Silverbacks 0.
WEEK THREE
League Match 4 - Silverbacks 88/89 White vs AUSA Freedom Bronze (9/26/04)
Just as they had a week before against league-leading AFC Lightning, the Silverbacks started fast and dominated play against a scrappy AUSA Bronze team that seemed to have little answer for the home side's attack. For twenty minutes the ball rarely left the AUSA half, but as has been the problem with their early surges all season the 'Backs simply could not connect on their finishes. Excellent flank play by Heidi Jaszczyszyn and Amanda Masters, combined with inspired midfield play from Andrea Sikora, kept the Bronze defenders on their heels for most of the first half. Forwards Brooke Gallof and Ali Schultz got on the end of several promising passes only to see their good efforts thwarted by bad luck. Meagan Dilbeck and Caroline "City" Poirier continued the trend of excellent midfield play, and on those rare occasions when the ball crossed the midfield stripe in the first half hour, defenders Jess Freeman, Estela Negron-Flores, Rebecca Herrigel, and Lindsay Schulz quickly put a stop to the threats with crunching tackles and pressure relieving short passes. Keeper Michelle Krengel was in fine form handling back passes with confidence and distributing the ball accurately and efficiently. Late in the half, emboldened by the still blank scoreline, AUSA made several forceful and impressive runs on the Silverbacks' back line. Defender Katy Gallivan and midfielder Sarah Riggs combined to thwart several AUSA pushes, and keeper Krengel came up big to quell a late breakaway. The Silverbacks' frustration over their inability to put one in the net was relieved by the half-time whistle, and both teams had reason to hope for a positive second half result. With a young center ref determined to not interrupt the flow of the match, the play on both sides of the ball became increasingly more physical in the second half. Defenders on both sides aggressively bodied-up on attacking players, and the resulting contact left several players in the dirt and many parents up in arms. Still, there was good play on display from both sides and a goal seemed certain to be created off the run of play, which again favored the home side. Unfortunately for the home fans, however, the first goal of the match came from a PK that resulted from a foul that appeared to be called the wrong way when one of the Silverbacks defenders was attempting to turn upfield with a hard-won and well-shielded ball and was nearly bowled over by the attacking AUSA forward. The referee had ruled that the defenders were at fault when they squeezed the attacking player off the ball a moment before. The "spot kick" was well taken by the Bronze player who beat a diving keeper by just inches. The Silverbacks once again would have to come from behind in a match that by most objective observers would have been determined to be theirs already. As the soccer forum faithful like to point out, however, stylish soccer alone won't get your team in the win column. Facing an AUSA opponent inflated with confidence after their PK, the Silverbacks had to dig back into their style bag to see if they could not only pass and possess well, but put at least one in the net. Unlike the week before, when they saw both a superb header and a well-struck attempt cleared off the line by AFC, the Silverbacks netted to draw even with a lovely sequence that fully illustrated the team's potential for scoring pretty goals. After winning the ball deep in their own half, the 'Backs' scoring sequence was started by Jess Freeman who spotted outside mid Amanda Masters streaking up the field away from the strong side of the play and up the right flank. She effectively switched the attack to take advantage of the run, and the midfielder ran onto the ball and beat a closing defender to send a promising cross into the box. The initial serve went unattended, but forward Diana Cortina picked up the ball on the weak side just beyond the far post and turned it back into the path of onrushing midfielder Heidi Jaszczyszyn who calmly redirected the ball past a scrambling keeper to bring her side level at 1-1. The goal was a just reward not only for the collective efforts of the team, but particularly for the always hardworking Jaszczyszyn. Both the Silverbacks and AUSA got off a couple of late shots to make things interesting for their respective fans, but both held firm to share the points in the end.
Final Score: Silverbacks White 1 - AUSA Bronze 1.
