The MHD Indoor girls soccer team Thunder opened their U-12 girls winter season with a closely contested 4-2 loss against Manchester.  With Jessie P. minding the net and clearing out many threats in the first half, Hannah C. and Sarah C. created several good scoring opportunities.  Despite hustling defense from Hana L. and Maddie H., Manchester's swarming offense put in two goals by halftime.  However, the Thunder responded with a quick-reflex score from Anna M. on loose ball in front of the goal.  Steady defense from Katie A. and goalie Charlotte P. kept Manchester at bay early in the 2nd half, though they eventually netted two more goals.  With the midfield too often left unguarded by Thunder players adjusting from the slower pace of outdoor soccer, Thunder's Jessie P. made a rare dribble up the field, leading to a fine goal by Jamie P., who played well at both ends.  Heather P.'s reliable defense along with several offensive chances late in the game kept the Thunder in it until the end.

 

Nov 16 th...  U-12 THUNDER vs. Beverly  L- 6-0

The MHD Indoor girls U-12 soccer team Thunder faced a difficult challenge in their second game against a strong Beverly team, falling 5-0.  Jamie P., in goal was under constant pressure in the first half, making many saves.  Defenders Hanna L., Sarah C. and Jessie P. helped their goalie by pressuring the Beverly offense.  Despite the strong efforts of Hannah C., Anna M., and Katie A., team Thunder was unable to get alot going offensively.  Marblehead came alive offensively and defensively after the break and the 2^nd half was very even.  With Heather P. very strong in goal, Marblehead defenders led by Abi S., Maddie H. and Anna M. limited Beverly’s offense, and helped set up numerous chances for the Thunder offense.  Jamie P. gave some pay-back to the Beverly goalie by getting off 4 good shots on goal.  Emily M. was strong offensively and defensively.  As the game wound down, Marblehead had numerous rushes led by Hannah C., Jessie P and Hanna L., but Marblehead was unable to break through for a score.

Nov 16 th...  U-12 THUNDER vs. H/W  L  5-4

Fueled by their Thanksgiving feasts, the U-12 Marblehead Thunder took the field with terrific energy against a tough Hamilton-Wenham squad on Friday afternoon.  Abby S. aggressively defended the Marblehead goal.  Abby didn’t hesitate to come out of the box to supplement the solid defensive line of Jesse P., Emily M. and Charlotte P..  Jesse consistently cleared the ball out of the Marblehead end of the field.  Despite the determined defense, Hamilton-Wenham scored with 16 minutes remaining in the first half.  The offensive line of Maddie H., Katie A. and Sarah C. came out feisty but were denied despite numerous shots on goal.  After a number of breakaways, Jamie P. scored Marblehead’s first goal off of an assist by Emily M..  Hamilton-Wenham answered with their own goal to end the half up 2-1.

The second half opened without either team showing any signs of tiring.  Hannah C. demonstrated gutsy play as Marblehead keeper for the second half.  Despite a skilled and focused defense, Hamilton-Wenham scored two goals bringing the score to 4-1.  Undaunted, the Marblehead offense redoubled their efforts.  Jesse P.fired the ball into the Hamilton-Wenham goal with a powerful boot from the corner.  Then, the offensive line of Heather P., Katie A. and Emily M. kept up the pressure.  Emily M. scored Marblehead’s third goal off of an assist by Katie A. bringing the score to 4-3.  Hamilton-Wenham answered with goal number 5.  Marblehead never got discouraged and with only one minute remaining in the game Sarah Cuffe scored.  Final Score: Marblehead 4 Hamilton-Wenham 5

Nov 30th... U-12 THUNDER vs. Lynnfield...  W 7-2

The MHD Indoor girls U-12 soccer team Thunder really “got it together” versus Lynnfield, coming away with a 7-2 victory.  The Thunder opened with heavy pressure on the Lynnfield defense lead by Jessie P. and Heather P. on offense.  After getting 7 shots on goal, the Thunder’s Hannah C. finally broke through for a goal.  Defenders Sarah C. and Abi S. consistently supported their offensive teammates gaining possession of the ball and feeding the offense.  The Thunder continued the offensive pressure with goals by Emily M. (knocking in a rebound of an Anna M. shot), and Hannah C. (scoring after another Anna M. shot).  Charlotte P. set up this third goal with a great outlet pass to start the offense.  The Thunder suffered a bit from their offensive mind-set, giving up 2 goals late in the half, but recovered to score on a great play by Sarah C. moving up from her defensive position to steal a pass and score shortly before half-time, giving the Thunder a 4-2 lead at the break.

The 2^nd half saw the Thunder continue their offensive storm, with 3 more goals.  Jamie P. scored twice (the second, a beautiful team goal, started by an outlet pass from goalie Hannah L., followed by timely passes from Emily M. and Charlotte P., leading to Jamie’s goal).  Maddie H. who provided solid goaltending in the 1^st half, helped lead the 2^nd half defense, and with Hannah L. in goal, the Thunder did not give up a goal after the break.  Heather P. and Emily M. created numerous scoring chances for the Thunder late in the half, and finally, Hannah C. scored her 3^rd goal of the game, supported by Jessie P., and providing the final score for team Thunder’s first victory of the season.

The MHD Indoor girls U-12 soccer team Thunder played a well organized Aztec club, coming up on the short end of a very competitive game by a score of 4-3.

With Anna M. opening as goalie (and playing a very strong half) and with Jessie P. anchoring the defense, the Thunder withstood numerous Aztec charges before finally surrendering a goal.  The Thunder answered, when Hana L. dug out a ball to gain possession and give a strong outlet leading directly to an Abby S. goal, tying the score at 1-1.  Unfortunately the Thunder defense was caught on a quick possession change leading to a breakaway goal by Aztec.  Late in the half, Heather P. made a couple of impressive saving defensive plays, preventing additional scoring opportunities.  Emily M. outlets from defense as the half concluded led to near miss scoring chances by Hannah C.  The half ended with Thunder trailing 2-1.

Katie A. anchored the defense in the 2^nd half, playing great in goal, and making a tough save early.  She was supported by Anna M. and Hana L.  Following a fine save by Katie A., Aztec had an open goal chance, which was turned aside by Emily M.’s great play.  Hannah C. and Emily M. then combined on a nice play which just missed being a goal for the Thunder.  After an Aztec goal made the score 3-1, the Thunder came back following a defensive stand by Anna M., with Maddie H. and Hana L. combining on a great shot and Sarah C. scoring on the rebound, bringing the Thunder within 3-2.  Deep in the half, Katie A. made 2 tremendous saves, but Aztec were able to stuff in a rebound, pushing the score to 4-2 Aztec.  Shortly after, Sarah C. made a great play, stealing the outlet pass from the Aztec goalie and netting her 2^nd goal, to bring the Thunder to 4-3.  Over the last 3 minutes, the Thunder kept the pressure on, with Jessie P., Abby S., Maddie H., and Heather P. getting chances for the tie that fell just short.