SDA Youth Soccer Teams Post Three Wins
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Some quality Soccer Domain Academy performances were on display throughout Massachusetts with three teams posting wins in Week 3 of the spring travel soccer season last weeknd.
U12 Boys
Five SDA teams travelled away from home to play while one hosted GPS at Berkshire Community College on another amazing spring day in Massachusetts.
The initial game of the day featured the U12 Boys in Easthampton against Western United.
After an even start of the game, Western United took the lead through a good finish from the center midfielder. The ball fell to him on the edge of the box and a looping volley beat the goalkeeper. For the remainder of the half SDA dominated possession and played the majority of the game in their oppositions half, they were very unlucky to go into half-time down, 1-0.
Unfortunately for SDA, Western United added a second early on in the second half, the away team continued to play well after this setback, moving the ball around the field well. Western United started to win more battles as the second half progressed and some of the SDA players started to tire with slight lapses of concentration as a result of this. Western United added a third goal with 10 minutes to go.
U11 Boys
The second game of the day came from Berkshire Community College, where the U11 Boys hosted GPS Massachusetts West. With the teams’ start of the season coming very late, the U11 boys were hoping to get off to the best possible start. The start of the game was very physical with hard but fair tackles from both teams. GPS pressed high but SDA maintained to play positive and proactive possession based soccer, this was very attractive to watch and impressed the spectators. GPS continued to attempt explosive counter attacking soccer but SDA defended resolutely throughout, dealing with GPS’ threats well. SDA went into the break with a comfortable lead.
In the second half SDA dominated the game with the majority of possession in their opponent’s half. GPS struggled to get hold of the ball against a very confident and upbeat home team. The positions of players were rotated throughout the game, however team shape remained consistent. Altogether a very impressive and disciplined performance saw the boys strive to a convincing 6-2 victory to start their season in strong fashion.
U12 Girls
The third game of the day saw the U12 Girls in action for the second time of the season, away from home against FC Boston Scorpions North. A positive, energetic start to the game from both teams made it an impressive spectacle. SDA was very organized and looked hard to break down, however after 12 minutes Boston found a way through the SDA defense and went 1-0 up. After persistent pressure from SDA, the referee awarded a penalty in the 17th minute, the away side hit the post, the ball rolled across the goal line but stayed out. The teams went into half-time with the score 1-0.
The second half saw SDA continue to apply pressure on their opponent, resulting in numerous chances, one hitting the post from a brilliant strike on the edge of the penalty box. In the 49th minute the SDA pressure paid off, a counter attack in the 49th minute with a great run up the left wing and a low cross into the box created an opportunity, the keeper saved the initial shot on the line but it was followed up to make it a 1-1 final.
U13 Girls
The afternoon games kicked off with the U13 Girls in their third game of the season. SDA started very strongly and pushed very early on to obtain a lead. It created some very good chances in the first 10 minutes and could have scored a number of goals early on. SDA put its opponents under consistent pressure and it payed off, with them taking a 1-0 lead midway through the first half. After some good patches from both teams GPS got themselves a goal before half time. The teams went into the break with the score at 1-1.
The second half began with SDA looking to play attractive soccer around GPS however the home team were creating chances and testing the SDA keeper. This pressure paid off with GPS taking a second half lead. At 2-1 down the SDA bench decided they had nothing to lose and changed formation to 3-4-3 in order to put the emphasis on attacking play and creating chances. SDA created chances, meeting part of the objective, however it was caught by one of the GPS attacks and conceded a third to kill the game. GPS went on to seal their home win 3-1.
U15 Girls
The second afternoon game involved the SDA U15 girls who took on FC Boston Bolts away from home. The away side started quickly and positively this weekend finding themselves very much on the front foot, they possessed the ball and looked to play forward at every opportunity. Throughout the first half the midfield linked well with the forwards and as a result SDA started to create chances.
With the game barely 10 minutes old, the visitors broke the Bolts defense, nice link up play with the two strikers created a chance and it was a lovely finish to put the girls 1-0 up. After the goal the girls continued to battle all over the field and create chances to further their lead, a continuing solid performance defensively kept the opponent threats limited, this in turn allowed our forward players the time to increase the pressure on the opposition. With the game still relatively balanced SDA took a huge step towards another fantastic result with a great free kick that found the top corner of the Bolts goal and a 2-0 cushion lead.
SDA continued to attack with intensity in the second half, consistently creating chances, the away team dominated the game from start to finish, valuing possession and creating chances through positive attacking play. A 2-0 win was deserved and another fantastic result continues a good start to the season.
U14 Boys
Week 3 of the NEP saw the U14 Boys travel to the Boston Bolts for an evening game. The game started with both teams playing some great attractive soccer, the ball movement was of a good standard and SDA knew they had another test against good opponents. SDA took control of the game early on and got a goal in reward with expert link up play and a composed finish. The visitors continued to create chances and could have found themselves 3-0 up early on, however a quick attack from the Bolts broke down the away defense making it 1-1 at the half.
Going into the second half both teams knew they had a tough task on their hands to overcome their opponents. SDA defended strongly and attacked with confidence and precision. The away team didn’t look like conceding again and with a commanding and vocal goalkeeper the SDA defense had to deal with reduced pressure. After many more attacks without the end product, the breakthrough came late in the half some great play from the left was well followed in by the forward, SDA took a well-deserved lead. The away side didn’t sit on their one goal lead and continued to be positive looking to stretch their advantage, The boys eventually got their reward with a well worked third goal and a much deserved win.
SDA looks forward to another week of progression and development throughout all age group and hope for another action packed Sunday on May 1.
