The San Antonio Corinthians v San Antonio Surf WPSL teams faced each other on Wednesday, May 25th. This was a game of halves. In the first half Surf dominated possession. The second half the tide turned and Corinthians maintained the lion’s share of possession. Two teams with solid local talent and academies to feed into the senior team went head to head.

In the first half the Corinthian’s defensive line needed a little more discipline and organization. Surf was able to take advantage of these opportunities. Corinthians really needed to work as a unit. Corinthians have graduated several players to college or overseas to play utilizing a young squad in this match that will only get better as they develop and grow into this league.

In the 25th minute the Surf goalie came out to the top of the penalty area sliding to stop a breakaway. Needless to say, she got the player and not the ball. The referee smartly called for the penalty kick. The Corinthians attacker did not convert it. This situation in the first half was an example of the Corinthians taking advantage of quick transitions and uneven numbers.

Corinthians head coach Joe Shafer made the right adjustments at halftime to make a significant turn in the 0-0 game. They scored in the 48th minute. The shot hit the cross bar the attacker followed up to finish it while the Surf defenders watched. The Corinthians found the outside passing lanes to get in 2 on 1 situations with the last defender. They proceeded to outshoot Surf in the second half. If they sharpen up their shots they will be hard to beat.

Surf lost a key defender and former UTSA player Janaye Shepherd as she gingerly walked off early in the second half and didn’t go back in. This probably led to the defensive lapses.

Corinthians won 1-0.

- Danielle Gawronski