I shot one of the best games of the season up at NAAC on Monday between the visiting Wheat Ridge Farmers and the D’Evelyn Jaguars. It was a beautiful day, with nice overcast skies giving nice even light.
For most of the first half it appeared that Wheat Ridge was in control of the game, spending most of the first half in front of the D’Evelyn goal. In fact, while the ball was down on that end, I had a visitor come sit down next to me.
This rabbit came out from under the bleachers and sat down next to me and watched the game for a couple minutes. A lot of younger kids were getting all excited about the bunny. But no sooner did it set down and get comfy…
it took off onto the field, ran into the Wheat Ridge goal, then ran to the other side of the field and hid under the other set of stands. So exciting! My first rabbit shoot!
Wheat Ridge jumped on the score board first, but before the end of the half, D’Evelyn tied the game up. Honestly, it was not looking good for D’Evelyn, and just out of the blue they scored.
In the second half, Wheat Ridge kept the pressure up on D’Evelyn, but the Jaguars had stepped it up too. Neither team was able to find the back of the goal in the 2nd half, so we went into overtime. No more bunny sightings.
This was my first time seeing either team, and I was really impressed with the play on both sides in the second half and in overtime. A lot of physical play, but only one yellow card for a hard hit. The refs, for the most part were letting the girls play soccer.
When the clock ticked down to end overtime, we were still knotted up at one all, so we were heading into a second overtime frame.
It continued to be a physical game, to the point that maybe the officials should have stepped in a little more than they did. But they continued to play and let some physical play go. Like an old basketball coach I had, “No blood, no foul”. Wheat Ridge had plenty of chances to get that golden goal, but just could not capitalize on the openings. Missed shots wide, or right at the Jaguar goalie just kept the game going.
Even the 1st OT break away above by Wheat Ridge senior Macee Broer could not find the back of the net. But then, out of the blue, from outside the box, D’Evelyn senior Madi Hall launched a shot past Wheat Ridge goalie, senior Carly Manahan to win the game. D’Evelyn players dog piled on top of each other in celebration as the Wheat Ridge players fell to the ground, partially from exhaustion, mostly because of disappointment after dominating the game except for two, out of nowhere D’Evelyn goals.
Now, something that I did not expect, and did not have a good angle to grab happened, and it happened twice. I have seen video before, I have heard stories about it, but in all the soccer games I have photographed, i had never witnessed it. During two throw ins at the other end of the field, a D’Evelyn player did a proper flip throw in. I did get some shots of the second throw in, but these are a heavy crop that I turned into a small movie that you can see HERE.
To view and purchase photos from this game, please visit MaxPreps.
