PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- With some re-scheduled games being played at the end of the season, some Soccer Domain Academy teams have a tasking couple of weeks. Four victories, two ties and two defeats continued a very strong SDA season this weekend as three SDA teams are still in contention for league titles.

 

U14 Girls

After some dominant performances but disappointing results led to the U14’s dropping down the table, with a slight chance of still winning the league title they headed into the GPS West game requiring all three points. 

 

A flat start to the game from SDA saw attacks being broken down early by GPS West. Both team seemed to cancel each other out for the majority of the first half. As the half progressed both teams began to break the defensive line, one of these opportunities was converted as GPS took the lead and went into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead. 

 

SDA started the second half a lot brighter and looked dominant in most areas of the field, the buildup play was better in the second half and it possessed the ball more competently. Chances were created on a more regular basis from different areas of the field. A great equalizing goal was scored as the center midfielder broke down the GPS defense to make it 1-1. SDA continued to create chances but throughout the remainder of the half wasted a few good opportunities. A second goal was scored by both teams but neither team could step up to win the game, as it finished 2-2.

 

U11 Girls

In an enthralling game of soccer, SDA showed its continued commitment, work rate and soccer ability to receive a well - earned point against a strong Boston team. 

 

Throughout the game SDA performed the greater share of defensive work (out of the two teams) but were able to limit the opposition to limited shots due to the level of defensive organization along with the attitude of SDA to want to win the ball back. 

 

Although SDA had this limited amount of possession, it maximized on it, producing some great passing play that led to opportunities for SDA to get a goal but were unable to maximize upon the opportunity.

 

Just before half-time SDA conceded following a short corner from the opposition where it managed to score at the front post to go ahead, 1-0. 

 

From the outset of the second half SDA moved up a few gears and having periods of the greater share of the ball. SDA continued to keep defensively organized but were now gaining greater success with its offensive play.

 

SDA got a reward for its effort with a goal midway through the second half following another passing play from the team.

 

As the half went on the opposition began to attack SDA’s goal more but SDA gave a battle – hardened team performance to maintain the point it deserved with a 1-1 tie. 

 

Overall, this was a fantastic team effort by SDA against one of the strongest teams in the league.

 

U11 Boys

As the U11s push toward the league title they found themselves on the road, travelling to Best FC for a very competitive encounter against good opponents. The game started quickly, soon you could see that the visitors were making it very hard for Best FC to consolidate possession. On the ball SDA was quick on the attack and used its wide players to full effect, with some great crosses into the box. All of this was rewarded with SDA getting an early goal to go ahead, 1-0.

 

As the half went on the visitors lost some shape giving the host a lot of space in certain areas. This became a big problem for SDA as the half progressed. In the second half SDA was very dominant and created numerous chances, the majority not converted. A competent performance and a good 2-1 win against challenging opposition.

 

U12 Boys

The U12s went into this weekend’s game hopeful to continue its strong season so far in a midday game at home against GPS West. 

 

The game was a one-way event as SDA played its best soccer of the season in the first half, it moved the ball well and created chance after chance in the early stages, unlike other weeks the hosts did not panic and continued to play a distinct style managing to break the deadlock with a great ball and finish. 

 

SDA finished the half totally on top but without the final product of the goals, the second half was much like the first. The home team controlled the middle of the park and looked even more dominant as they played some intelligent soccer and created better chances. After total dominance for a prolonged period of time SDA eventually got the second and third goal very quickly and began to dominate the game in all areas.

 

After going 3-0 up the home team took their foot of the gas a little and started to make more individual decisions and runs neglecting team play, having said this, it still managed to add three more goals.

 

U13 Girls

As all NEP/ NEC teams approach the conclusion of the fall season, SDA competed in its final home game against a very competitive Abbey Villa team that finds itself in fourth place. SDA approached this game looking to extend its lead at the top of the league going into its final game.

 

The start of the game was very entertaining with both teams looking to play attractive, positive soccer. SDA using their wingers very well and creating numerous chances throughout the first 20 minutes. With better decision making the hosts could have been up by two or three goals by the time the half-time whistle was blown.

 

During the second half, SDA continued to create chances and found itself up, 1-0, within seven minutes of play. After the goal SDA continued to push on, creating more and more chances to extend their lead. A well manufactured chance and shot was caught by the goalkeeper in what seemed like the attack was over, only to be spilled, followed in to hit the post and followed in the second time to extend the lead.

 

Unfortunately, during this process, the Abbey Villa goalkeeper took a nasty knock and had to be rushed off in an ambulance. This delayed the game 20 minutes, when the team eventually got started again you could see they struggled to find a rhythm. Having said this SDA still looked to play with a positive intent and remained organized and structured off the ball. Soon the lead was extended to 3-0 and the game was killed off, SDA managing to extend its lead at the top of the league.

 

U13 Boys

After a steady start to the season, the SDA U13 boys traveled to Easthampton for a tough challenge against top of the league GPS west. You could see from the start of the game the home team was very competent in possession.

 

A steady start saw both teams struggle to break down its opponents. Around 10 minutes, in SDA's ill discipline cost them, leaving the opponent’s striker in behind them to slot it past the goalkeeper. After the goal, GPS West looked on top and created chances. SDA's shape and structure looked unorganized on times and this continuously allowed GPS to have shots on goal. 2 Quickfire goals saw SDA go down 3-0 by half-time and gave itself a mountain task to get back into the game.

 

For the first 10 minutes of the second half, SDA looked more organized and seemed to maintain its structure a lot better. GPS showed its quality, still managing to break the lines and get in behind the defense, soon GPS extended its lead, and SDA lost all concentration, conceding a fifth goal in short order. From here the home team were allowed even more time on the ball than before and were able to pass it around their visitors with ease. Limited pressure on the ball made this easy for GPS and it possessed the ball well throughout the remainder, also finding themselves a sixth goal to win the game 6-0.

 

U14 Boys

The game for most parts was an even affair. FC Boston was aggressive and not hesitant to step and win the ball, the hosts had very little chances but did create a few early in the game with some good soccer, SDA became flat throughout periods of the first half, this affected the game in a negative manner for the home team. SDA defended well for the majority of the game, however against a very physical team they held onto the ball for long periods of time instead of moving and possessing it, resulting in a lot of turnovers of possession. A very hard fought first half concluded with SDA taking the lead and going into the interval on the front foot.

 

The physical side of FC Boston continued to show in the second half, as they began to win the ball back in more and more 50/50 challenges all over the field. After the ball being turned over in a dangerous area SDA were punished and FC Boston squared the game 1-1. The even affair continued throughout the second half but erupted in the final 5 minutes with SDA taking the lead and looking very good for all three points. Soon, FC Boston won a corner, of which the hosts failed to deal with. The visitors bundled it in keeping their hopes of the league title alive with a 2-2 tie.

 

U14 Girls

Much like previous games, the SDA dominated and played some attractive soccer in the early stages without scoring some golden chances, with that said the hosts did not change their ways and continued to play well, putting pressure on their opponents.

 

As the game continued, SDA grew confident and finally broke through the GPS defense, finishing well. With the pressure off, it started to believe more and produced some great wide play to create even more chances only this time it became more decisive in front of goal taking chances and dominating most of the game.

 

Throughout the second half, players seemed to be very confident and it showed in their decision making, SDA started to move the ball inside instead of just wide and created some longer range shots of which two went in.

 

A very dominant and confident performance capped by an extremely convincing victory.