The "Heat was on" for U12 Lightning in Milton!!

Team wide effort helps U12 Lightning upset nemesis in BAYS action

                The heat was not the only painful opponent the Dedham Lightning faced Saturday in BAYS action as they were lined up against the Milton Flash who the Lightning had never beaten or tied over the last 3 years of being in the same league. Fortunately neither the opponent nor the heat scared them off as 15 of the 16 members of the squad were on the sideline ready to go. Unfortunately Kayleigh Spencer and her “golden foot” was unable to play due to injury but still donned her uniform and sweated it out with the girls offering support all game!!

                Clearly the heat would be a factor all day as stamina and endurance proved to be as tough as the opponent facing them The Flash showed early why they were near the top of the division as they tested the Lightning defense early and often. Fortunately Charlene Kelly showed that she was up to the challenge in net as she threw herself around the box and prevented any attempts early on. She of course couldn’t do it alone, and with the help of Maeve Connolly and Sam Dejean on the outside of the defense the Lightning made sure that the Flash scoring on their watch wasn’t likely to happen.

                Having almost all the squad dressed meant that subs were ample all game, and Coaches Kelly and McGahan used that to their advantage to wear the hosts down. Julia Kent and Jacinda Sterling both hunkered down in the middle of the defense while hustling up for offensive sets, thus using up a lot of energy, but by swapping off all half they were able to make life tough for the Flash and help create multiple chances for the offense. Jillian McGahan and Kathryn Hunter both parlayed some of the balls sent down the field by the defense into great scoring bids, but in the first half the Milton D was up to the Lightning’s and thus the teams entered the half knotted at zero but thirsty for water and more soccer!

                A quick break in the shade was just was needed as the Lightning took control early in half number two. After missing on a couple of point blank bids early, Jackie Fenore made sure that the third time was the charm by pocketing a blast just under the bar a few minutes into the second half. That goal seemed to light a fire on this hot day as the Lightning then spent the majority of the game in Milton’s end from that point. That time was well spent as Fiona Glynn continued a great return to the field with a beautiful cross to Lisa Petrie who then sent a crisp pass to Jess Shanahan who finished off Fiona’s 2nd assist of the day with the squad’s second goal and a 2-0 lead with just over 10 minutes left.

                That second goal really set the Flash back, but they did muster a couple of scary moments as the game wore down. Fortunately Brianna Lynch and Vivian Martin put their defensive hard hats on and squashed most of the push, and when something did slip by, Molly Egan made sure that her and Kelly would share a well-earned shutout by stonewalling the goal in the second half and a win the girls could truly be proud of as it put them at 4-4 for the season with a chance to finish over .500 for the first time ever if they can take care of business vs. Marlboro (home Saturday) and Southboro (away Sunday) this weekend in their finish to the spring season.