By JARED BAUCK
Head Coach
The U9 Hays Havoc Girls Soccer Team was in action on August 26 for a weekend tournament in Kansas City. They played a total of four games and finished the tournament with a record of 3-0-1.
Game 1 found the Havoc on the right side of the score as we cruised to an 8-0 victory. First season forward/goalkeeper Olivia Feldt scored her first goal and started the scoring with a great left-footed goal. The scoring would continue thanks to goals from Brynlee Bauck, Hattie Simpson, Getse Cabrera-Ramirez and Hattie Enslow. Stellar defense and shutout goalkeeping from Nyx Kaiser spurred the early tournament blowout.
Game 2 was a little more of a defensive battle, but we stilled ended up with a 3-0 victory. Chasing the ball was an issue in this game and we were fatigued most of the game because of that. We were fortunate to win this game, and only did so due to lockdown defense and shutout goalkeeping yet again. First year forward Olivia Gonzalez had a game to remember as she found the back of the net, sneaking it past the defender and the goalkeeper on the right side. Although play was sluggish, we did exactly what we needed to do to put ourselves in a position to play for a championship.
Starting 2-0 in pool play put us in a great position heading into our 3rd game. The girls played their hearts out and the effort was very good, but we couldn’t quite score enough goals and the game ended in a 1-1 tie. Forward Hattie Simpson netted the lone goal for us and a defensive lapse allowed Sporting City North to tie the game up. A tie is always better than a loss, and after all was said and done in this our first tournament, the girls had a chance to win it at 3:00 p.m.
We knew this was going to be a battle; you wouldn’t want it any other way. I wanted to see the girls compete at a high level, that was my main goal going into the game.
Both teams went at each other for the first few minutes, resulting in minimal shots on goal. We were the more aggressive team so I felt really good about the start. Hattie Simpson started the scoring, but wasn’t quite done. A little later she took the ball up the right side and passed it to the middle allowing teammate Getse Cabrera-Ramirez to run right into a shot that went into the left corner of the net. That was the best passing sequence of the tournament. Another goal was added and we were up 3-0 at halftime. We were in a great spot but knew there was work to be done. The defenses went at it most of the 2nd half, resulting in no goals being scored until a penalty kick opportunity with about eight minutes left in the game. Bauck was able to find the right corner of the goal on the PK and we took a commanding 4-0 lead. Nyx Kaiser showed yet again why she is the best goalie at her age, yielding her third shutout in four games as the Havoc were tournament champions!
Our defender group of Aly Cabrera-Ramirez, Brynlee Hartshorn, Brielle Robbins, Skyler Nowak, Samantha Schonthaler and Kersee Wince were absolutely outstanding all tournament long. Any time teams thought they had a scoring opportunity there was one of our defenders waiting for them.
The effort was incredible all tournament long. Overall, there are always things you are going to need to work on, but I was extremely proud of the way the girls played in their first tournament of 7 v. 7.