by Anna Bernard
The Destiny approached the weekend under the pressure of being tied for first place with the Grants Pass United team. With a record of 6wins and 2 ties, the Destiny was hoping for an undefeated season. On Saturday, May 19th at 3pm the Destiny played the Basin United Soccer Club (BUSC) at the Steen Sports Park in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Both teams came out strong, but with different styles and different attitudes. The Basin United appeared to be aggressive and energetic while showing off their impressive flip throw-ins. Meanwhile, the Destiny played with thought, speed and precision. Early in the half, the Basin launched a corner kick directly in front of the Destiny goal. Goal keeper Selina Bernard punched the ball away and the Destiny quickly cleared the ball. After 20 minutes of battling up and down the field, the Destiny’s Emily Monahan scored the first goal. When a Basin player was called off sides, her negative reaction caused the referee to reward her with a yellow card. Both teams continued to compete for the ball until the end of the first half with no further goals resulting.
The pressure was on in this close game as the Destiny and Basin pressed on. Another yellow card was delivered to the Basin for rough contact against Sydney Gellner.
Sazi Bhakti complimented Sydney Gellner. “Sydney was so calm during the game and she was unstoppable. No one could get past her. She was a real super woman on the field!” Sazi Bhakti picked up the ball at midfield off a deep punt by Selina Bernard, she dribbled past the defense and shot the ball over the Basin goal keeper’s head into the opposite corner of the net to score the second Destiny goal 20 minutes into the second half. Coach Nick Parker commented on Sazi’s goal, “Well, I have to say that the Basin United game on Saturday was a little “gritty”. But there were some great highlights. Sazi Bhakti scored one of the best goals of the season, which was a turning point in the game.” Both luck and the wind was against the Basin players. When sweeper Carlyn Girard commanded her troops to “hold the line” the Basin was caught off sides and lost control of the ball. Annika Satter complimented Bailey Davey. “Bailey was always hustling and on her toes. She was calm and collected and able to think about what she was going to do next. This allowed her to make some great runs and totally shut down the left side of the field.” While in the Destiny box, sweeper Carlyn Girard took a ball to the head that deflected onto her arm. The ball then hit her foot and she continued the play. The referee called a foul and penalty kick for the Basin, which resulted in their first goal. Parker stated, “The midfield and defense maintained composure under pressure. Goalie Selina Bernard, sweeper Caryln Girard, midfielders Annika Satter and Emily Monahan, and defenders Lynae McCarthy and Sydney Gellner all had cool heads throughout the game. Even when faced with a couple controversial calls, these players maintained a calm attitude and continued to play their game.” The teams played for ten more minutes until the game ended in a 2-1 win for the Destiny
Coach Parker stated, “The team had to manage without many of our usual starters on a very long road trip all the way to Klamath Falls, Oregon. Several players had to play in positions that they were not familiar with and they all came through with flying colors.” Coach Nick Parker continued, “As I watched the team come together on the field, I realized that there was some continuity in the fact that we only had 11 players and no substitutes. When coaching, I try to get everyone onto the field but during this game, I wondered if this was disruptive to the flow and energy of the game.”
On Sunday, May 20th, the Destiny faced the Grants Pass Fusion at Reinhart Park in Grants Pass at 2:00pm. Coach Parker commented, “During the game against the Grants Pass, there were several patches of truly exhilarating soccer. The Fusion had no answer for our consistent barrage of creative dribbling, shooting, crossing and combination plays.” The Fusion and Destiny worked the ball up and down the field with many scoring opportunities. Destiny’s Annika Sattler launched a couple strong shots, one of which hit the Fusion’s top bar but refused to go in. A corner kick and rebound shot by Bailey Davey did not find their mark. Julia Middlemiss dribbled past the Fusion goalie and made a wide shot past the corner of the goal. Finally, with five minutes left in the first half, Hannah Garrett passed to Sydney Gellner who scored the first Destiny goal of the game. Parker said, “Sydney Gellner demonstrated, yet again, what a great soccer player she is by playing a superb defense on Saturday and offense on Sunday. Not only did Sydney score a goal, but her passing provided some great scoring opportunities. There are few players that can achieve this range of play.” A handball in the Destiny box gave the Fusion an opportunity to score their first goal, which tied the game 1-1. The Fusion drew a yellow card before the end of the half when Destiny defender Mouse Diggins and a Fusion player collided and went sprawling to the ground winded and shocked but uninjured. Coach Parker commented, “We faced a controversial penalty kick against us in both games. These shots were among the few really good scoring opportunities that either team could put together against our strong defense.”
Hannah Garrett scored the second Destiny goal minutes into the second half. The Destiny continued to pass, control and shoot the ball at the Fusion net. Many great shots on goal refused to find their mark. When the Fusion goal keeper stepped out of the box on a punt to draw a foul, Hannah Garrett scored the third Destiny goal on this penalty kick. “It is remarkable how these players display positive qualities during difficult circumstances. For example, Hannah Garrett showed strong leadership while under pressure and was still able to score two goals in the Sunday game.” Said Parker. “Our midfielders Lynae McCarthy and Emily Monahan were the unsung heros of the game. They were able to “hold the middle” with their steady pace and consistent talents.” With 10 minutes left in the game, Alyia McCarthy passed to Sydney Gellner who scored the fourth Destiny goal. Coach Nick Parker commented, “Aliya McCarthy showed her eagerness to be back on the field by assisting in a goal, after only a couple minutes. I am glad to see Aliya well on the road to recovery from her injury.” Several more Destiny shots missed the net by mere inches, but no more goals resulted for a final score of 4-1 for Destiny.
Photo: Destiny's defensive core warms up before Saturday's game (Left to Right): Sydney Gellner (top), Annika Satter, Lynae McCarthy, Carlyn Girard, Hanna Garrett, and Emily Monahan. Destiny took 1st place in SOCL U17G Division.
