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ISB won 3-2 against the British International School of Boston on Thursday, September 19th.
Our first game of the season and our first time as a squad travelling to a game. We asked the squad to enjoy themselves and to represent themselves and their community well. They did that and more. The singing on the bus back spoke of a great day all round!
Detailed instructions were eagerly taken in during our bus ride to the field. We will always give individual roles to students during this time so they can feel ready.
The warm-up was in full sunshine and the squad was excited to begin their season. It was clear in the warm-up that the long grass was going to make soccer a different experience to their home astroturf.
Baptiste Saint-Ourens, our official captain for the day, kicked off the match and the pace of the game was quick from the off. It was clear the BISB team were more used to playing expansively on a larger field however our defensive positioning was excellent and we worked hard to close down opponents as a collective unit.
Our midfield of Leon Pinard, Baptiste, Ava McCauley, Stefan de Gooyer and Holling Danzoll did a great job in winning the ball high up the field with support from Maribel Haber who hassled the opposition. At right-back, Isabella Cavallini-Hsu was brilliant in stopping attacks that came frequently down our right side.
BISB's goals both came from that source. BISB had some excellent midfielders and an attacker with real pace so they were set to break.
In both cases, we lost the ball in midfield and they attacked quickly. Moving the ball into the channels and getting beyond our defense. Gaspard Pinard, another of our on field captains rushed out bravely to stop their shots but the distance was a big advantage to the forward who scored both. Our centre backs, Axel Huguet and Max Klumb and defenders Sara Zobian and Madison Dubois had an excellent game and they rebuffed almost everything else that came their way.
In between their goals, Baptiste scored his first. He, Leon and Isa regularly troubled BISB with their dribbling at the defense and Baptiste regularly found himself toe to toe with a few of their players at a time. Baptiste bounced through a tackle after a strong run and was clinical in his finishing.
BISB were strong and they scored their second straight away and just before half time. 2-1 felt harsh as we had fought well and we reminded the players to enjoy themselves and how close the game had been.
The second half began in a similar way to the first however quickly, momentum shifted. Isa, moved into right midfield, gave notice to the opposition by dribbling the ball 20 meters into their half. Tackling had been aggressive from BISB all game and through the half, Isa won 4 free kicks down that side as they couldn't stop her. Holling and Max' calmness spread through the side and despite a lot of changes in midfield to keep us fresh, the squad all did well to keep playing positively.
Baptiste then changed the game. Gaspard, our GK had on the bus talked about his ideas and he put them into action. Knowing we were under pressure he alternated between playing out from the back and finding Baptiste with direct balls to help us advance. This allowed Isa and others to get up the field and into the game. Baptiste used a long ball early in the second half to make a goal for himself. The ball was headed up and backwards by a defender and he ran on to it. Three strides later striking the ball brilliantly into the corner.
BISB then changed their approach. Their formation narrowed to put more defenders on Gaspard, however they created the majority of pressure and had the most territory in the half. Everyone worked so hard to keep them out and they were restricted to long shots.
On the break, Baptiste, Isa and subs Wassim, Leandro, Suzon, Sabria and Salome kept the energy levels high upfront to pressure their defense and allow us to rotate our midfield. Ava played in 4 different positions in 15 minutes! Amazing effort.
The third goal was quite simply brilliant. Baptiste headed a Gaspard kick on from halfway. He ran on to it himself. Three BISB defenders trying to stop him. He dribbled forwards, held them off for a further 15 meters before smashing a rocket of a shot past their giant G9 goalkeeper from 25 meters out.
The opposition coach came over to say well done after the game and specifically praised the goal.
Baptiste was ISB player of the match for his 3 goals but also his work rate and leadership. Holling, his work-rate, skill and calm were consistent throughout, was a close second.
Please find time to praise these players if you can. 2 had played zero soccer before this season. 5 more are inexperienced in soccer. Half of our team have not played much 11 a side ever. They were ALL epic. Thanks to the parents who came to support, and Lindsay Wright who makes it all possible! Merci!