Wizard FC – Champs!
Rockford Raptors visited Wizard FC in an attempt to usurp the first place in the standings and convert this into a Championship. A great effort that fell short and Wizard FC came in at the top and left in the same place, except this time they left with the 2009 (15U) State Premiership I title! A 3-1 win at home helped the Oak Brook side reach the summit of the competition and manage to complete the feat undefeated.
Game Recap
Things were level after 15 minutes where both teams had multiple opportunities and were both displaying good soccer. It was evident why they were both at the top of the standings. After 30 minutes Raptors, had a good moment of great combination play and a great pass into space, where Elsa Carlson used great pace to beat her defender to the ball, go 1 v 1, then show great composure to slot it past the goalkeeper. She was a headache for Wizard all game and was kept at bay for the most part but could not this time. Wizard seemed the most dominant at that point, but it did not matter, the Rockford side was able to convert their chance and now were up 1-0. They needed to win by at least two goals, with the one goal lead, they needed one more and to not get scored on to claim the title.
Wizard FC were also aware of the situation and came out in the second half determined to turn this around. Not long into the second half, a great cross came in where Jacqueline Albrecht of Wizard FC was positioned right where she needed to be to guide the ball to the back of the net. Wizard FC 1 – Rockford Raptors 1 as things stood, Wizard now were in the driving seat. Not one minute passed and Mia Mitrovic of Wizard FC found her teammate Felicity Haworth on a brilliant pass through the middle where she was able to make it 2-1. Mia was brilliant in the second half, controlling the midfield and the pace of the game and was deserving of the assist. Rockford Raptors would not sit quietly however, they were seeing more chances come their way after 30 minutes but were unable to convert. Wizard would respond and finally, in the last 10 minutes, Wizard would cement their win and their Championship. Felicity of Rockford did a great job going at her defender, using a good change of pace to go around her and get into the box to lay it off to Norah Tohme and make it 3 for the hosts. The game would end 3-1.
Player’s Interview
Felicity and Mia took the time to chat with us after the game and speaking to them it was evident why this specific team finished undefeated and were able to win the division in such fashion. Mature, motivated and determined players that play for each other and for the logo on their jersey made them very impressive. “It feels good, we can take this as a learning experience. We have been very successful this season and we want to keep being successful as a team. With our chemistry it has worked, and we want to keep doing that,” said Mia as she reflected on the Championship feeling. Felicity emphasized the good feelings “I think we really deserved it; we have been working our butts off this whole season. Every day at practice we are always having fun and always working hard because this is the sport we love. Because of all the hard work it feels like we are deserving winners,” she said.
They were down at half and showed courage and determination to turn things around. The pair were asked what the feeling and message was at half that had them come out in such dominating fashion where Mia said “We are a team that only needs a 1% chance to win, we work hard, we fight for each other, and we do not stop until the last second. At half we looked at what we needed to fix and came out to the field at the second half ready to sweat blood.” Felicity further explained, saying, “Sarrah is a very good coach, she tends to focus on what we need to improve verse emphasize what we are doing wrong. She does not get down on our mistakes but lets us know how we can improve on the mistakes.”
Mia talked about why they are Champions, “It is an easy team to play with, we all get along really well and if we help each other out throughout the season, this gives us success,” she said. Felicity went on to mirror the sentiment but had to pause a few times as Cicadas began to attack our faces! “This is a good team, that really loves each other and always wants to have fun. We always push each other, Elise always tells the team before the game ‘we work for each other and not ourselves,” she said as she even took the time to shout out her teammate. The girls have a good head on their shoulders and display it in their words.
Final Thoughts
The Champions showed grit to get the work done and Rockford were more than worthy adversaries. While the standings will show a six-point gap, it will not accurately reflect how the last game of the season could have changed it and Rockford in the first half was a goal away. This is a testament to both team’s abilities and surely, they won’t see the last of each other.