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DISAPPOINTING WEEKEND HAS PREMIER LOOKING AHEAD
The Dallas Premier’s journey north of the Red River this weekend was made with great anticipation. The journey home south was filled with disappointment. Needing to sweep both games to remain in the playoff hunt, the Premier came away with a 0-2 loss to front running Oklahoma Alliance on Saturday and a 1-1 tie versus cellar dwelling Tulsa Spirit on Sunday. Oklahoma returns as Big Sky South Champions by beating the Premier, last years champion. The 0-2 result was typical in that the Premier found scoring difficult. The Alliance, whose roster is filled with young, fast players that have been together for the last five years, played a major role in keeping the Premier off the board. Several outstanding plays were made by the Alliance when they had to be made. “Our kids are young, but they’ve been together awhile. We play hard and well together.” Stated Alliance Head Coach Jimmy Hampton. That seemed to be the difference in this game that saw the Alliance score early when a cross found an all alone Alliance player 3 yards from the goal. The Premier didn’t panic and went after the Alliance with continued pressure, especially
F Princess Haley who seemed to be all over the field trying to reek havoc. When Center Back Jessica Maxwell went down Haley was moved by Head Coach Brian Flanagan to defender where she performed with the same excellence she had been up front. Hampton knew scoring early was important because of the Premier’s defense. “It was big getting a goal early, we have always had trouble scoring against their defense. Their right back, (D Alicia Marshall) has been giving our girls fits for the last three years, she’s a player. And #13 (F, Haley) also had an outstanding game.” Head Coach Brian Flanagan agreed, “Princess may have had one of her best games. When Jess went down I moved her to the back and she was outstanding there too.” The season is not over for the Premier just yet. They will head to Kansas later this month to defend their U-23 USASA National Championship and then to Pennsylvania for the USASA Women’s Open National Championship. |
