It was another week full of games for the Malad soccer team as they took on Aberdeen, American Falls and Teton.  The three matches bumped their season record to 3-6, adding a win and two losses.  The highlight of the week was the evening home game played on the football field under the lights, a first for the Lady Dragons.

The week’s games started with their Tuesday afternoon game in Aberdeen against the Tigers.  The Lady Dragons continued their winning streak against Aberdeen going back to 2020, shutting them out 5-0.

Thursday night the MHS team hosted the American Falls Beavers Thursday, September 18.  Moving the nets to the football field, the Lady Dragons played under the lights, a fun change from their usual soccer field.

Whether it was the new venue or the building rivalry between Malad and American Falls, the game turned out to be an intense, aggressive, and entertaining game.  The Lady Dragons had the first chance at goal, working the ball towards Beaver territory and booting the ball toward the net.  Knowing the talented American Falls keeper, it was no surprise that their first attempt was unsuccessful.

Taking possession of the ball after the attempt, the Beavers took the ball down the field to contest the MHS defense.  Lady Dragon keeper, Aubrey Shulz, came out to challenge the ball, blocking the kick and then snagging it out of the air to send to her own teammates.

Malad did well to compete with American Falls, maneuvering the ball through the defenders, clearing it out before the Beavers could take possession, and utilizing the field to its potential.  They were clearly frustrating their 4A opponents, giving them a tougher game than they had anticipated.  

The Lady Dragons had a crucial defensive stop as the Beavers meandered their way through the MHS defense.  Circling back with the ball after Malad had cleared it away from the goal area, it was suddenly a one on one situation.  The Malad defender stuck with the ball, pressuring her enough to muddle the chance of an easy shot.  As the American Falls shooter kicked the ball to the Dragon net, Shulz jumped to put a hand on the ball to send it wide of the net and out of bounds. 

Moving the game up and down the field, it wasn’t long before the Beavers were in Dragon territory again.  Booting the ball, the American Falls player sailed the ball in the neck, just under crossbar and far above what the MHS keep could reach, scoring the first goal of the game.  The Beavers landed a second goal, gliding it high over the goalie to ensure a second score.

Playing until the final whistle of the first half, the Lady Dragons worked to bring the ball into scoring range.  Sneaking inside of the Beaver receiver, the MHS forward bodied the ball before sending it downfield towards the AF goal.  Seeing the soccer ball going behind the defenders, the American Falls keeper came up to rush the ball.  

They bumped the ball back towards the MHS players, but not far enough to clear it away from them.  Malad reacted quickly, booting towards the empty net.  Landing feet in front of the goal, the ball began rolling in but was scooped up by the running AF goalie before it could land over the goal line.

It wasn’t long before Malad had another scoring opportunity, a corner kick that the Lady Dragons were able to convert into their only score of the night.  Throwing the ball in from the left corner, the soccer ball sailed across the penalty area.  The two teams jostled for possession of the ball when suddenly Malad had a clear shot.  Lobbing it over the defenders, the ball arced into the net, just under the cross bar for a Malad goal, bringing the score 1-2.

Pausing for half time, the two teams came out with even more intensity and aggression. Shouldering for positing, jostling for possession and tripping in an attempt to steal the ball became the play.  Keeping their composure, Malad took control of the game, constantly demanding the AF defenders to protect their territory.  

The Lady Dragon defenders took away any potential scoring opportunities, clearing the ball down the field.  Shulz didn’t allow a single shot to cross the goal line throughout the second half, reading the ball just right to know when to rush it and scoop up the ball or hesitate in the net to bat it out.  Malad had a number of close attempts on goal, sailing just high or wide.  Both teams remained scoreless the remainder of the game, American Falls claiming the win 2-1.

Saturday afternoon closed out their weeks’ games as they hosted the Teton Wolverines.  The tough team came to play and held the Lady Dragons scoreless while they were able to connect with the net for 8 goals. 

For their third week in a row, the MHS team looks to play three games over the next seven days.  They will start with their second matchup against the Cougars in Firth on Tuesday, followed by another faceoff with the Marsh Valley Eagles before ending the week hosting the South Fremont Cougars Saturday, September 27.