Tonganoxie, KS — Tonganoxie- The girls come away with an overtime win against Lansing tonight. We were always the dominant team and you just knew that the goal was coming, you just hoped it didn't take 2 overtimes to get it. It was such a good feeling and made us coaches proud for our girls. For years these girls have stuck together through the difficult games and now they get to experience an overtime win against a bigger school. I am so proud of them and more excited for this season than ever. These girls never gave up and they just kept getting better and better as the game went on. We are learning to adapt and add to our game as the season continues to go and we work to find our identity as a team. Tonights identity was "a team that can possess the ball around the field." It was a joy to watch as the girls did something tonight that they haven't done yet this season. The temptation was there to turn this game into a track meet and try sending through balls all game and we certainly did try that from time to time. Instead these girls understood the possession of the game and using the ball to create open space, passing lanes and ways to keep the ball; even by passing the ball backwards! GAME WINNING GOAL- Miley Maxwell had a tremendous shot in the first overtime from 30 yards away from goal. She sent the ball high and up over the keepers reach right into the back of the net. It was a bench clearing goal that saw girls running on the field in joy to celebrate with Miley and her first career high school (first of many we are sure). Forwards- Miley was tremendous tonight. She worked so hard all game and had shot after shot. You felt like this was going to be the game she scores and boy of boy did she ever. She came up huge for this team. We switched her to outside forward with about 12 minutes left in the 2nd half and she was getting shot after shot. Her link up with Baylie was great and they were building off each other at the end of the game. It was great having Marissa back, she is a dynamic player and really helps us in the attack. She has speed and ball skill and can move the ball around the field. She started connecting with Miley and Natalie in the middle and creating more movement down the field. Baylie was tremendous and a hard worker on the wing. She has found a home and will only continue to get better. Her link up with Miley at the end of the game was great and we are just so proud of the work she put in. Breeonna continues to work hard up top and learn the wing spot. Our game plan for her is to give us 5-10 minutes of playing spells so she can give us 100% that whole time. She is great at winning balls back up top or forcing errors by the defenders and she will be able to start our attack closer to the other teams goal. Midfielders- McKenna was great tonight. She was an anchor in the midfield and showed us why she the leader of this team. We are truly blessed to have her leadership and skills on our team. Kayla is figuring out the passing lanes and finding teammates to move the ball around. Add that to her skill and she is going to be dangerous to other teams. Natalie once again grew in her role and looked awesome in the midfield. She was so fun to watch and is so creative. She moves around and finds herself in great give and go opportunities or opportunities to find herself wide to serve beautiful crosses in. We also have all the confidence in Grae. She continues to improve and is starting to see the passes and moving the ball around. Defenders- The back line continues to improve and as the game went on they were locked down and kept Lansing from getting shots off in the second half. Harlee again was great on the right side. She grows more and more confident in her position with each game. She had the "2nd assist" for the game winning goal with her pass up top to our forwards. Macie is becoming the leader back on the back line and is fun to watch her take over defensively and be a confident player out on the field. Grace keeps you on your toes in a good way, you never know what she is going to do but is turning into a great defender. She is reading the game better and connecting on the ball better. She continues to improve on her passing out of the back. Paityn is confident and ferocious on the back line. She is confident and willing to take on any challenge and you love to see that in a freshman. Goalkeeper- Jaylynn was great tonight. Her first ever action in goal and she figured it out as the game goes on. Having 1 goalkeeper practice under her belt, the sky's the limit. When it comes to our goalkeeper situation we have 3 goalkeepers that are inexperienced so everyday at practice is a battle between them to see who will get that varsity starting spot. The coaching staff haven't committed to a starter for varsity for the season and believe that these girls will keep getting better and the future looks bright for the program as we train 3 keepers; a freshman, sophomore and Junior.