Western Regionals: Women's Recap

​Women's Recap
The Iron Maidens went to the Western Regional Tourney looking to better their 1-2 record from last year's WRT and to find a suitable replacement for their adored yet missing "Splash" cup, who was last seen being pushed in a shopping cart by someone in the SOMA district. 

Game 1 Maidens Vs. All Stars

The Maidens were up against the "All Stars" first. They may have been a hodge-podge team with representatives from 7 or 8 clubs, but they were filled with plenty of US Freedom and other key "all star" players from around the country. After a slow start, wayward goal-kicking, and giving up a two goals in the first half, the Maidens started to play their usual attractive brand of footy and clawed back the lead in the second half with four unanswered goals for an impressive comeback win. 
Final score: Maiden 4.7.31 SF |  All Stars 2.3.14 

Game 2 Maidens Vs. Denver

The main show was at 12pm with a rematch from last years' Nationals final. Hometown favorites and notorious rivals the Denver Lady Bulldogs were always going to be hard to beat on their own ground, in the heat and altitude that they're used to, with ten subs. It was also going to be hard with no goal or boundary umps since the Roos were too busy looking after Bluey to do their umpiring duties. But the Maidens love to be the underdog and put up a good fight. While the defense was able to keep Denver - who scored a combined 11 goals in their other two games - to a single goal for the whole play, they were unable to put their own scoreboard pressure on and went down. 

Final score: Denver 1.5.11 | Maidens 0.1.1

Game 3 Maidens Vs. Seattle/Sac

Hot, tired, and injured, the Maidens needed to get creative with their final game line-up. Mags saw herself in the forward line, Carly down back, and plenty of others in new positions. It was goal for goal but the Seattle/Sacramento combo team managed to hold us out for a one point win. 

Final score:  Seattle/Sac 2.3.15 | Maidens 2.2.14

Highlights:

• Recruiting a new player from Oakland at 11am and having her take the field against Denver at 12pm. Welcome to our new ex college basketball all star, Lulue! Say hi to her tonight at practice.
• Lyra leaving her man in the backline to lay a crunching tackle out of bounds on an unsuspecting Seattle/Sacramento player. 
• Ecks getting an IV from the local hospital after heatstroke in game 2 then returning at half time in the third saying "put me in, coach!" (we negotiated the last 90 seconds and she wasn't allowed to leave the goal square!) 
• Nikki having zero care for her own safety and throwing herself courageously into every contest. She also holds the new USAFL record for most "don't argues" and arm chops in a single tournament. 
• Mags being sent to the forward line after looking proppy in the third game. And, in true Mike Lancaster style, came good whenever the ball came near her and there was a chance at goal. She can claim all our points in that game!
• Mama showing us all how to tape gets put on for a hamstring injury. Hint: Lots of butt action.

While it may now be two years since the Maidens were the Western Champs, that will only make them hungrier for taking home the main event in October.