Attack 10 Dortmund are Showdown Semi-Finalists!

ALABAMA SOCCER SHOWDOWN

The Attack 10 Dortmund went 1-1-1 over the weekend making it to the Alabama Soccer Showdown Semi-Finals!

The weekend started with a great battle against a hard-nosed Madison team.  The team battled through a high-press team to go up 2-1 on a great display of individual skills.  The Madison team scored late to equalise resulting in a draw in the opening match.

In the 2nd match on Saturday, the girls played some of the best soccer of their season.  Building from the back, switching the point of attack, and some great combination play, the girls played awesome!  The Attack scored 1 unanswered goal to win this match in style!  Hard work, great focus, and great soccer put the girls in the lead this night, placing them into the Semi-Finals on Sunday!

Moving into Sunday, the girls were in a tie for 1st in their bracket.  A winner for their side of division had to be determined by a PK shootout before the Semi-Final matches could be played.  If they won, they would play the 2nd place team in the other side of the division, if they lost, they would have to play the #1 seed.

After a good night's sleep, the girls came ready and focused for the Shootout, determined to perform.

THE SHOOTOUT

The Shootout began with Madison, Saturday's rival, shooting 1st.  SHOT WIDE BY MADISON! Next up was the Attack who stepped up to the ball convincingly but put a little to much under the ball sending it over the goal!

The 2nd Madison stepped up...  whistle blows... SHOT - SAVED by the Attack GK!  Next up was the Attack's 2nd shooter.  SHOT - SAVE by the Madison GK!

The 3rd Madison shooter stepped up to take their 3rd penalty with the pressure on... If she missed or the GK saved it, the Attack could seal off the victory with a goal!...

After the 1st miss by Madison and the 2nd shot saved by the Attack GK, the Attack GK had gained focus and confidence, knowing she could do this...

Madison SHOT... Attack GK DIVING SAVE!  2 saves for the Iron Clad GK!

The Attack's 3rd shooter stepped up knowing her side of the goal and what she wanted to do... the side she had practiced shooting time and time again... the goal she had visualised in her head over and over.

Referee WHISTLE... Attack SHOT... GOAL GOAL GOAL!  Low and into the corner... a convincing shot with accuracy and power... Attack scored!  The Attack team and fans erupted, cheering with elation as victors of the Shootout!  2 saves and and excellent final penalty put the Attack as the #1 seed out of their side of the division.

THE SEMI-FINAL

Could the Attack turn their focus from the Shootout to the semi-final match?  It was cross-town rival Trussville for the 2nd time in 2 weeks... They meet again in the Semi-Final at the Showdown.  2 weeks prior the Attack had defeated the Blaze 2-1 in a great match at Liberty Park.  The rematch was to played on the turf, a faster and harder surface.

In an overcast morning with slight drizzle, the field was even faster than normal.  The Blaze came out tough and strong, playing very direct with a barrage of long balls putting the Attack under immense pressure.  The slick surface played to Trussville's advantage.  A more direct and physical side, Trussville put the pressure on.

Unable to find a groove, the Attack struggled early on building from the back resulting in a late 1st half goal putting the Blaze up 1-0 at half time.

The Attack stunned by the late goal in the 1st half, started the 2nd half giving up a goal in the 1st 30 seconds putting the Trussville 10 Blaze Red up in a difficult situation for the Attack.  Trussville had a 2-0 lead.

The Attack fought hard to the end but were unable to find the groove of Saturday and of 2 weeks ago.  The physical side of Trussville prevailed on this day with a 2-0 victory.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to the Attack for a great season and for making the Semi-Finals this past weekend! We are proud of all their accomplishments and development this season.    Thank you to all the players for their hard work and determination and commitment to their team and game.  A special thanks to all the parents for their great support of their children and the program.

As the weekend did not end up with the result the team wanted, the team learned a lot from the weekend and had a wonderful season overall.  We are looking forward to seeing these future-stars over the Winter and into the Spring!  The sky is the limit!  Keep up the awesome work!

EXCELLENT JOB GIRLS!