Before I get into my recap of this exhibition, I think something very important should be addressed.
It is incredibly distressing to witness the type of fan "support" in attendance at tonight's match. I'm not talking about numbers, I'm talking about class.
Having served my time in SC prep soccer - I know this type of behavior is nothing new, but that doesn't make it right. Where is it written that to be a fan you must belittle the opponent? Tonight I witness SV parents taunting Dreher players and Dreher fans hazing the refs in the most juvenile and asinine manner I can ever recall!
Call me old fashion. Call me a purist. But I believe these displays are counterintuitive. They detract and dishonor the efforts of the people that really matter: players, coaches, and officials.
Let's move on...
What an interesting scrimmage between Class 4A Spring Valley and Class 3A Dreher. If the higher classification didn't automatically suggest a gulf between the two squads, a quick scan of the teams in their pregame warm-up would. However, despite the clear size advantage in Spring Valley's favor, Dreher showed great confidence through some of the more intangible qualities of competition.
That being said, Dreher is a quality side. Senior midfielder Ellison Sharpe is the quintessential "Go To" player that drives the Lady Blue Devil offense. Throw in a supporting cast of speedster (FR)McKay Sharpe, slugger (FR)Sara Masek, and the soft feet of sophomore forward Allie Reid and you have an offense that can sustain pressure and ask serious questions of a solid backline.
At this point in the season, Dreher appears to be a team full of role players and that is something Coach Kleinfelder can take comfort in.
There are three main flaws that jumped out at me (which Coach Kleinfelder confirmed in postgame comments).
1) Body position: Coach Kleinfelder (who is rather vertically challenged) joked, "I have a requirement that you have to be able to see me eye to eye to play for me." His girls will be hard pressed to win 50/50 balls or obtain clearance on set pieces if they cannot position themselves to their advantage.
2) Fitness: Both physical and mental. After the first goal (which was very well taken) Dreher seemed to sink away a little. That lack of focus could be the cause of the cheaply given foul that resulted in a penalty kick. Physically, this squad of predominantly freshmen and sophomores will have to adjust to the physicality of the varsity game - quickly. Lot's of tired bodies in the last twenty minutes after a valiant effort for the first sixty.
3) Possession: For the first ten to fifteen minutes Dreher played a very sporadic brand of soccer, not boom-ball, but clearly not possession. Chalk it up to jitters, but even after they had some opportunities and settled into the game - there were cheap balls given away when time and space were in their favor.
Coach K is also concerned about meshing new talent with upperclassmen, but from the combinations and through balls played between the quartet previously mentioned - this should iron itself out before region play.
As for the Vikings, I was unable to get a word with Coach Steve Lea after the game, but from earlier discussions I can imagine he was rather satisfied with the result. (I also was unable to attain a roster, so I can only give jersey numbers.)
Spring Valley showed from the opening whistle that they have skill AND the size. The Lady Vikings opened with a settled possession game that was perhaps overconfident. On more than one occasion players either passed back putting defenders in a pressure situation or held possession in the midfield until all outlets were covered - resulting in 1v1 situations that tended to result in SV loss of possession.
I was very impressed with the defensive tandem of #24 and #17 for Spring Valley. Coach Lea shifted his personnel a bit, but both of these girls were willing and able to get stuck in and win a ball for their team.
Spring Valley's equivalent to Ellison Sharpe was #18. This player has amongst other things a wicked right foot - impressive throws - great vision - and guts. A natural leader with an eye for goal.
As Coach Lea alluded to in the 80:00 region round ups - depth is a big concern for the Lady Vikings. The starting eleven is a solid bunch, but I didn't see Spring Valley spelling many reserves (whether due to injury, illness, or quality - it is a valid concern).
In closing, I am very excited to begin my coverage of these programs. From what I can see they are both in capable hands and the results at the end of the year will be a joint effort between player commitment and coaching strategies.
Congratulations on well executed scrimmage and best of luck to both sides in the Viking Cup!
