United Cup Exposes Areas of Opportunity

The United Cup this weekend exposed some areas of opportunity for Sodium. The term 'Team defense' was heard in the Sodium huddle as well as lessons about possession, control and communication. This United Cup proved to be a learning experience. Girls playing different positions, different combinations of players.
Friday: The lady warriors came out a little flat on Friday morning. The 8 day lay-off was evident. Sodium came up short in the 3-2 loss to Esu Arsenal at Gutherless Park. Passing, communication and hustle were a little lacking. Hannah Lautenbach scored within the first minute to give Sodium the early lead. Arsenal scored 3 unanswered goals before Emmy Owens scored on a Hannah assist.
Saturday: (Day)
As was true most of last season, when Sodium tastes defeat, the next team they play falls hard. Thus was the story against Clackamas Elite. A 7-0 spanking was the result. The scoring was led by Emmy Owens (4) Mac Kearney (1), Jadyn McMillan (1) and Marisa Reid (1). What can I say, the play was contained to the Elite side of the field all game.
Saturday: (Evening)
When a player defects to another club it always creates a rivalry. Thus is the case with WSM Strikers. To add to the fire, it was rumored that some of the WSM parents were running their mouths about how Sodium was, "Going down!" at the hands of the Strikers. Open mouth, insert foot. The lady warriors didn't need much more motivation than that to give the WSM team a good old fashioned beating. Sodium dominated them from the opening whistle. Emmy Owens scored on an assist from Bailey Hall to open the game. Laura Nguyen scored off a Bailey Hall corner kick and late in the game Payten Sonnen added the icing on the cake when she slid in and finished a Katherine Kramer cross in major league fashion!
Sunday:
Normally, you don't have to motivate Sodium to play Lake Oswego. Today, someone forgot to. Down 2-0 at half, Sodium had to scramble. On a feed from Hannah Lautenbach, Emmy Owens once again found the back of the net to bring the lady warriors to within one. A tie was just not in the stars as LO fired in 3 more goals before an alert Laura Camp chipped a shot from 20-yards that found the upper part of the net. Tom moved the "Big Kahuna" line-up putting Bailey and Bethany Hall at forward with Emmy. As with other times they have shown this or a similar set, Sodium pushed the LO defense back on their heels and into the 6-yard box. For the final score, Bethany found Payten streaking down the right side where she rifled it in. Minutes later the whistle blew and an irritated Sodium marched off the field with a 5-3 loss.

Game Notes:
Hates off and Thank You go to Erika Cook and Taylor Moscoe for stepping up and going out of position to play goalie. You girls did a great job under the circumstances and can leave the field with your heads held high. No other player could have done a better job and no one else on the team rose up to take the challenge. Thank you.
Also, we saw Laura Camp and Laura Nguyen play some mid-field, Bailey & Bethany Hall, Taylor Coon and Erika play forward and an assortment of other position shifts. I will admit, when we have the "Big Kahuna" line-up in, they are pretty intimidating!

After the last game Tom circled the team and parents. He spoke of not being disappointed but more irritated with the loss. He touched on the positives that came from this weekend and that the girls need to put this behind them, work hard and focus on the areas of improvement.

"Every team we play, it's going to be like their World Cup" was the quote from Tom. No truer words were spoke.

Next Up: Cross Fire Tournament - July 12th thru 14th in Seattle

"If it is to be, it's up to me"

GO SODIUM!