WEEK TWO
League Match 3 - AFC Lightning White vs Silverbacks 88/89 White (9/19/04)
The Silverbacks 88/89 White came out of the gates fast and created several promising early chances on Sunday afternoon, but in what has become a bit of a worrisome trend they failed to capitalize on their momentum and let their opponents, AFC Lightning White, strike first. Great attacking energy was created off of excellent forward and midfield play, supported by assertive defending, and the Silverbacks saw their best chance, an impressive headed attempt by Ali Schultz, cleared away by a bending, but not breaking, AFC defense. Heidi Jaszczyszyn, Amanda Masters, and Brooke Gallof all threatened the AFC goal early, but no Silverbacks player could quite get the final pass or finish quite right. After turning away every previous AFC attack, the 'Backs conceded their first goal off of a very direct breakaway that caught a defender and the Silverbacks' goalkeeper between aggressive tackling and holding a line, and in the end both players were beaten by an opportunistic toe-poke strike that scooted past them for a 1-0 AFC lead. Already playing a very direct style, AFC seemed to key on the long serve after their first goal and sent ball after ball over the top, effectively taking both midfields out of the match and putting all of the pressure on the back line of the Silverbacks. One such attack resulted in a Lightning corner kick. Though the initial serve was left a bit short and was headed away by an active Silverbacks defender, the clearance also fell a bit short and right at the feet of an AFC player who volleyed the ball very quickly and accurately into the Silverbacks' goal. AFC led 2-0, and the 'Backs were in a familiar catch up predicament. The second half of the match produced some excellent passing from the visiting Silverbacks and more "kick and run" soccer from the Lightning. Often cited as the team to beat in the Athena A division, AFC did not impress several sideline armchair coaches, who bemoaned the death of stylish soccer, but managed to accomplish their goal of frustrating the more attractive play of the Silverbacks. Midfielders Caroline Poirier, Sarah Riggs, Andrea Sikora, and Meagan Dilbeck did very well to gain possession of the ball and create some late attacks, but AFC dropped their sweeper into a very deep slot which helped quell the late surges by their opponents. In the end, the Silverbacks, who had turned away every second half attack, but were weary from the constant long ball pressure, allowed one final goal to bring the score to 3-0 in favor of the home side. AFC left the field with a victory and surely with the knowledge that they were not three goals better than the defeated Silverbacks. While they might argue it was a triumph of substance over style, they certainly couldn't argue that they played better soccer on the day. The Silverbacks left the field knowing that a possible rematch awaits them in the upcoming Norcross Cup, and surely cherish the thought of turning the tables.
Final Score: AFC White 3 - Silverbacks White 0.
WEEK ONE
League Match 1 - AUSA Freedom Silver vs Silverbacks 88/89 White (9/11/04)
After two preseason tournaments that defined some obvious questions about their team readiness, the 2004 Silverbacks took the field on Saturday against one of those tournament's champions, AUSA Freedom Silver, determined to write a positive first chapter of what they hope will be a Fall League Season bestseller. At the opening whistle, the Silverbacks took control of the ball and the run of play, and they wouldn't relinquish either for most of the remainder of the first half. Having already established a fearsome defensive attitude in the back in their previous matches, the Silverbacks knew that they needed to find a way to match that growing reputation with an equally imposing attacking style. Early thrusts on the Freedom goal provided more than mere glimpses at what should develop into a fine Silverbacks attack. In their earlier meeting, AUSA had enjoyed fairly long sequences of fine passing and possession, but on this day the field belonged to their visitors. With their defenders and midfielders controlling possession, the Silverbacks forwards were able to make repeated runs on the Freedom goal, but even as they controlled the game and offered up good crosses, runs, and attempts on goal, the troublesome trend of shaky finishing continued for them. Heidi Jaszczyszyn was her normal active self and made repeated threatening runs and Amanda Masters sent in her customary fine crosses, while hardworking forwards Ali Schultz and Brooke Gallof crashed the goal. Mysteriously, almost miraculously, the Freedom side managed to clear every threat. With only about twelve minutes left in the half, The Silverbacks owned all of the pertinent match statistics save the scoreline, which remained a stubborn 0-0. AUSA, bolstered by their good fortune, sensed an opportunity late in the half and forced the 'Backs to play some sustained and