Watkins Mill sneaks by Blazers

Oct. 5, BLAZER STADIUM—

Luck was not on Blair's side tonight in their 0-1 loss to the Watkins Mill Wolverines, a game which highlighted the difference between effort and results. Although Blair generally dominated the play of the game and kept the ball in their possession the majority of the time, the Blazers could not manage to net a goal, not only during regulation, but also during the almost 20 minutes of extended time afterwards. After 80 minutes of regulation there was a 0-0 score, forcing two frustrating overtimes, which ended abruptly with a devastating goal by the Wolverines. Blair's record now stands at a 2-4-1.

In past games, the Blazers' greatest weakness has been their ongoing battle to finish cleanly on offense. Tonight, they were unable to break this habit, and Blair was shutout for almost 100 minutes.

Blair started out flat in the first half, playing very lackadaisically and demonstrating a weak desire to win. Despite a lack of motivation, Blair possessed the ball a greater portion of the time even though Watkins Mill won more of the challenged balls. Blair kept the majority of play in the Wolverine's defensive end but was unable to convert on the chances they were given.

Blair's shots were constantly blocked by the Wolverine defense or saved by the Watkins Mill keeper. Junior Danielle Peck had two promising chances early on, but failed to put the goals away. At one point Peck was one on one with the opposing goalie, and she attempted a forceful kick, but her lack of control sent the shot straight into the hands of the keeper. The Blazers also did not take advantage of the scoring opportunities provided by senior Sophie Esparza's free kicks, and the half ended scoreless for both teams.

Since coach Robert Gibb was absent (he had to attend a class), senior captain Sarah Rumbaugh coached the game with girls varsity lacrosse coach Michael Horne. In hopes of producing better offense in the second half, Rumbaugh moved more players forward and lined up the defense with only one stopper. The shift in the line-up helped Blair to pick up the pace of the game. Freshmen Molly Brune played aggressively as striker and had several close chances that the Watkins Mill goalie barely saved. Esparza, at center midfield, tried to play through balls to the wings, but Blair simply could not maintain their momentum and finish, forcing the game into overtime.

Rumbaugh listed Blair's weaknesses and explained how they could have improved. "Our intensity was low, we weren't connecting passes and we weren't using good strategy against a Watkins Mill type of game," she said. "We needed to play more simple soccer- playing early balls, through balls and long balls."

During overtime, Blair maintained their intensity, but still had no luck in securing a goal. The Blazers were did not make the necessary changes to turn the game in their favor and they remained a toothless threat offensively. After a tense ten minutes, neither team had scored, so the game carried over into yet another overtime.

In the final minutes, just when the game looked as if it might end in a tie, Watkins Mill generated a wave of energy on offense and began attacking Blair's goal more aggressively. After junior goalie Maggie Sullivan made three, very impressive consecutive saves, a Watkins Mill forward tipped the ball inches past her fingertips as she dove for the save, ending the game 0-1.

In response to Blair's loss, Rumbaugh put the game into perspective. "We deserved to win this game," she declared. "Unfortunately, it's not about deserving, it's about getting it done."

Blair's next game is at Damascus on Friday at 5 p.m.