PinkOut 2023

 

Game 5:  (5-0-0); EKL (2-0-0)
4 April vs. St. James Academy (3-1)




Pregame was filled with lots of shades of pinks: St. James numbers on their dark jerseys, Saints socks, tied balloons throughout the stadium, at raffle ticket tables, and a chunk of to-be-released-balloons that were shared with St. James players to be freed jointly and symbolically following the prayer and dedication.



St. James came in for, yet another, PinkOut, as the only 6-0-0 team in the state of Kansas with some big-time wins over St. Dominic (St. Louis), Jenks (OK), and BV Northwest (4-0).

And they lived up to their billing. It was just a great Aquinas victory tonight, just some very clutch plays late in the match. After that first half, I am sure we had some doubt in the stands. 

In that first half, against the wind, St. James had outshot us, out possessed us and were tied with us. The second half they we would get the wind, so we were going to have to play a lot better if we were going to win the match. 

And then when Andi collided 15 minutes or so into the half, and appeared to be concussed, things looked bleaker. But we played well the 10 or so minutes she was out, and it gave the team quite a boost when she reentered the match. Rylance defended very well all match.


Jane Hansen came up with some big-time sticks during that second half as well. And with Mia and Andi winning the midfield the second half was pretty even with us able to make the most of our opportunities. We were just gritty.


Moreover, Sydney was Sydney when we needed it most. We scored a couple of minutes into the match on her corner to Spinello, then with just under seven left on the set piece where she finds Marn off the clearance (just a great shot from Brooklyn). And then with 3 left she, just laced a shot to the back of the net off the initial pass from Sandvig to make it 3-1. 



Perhaps, Sydney was about to score another goal shortly after the one that got us to three. She took a great pass, put it out in front of her as she was going to burst to goal. But the Thunder defender held on to a chunk of her jersey to keep her from getting to the ball. No call, but the match was ours at that point, anyway, but still not call? Watch


St. James was one of our two ties last season, and they should certainly be a huge part of post season. The 2023 PinkOut Trophy, however, will stay with us.



Next week, while Sydney attends the Under 20 National Team camp (huge shoutout!) during the last two games of the week, we will take on two of Kansas' best, BV West and BV Southwest, and a very good team out of St. Louis, Ursuline Academy.

Our Halo team broadcasted their second straight Saints soccer match last night with Ethan Young and Andrew Seger on the mikes. They do such a great job!


STATS:

First Half:

Saints: Shots 6 (5) Corners: 3 (O'Keefe, Watts, Marn)

37:58 Spinello (Spinello hits Watts corner off the bar but then back on for the goal)

Thunder: Shots: 8 (7) Corners: 1

8:53 Wilkens (rather unlucky bounce for Saints as shot goes off Hansen's back to the feet of Wilkins who hits a perfect ball back side)

Second Half

Saints: Shots: 4 (3) Corners: 2 (O'Keefe, Marn)

6:59 Marn (Sydney grounds the free kick hard towards goal, as it is blocked back out, Spinello drops it back to Sydney who pushes it towards Brooklyn who 1-touches it to the near-post)

3:24 Watts (Macrorie slides into a through ball to Sydney who takes her 3 quick touches before burying the ball near post)


Maggie Payne, WOM




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