Ladyjacks Compete in Annual Purple and White Scrimmage
8/4/2018 9:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin women's soccer team opened the 2018 season with a rousing intra-squad scrimmage at SFA Soccer Field on Saturday evening, resulting in a 1-0 victory for the White Team. The game was a competitive affair for the Ladyjacks, and showcased the competitive depth and energy that the 'Jacks will feature this season.
"What we saw tonight was some real good possession sequences, some really good composure, but you also saw two teams utilizing the same shape, trying to do the same things because of how they train", said SFA head coach Wally Crittenden. "That's a very tough environment to separate yourself, but you saw there were a handful of dangerous chances in each half."
From the onset, the energy and commitment to playing competitively was on display, as nobody seemed complacent with lackluster effort. The game's first shot came in the 10thminute, as a low shot by the Purple Team went just wide of frame after a good buildup in the final third. Eleven minutes later, with four minutes remaining in the first half, the White Team seized control, as Katelyn Termini created a turnover in the final third and dished off to Breanna Moore for the quick finish and what would end up bring the decisive score.
In the second half, the Purple Team upped the intensity as they looked to equalize. As time ran down, they were able to string together several looks on goal in a row, beginning with a deep attempt at goal from Mari Gillespie. The attempt was well struck, but easily caught by Allyson Halliday to end the threat. Halliday would make two more saves in quick succession—including one at full extension on a shot by Katie Jennings after a 12-pass buildup—to keep Purple Team at bay for the remainder of the game and secure the win for the White Team.
"I think everybody put forth a good representation on how they need to compete in a game environment, I think everyone was prepared and respected the occasion, and you didn't see anyone coasting through it, there was great effort and great tackles. I'm not ready to single anybody out just yet, but as a group we have a very good commitment to competitive standards."
While the athletic depth and talent on the Ladyjacks creates some interesting lineup scenarios moving forward, Crittenden and his staff are intent on creating starting lineups—and rotations—that will make the most of the talent level throughout the roster.
"We're going to have to make sure we find ways to get the best players that are playing the best at that moment onto the field for the majority of minutes", Crittenden explained. "Then we have to adjust our rotations so we keep that level of peak performance across the field throughout the match, and to do that requires athletic depth, which we have. You also need to have chemistry and make sure you're balancing training and minutes to keep that chemistry strong."
With a strong core of returners from last season, including seven underclassmen who started for the Ladyjacks, as well as an exciting group of newcomers, competition throughout the rest of the fall training segment promises to be tough.
"We're going to have great competition all over the field, every position has players that have made their case to start", Crittenden added. "We'll have a starting lineup for Friday and then we'll have a primary rotation, and we'll be fluid as coaches in setting those lineups and rotations."
Next up for SFA is a pair of exhibitions against ULM and Houston on the 10thand 12th, respectively. The 'Jacks will host Louisiana-Monroe at SFA Soccer Field for that match at 7:00 p.m., before traveling to Houston to face the Cougars at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
For fans looking to get further integrated with the Ladyjacks, the 2018 Media Guide is available online at the SFA Soccer page of sfajacks.com. Fans are also encouraged to follow the Ladyjacks on Twitter (@SFA_Soccer) and Facebook (SFA Soccer).
-SFA-
"What we saw tonight was some real good possession sequences, some really good composure, but you also saw two teams utilizing the same shape, trying to do the same things because of how they train", said SFA head coach Wally Crittenden. "That's a very tough environment to separate yourself, but you saw there were a handful of dangerous chances in each half."
From the onset, the energy and commitment to playing competitively was on display, as nobody seemed complacent with lackluster effort. The game's first shot came in the 10thminute, as a low shot by the Purple Team went just wide of frame after a good buildup in the final third. Eleven minutes later, with four minutes remaining in the first half, the White Team seized control, as Katelyn Termini created a turnover in the final third and dished off to Breanna Moore for the quick finish and what would end up bring the decisive score.
In the second half, the Purple Team upped the intensity as they looked to equalize. As time ran down, they were able to string together several looks on goal in a row, beginning with a deep attempt at goal from Mari Gillespie. The attempt was well struck, but easily caught by Allyson Halliday to end the threat. Halliday would make two more saves in quick succession—including one at full extension on a shot by Katie Jennings after a 12-pass buildup—to keep Purple Team at bay for the remainder of the game and secure the win for the White Team.
"I think everybody put forth a good representation on how they need to compete in a game environment, I think everyone was prepared and respected the occasion, and you didn't see anyone coasting through it, there was great effort and great tackles. I'm not ready to single anybody out just yet, but as a group we have a very good commitment to competitive standards."
While the athletic depth and talent on the Ladyjacks creates some interesting lineup scenarios moving forward, Crittenden and his staff are intent on creating starting lineups—and rotations—that will make the most of the talent level throughout the roster.
"We're going to have to make sure we find ways to get the best players that are playing the best at that moment onto the field for the majority of minutes", Crittenden explained. "Then we have to adjust our rotations so we keep that level of peak performance across the field throughout the match, and to do that requires athletic depth, which we have. You also need to have chemistry and make sure you're balancing training and minutes to keep that chemistry strong."
With a strong core of returners from last season, including seven underclassmen who started for the Ladyjacks, as well as an exciting group of newcomers, competition throughout the rest of the fall training segment promises to be tough.
"We're going to have great competition all over the field, every position has players that have made their case to start", Crittenden added. "We'll have a starting lineup for Friday and then we'll have a primary rotation, and we'll be fluid as coaches in setting those lineups and rotations."
Next up for SFA is a pair of exhibitions against ULM and Houston on the 10thand 12th, respectively. The 'Jacks will host Louisiana-Monroe at SFA Soccer Field for that match at 7:00 p.m., before traveling to Houston to face the Cougars at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
For fans looking to get further integrated with the Ladyjacks, the 2018 Media Guide is available online at the SFA Soccer page of sfajacks.com. Fans are also encouraged to follow the Ladyjacks on Twitter (@SFA_Soccer) and Facebook (SFA Soccer).
-SFA-
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
F
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