By: Manya Makoski
Prospective WPS player Manya Makoski is playing with the WPSL’s SoccerPlus CT Reds this summer to keep her game sharp and blogging about her experience for womensprosoccer.com.
Since the beginning of the season, the Reds staff set out to create a professional environment. As players we wanted to welcome that and bring our own ideas to the table. We sat down as a team for our first official meeting. Our aim was to establish some official team rules, guidelines, and goals.
Our ideas were not lofty but very realistic. In addition to finishing the regular season undefeated, our last goal was to win the WPSL Championship. Even in the beginning of the season we knew the talent that was latent within the team. But as the season progressed we believed more and more that we could reach every goal we put in front of ourselves.
With two games to go in the regular season and a 10-0 record, our goal ending the regular season undefeated became within reach. However, it was not going to be easy. The last two teams we would play would not make it easy on us.
On Friday night, we played another “Battle of the Best” against the first team (and only one of two teams) that scored on us, the New England Mutiny. We knew that they would be coming out strong against us since we had beaten them at their home field a few weeks before. Also, this game would determine who takes the first place spot in the East-North Conference.
The first half of the game was inconclusive of how the rest of the game would go. Both my Reds and the Mutiny had opportunities to score, but neither team could find the back of the net. However, during half time, we knew that we would be able to break down the Mutiny defense with a little bit more defensive pressure from our forwards. My back line also decided that we needed to drop off earlier when the Mutiny would search for the perfect through ball.
Our halftime strategies paid off and we were able to put two balls past the Mutiny goalkeeper and into the goal. The first goal came off a great cross from forward Brooke Knowlton to Australian midfielder Leah Blayney. The Mutiny were so rattled that we were able to find the back of the net again just eleven minutes later. Outside back Erika Sutton crossed an amazing ball to the far post where midfielder Tiffany Weimer was waiting. Excited for the perfect scoring opportunity, Tiff saw the ball coming and steadied herself for the perfect volley. The goalkeeper sat on her line stunned as Tiff struck the ball into the goal.
The rest of the game, the Mutiny pressured, but were unable to come up with any real chances. The game became more physical as the ref blew his whistle non-stop for free kick after free kick. My Reds stopped at nothing to come out on top.
And that we did when the ref blew the final whistle.
Two days later we headed down to NYAC to play the last game of the regular season during a very hot and humid Sunday afternoon. They had nothing to lose and came at us at full speed. We were able to put two not-so-pretty goals in before half time. After a few adjustments and motivation from our coaches Tony, Lisa, and Chris, we were able to step up our play, wear down NYAC’s players, and score seven more goals. We worked hard together to create beautiful combinations. Even our centerback, Nikki Cross scored two goals, which I think caused the best celebrations. You always know when a defender scores; all the defenders go crazy! When one defender scores, we all do!
Every Reds player and staff knew that we could achieve our goal. We ended the regular season with a perfect record. We look ahead to this weekend, where we will be playing the semifinal game of the East Conference at our home stadium Friday night. We believe in ourselves because we have relied on each other the whole season. Players have come and gone, but our passion and our attitude has not changed. We know what we need to do to get the job done and win this weekend.
Only one more goal to reach… winning that WPSL Championship game!