focused defense for a solid ten minutes. The Freedom came close to spoiling the Silverbacks visit when they created several good chances as the first half wound down. One effort hit the crossbar and another was turned away and trapped against the post by keeper Michelle Krengel to preserve the blank scoreline at the half-time whistle. The second half proceeded much as the first, as once again the Silverbacks took control of the match. With their usual self-assuredness, defenders Jess Freeman, Estela Negron-Flores, Katy Gallivan, and Lindsay Schulz continued to deny the AUSA side any real looks at goal, and the midfield combinations of Meagan Dilbeck, Sarah Riggs, Andrea Sikora and Caroline "City" Poirier began to assert their personalities to help create chances for the Silverbacks. The breakthrough for the 'Backs finally came when Diana Cortina, having subbed into midfield barely three minutes earlier, ran onto a deflected and cleared shot by a teammate and struck the ball with confidence to stun the AUSA keeper and put her side up 1-0. The Freedom weren't done, though, and enjoyed a brief run of stylish possession that resulted in another post struck and a near miss wide before the Silverbacks regained control of the game. Having played the entire match with only three subs, the Silverbacks found themselves wearing thin as first an injury to a key midfielder and the departure of another thinned their ranks even further. Added to the numbers problem was the added fatigue that resulted, as several players began to wilt due to their high work rate in the heat and humidity. Finally, with the minutes ticking away, the visiting Silverbacks were able to put away their hosts. Having come up big on many defensive sequences, Katy Gallivan pushed into the attack and was rewarded for her hard day's work with a rare opportunity on goal. She didn't waste it, as she struck the ball hard and put it just inside the post to run what would become the final score to 2-0. The Silverbacks had gotten the league season off on the proverbial right foot, even if it took some left feet to get there.
Final Score: AUSA Silver 0 - Silverbacks White 2.
League Match Two - Silverbacks 88/89 White vs AYSA Inter Atlanta FC (9/12/04)
Having dispatched their first opponents of the 2004 Fall Athena A season a day earlier, the Silverbacks White team took the field Sunday with their sights set on a win against perennial nemesis Inter Atlanta FC. Matches between the two sides invariably bring surprises and close scores, and this match would prove to be no exception. Both team's forwards seemed to live on the back line of their opponent's defensive alignment which resulted in a possible record number of players caught in an offside position in a single match. There would have been even more offside calls had the bench side AR been able to keep up with the speedy players of both teams. Inter's forwards were repeatedly caught offside on their aggressive runs, while the Silverbacks' forwards were caught offside in static positions throughout the match. Both sides were determined to play their own style, but as the AYSA side began to enjoy some threatening success with their kick and run tactics, the Silverbacks were drawn into a game of centrally-compressed long ball attacks. The Silverbacks play their most attractive soccer when they use the entire width of the field, an advantage negated by the opposing team's stubborn persistence in playing long and direct. Once the 'Backs began to assert a better passing game, the match tide turned in their favor. After several superb defensive stands, spearheaded by their stellar back line, a series of passes finally got the Silverbacks on the track to victory. To finish one such passing sequence, midfielder Sarah Riggs switched the field with a nice pass from the right to the left flank where forward Amanda Masters ran onto the ball, faked the keeper to the turf, walked the ball around her, and calmly slotted it into the net before any of the Inter defenders could arrive to help. The Silverbacks were up 1-0 and finally looked to be in control of the match. However, as is normal with matches between these to teams, there would be a surprise before the half-time whistle. Continuing their long ball trend, AYSA finally sprung one of their forwards behind the Silverbacks' flat four to create a one-on-one with the keeper. Though the player looked to be offside when the ball was struck, play was allowed to continue, due at least in part to the poor positioning of the AR, and the Inter forward got to the ball before the Silverbacks goalkeeper could get off her line to stuff the threat. The resulting goal tied the match at 1-1 and set up a tense second half to come. As the second half began, it became increasingly clear that Inter Atlanta had little creativity beyond their very direct style of play, and though they created some scary moments for Silverbacks fans, they rarely seriously threatened their opponents' goal. Keeper Michelle Krengel