(The young ladies chat again)
Ashley Barrett>: We are so close I can taste it. Great job again, Zoey, Sammi, and all the defenders.
Samantha O’Keefe>: We are on the cusp of doing something great for sure, but let’s remember that’s just like any other game.
Holly Sanders>: I’ve always wanted to play Bears Armed!
Zoey Anderson>: Thanks Ashley, it was a complete effort, and if we play like that again, we can beat Bears Armed.
Samantha O’Keefe>: One advantage we have against them is that Cassadagans don’t say, “Wait a second, we actually gotta play Bears?” There is so much history between Cassadaigua and Bears Armed on the pitch, that we know how to take them.
Zoey Anderson>: All the Pink Cup meetings, and we have a winning record, historically, against them.
Holly Sanders>: Yeah they don’t scare me.
Ashley Barrett>: Good points, I am not scared of them and like Holly, I can’t wait to play them, it will be exciting. Sammi, you actually have played in a game against the Bear-Belles huh?
Samantha O’Keefe>: Yep I got playing time in the Pink Cup game. They are just like anyone else. You just have to prepare yourself for when you might collide with them, a little more of a furry sensation against your body. But they play clean, and are a well disciplined team.
Holly Sanders>: You have to do some things differently though, right?
Samantha O’Keefe>: Coach will go through those things, but yes. Obviously you might want to think twice before attempting to tackle one of them. You have to concede some things to them, but at the same time, you can use their size and bearliness against them.
Zoey Anderson>: Their shots are more powerful. So I might be surrendering more rebounds. Sammi should be on top of that. But at the same time, those rebounds, because of the power of the shot, don’t directly bounce in a prime position like when a human shoots. They can be harder for a forward to contain.
Ashley Barrett>: I noticed footage of that on our Pink Cup win. Sometimes you get a deflection off them after the rebound and it goes out of bounds, and it becomes a goal kick.
Samantha O’Keefe>: It’s just one of things that we can play to our advantage. I know it, coach knows it. Don’t forget Meaghan has a ton of experience of making a game plan against Bears both from her playing days and as a coach. So listen to her strategies. I know you always do, but just keep that up. She will especially know what she is talking about on this.
Holly Sanders>: Oh I will. I think its gonna be a great game!
Ashley Barrett>: I’m not scared of the big ol’bear!
Zoey Anderson>: We are on the verge of doing something great. We’re already gone further then any Cassadagan team ever has in the Di Bradini Cup. But when you think of where we were before the Cup, with people wondering if the nation was going to cease. The revitalization has lifted up spirits in the country, and this title will not only show that we haven’t gone away, but we are still strong and one of the best soccer nations in the world, not just now, but for the future.
Holly Sanders>: Amen to that!
Samantha O’Keefe>: Z is exactly right. Don’t forget about all those people at home watching us. We have a lot of support. I am pretty sure there will be a lot of pink and black in the stands, too. If we don’t win this game, it will be heartbreaking, but we are winners regardless. We have nothing to lose tomorrow. We were the last nation to sign up. No one thought we were going to get this far, but we have battled. Survived some controversy against Polar Islandstates, and a shootout. This resiliency is something our teams have been known for in other tournaments, but not in the Di Bradini Cup. We have championship instincts. The Bears are tough and good. They have overcome things too, but this is our Cup. Let’s go grab it!
Ashley Barrett>: Hell yeahh!!!
Samantha O’Keefe>: And if we win I’ll buy a home in Civil Citizenry and take back everything I said!
Holly Sanders>: Wooot! Lol that might be the best incentive for us to win right there!!
Zoey Anderson>: Sleep well tonight. Study Meaghan’s game plan closely, and we will make this dream a reality!
