Bracket Elimination in JAGS Top Flight Opening Game Loss
Team
1
2
Score
Howell United Eclipse
1
1
2
Plainedge Blasters
0
0
0
The 2006 JAGS Premier Invitational kicked off at Fort Dix, New Jersey under weekend conditions that were the toughest of the season with temperatures hovering around ninety degrees. Positioned in the tournament's top twelve group after last year's second bracket victory, the Plainedge Blasters were ready to again do battle with the best teams from Region One. Our tournament opener was against Region One's Howell United Eclipse.
Twenty minutes of ball control and offensive pressure started in favor of the Blasters with no less than five terrific chances generated. The thirteen girls were on a rotation of every eight minutes as positions were being rotated to keep the legs as fresh as possible. Campy played an aggressive series of touches in the twenty-seventh minute that appeared to be positioning Plainedge for yet another offensive attack, but Howell intercepted her pass and counter attacked quickly and scored on their first and only shot of the half to make the halftime score, 1-0.
The Blasters came out well again in half number two, but the late first half goal clearly brought Howell to life in a more evenly played match. With eight minutes remaining and Plainedge gambling for the tie, Howell countered again beating our defense to the lower left side for a 2-0 final score.
Unfortunately with the Saturday round robin play, this opening game loss immediately eliminated Plainedge from bracket contention as Howell and World Class tied their opening match, 2-2.