came off her line repeatedly to quell Inter attacks and the Silverbacks began to assert their style in the middle and final thirds of the field. As forwards Ali Schultz and Brooke Gallof increased their work rate, Caroline Poirier, Meagan Dilbeck, Andrea Sikora, and Diana Cortina provided spark in the midfield, and on the flanks Sarah Riggs and Heidi Jaszczyszyn ramped up the pace. In the back, Lindsay Schulz, Katy Gallivan, Jess freeman, Estela Negron-Flores, and Rebecca Herrigel formed a rotating wall that the AYSA attack could not consistently penetrate, and when they were breached well-timed covering runs always came to the rescue of beaten teammates. With the match outcome in doubt, the United Quest-based side finally created the winning chance to put away the visiting team. The always hardworking Jess Freeman provided the perfect transition when she emerged from the back with the ball at her feet, spotted a run on the opposite side of the field, and deftly served a ball to the racing Amanda Masters, who carried the ball several yards before crossing into the box where forward Ali Schultz timed her run to perfection to redirect the ball into the net for what would stand as the game winner. Silverbacks led 2-1, and that score became a part of the permanent record when the final whistle blew. The Silverbacks were off to a great start with 2 wins and no ties or losses out of the box for Fall 2004.
Final Score: Silverbacks White 2 - Inter Atlanta 1.
2004 Greensboro Labor Day Shootout
Match 1 - Silverbacks 88/89 White vs CASL Spartans Premier
With scheduled opponent Reston FC having withdrawn from the tournament, the Silverbacks' first match test came from a talented CASL Spartans Premier side that featured a disciplined passing game and great athleticism at every position. An injury substitution was forced on Coach Tom Walsh early when forward Amanda Masters came up lame with two bad quads almost at the opening whistle. With their rhythm a bit disturbed, the Silverbacks chased CASL a little to start, but soon settled into a nice passing game that was matched by the Spartans pass for pass. The 'Backs had a good early chance when midfielder Sarah Riggs pushed up the right side and sent a fine cross into the box that found the well-timed, near-post run of forward Brooke Gallof in near perfect stride. The resulting redirected one-touch shot was stopped by the onrushing CASL keeper, but their back line was put on notice to the attacking intentions of the former United Quest side. With good movement and passing on display in each direction, both teams' back lines were under pressure, but both performed well to keep the score sheet clean. The Silverbacks began to take control of the match midway through the half with Caroline "City" Poirier leading a confident midfield group. After seemingly controlling the run of play for a long stretch, the 'Backs conceded what might be described as a "squib" goal to a fortunate CASL player who mis-hit her strike out of a group scramble. The resulting heavily-spinning ball curled past the Silverbacks' keeper and rolled softly into the net. Though down 1-0, the Silverbacks quickly reestablished their dominance over time of possession, due in no small part to the improving communication of the defense. Jess Freeman set the tone with clear and direct phrases to lead the back four from the center of defense, and was assisted in kind by fellow defenders Rebecca Herrigel and Lindsay Schulz on the outside and the always blazing fast Estela Negron-Flores on interior coverage. At the top of the formation, forward Ali Schultz was causing problems for CASL's defenders with her aggressive, hardworking, and literally down in the dirt style, as she was repeatedly pushed to the turf. At the half-time whistle, though momentum seemed to favor them, the Silverbacks were facing another comeback challenge, a scenario that has become all too familiar to them. As the second half dawned, returning forward Amanda Masters went on an early, dangerous-looking run with the ball that again put the Spartan defenders on notice, but fell short in the final execution of the shot. CASL continued to be challenged by great runs by Sarah Riggs up the flank, and the good midfield work of Andrea Sikora and Meagan Dilbeck. After having had two players brought down and seemingly fouled in the penalty area earlier in the match, the 'Backs finally got the call when the referee blew his whistle on a less obvious, but legitimate, foul committed against Ali Schultz. The resulting PK was extremely well-taken by Andrea Sikora, who is fast becoming the team's spot kick specialist. Her strike tied the match at 1-1 and set up another exciting barnstorming finish. Katy Gallivan, with her uncompromising direct defending, completely wiped out two very promising late CASL attacks to help preserve the 1-1 draw. The match was a good tune-up for the weekend for both sides, and spectators supporting both teams exchanged compliments before leaving the pitch.
