The game of soccer can be traced back to China, Greece, and Ancient Rome in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.  In its early days, kicking, gouging, and even punching opponents was part of the game, which led to injuries and even deaths.  In fact, the sport became so violent that in 1314, King Edward II banned it in England. “As much as there is great noise in the city, caused by hustling over large balls from which many evils might arise which God forbid, we command and forbid, on behalf of the king, a pain of imprisonment, such game to be used in the city in the future.” The game was officially legalized in England in 1605, and in 1863, the first Laws of the Game the Soccer were written at Freemason’s Tavern in London, giving birth to the modern game. 

On Wednesday, the JV Girls Soccer team travelled to Thompson Field in Alameda to take on the Alameda Hornets.  Fortunately I didn’t see any kicking, gouging or punching, but unfortunately this felt like one of those games where the better team came up short on the scoreboard.

The Dons offense controlled the ball for most of the game and had 20+ shot attempts.  However, most of those shots were either directly to the Hornets goalie, hit off the post/crossbar, or were saved by the Hornets defenders after getting past the goalie.  The one exception was when Freshman Grace Eppinger scored a goal on an assist by Sophomore Elodie Jensen with 12 minutes left in the game.

Elodie also had a potential game-tying booming shot late in the game that was corralled by the Hornets goalie.

Sophomore Danica Green continued to take the corner kicks, one of which almost led to a goal 4 minutes into the game.  She also had a great shot later in the game that the goalie had to punch out in desperation.  Attacking midfielder, Freshman Grace Colaco, controlled the ball well and had a couple great through passes. 

Although the ball stayed on the Hornet’s side of the field for the most of the game, the Dons defense did a good job when tested.  Holding midfielder, Freshman Evelyn Lee, was effective at stopping the Hornets offense throughout the game.  When the ball did make it back to the defense, the girls stepped up.  Sophomore Lidia Stahl stopped a fast break early in the game, Sophomore Helena McGinley prevented a goal early in the second half and effectively dribbled the ball out of harms way, and Freshman Ella Culbertson made a number of stops from the center back position. 

Both of the Hornets goals were “unlucky” for the Dons.  The first came off a free kick with 21 minutes left in the first half that managed to sail over the wall of Dons defenders and Junior goalie Sophie Gold.   

The other Hornets goal came late in the second half where the Hornets ended up scoring after drawing the goalie away from the net.

The girls continue the road trip with a game against Pittsburg on Wednesday, December 6 at 5pm