SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Girls Varsity Soccer Score 4/21/04

Eastside 1 Mauldin 2 (2-3 pk's)

It was one of the best games of the season for the Eastside Lady Eagles who deserved very much the win in this contest. Unfortunately, riding time is not always rewarded with a goal. I am so proud how well Eastside played and ache because it wasn't a win.

The Mavericks came out with energy and marched down the field from the opening kick-off, except for one thing. They forgot the ball as the junior sweeper #8 Woodbury destroyed the developing play. Throughout the first half she broke up many developing opportunities and preventing Mauldin from taking any real shots. Mauldin was not ready for the feisty Lady Eagles. The first half had 6 shots by Mauldin and 3 by Eastside and the score knotted at zero. Mauldin was playing rough and had 6 fouls called to 3 by Eastside.

Eastside realized they were in the run of play and for the next 20 minutes played their hearts out. A corner kick by freshman forward #3 Bielby was not played out of the Mauldin penalty box and freshman forward #10 Martin capitalized. The Lady Eagles drew first blood (:59). The following two minutes are always the most nerve-wracking and Mauldin tried to tie the game. They couldn't, at least not right away. Eastside went back on the offensive leading to 7 shots in the second half. A poor midfield play led to a Maverick race to the right corner and nice cross headed into the near post to re-tie the score 1-1 (:70). Only 2 fouls were called against the aggressive Mavericks in the second half.

The two 5 minute OT periods were dominated by Eastside. But to no avail and on to the butterfly inducing PK's. The short of it, Eastside kicked 2 straight at the goalie and hit one wide. Mauldin had 2 shots magnificently blocked by junior goalkeeper #00 Rankin who ended up with 5 saves for the game (3 saves in regulation). Three were good handing a close victory to the #1 4A ranked team. Mauldin's goalie had 3 in regulation and 2 in PK's.

Nice summary, and taking Mauldin to pks is a feat few can claim. Would you call the officiating bias, or is that the supporter in all of us jading the vision?

A supporter jaded vision. The officiating was consistent for each half, not half to half. And the officiating did not change the outcome of the game like it can when an inadvertent hand ball or PK is called when both teams are playing rough. The refs were professional and a pair of the best this season. I do keep the statistics for the team so some objectivity in the numbers.

Spartanburg beats Dorman in PK shoot out!

Congrats! I am sure that was a great game between two good teams!

Go Pauly.....

O11 --

Thanks for another colorful summary of an Eastside game. You know you and R!C are about the only upstate posters to actually give some insight into play north of Columbia. Why do you suppose Piedmonters are so secretive? Congratulations to Eastside and Mauldin for a well fought game. That kind of competition helps you get ready for playoffs.

lpaf

lpaf,

Piedmonters secretive? Here are a few morsels for thought.

1) Too close to Clemson football, Riverside baseball, Hillcrest softball.
2) Don't want to give the Lower State competition any advantage.
3) Some parent's daughters have lost playing time because the coach read a post as criticism.
4) False modesty - don't toot your own horn.

O11 --

I don't know the reason. But you, and occasionally R!C, are the only posters to have anything approaching a description of play of any top 15 upstate teams. In the end it doesn't really matter because both upper and lower state teams have to cannibalize everybody else before state finals, and then, well, you're in the final and you're stuck with whoever won the other half of the state. If Mauldin wins it all they can't bring back Kelly Schneider can they? I mean, playing for Clemson does disqualify her from HS play doesn't it? Again, thanks for your Eastside posts. Best of luck in the playoffs.

lpaf