Final Score: Silverbacks White 1 - CASL Premier 1.
Match 2 - Greensboro Twisters White vs Silverbacks 88/89 White
Looking to improve on their opening match draw with CASL Spartans Premier, the Silverbacks took on the home Greensboro Twisters side in match two. The good communication of the first match was again evident in this game and the Silverbacks showed some early threats to keep the Twisters on their toes. Caroline Poirier and Andrea Sikora were winning the early battles in midfield, but a few balls were played over the top to worry the Silverbacks defenders. Most of those were quickly thwarted, particularly on the right side by an active Lindsay Schulz, who stepped in front of attacking players with regularity to intercept Greensboro passes. In the fifteenth minute, center mid Meagan Dilbeck had a good look at the goal, but her well-struck ball was smothered by the keeper. Shortly after that Silverbacks attempt, the Twisters got off a shot that keeper Michelle Krengel easily saved to end the threat. Though Greensboro possessed the ball well and played an attractive passing style, they sometimes played very direct and over the top with their entry passes. That strategy had little chance of success as the Silverbacks defenders literally rose to the challenge. First, an inspiring headed clearance was provided by a leaping Lindsay Schulz. Her towering clearance set the standard for the 'Backs' defenders, and soon similar clearances were made by Jess Freeman and Katy Gallivan. Just when it looked as though the Silverbacks might gain control of the match, the Greensboro side got a break. Out of another scramble in front of the Silverbacks goal came yet another dreaded "squib" goal similar to the one that had almost beaten them in game one. Greensboro was up 1-0 off of a weak goal, but the Silverbacks quickly went on the offensive to try to get the goal back. Ali Schultz provided a spark and then the fires were fanned by an exciting run by midfielder Heidi Jaszczyszyn. With the 'Backs regaining some of their passing touch, the Greensboro side looked on the verge of breaking down, but the Twister defenders held their ground at the last moment on repeated dangerous-looking attacks. One run by Amanda Masters resulted in a cross that was cleared to start a Greensboro counter attack. Having pushed up on the offensive thrust, the Silverbacks were in a scramble to get back and defend. One of the Twisters split two defenders who were struggling to cover all possible passing angles which created a seam for an uncontested shot. The resulting strike stunned the Silverbacks who now found themselves down 2-0. Though that was a deficit they had erased in two tournament matches earlier in the year, this challenge looked the more difficult of all three situations. Estela Negron-Flores stuffed another Twister run at the goal just before the half to keep the game in reach. Half number two saw a relaxed and confident Twisters side take the field and quickly try to supply the knockout punch, but the Silverbacks were not yet ready to concede the match. Barely ten minutes into the half, and after a great run from deep in her own half, Katy Gallivan unleashed a shot that sailed just wide. A few minutes later, from a nice run and set-up pass from Lindsay Schulz, forward Diana Cortina had a nice attempt, but the Greensboro keeper was up to the