I’ll continue with the game updates here.
A couple quick thoughts on the first half. ONU seems willing to let Scranton work the ball on the wings, even deep in scoring territory, but most Scranton crosses into the box have been met by 3-4 ONU defenders who have stopped the Royals from getting off any really good shots.
I’m not a soccer expert by any means, but it seems like the Royals played the slightly better half in the first 45 minutes. Not sure if that was aided by the wind at our backs, though. We’ll see in the second half if that’s the case.
45:00 2nd Q: Scranton will start with possession. Starting lineup back in.
42:50 2nd Q: ONU cross trickles past McAnelly about a yard in front of the goal line, but no ONU players were nearby to capitalize before the Scranton defense eventually clears the ball out of harms way.
37:15 2nd Q: Emily Farrell thwarts a pass into the box by beating the ONU striker to the ball and clearing the ball wide. ONU generating some more offense in this half.
36:00 2nd Q: ONU free kick just outside the box on the left side. Scranton’s defense clears the ball, but Jessica Sciscione is down after running into the post. She was the first Scranton player to get a head on the cross, and her momentum carried her into the post. She’s up and remaining in the game.
33:50 2nd Q: Scranton free kick on the right side about 40 yards out. Sciscione’s ball into the box sneaks all the way through before the ONU defense clears it all the way down to McAnelly on the other end.
32:40 2nd Q: ONU gains possession again and earns a corner kick as Farrell heads the ball away. ONU gets a shot on a scramble off the corner, but it sails well wide and out of play for a corner kick.
31:50 2nd Q: First shot on goal for ONU, a shot from 18 yards out on the right side, but McAnelly makes the easy save at the post. ONU continuing to generate chances here in the second half. I don’t know if the wind is the difference, but so far it’s clear that the team with the wind at its back has been able to generate more chances.
29:10 2nd Q: Russo’s cross into the box is stopped by the ONU defense and Scranton can’t get off a shot.
24:50 2nd Q: Russo’s cross is deflected out for a Scranton corner kick. Parker’s corner is headed straight up and comes to the feet of Kresge, whose shot i blocked. Scranton continues possession but can’t generate another chance.
22:40 2nd Q: Parker’s credited with a shot on goal when she plays the ball in from just outside the box with plenty of steam, but right to the ONU goalie.
22:00 2nd Q: Another good chance for the Royals as Russo’s cross is punched out by the ONU goalie, but right to Hennigan. Her attempt to get a shot off from five yards out is cut off by the ONU defense. Scranton generating some pressure good pressure now.
20:50 2nd Q: Ellen Walker checks back in, replacing Katie Hennigan.
18:10 2nd Q: Very good chance for ONU on a ball played up the middle, but McAnelly makes a diving save on the shot from six yards out. Best scoring chance for either team so far.
17:01 2nd Q: Another good chance for ONU, but the shot from the top of the box sails over the crossbar.
14:41 2nd Q: Courtney O’Kane and Katie Hennigan replace Rebecca Hextall and Ellen Walker.
11:30 2nd Q: The teams have been battling for possession in the midfield until Russo makes a run down the left wing. Her cross in the middle is headed away by an ONU defender before it could reach Katie O’Hanlon about 5 yards from the far post.
9:45 2nd Q: Hextall checks back in, replacing O’Kane.
7:54 2nd Q: An ONU shot from 25 yards out is deflected toward McAnelly, who makes the easy save.
6:50 2nd Q: An ONU pass down the middle gets past Scranton’s defense. McAnelly comes out of goal and all the way out of the box. The ONU player chips the ball past McAnelly, but too far and Farrell clears it for a corner kick. Scranton’s defense clears the corner kick to end the threat.
2:58 2nd Q: An ONU shot from about 30 yards out clanks off the upper right corner and out for a goal kick. It was closer to missing the goal all together than going in, but it was still a great shot from distance.
1:44 2nd Q: More great chances for ONU. McAnelly with another diving save before Scranton clears the ball temporarily. Another shot hits the crossbar and bounces wide before ONU collects possession for a third shot that sails well high. Royals holding on for OT at this point.
0:20 2nd Q: ONU corner bounces around in front of the goal, but Scranton’s defense deflects the ball away, including Noelle Malone blocking a shot right next to the post. Tough to tell if it would’ve gone in for sure, but the ONU staff is crediting a team save on the play. The clock runs out and we’re headed for OT after a wild final four minutes.
I’ll start another post for OT.
Thank you Thank you Thank you!! We are so lucky to have you doing this for us. This blog has kept us all connected as if we were all there with you!!! Thank you for your time and efforts, it’s greatly appreciated!!!
Donna Kresge/Family
Thanks, Donna. I’m happy to be able to provide updates and that the girls don’t mind me taking pics and video throughout the trip. Coach Murphy and I both thought it would be a fun thing to do for parents, fans and the team, and I can tell from the response that it’s been very popular. Thanks for following along!