It seemed the dismal noreaster forecasted was enough encouragement to keep many players at home, as both Harps and McKeons/Velocity (MV) started with the required minimum of seven a side in the freezing rain. Harps started strong with Erin Cullen making several threatening runs up the right wing in her first fall appearance. Falling back into her old patterns, Aoife West stepped on the pitch late, but soon made up for it as she sent in a shot from the left wing beating the keeper on the slick and slippery surface, putting the Harps ahead. Both teams acquired one more player a piece making it 9-Harps v 8-MV. Lili Siegelson came on for Harps up front and did a fine job of harassing their defense. This shifted Ashley Bonnett to stopper, a new position for her which she gladly and more than competently stepped into. But the disadvantage in numbers didn’t discourage MV as their striking speed beat the Harps defense on a few occasions, and twice forcing keeper Marissa Bea into making critical and brilliant diving saves to keep Harps in the lead.
The second half found a Harps still eager to take full advantage of the extra player and kept sending in shots, albeit rarely did they force the keeper to make a save. Meanwhile, MV kept Harps defense in check, forcing Teresa Brink to bring her famous sliding tackles out of retirement, one of which was lucky not to result in an own goal. Some Harps players looked to be getting tired (or lazy), in particular, West, who was standing flat-footed inside the box when a lucky ball dropped to her feet and she took a crack on goal and getting as fortune would have it, the ball trickled through the keeper’s fingers for the second and final goal of the match. Harps defeat McKeons/Velocity 2-0.
Best for Harps: Aoife West, Erin Cullen & Ashley Bonnett