Alpha Delta Pi and the Alpha Sigma Alpha Ladybugs A duked it out in intramural soccer on Wednesday night with the Ladybugs edging out the win 1-0.
ADPi came out of the gate with confidence and dominated the field position. ASA looked to be on their heels a bit as they struggled to control the ADPi’s energy early on. The Ladybug defense held strong, though, as their keeper, sophomore Alison Blaiklok, made several key saves early. The possession was mostly one sided in the first half as ADPi displayed solid teamwork and ball skills. ASA had their share of opportunities on counterattack balls through the back of the defense, but ADPi’s backs recovered each time in order to stop the attack. The first half ended with a 0-0 tie as neither team could capitalize on their shots on goal.
The beginning of the second half played out in much the same way as the first, with ADPi controlling the possession battle. ADPi had a chance for the first point of the game off a direct kick from 40 feet but the ASA keeper once again made the save. Almost immediately after, the Ladybugs penetrated the ADPi defense and senior Megan Koch sneaked a shot past the keeper to gain a 1-0 advantage. In response to the score, an ADPi midfielder took a shot on goal that hit a defender’s hand, resulting in a penalty kick. She could not capitalize, however, as Blaiklok punched it out, keeping their lead at one. After the game, Blaiklok admitted that she was nervous about defending the penalty kick.
“I was just thinking ‘Oh crap, it’s coming at me,’” Blaiklok said. “I’m just glad I saved it.”
ASA would continue to stall as the final minutes waned down. ADPi could not tie the game in time and the clock ran out, ending the game with a 1-0 ASA Ladybug victory.
“I’m glad we won,” Blaiklok said. “It was a great game. We had a lot of fun.”
ASA moves to 3-4 on the season with the win as ADPi falls to 3-3. Both teams will finish their season next week during the intramural championships.
Story by Peter Northcutt, Staff writer