BIFC Blaze v Bainbridge Island Women
April 27th, 6:30pm – by Jessica Haugen
NPFC’s Blaze season opener was Saturday evening against the Bainbridge Island women (BIW), led by Linda Yasutake. Despite travel, rain and cool temps, both teams were represented with full squads. Blaze, deep with subs, was led by Coach Juan Carlos. Lilli Anderson reffed the game.
Blaze started out with a 4-2-3-1 defensive formation, but in the first of three 20-minute periods, BIW came up with 2 goals. One was a quick deflection off our own defender, impossible for our goalie to anticipate. The other was a corner kick conversion by a talented player who was putting high pressure on the defensive line. BIW played with a cool and composed offense, spreading their field wide and making use of their speed up the sidelines. Kate Hall noticed, “I did not see one panicked play from them all game. They knew where their teammates were at all times. Their slashing runs were giving us a fair amount of grief and their passing was on point.”
“We played like a team who has never played full-sided together before.”
– Kate Hall, NPFC Blaze
In the 2nd period, we switched up our formation, and kudos to our defensive line and a couple of fantastic saves by goalie, Olivia Hare, we didn’t let any goals in. But we were lukewarm offensively. We had a couple of nice crosses and more than a few beautiful breakaways, but without much support up top, and with a very good stand-in goalie, we couldn’t convert. Admittedly, continues Hall, “We played like a team who has never played full-sided together before.” When we got the ball, they were quick to close down on us, and we were disconnected from each other, looking for options, but not connecting. Even veteran players admitted to playing with panic. As a new player myself, I realized I was playing passively, leaving the veteran players hanging out to dry instead of becoming an option for them.
By the 3rd period, Blaze stepped up the offensive intensity and looked for scoring options. We looked for ways to support each other, and we had scoring chances. It felt like we were just starting to put the pieces together, learning how to play together on a full field, when the game ended. There’s definitely room to grow. As veteran, Amanda Anderson noted, “When you start a new team, you build up from the back. Attacking is the last piece of the puzzle.” Christine Loewe looks forward to building upon the basics moving forward including learning specific skills for positions, focusing on a tighter passing game, and defensively attacking the ball and disrupting play.
“I’m so happy and proud being around a bunch of incredibly strong and knowledgeable soccer women and learning from some of the best in the community. I’m excited to see what’s to come and to continue to grow as a team.”
– Vianey Cadenas, NPFC Blaze
Despite coming up with a 0-2 loss, “Just the mere fact of having a game under our belts is a huge building block,” says Kate Hall. Vianey Cadenas shares, “I’m so happy and proud being around a bunch of incredibly strong and knowledgeable soccer women and learning from some of the best in the community. I’m excited to see what’s to come and to continue to grow as a team.”
Win or loss, this game marks a monumental success. We are slowly building more opportunities for women’s team to play on the Olympic Peninsula. The Bainbridge Island Women want to travel to Port Angeles to play us again, and we are happy to have another crack at taking them on.
Blaze travels to Bremerton May 4th to take on the Bremerton area women at 2:30pm at the Kiwanis Field in Bremerton. Come cheer us on!
A big thanks to teammate Eugenia for driving all the way from Forks to attend the game and to Kerri for cheering us despite not being able to play. We are a dedicated and passionate crew! And big thanks to our sponsor, Team McAleer of Remax Realty, for making this possible.