Despite scoring 5 goals against National Park earlier in the week, the team had been working on increasing the probability of success with their scoring opportunities. More emphasis had been put on choosing the correct option of shot when presented with a goal scoring chance. The hard work paid off, and it was evident in this game that the players were becoming more proficient with their shot making. It is not necessarily about how many goals you score. It is about maximizing the opportunities you have, because in some games, you will not receive as many goal scoring opportunities as in others. So, efficiency will be the key moving forward.

 

Rich Mountain got off to a quick start when Kelsie Harden (McAlester, OK) won the ball in midfield, beat two defenders, and released Audrey Jordan (Shreveport, LA) behind the Dallas College back line. Jordan dribbled 25 yards and finished her chance with a shot passed the advancing goalkeeper.  

 

Dallas College pushed hard for the equalizer, and Rich Mountain scored a second in transition. MJ Rosas (Surpise, AZ) won the ball from a DC attacker, fed it to Jasmin Bislev Nielsen (Aabybro, Denmark) who was able to load it off to Carla Todd (Lochgilphead, United Kingdom), who then drove a pass into the feet of Jordan. Audrey Jordan killed the ball, moved it with her 2^nd touch, and shot with her third touch resulting in the ball curling into the net for 2-0. It was soon 3-0 when Valeria Gonzalez Perez (La Rioja, Spain) won an aerial duel in midfield and her header released Jasmin Bislev Nielsen moving forward. The striker dribbled to the keeper and calmly finished with a shot into the corner of the goal.  

 

Dallas College had a lot of the possession of the ball but were struggling to break down a stoic Rich Mountain back line until near the end of the first half. A Dallas College winger burst down the right and her high curling shot went in over Mac Dellinger's (Little Rock, AR) head to make it 3-1. A potential Dallas College comeback was soon snuffed out when Nielsen received a through ball from Addison Gonzalez (Wylie, TX) in defense, beat her defender, and passed to Audrey Jordan on the edge of the box. Jordan's resulting shot flew into the corner of the net to help Rich Mountain go into the break 4-1 up.

 

The second half started in much the same way as the first half ended. Rich Mountain extended their lead through Audrey Jordan finishing off the dribble after receiving a perfectly weighted through pass from Carla Todd. There were then 2 penalty kicks in the game for fouls in the box. The first was awarded to Rich Mountain, but Todd missed her shot wide. Dallas College converted theirs to get a goal back and make it 5-2. 

 

Dallas College started to dominate the game, winning a lot of second balls, and sending a lot of forward passes into the Rich Mountain half. It looked like the pressure would result in a goal, but Lidia Rodriguez Dominguez (Ourense, Spain) relieved that pressure when she was able to score on a direct free kick form 25 yards out.  

 

The sixth goal dampened the fighting spirit of Dallas College as the game clock meandered to full time. There was time for one more goal with what was probably the goal of the game. From back to front, Rich Mountain passed the ball with precision accuracy and speed starting from Rosas and going through Maegan Hill (Benton, AR), Rodriguez, and Carla Todd until it eventually found its way to the feet of Jasmin Bislev Nielsen. She cut inside onto her left foot and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner of the net to conclude the game 7-2. 

 

Coach Kevin Sherry was proud of his team today. "Dallas College came to play and were very physical, giving us a big challenge in the heat. However, I am so proud of the team sticking together and playing so well under such demanding conditions. Every player played their part today, and it is a great start to the season."

 

The ladies now have a few days of rest before returning to action on Tuesday, August 27th, at UA Cossatot. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 pm in De Queen, AR.