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March 31  

The girls of United Quest U12 '88 White finally bagged their first victory of the 2001 Spring season with a 1-0 victory over a very good Stone Mountain Spirit squad. In what has become a troublesome trend, the Quest team was without their full roster, but once they had a slim lead they managed to protect it for what seemed an eternity. The Stone Mountain midfield was composed and their defense was stubbornly determined to stop the Quest attack. On offense, the Spirit forwards displayed a disciplined attack, but were thwarted at every scoring opportunity by a similarly determined United team defense and steady goalkeeping. Ali Schultz was very effective closing off attacking players wide, and Alex Russ-Stefancic's aggressive play kept the other team off-balance in the middle of the field. The lone goal of the day came off of a penalty kick awarded Quest after a Spirit defender took the legs out from under Madison Porter, who worked hard all afternoon and was closing on goal after an excellent run into the Stone Mountain penalty area. Her promising attack was ended by a sliding, but late-arriving, Spirit fullback, which resulted in the penalty. Gabrielle Dobry converted the resulting PK with confidence, and the single goal would prove to be the game winner.

The Quest offense is getting sharper each week, but once again goal finishing proved elusive as the girls had difficulty consummating their attacks. Forward Amanda Masters just missed on a left-footed shot that scared the right post, and then no doubt saw open goals in her dreams after missing on another attempt from just inside the area that could have provided an insurance goal. Additional runs at the Spirit goal by other United players came up similarly short, or were turned away by the consistent play of the Stone Mountain defense. At the other end, a new-look Quest midfield scrapped for every ball, their back three absorbed a ton of pressure, and keeper Ana Trujillo survived a revival of Riverdance on her head right at her goalmouth before the final whistle mercifully sounded. Finally, the well-deserved victory was secure.

All of the girls are responding to their coaching and hitting their marks, so the goals will come if they can just keeping working hard and getting their shots off when they are available. With players missing each week, flexibility of substitution has not been available to Coach Anne Bristol, but she has kept the players focused on team play and execution. With tired legs seemingly their most formidable opponent thus far this season, the Quest squad must continue to run hard when it makes sense, continue to win those 50/50 balls in all parts of the field, and avoid the reflex "whack" when under pressure. Along with improving stamina and good team play, come goals and celebrations. Congratulations to the team for this hard-fought victory. More will no doubt soon follow.