test. Sequence after sequence seemed to foreshadow a Silverbacks breakthrough. First, Ali Schultz put Katy Gallivan in on a nice overlapping run, but the cross was cleared. Then Amanda Masters made a run to the flag and served another cross that again was dealt with efficiently by the Greensboro back line. One very direct Greensboro counterattack led to a breakaway situation, but the Twister forward's shot was stuffed by keeper Michelle Krengel. A subsequent Greensboro corner kick was effectively headed away by Andrea Sikora, and again the Silverbacks were on the attack. Forward Brooke Gallof won a free kick and after the restart, Lindsay Schulz had another attempt on goal for the 'Backs. Still, Greensboro held tenuously to their lead and time became their biggest ally. After several more back and forth sequences, a Greensboro player took a pass in stride, created a little space for herself and unleashed the match coffin's final nail. Her strike put Greensboro up 3-0. The Silverbacks, playing bravely but hurt, soon ran out of time before registering another shot. No excuses were offered by players, but it was evident from the sideline that the team was banged up and emotionally spent at the whistle. Though playing through some obvious physical "knocks" and dealing with some match fatigue, the players had accounted well for themselves and their club even as they fell in defeat. There were glimpses of their confident passing game and their developing offensive tendencies, but the outcome left the girls and their coach with a number of problems to solve before match three.
Final Score: Greensboro Twisters White 3 - Silverbacks White 0.
Match 3 - HFC Ladies Red vs Silverbacks 88/89 White
In the developing story of the 2004 edition of the Silverbacks 88/89 White, game three of the Labor Day Shootout will be remembered for one significant occurrence: a defender leading the team offense. With the forwards and midfielders fighting fatigue and a variety of knocks and illnesses, not to mention determined defenders, the back line did their best to prop up the team with inspired play. And, when all efforts seemed destined to fall short, a key player stepped up to jump-start an attack that had struggled to find a rhythm all weekend. Central defender Jess Freeman approached a ball cleared from the danger area by an HFC player, then calmly and confidently struck it to give the Silverbacks the only lead they would enjoy all tournament. The resulting 1-0 lead energized the team, and for some moments they controlled the run of play. However, the passing game of HFC would soon create some excellent chances for their side, and eventually a goal to draw them level at 1-1. Before the day was done, HFC would strike twice more to run the final score to a gaudy-looking 3-1. Of course, as is often the case in soccer, the match was much closer than the scoreline suggests. Still, the style and poise of the HFC side left the Silverbacks with some problems to solve and several areas in need of improvement. Call it, "Mission Accomplished," for the goal of any preseason tournament is exactly that: to identify problems and design ways to correct them. Coach Tom Walsh and the girls now begin the long Athena A league schedule knowing that they will face stern tests in every match over the ten game season. This match was over, but the real journey is just begun.
