Much like CRU Panther, their sister team, did in the ’06 Spring Forekicks playoffs, CRU Cheetah had to overcame an early goal in their shortened 25 minute semifinal game to win the Forekicks  ‘06  Fall Indoor League Championship.

A great goal in the third minute of play gave the Greenville Lady Strikers a huge advantage in the game.  CRU Cheetah had not beaten them in indoor league play.

Cheetah had played the entire league schedule utilizing a very disciplined attack and perhaps because of their confidence possessing the ball they simply did not panic.

Center midfielders Kelly Sanborn, Jackie Pounder and Chelsea Reardon controlled play and included defenders Meredith Daly, Nina Juitt and Lindsay Bender in the attack.  Unfortunately Chelsea could not continue much beyond the middle of the semifinal game.  Jess McLeod seemed unbeatable in goal and was able to find our attackers on just about every distribution out of goal.

Striker Ashleigh Chretien was also not able to play because of a fracture in her foot. However she came to support the team and cheer the girls on. Striker Siobhan Ryan became the hero in the semi final game.  After several great scoring attempts by Megan Kessler, Victoria Howe and midfielder McCleary Philbin and a great free kick by defender and newly appointed team captain Nina Juitt, Siobhan was subbed into the game and promptly scored on her first touch.  That tied the match at 1 to 1 and sent the semis into an overtime period.

In the “sudden death” that followed McCleary controlled a throw-in on the touchline and dramatically took on two Lady Strikers as she dashed toward goal.  Siobhan was making space for herself just off the ball and McCleary cleverly dished the ball between the two defenders to an open Siobhan who confidently scored the winner.  The game was ours and it led us to the finals.

In the finals, striker Victoria Howe did all the scoring.  During the semi final game, Victoria had been denied from scoring by the Lady Strikers’ keeper.  She must have decided not to let the Sharon keeper frustrate her in the finals

In the very beginning of the finals Victoria received a pass from Kelly Sanborn at about midfield.  A player was aggressively defending her.  However she turned so skillfully that the defender was beaten and Victoria was left 1v1 with the keeper.  She shot low and hard and easily scored.

Everyone played very well in the finals.  Cheetah’s ball movement and possession was remarkable.

The winning goal was also scored by Victoria .  She controlled a through ball, made a move to her left and slotted the ball into the right corner of the goal as she was being pushed to the ground by a Sharon defender.  McCleary had set up the play on the left touchline with very skillful ball movement.  She found Siobhan in the middle of the pitch who smartly threaded the through ball to Victoria.

Sharon was able to pull back a goal in the second half but the outcome seemed pretty safe though out the rest of the match.