Angels Wrap Up Tour with a Draw

Today's adventure started very much like yesterday. There was a short discussion around switching beaches, which went something like: "Team, should we check out a different beach today?" To which there was a universal, "Nah." Someone probably also said "Bruh". The greater point was that Huntington Beach has a great vibe, great shops and cafes, and a truly lovely beach. We spent a great morning enjoying our location.

The afternoon was a short 15 minute drive to Newport Harbor to take on the Newport Harbor High School Sailors. They had quite a big crowd out and were really ready for us. Indeed, it was our slowest start to a game all week. Maybe we were a little tired? Maybe we missed one of our most experienced players in Claire (she didn't play today)? Maybe we're just tired of playing on football turf? Either way, it was a dismal start. Newport Harbor put the pressure on and pushed us onto our heals. Our reaction was to go to our bread and butter style hockey--a tight passing, possession game... which definitely doesn't work on field turf. 

The result was turnover after turnover. Amy was sensational in the central backfield, as Bea and Eva put in big minutes and hard work at central midfield. Charlotte, Sofia and AnnYee all worked the outside back-line and were relentless in their defensive work. Kaelen was forced to bail us out as we gave up shots and short corners. After the first quarter we hoped to re-group, but it was more of the same in the second quarter... until finally the dam burst and Newport got their deserved goal.

The frustration at half time was palpable. We knew we had much better hockey in us. We also knew there was only 30 minutes of hockey left on tour. We came out with purpose and from the whistle and were a different team. LFA surged forward. Amy had moved into the midfield with Eva. Bea covered back. Jess, who had had shifts in midfield and forward moved into the right back and settled things down. It allowed AnnYee to move forward and her hockey skills shined. Michaela was superb on the outside and Abby dug deep to find another level of compete. All this meant our forwards were getting the ball aplenty. Aynslie found herself deep with the ball and crossed it for a narrow miss by Sienna. Greycen worked doggedly to get balls and has wonderful knack for finding a teammate joining the play late. Addie and Mattea both create chances in the D. With all the pressure, the short corners started to come. 

By the fourth quarter, we had Newport completely pinned in their own end. They had some good counter attack on the big hit, but the flow of play was a mirror of the first half. A run of about 6 corners in a row had us try nearly ever option in our short corner repertoire. Their goalie stood tall. It was looking like we weren't going to be able to pull the rabbit out of the hat. Then with just under 4 minutes to play, we called a different short corner than we'd tried, which gave Amy an extra few seconds to settle ball on the turf and she fired a low rocket at the net. Though we intended to deflect it, it actually went off a Newport player and into the net. 1-1.  Though we used the final 3 minutes to throw everything at Newport, it was not to be. A really exciting 1-1 draw.

In a really wonderful tour experience, the Huntington Beach field hockey team met us after our Newport game and took the team (and coaches) with them to their high school football game. Both our team and their team dressed in the "black out" theme as we cheered on the Huntington Beach football team... and their cheer team.... and their dance team... and their colour guard team (probably their COLOR guard)...  and their marching band. There was a lot going on.

We've transferred to Anaheim tonight. Unless Mickey and friends are up for a game, the tour ends for our Angels with a really impressive 4 wins, 1 tie and 1 loss. Six games in five days, in really warm conditions, on turf that is unfamiliar, against really good opposition. They've worked incredibly hard and shall return home proud of the achievement. 

To the players, coaches, school staff and athlete parents of the teams that have hosted us over the last week: thank you. You've made it both memorable and so very enjoyable.