Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Soul taking on Cal Storm at Merritt College. It’s an important match for Soul, in particular, likely requiring a win to assure itself a playoff spot. Storm, meanwhile, only play SF Glens once this season, giving them an easier route into the postseason.
Soul enter the match in third place with 2.43 points per match, behind Glens’ 2.57 and Storm’s first-place 2.71. With just five matches left in the season, tonight’s outcome will shape the Nor Cal Division.
Initial Takeaways
- An unfortunate end
Storm scored the tying goal in second half stoppage time, which put an unfortunate end on what was a strong performance by Soul. Oakland had some great looks and continued looking dangerous even when up 2-0, but that’s the game sometimes. Storm is a talented bunch and they finished some clinical work in the end. Despite giving up the lead, I thought the CB combo of Shepherd and Veland did really well.
The tie feels like a loss, but it was a helluva game.
- Sam Tran was great
Sam Tran’s goal in the 44th minute was a thing of beauty, whipping in a curling shot from the top of the area on the right side. She was great all game, making multiple long runs in possession to create dangerous looks. Oakland will continue needing her leadership going into the critical final stretch.
- Does this end playoff hopes?
It must be noted that the Nor Cal’s schedule is seriously imbalanced in favor of Storm and SF Glens given the two sides play each other just once. Because of the schedule, Oakland needed a win to make it much more likely they attain one of the two playoff sports for the division.
But, Soul’s playoff chances aren’t over. They almost assuredly have to win-out, including against the Glens to finish the regular season on June 30. Oakland will be rooting for a Storm win over the Glens when they face on June 23.
Starting Lineup
- Oakland Soul Starting 11
The lineup for Storm features Shae Murison up top, once again, with Miranda Nild on the left and Sam Tran on the right. Tatianna Cunningham features in the CAM spot, while Henar Urteaga moves into the midfield alongside Sarah Mirr, a returner from last season. A stronng back line with Frohan at LB, Veland and Shepherd split CB duties and Coady starts at RB. Mendoza starts in goal.
- Cal Storm Starting 11
Timeline
IT’S GAME TIME!!! Can Soul get the job done?
Soul shot high – 1′
Murison shot on target – 2′
Storm shot blocked in front – 9′
Storm’s Riley header wide – 10′
grabbed by Mendoza
Merritt doing its best Skyline College impression
Soul corner – 12′
Ball in to Veland, near chance but can’t make clear contact on shot
Soul corner- 13′
cleared out, but good ball from Frohan to Shepherd, who tried to head it centrally.
Cunningham cross to keeper – 16′
May have been shot, but bad angle in left side
Murison shot on target -19′
Huuuuuge chance missed, ball squeaks through to her but puts it right at the keeper
Storm dangerous work in box, cross goes over net – 24′
Storm dangerous ball out front, nestles in front of net but Mendoza grabs it- 25′
Storm shot wide- 27′
Storm corner – 29′
leads to another
Storm corner- 29′
Storm shot high – 30′
Foul on Shae as she tried to win a long ball – 31′
Storm shot on target, dangerous. We’ll handled – 32′
Soul corner – 33′
leads to shot on target by Henar
Storm shot defended wide for corner – 35′
Storm corner – 35′
leads to counter, great work by Nild
Frohan shot on target from top of box – 35′
Nild blocked – 38′
SAM TRAN GOLAZOOOOOO – 44′
She wheels in on the right side around the top of the area, arcs in a curling shot. Incredibly done
Soul corner – 47′
IT GOES IN!!! ITS 2-NIL
Ball falls to Veland and she shoots it in
Brinkman shot wide – 53′
Storm shot on target – 54′
Dangerous look, Mendoza there to dive and grab it
Storm corner – 58′
Leads to nothing
Robke and Jones on – 65′
Soul free kick – 67′
Longball nearly lands to Veland
Sam great work on transition. Leads to a corner
Soul corner – 68′
Shepherd shot leads to a corner
Soul corner – 69′
Storm corner – 71′
leads to a goal. Game on.
Ball falls to Lancester in front, first touch goal.
Mendoza HUGE save – 76′
The UMass keeper keeps the lead.
Storm corner – 77′
out for goal kick
Storm corner – 78′
Ball in. They retain
Storm header wide – 87′
Carpio on for Nild
Gee shot wide,
Storm ties it at the death. Ouch