This Week in Sports - Week #29

Dave Levy, Athletic Director
Spring Sports are off to an awesome start! Lacrosse is now 3-0, with big wins this week over CHS and AHS! Girls Varsity Soccer won a 1-0 thriller against Quantico, and MS Soccer is also undefeated at 1-0-1. 

Girls Varsity Soccer Wins on the Road!

Tessa has spent the last seven months working on her Senior Project. As a youth soccer coach, she has done extensive research on the beautiful game - focusing on the best way to give feedback, the most effective drills and the best in-game strategies. She spent much of the fall and winter coaching a U15 soccer team. When the season began, I asked her if "Tessa Time" would be making a return for the spring. For those unfamiliar, "Tessa Time" occurs when Tessa gets into a zone - and dominates the game. For example, 15 consecutive service aces in volleyball or 5 consecutive baskets in basketball (both of which actually happened).
 
The Badgers led 2-1 at halftime in a hard-fought, competitive game on the road - far away at King Abdullah Academy. Seeking a change in momentum, Coach Nemanja inserted Kaylee, Madeline and Bella into the lineup. They chased King Abdullah's striker, forcing her into the middle of the field, where Lili came way out of her position in the goal and kicked the ball back to midfield! Elisabeth made a smooth pass off one touch to Golden, who alertly played the ball ahead to Tessa. With nothing but green grass in front of her, Tessa got into the box, was one on one with the goalie, and fired a laser into the corner of the net!
With a two goal lead and twenty minutes to go, Taylor and Althea tackled the ball away from King Abdullah Academy after the kick off. Althea passed it ahead to Tessa, who had three defenders ahead of her. One on three is not usually great odds, but Tessa pushed the ball ahead of her, beat all three defenders, and made her way back to the 18' line. She faked a shot to the right, got the goalie leaning, and scored her second goal in three minutes. Tessa Time was in full effect for its third consecutive season - she is as dominant (or perhaps even more dominant) as she was on the volleyball and basketball court - and the Badgers took a 4-1 lead!
 
Despite the long drive, the Badgers arrived at King Abdullah Academy ready to play. Catriona was everywhere, working the sideline defensively with grit and tenacity. She pushed the ball ahead to Ruthie, who was constantly in attack mode. "It's your day - we drove all the way here so that you could score some goals," Nemanja told her, and Ruthie obliged. 
 
While King Abdullah scored first to take a 1-0 lead, Lili was not concerned. The next time they shot the ball, Lili snared the save out of the area, punted it ahead to Tessa, who found Ruthie in the middle of the field. Ruthie got the ball on her right foot and dribbled in - firing a shot beyond the outstretched arm of the goalie - Tandem's equalizer was the first goal of the season! 
 
The Badgers spent much of the first half in KAA's zone, with Mary, Golden, Ruthie and Esme putting a lot of pressure on their opponent. On one occasion, they forced three consecutive corner kicks - the third of which was booted past the defense and into the box. In perfect position, Maeve powerfully redirected the ball out of the air, scoring her first goal of the season! Tandem took a 2-1 lead!
 
King Abdullah had their fair share of chances, but nobody could get around Maggie's quick defensive presence. She was alert and decisive, turning defense into offense. Juli was everywhere - defensively running down any opposing striker. Juli was as fast as lightning - knocking the ball away from her frustrated opponent. She broke up several transition breakaway opportunities for KAA, and forced tough shooting angles - Lili did the rest as a smooth netminder. 
 
Congratulations to the Girls Varsity Soccer Badgers, earning their first victory of the season and improving their record to 1-1 with a big time win on the road! We hope to see you on the hill!
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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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