Week #35: Middle School Girls Soccer Saves Their Best for Last!

The opening kickoff was sent deep into the box, where Nora tracked it down and fired the first shot on goal! The Middle School Girls Soccer Badgers journey began way back in early March - and they have improved every day since. The team has improved their positioning, dribbling, passing and shooting - and brought their best this afternoon in the final game of the season - Nora's breakaway shot is an epic example of their improvement!
 
After Nora's shot, Waldorf was on the attack. April and Clara worked together to clear the ball out. The defense was tremendous all day - Lucy simply shut down the defensive midfield, winning every tackle and pushing the ball ahead. That's where she found Juno, who did an excellent job flipping the field! On another occasion, Clara eliminated the shooting angle from Waldorf, forcing the competition to send their shot wide of the near post. Obviously, Emma would have saved it - she had a number of key saves today!
Offensively, there was beautiful passing between Zoey and Sam - working closely together - and from Willa, who was constantly attacking the goal. In the middle of the first half, April cleared the ball ahead to Willa who dribbled toward the goal. She found Sam on the right, who passed it to Sunrise who flew down the field on a breakaway! Sunrise shot the ball, and Willa got the rebound, sending it over to Sam - who scored the first goal of the game, giving Tandem a 1-0 lead!
 
Tandem kept the pressure on: Hadley sent a great pass ahead to Zoey for a shot. Defensively, Teagan made a great tackle and look the ball away. Her defensive pressure was excellent! Late in the half, Waldorf was able to tie the game and the Badgers went to the break tied 1-1.
 
In the second half, Tandem's passing was excellent - Hadley, Hattie, Zoey and Sam worked together to generate chances. After a big punt from Waldorf's goalie, April eliminated their offensive opportunity - not just taking the ball away but also turning it up the sideline. When Waldorf did get to the box, Retta was everywhere, perfectly positioned and taking the ball away! 
 
Waldorf was able to briefly take the lead, but Tandem was up for the challenge. Sam made an excellent throw in to Willa, who fired a powerful shot. It led to a corner kick, which Hadley booted towards the goal. Waldorf deflected the ball out, leading to another corner, in which Hadley set up Sam for her second goal of the match! The Badgers tied the game at 2!
 
The team continued to be on the attack - Sam, Nora and Willa attacked the net, Hadley fired a big free kick to Sam, and Freya tackled the ball away from her defender with power! After a big save for Retta, the clock expired, with Tandem celebrating a big 2-2 tie! 
 
When the Badgers and Waldorf met earlier this season - the home team mustered one goal and lost 2-1. That game was way back in March - today showed remarkable improvement as the Badgers scored twice and played their way to an exciting 2-2 finish! Congratulations to our Middle School Girls Badgers on a fun, joyful, competitive season of growth! Well done! 
 
Special thanks to our wonderful coaches! Coach Lauren received quite the scream this afternoon when she called in after the game - she has been an excellent role model and leader for this excellent crew. Thank you to Coach Miriah for taking on the end of the season - your soccer IQ and coaching savvy were evident right away!
 
Thanks to all of the families for your support and for making our home field a great environment!
 
Thanks also to Aven - the world's greatest manager - who helped set up drills, create lineups and carry equipment - and also taught technique and skills to our players! Thanks to Coach Sam for running the scoreboard throughout the season, and also to Travis, Roger and Solomon for keeping the field ready to play.
 
The future is bright - and this incredible squad saved their best for last! We are all very proud of you!
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Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
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