It was a physical match Wednesday afternoon between the Lady Mavs and Bayou Academy, but Manchester was the victor, 8-0.The Mitchell ReportThere have only been four games in Manchester Academy’s season, but already they’re looking just as good as they did a year ago.
Maybe even better.
It’s hard to beat the goal-scoring ability of Kristen Morris, but the current Lady Mavs sure are making it look easy. Of course, Kailtyn Woods and Annie Peaster are showing the ability to score whenever they put a foot on the ball. Lyncyn Relinquias can also score goals, like she did on last Wednesday’s free kick that, literally, made the Lady Colts’ wall come apart like Humpty Dumpty.
Throw in the same, suffocating defense that has allowed offenses just one shot on goal this season and we’re looking at a soccer team that could go further than last year’s team, which is just one more game.
Taking a step back, though, the Lady Mavs have yet to be truly contested. They easily defeated Copiah, Marshall (twice) and Bayou. However, that changes this week.
Manchester faces its stiffest competition to date when they travel to Indianola Academy Wednesday afternoon. That game will be an indicator of how good this team is.
Me, personally, I think this Lady Mavs team is just as good as the one I saw for the first time last year. They have the same explosive scoring ability, a ball-controlling midfield and a defense that doesn’t allow an opposing player much time to set up an attack.
One thing that Manchester showed Wednesday was its toughness. It was a very physical game. From the opening whistle it was that way. Players were fighting for position on loose balls and bumping into one another when player was dribbling the ball.
One part of that was desperation on Bayou’s end of trying to keep Manchester from scoring more goals. One time, a Lady Colt defender pulled on the jersey of one of the Lady Mavs, pulling her to the ground. That resulted in Relinquias’ free kick that turned into the sixth goal of the first half for Manchester.
Another time the Bayou goalkeeper did a hip check on a Manchester forward that should have drawn at least a yellow card. Alas, all that was called was a free kick.
Neither team played dirty or was out there to intentionally hurt someone (this isn’t the New Orleans Saints). What happened was a really good team played a great offensive game.
If the Lady Mavs can keep up this performance, then there is a little trophy waiting for them at the end of the season.