The Dux soccer team used a late goal to defeat the Chix in the first volume of the 2018 Riley St. rivalry. The first half was played pretty evenly, with both teams battling for possession through the midfield. The Dux back four of Lucy Bouvier, Mattie Busscher, Josie Bos and Tally Martinez held the speedy and athletic Chix offense in check for most of the first half. "Defensively, we did a decent job of dealing with their speed and athleticism, especially on the outside. Our communication through the middle was respectable, but they still were able to generate a couple of quality chances on our keeper." Offensively, the first half was pretty even, with both teams searching for seams to slip balls in behind opposing defenses. "We had decent movement up top and in the midfield, but our timing was a bit of. We generated 3 or 4 really good chances, but their goal keeper played extremely well, especially in the first half." Sam Hecht nearly got the Dux off to an early lead on a breakaway, but the ball kicked up as Hecht struck the ball and sailed into the waiting arms of the Chix keeper. A shot by the Chix off the near post almost beat Ryleigh Farrell, yet the score remained tied at 0-0 heading into the break.

"We made some adjustments defensively in the second half, closing down some passing lanes and working harder to challenge for 50/50 balls. We did a better job of applying pressure on them when they had the ball, and recovered better defensively in transition. Offensively, we had better movement off of the ball up top, and our timing was a little better, but we still struggled to put the ball in the back of the net." Despite being outpossessed the second half, the Chix did generate a couple of good scoring chances, but Farrell played with confidence, poise and decisiveness in back, and the Dux back line held up. "Ryleigh played with a lot of maturity and confidence between the pipes for us tonight. Her willingness in coming out aggressively snuffed out a lot of their better chances before they could get a good look at goal. With each game, she seems to be gaining confidence which helps our team play with more composure and confidence." 

Chix goal keeper Hope Steenwyk also had a solid performance in net, making several key saves by the Dux offense - time and time again she was there to deflect a free kick over the bar, or deflect a shot to the side, or snag a ball out of the air on corner kicks. But it was a breakaway by Kyarra Blattner that was the difference between a win and a tie. Blattner used her speed and strength to get in behind the Chix defense, made two really solid and composed touches on top of the 18 before firing a low shot beneath the arms of Steenwyk, securing the 1-0 victory over the Chix. "We talk frequently about capitalizing on chances and making the most of our opportunities. Kyarra made a great individual play at the right moment, showing poise and confidence on the ball with that goal."

The Dux are 2-0-2 (1-0 OK Green) on the season, and travel to Unity Christian on Thursday in another OK Green Conference match. #Hug&HighFive