Shootout!

Like the Spain-Italy game, our semi final match versus Quicksilver ended in a shootout. We won it in penalties and punched a ticket to the finals - for the second time in a year. We will face the Flirts , who are solid and sportsmanlike. The finals are their only path back to the 2nd division from whence they came. Yeah, they're motivated to win.

Let's remember how we got here. Our semi final win was a thriller. Some teammates helped me piece it together as follows...

It took a while to settle, since we had some new players. Luckily while we were still settling we got a penalty - there was no argument - Adrian got the ball just outside the box turned and went around their last defender so the goalie came out to try for the ball and Adrian just touched it by him before the goalie got there and the goalie took him out. time. Jon took the PK, slotting it in the right side netting with his right foot and making it look easy.

In the second half, we earned a corner almost directly off the kick. Nate sent the corner in, there was a scramble before Ashley redirected the ball in hard, which Katya deflected into the right/near post with the keeper diving to his left - the ball was just past his fingertips. Since Ashley is new, I will avoid the term I usually use to describe a situation where two women hook up for a goal! Let's just focus on the fact Ashley got a point in her first game and Katya got her first goal.

We gave up two goals after that, which must have been a bummer.

Then it was PKs. Jon, Ally, Adrian, Bri, and Mike got the call. Liam made two saves and saw one miss entirely. And so we won. It was the third time we went to PKs, and the second time we came out on top. I like that trend. Gimme a little credit for holding a practice session last week.

Time to get ready for the finals.

Notes: Semifinal playoff win versus Quicksilver coming off a first-round bye. 2-2 (3-2 in penalties). Goals by Jon (PK earned by Adrian), Katya (Ashley). Discipline: Jon (yellow for dissent). GK: Liam. PKs taken by Jon, Ally, Adrian (make), Bri (make), Mike (make). Liam had two saves and saw one missed penalty.