Shock and All Thunder …

The Swampscott U14 Girls Blue Thunder traveled north Saturday to Pentucket for the much anticipated rematch of  the first game of season where the  Blue Thunder prevailed in a 1-0 slugfest.

That Sept. 10th  game clincher was a left footed ball delivered  from the deep left corner by Annie Norton that stunned the Bulldog’s keeper. Going into the rematch, Pentucket has not lost another game as the Blue  Thunder had scored the only goal against them in the previous four games.   The Blue Thunder were coming off a major 2-1 upset of Andover the previous week.
 
In the Oct. 15th Andover game, the Blue Thunder delivered their first bolt in the early minutes of the game when center mid Ellie Wright delivered a perfect thru ball to a streaking  left outside mid Shelly Connor who beat the keeper with a dart to the far post. Then just before the half, Annie Norton delivered a perfect corner allowing Ellie to slam the rebound home. 

Andover mounted continuous counters for the entire second half and managed to score one goal late in the game. The Thunder’s, tenacious defense was lead by Keeper Nicki Bendicksen, Sweeper Haley Carola, and D backs Kate Cadigan, Clare Lang, Caroline Munnley and Annie Norton.

Midfielder/Forwards Ashley Bucklin and Katherine Papele relentlessly attacked the ball creating numerous Andover turnovers
 
Pentucket’s field was wet and soggy as the Swampscott Blue Pentucket Thunder playing with their usually complement of only one sub took the pitch.

As anticipated, the slugfest commenced on the whistle.  Outside mid’s Bailey Shore and Alex Groom made continuous runs off the outstanding midfield passes byf Rebecca (Bebe’s) Caggiano and Ellie Wright. 

After several thwarted efforts by the buzzing Bulldog backs, Bailey broke loose, closed on the keeper and deftly delivered the ball to the keeper’s weak side.  The Bulldog’s stepped up their 3 sub rotations in the second half putting tremendous pressure on the ball.

Swampscott forwards Isabella Fillenworth and Sara Cunningham played very aggressively and subjected the Bulldogs to continuous pressure.  As the final minutes were ticking down, Coach Bendicksen continuously rallied the Blue Thunder who were, at best, running on fumes but hung on for a well deserved, hard fought 1-0  win.
 
Then to cap of the day, the Thunder took the field back in Swampscott for a 4pm game against Boxford that was rescheduled due to team conflicts on 10/29.  The Thunder mounted continuous pressure throughout the first half but were denied by a very talented Boxford keeper. At the half, the Thunder were tired, exhausted but determined to score.

Midway thru the second half, Annie Norton hammered one home and Shelly Conners followed with another goal minutes later. 

The Blue Thunder, tanks totally depleted, triumphatly walked off the field, knowing not one player had left anything on the field, not once but twice.