Final Score: HFC Ladies Red 3 - Silverbacks White 1
2004 SILVERBACKS CLASSIC
Match 1 - Silverbacks 88/89 White vs AUSA Freedom Silver
The 2004 edition of Silverbacks White looked surprisingly polished at times coming back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a draw in their first ever 11v11 full-field match as a team. After starting fast and controlling play for the first 15 minutes of the match, the Quest-based side saw their early dominance negated by an old nemesis, their own inability to close down or defend good crosses and corners. The newly-promoted AUSA Freedom side looked much improved since last observed in the Athena B division and certainly proved the validity of their new Athena A status. AUSA grabbed the lead in the first half after finding their legs and refusing to continue to chase the Silverbacks players around the pitch. The Freedom found themselves up 1-0 after one of their central players ran through a crowded penalty area and redirected a nicely-flighted ball with her stomach or lower chest into the goal. The balance of the first half was a give and take affair that filled time until the half-time whistle blew. With match fitness an obvious concern for both teams, the break was enthusiastically embraced by both sides. The beginning of the second half featured a confident AUSA start that fairly quickly set the Silverbacks on their heels. Bolstered by their one goal lead, and a passing attack that improved on their first half display, the Freedom girls doubled their lead just barely ten minutes into the half. This time, a wonderfully struck ball off of a corner kick found its way to a curiously unmarked Freedom forward who barely had to move to slot her strong header into the corner of the net. At 2-0 down, the Silverbacks could have easily decided to pack it in, particularly on a very sunny and very hot afternoon. Recent team history has shown, however, that these players don't give up when down. Instead, it was the Silverbacks' turn to display better passing and greater fight, as they stepped up their attacks up the flanks and began to push AUSA back into their defensive third. After a Freedom defender was forced to foul an attacking player, two new Silverbacks players linked up to grab a goal back for their new side. Outside back, Lindsay Schulz, lofted her nice free kick goalward, and though the ball might have beaten the keeper directly, midfielder Heidi Jaszczyszyn was on the spot to make sure the ball found the back of the net. The Silverbacks were within one goal of the upstart AUSA side, and they could see the way to a positive result. After the two newcomers had given the side renewed hope, it was time for two of the veterans to step up for the team. After several promising attacks had been turned away by determined Freedom defenders, forward Ali Schultz beat her defender and served a nice cross into the area. Midfielder Amanda Masters ran into the space, got a fortunate bounce off her chest and thigh, and then finished with her left foot to bring the Silverbacks level. With still enough time on the clock to win or lose the match, both sides found a little reserve energy to make the final minutes just a bit too nerve-wracking for the parent sideline, regardless of team affiliation. When the final whistle blew, both sides left the field with their heads held high knowing that they definitely deserved a share of the points.
Final Score: Silverbacks White 2 - AUSA Freedom 2.
Match 2 - Silverbacks 88/89 White vs Roswell Santos 89 Blue
After opening their Fall preseason tournament campaign with a well-deserved, come from behind draw, the Silverbacks came out of the gates strong against their second opponent, Roswell Santos. Santos seemed to be a well-organized side, but the pace and skill of the Silverbacks soon began to break them down in the final third. If not for a very strong performance by the Roswell keeper, the score of this match could have been very one-sided very early. The Santos keeper stuffed early breakaway attempts by forward Brooke Gallof and midfielder Amanda Masters, and several other more speculative attempts by other Silverbacks were charitably struck right at her for easy saves. Eventually the persistence of the Silverbacks attack yielded positive results when forward Ali Schultz redirected a lofted free kick from Lindsay Schulz past the scrambling keeper for a 1-0 advantage. At the defensive end, Roswell could not find any channels through the hardworking back line of the Silverbacks. Jess Freeman, who had covered for her keeper's aggressive play in match one to clear a sure goal off the line, was shutting down attacking Santos forwards with relative ease in the middle, while her fellow central defender, Estela Negron-Flores, was ably supporting the outside defenders with her blazing speed and uncompromising tackles. This allowed the rotating outside defenders to move up the flanks on attacking runs during much of the match. Just before half-time, after several shots had hit the Roswell keeper in the hands, a determined Brooke Gallof turned hard on goal and unleashed a shot that rattled the crossbar. Before the Roswell defenders could clear the rebound, forward Diana Cortina ran onto the ball and one-touched a strike into the net to give the Silverbacks a 2-0 advantage. The score should have been more lopsided when the half-time whistle blew, but the Silverbacks were at least beginning to find a groove on the field. Half number two began in much the same manner as the end of half number one, with the Silverbacks threatening the Roswell goal. After some give and take between the two teams, hardworking midfielder Heidi Jaszczyszyn got around her last defender and sent a nice cross into the box where forward Ali Schultz netted her second goal of the match with a nicely coordinated run and finish. With the score standing at 3-0, the Silverbacks coasted a little for the remainder of the match, survived a couple of late scares from the Santos forwards, and left the pitch smiling when the final whistle blew. Having improved on their set-piece defending, the Silverbacks clearly still needed more desire on the attacking end of corners and crosses as far too many promising serves had found their way through the penalty area without a hint of a finishing touch. Still, all of the players deserved credit for playing some decently attractive soccer in just their second ever match together as a team.
