Columbia 2, Shaker 0
Damn, it's the midway point of the season already?
Columbia & Shaker were at two different points in the Suburban Council before Thursday's game: Columbia had the momentum, riding a high after beating previously unbeaten Shen, and they had one loss of their own. Shaker was really trying to get something going - they haven't been able to put anything in the back of the net this season, which has been a sour note to a team that is strong defensively. Not much changed during this one. Columbia took advantage of a couple chances, Shaker came up empty on their opportunities, and Columbia's still rolling while Shaker's still reeling.
Right from the start, you could tell it would be an 80 minute battle. They were trying to feel each other out at first, with Shaker winning the possession game over the first 15-20 minutes. In the first 20 minutes, each team had taken 3 shots - Shaker took 3 weak shots on goal, and Columbia ripped 3 shots off frame. I said right then, I'd rather be in Columbia's position because of the strength of the shots. A couple minutes later, I'd really say that. Columbia's leading scorer Kylee Arno was able to get the ball and zig zag through a few Blue Bison defenders like traffic cones, and her finish in the 22nd minute put Columbia up 1-0. The rest of the half was stagnant - not a bad stagnant, just a 'not a whole lot happening' stagnant. Play was about as even as you can get, except for the scoreboard. Shots were about even at 8-7 Columbia, but Shaker had put 1 more of those on goal. It was anyone's game still, and Shaker started the final 40 minutes on a tear... but didn't score. For the first 15 minutes, it was the first time a team looked noticeably better on the field, and it was the home team. Shaker was putting things together and putting pressure on Columbia's back end, but it continually broke down late, leading into a weak shot or no shot. Columbia was able to ward off the early Shaker push and evened play back up. The Blue Devils put a couple shots on goal, including a high one that Shaker's GK Madison LaMarche made a fine save (as the soccer heads call it) to her right. She would have no such luck in the 77th minute though, when Lindsay Mulligan put up a shot from the Northway that looked more like a pop fly... and dropped perfectly into the top of goal over her hands. With 3:48 and a 2-0 score in favor of Columbia, pretty much all was said and done.
Shaker's problems throughout the season leading up to Thursday showed again. They could dominate play and be the better team, but the team that wins is the one who scores the most; and they couldn't finish. Plays that looked great disintegrated at the tail end, opportunities that should provide a strong shot on goal turned into a dribbler to the goalie. They can be competitive against nearly anyone, but really need help putting the ball in the back of the net. Columbia outshot Shaker 16-13, and Shaker had 3 corners to just 1 for Columbia - all of those in the 2nd half. LaMarche made 5 saves and controlled it 6 other times in non-saves for Shaker, and Jessica Schafer made 6 saves and 8 non-save controls for Columbia. Even the goal kicks were equal at 8 apiece. Two balanced teams went at it, but one was able to finish, and they brought home the W.
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