Muskingum University @ Washington & Jefferson College
- Season opener for both.
- W&J in white with grey stripe tops, black shorts and white socks.
- Muskingum decked out in all blacks.
- Kind of nervous to see how Muskingum does. They are building something lasting and need to come out strong.
- Muskingum trying to connect on the ground. W&J just trying to get control of the ball.
- Typical bit of a chaotic start to the game.
- W&J content with defending whats ahead of them.
- Muskingum keeping possession, just struggles to connect past midfield. Credit to W&J for their defense for that.
- Seems to be a battle of the midfields. Both teams making it difficult to advance the ball from midfield.
- Muskingum seems to be closer to getting in the box and challenging the W&J keeper.
- Muskingum#7 and #13 are key to the possession game.
- Both teams seem a little hesitant on the attack. Half a step too slow.
- First shot of the day goes to Muskingum#6 who tries for long range.
- Muskingum has the better of the possession, and more of an idea of what they want to do with the ball.
- Constantly looking to connect to feet.
- W&J is making it difficult from a defensive stand point, but not really making anything happen up top.
- 22 minutes left in the half.
- Muskingum back 4 is also making it difficult for W&J. Closing down the passing lanes pretty effectively and not giving space.
- And against the run of most of the half, W&J gets the goa ahead goal.
- Ball sent out wide to W&J#3 who beats her defender and goes into the box. Ball is dropped back to the 12 where it is hit on frame as its going to goal, a W&J forward gets her foot on the ball and changes the course of the ball and buries it. Muskingum keeper could do nothing.
- Muskingum 0; W&J 1
- Seems almost unfair, but that’s soccer.
- 10 minutes left in the half.
- Goal has given confidence to W&J. Think Muskingum needs to reward itself with a goal. If only to settle down and not get caught up in W&Js enthusiasm.
- Ok. 1-0 at the half. After the goal, W&J really starting coming at Muskingum and showed a bit of the metal. Muskingum looked uncertain and shaken by the goal. Halftime comes at a good time for the Muskies.
- 2nd Half
- WHAT A GOAL! And like that Muskingum makes a statement in the statement. Smart heads up set play. Dead ball just beyond midfield. Looking to float the ball in, instead ball is played wide right to Muskingum#18(?) and is one on one at the top of the box.
- Takes a touch and from 22 yards out hits it with her left and ball goes upper left hand corner. Keeper makes a great effort but is left helpless. Seriously, what goal with not even a minute into the second half.
- Muskingum 1; W&J 1
- W&J continues with control of the ball. Muskingum trying to get it going, but not yielding.
- And W&J gets the go ahead goal with another brilliant strike from 25 yards out. W&J#11(?) gets the ball, makes a couple of moves and hits a bomb far post. Think Muskingum Keeper should have done better, but it was kind of surprise.
- 32 minutes left in the half.
- Muskingum 1; W&J 2
- Test of metal now for Muskingum to get this back on track. Need to get some possession and get the equalizer.
- W&J defensive posture is just real solid at the moment.
- No surprise all three goals came from shots and not through balls.
- Oh my gosh. And just like that W&J scores a third. Ball from 30 yards out sails high and drops in just under the cross bar. Difficult ball to handle but think the Muskingum Keeper should have done better.
- Muskingum 1; W&J 3
- Muskingum is now in a deep whole. They need to make something happen against a W&J team that is really making it difficult.
- At this point W&J is closer to a fourth than Muskingum is to a second.
- 20 minutes left in the half.
- There is a sense of urgency with Muskingum now, that’s leading to errors. Need to settle down and just get the 2nd.
- W&J is feeling good and keeping Muskingum pinned back.
- For ten minutes since the goal it seems like Muskingum can't get past the half.
- Wow, and Muskingum claws one back! Deep throw in is knocked around and sent across to Muskingum#6, who receives the ball at the 18. Beats a defender and hits a ball near post over a diving Keeper. GREAT GOAL!
- With 7 minutes left, Muskingum 2; W&J 3
- Should be a cracker of an ending!
- Muskingum is still in the fight. Looking to get the equalizer.
- Massive corner kick with 4:45 left leads to a PK! Not sure I saw what happened, seems the video froze up, but the ref consulted with he AR and stuck to it.
- Muskingum#6 buries the PK to tie it up! Hits it solid to the W&J Keeper's left. We are level.
- Muskingum 3; W&J 3
- Now W&J is throwing it all forward for a goal.
And the game ends. What a great game by both teams.