Ben Franklin 2, Ursuline 0

[FalconDad]

Mon. 2/12:

Ben Franklin 2
Ursuline 0

Goals: Carrie Albert (free kick, 40th minute); Izzy Durante (header off Carrie Albert free kick, 57th minute)

First half mostly dominated by Franklin as Ursuline played a straight 4-4-2 with the midfielders dropping defensively. In the second half, Ursuline went to 3 and even 4 forwards at times. They did better at staying in the Franklin end and had several shots, but none that seriously tested the Franklin keeper. Franklin's 2nd half offense, including the run that resulted in the second goal, came on counterattacks.

Lots of fouls. Three yellow cards, all to Franklin -- two to the same player, who departed with about 10 minutes left. Franklin nevertheless held on for the win.

Well-coached game, played at high intensity by both teams for 80 minutes. Would have been more fun to watch if I hadn't cared about the outcome.

[sooner]

I agree with FalconDad's assessment. They only negative was that the play got a little dirty at times, with lots of arms & elbows, a bit of shoving, and some running up the backs of players. I should say that BF's player who got the red card was sort of suckered into her second yellow. A little tighter calling of the rough stuff earlier might have prevented the series of events that led to her 2nd yellow. But that wasn't really the whole story of the game, so enough of that.

Franklin were more aggresive to the ball and more determined. They won most of the 50-50's, closed fast on defense, and probably won 90% or more of balls in the air. (They are very tall.)
Carrie Albert was the player of the game, as neither side really put together any pretty attacks. She not only scored a goal and and assisted on another with two great free kicks, but when she moved to the back, she owned everything that got to the box. She never missed, and her clearances were sure. I'm glad she's a senior!

UA showed some letdown in intensity after the emotional OT road win over Vandebilt, but BF was there to play. As FalconDad noted, UA generated some decent attacks in the 2nd half, but except for one brief moment of ragged defending, and one good UA free kick. UA created no real danger in the final 1/3 of the field. From a UA dad's perspective, it was a disappointing finish to a fine season. I expected we would play better with BF than we did, and maybe we will give a better account when we play them in our new division next year, but tonight BF got the well-deserved win. Congratulations to them!