Final Score: Silverbacks White 3 - Roswell Santos Blue 0.
Match 3 - Silverbacks 88/89 Navy vs Silverbacks 88/89 White
A new era dawned for metro-Atlanta soccer, as the first ever match between these two newly named Silverbacks teams played out in front of old friends from the former Metro North and United Quest soccer clubs. Old loyalties, like old habits, die hard as parents from both teams donned their former clubs' shirts and hats for the match. It did not take long for a new intra-club rivalry to develop as this first match quickly became the fodder for future bragging rights with its twists and turns and shifts of momentum. In reality, the match played liked two distinctly different encounters, one belonging to the discipline and execution of the Navy side and the other to the grit and determination of the late-charging White side. Silverbacks Navy seemed the more fine-tuned of the two teams early with crisp passing and dependable runs off the ball in evident display. Outside Silverbacks White backs had their hands, and feet, full from the opening whistle, but Lindsay Schulz and Rebecca Herrigel thwarted several attacks early and later saw their counterparts Katy Gallivan and Sarah Riggs do the same. Having had the flanks denied them, The Navy side adjusted their attack in an attempt to exploit a tightly organized White defense. On several occasions, well paced and placed "through balls" put the White keeper under pressure as she found herself alone against onrushing forwards, but goal tender Michelle Krengel turned away several promising attacks, with help from her defenders, before yielding a goal to a looping chip shot. Down 1-0, the White side stepped up their own attack, but couldn't seem to solve the puzzle of the final attacking third as repeated thrusts died for the lack of a last well-executed pass or finish. Navy kept up their swift counterattacks and continued to mine their middle of the field "through ball" approach. One such maneuver saw the attack pushed a bit wider than normal, but the Navy forward still managed to get off a very hard strike that hit the twine just inside the far post for a 2-0 Navy lead. If the first half had belonged the old Metro side, then the second was destined to belong to the former Quest side. But, this is a team augmented and improved by the arrival of new blood from other distinguished area clubs, one that already looks destined to reinvent itself in a Silverbacks kit, and one that was not ready to concede defeat. Though Coach Tom Walsh would no doubt rather see his teams defending and improving upon 2-0 leads, he had to like what he saw in half number two of this game. For the second time in this tournament, sheer determination and raw athleticism helped pull the White team out of the jaws of certain defeat and into the realm of anything can happen. The road back began when the White team decided to utilize their flank speed and controlled one and two touch passing to break down the Navy defense. With first half sniping reduced and exchanged for positive encouragement from teammates, White began to control the run of play with good defensive work from the back, stronger central midfield target work and passing, and more purposeful runs by outside mids and forwards. White drew back their first goal when Heidi Jaszczyszyn beat defenders up the left flank and got a threatening cross into the area. The resultant clearance found its way to the feet of central midfielder Andrea Sikora who cleanly struck the ball and sent it on a line into the back of the net. Navy still led 2-1, but had to be feeling nervous. Now the attack shifted gears again, and White stepped up their offensive pressure. Several passes almost beat the back line of Navy before one cross from the left, again from Heidi Jaszczyszyn, got through to the feet of forward Amanda Masters on the right side, who took a touch to create some space away from a defender and fired a low, hard strike just past the outstretched keeper, but just inside of the curve of the post to ricochet into the net. The White team was level at 2-2. The clock ran down before either team could mount another significant attack, and the score stood at 2-2 at the final whistle. The exciting style of play of the new Silverbacks White team had provided another gratifying, if not satisfying, final result, and also left them knowing their better days are still ahead of them.
Final Score: Silverbacks 88/89 Navy 2 - Silverbacks 88/89 White 2.