Sodium advances to Quarter Finals in State Cup

Sodium advanced to the Quarter Finals of the 2009 State Cup by defeating the Aloha United Xtreme club at Aloha High School this morning. Even though the score was 0-0 at half, the first 35 minutes was all Sodium. The lady warriors knew they had a job to do, they just didn't know how hard they would have to work to get it done. In the first half alone Sodium took over 15 shots on goal. They were high, they were wide, they were off the far post. Sodium just could not buy a goal in the first half. After a "pep" talk by coach Tom, Sodium took the field in the second half with their game faces on. The second half began as the first had ended. Sodium was on the attach with run after run. Break-a-way after break-a-way. Hats off to the Aloha keeper, she stopped more shots, and received more bruises, than she has had all season I would bet. At the 15 mark of the second half we found Laura Camp lining up for a corner kick. Lately, coach Tom has sent the entire team, bench, fans and kitchen sink into the box on corner kicks. A very effective strategy so far, and this proved it again as Lexi Frey, left defender, headed Laura's corner kick into the net for a 1-0 Sodium lead! The remaining fans roared and did the wave as everyone cleared the goal box. Play continued in the Xtreme end and with under 3 minutes left Lexi, now at left mid, drove deep into Aloha territory, launched a perfect cross to a driving Emmy Owens who ripped the back of the net for what proved the final goal and solidified a Sodium 2-0 win and clinching the brackets #1 spot.

Quarter Final Bracket at a glance;
All games Saturday 5/2/09 @ Aloha High School
9:30AM - OR Rush vs OSA Inferno
11:AM - FC Portland vs Sherwood Force
12:30PM - LOSC Extreme vs Keizer Hotshots
2:00PM - Sodium vs SSC Hotspur

Important Notes;
LOSC only posted a 2-0 win over OSA Inferno. OSA is for real. Of course, Sodium only posted a 2-0 win over Aloha. EMFC 95 Magic tied Sherwood Force and actually beat them in PK's. And, SSC Hotspur only beat WSM Strikers 1-0, a team Sodium has beat up on for 2 years.

SSC Hotspur
2009 State Cup
Beat by OR Rush 3-0
Beat LOSC Harambee [B] 6-0
Beat Clackamas United Elite 3-0
Beat WSM Strikers 2-1

2008 Fall League
Hotspur was undefeated in fall league.
They beat Sherwood Force, OSA Inferno, PCU Impact, OC Fireballs, WUSC Flamengo, Aloha United Xtreme and LOSC Harambee.

2009 Spring League
Tied EMFC Magic 2-2
Beat OC Fireballs 1-0
Beat WSM Strikers 2-0
Beat OSA Explosion [B] 4-1
Beat Sherwood Force 2-0
Beat WUSC Flamengo 5-0
Beat PCU Impact 3-0
*Funny thing, it never shows SSC playing FC Portland or Keizer Hotshots and they were all in the same league??

Take-a-ways:
1) SSC knows how to win.
2) Sodium needs to neutralize their offensive threat [only one girl is scoring from what I can tell]
3) FINISH. So far in State Cup Sodium has missed more shots than I can remember.
4) Hotspur hasn't advanced to this level in a few years. If Sodium can attack the goal early, it should deflate them.
5) Look at the bracket Hotspurs played in. They got beat 3-0 by OR Rush, the only real team, and then beat a handfull of lesser teams.
6) Sodium needs to play their game. DO NOT PLAY YOUR OPPONENTS GAME. If your opponent plays slow & timid, Sodium needs to play their typical fast and physical game. If your opponent wants to play boot-ball, LET THEM. We need to play our calculated, controlled game still, no matter what.

We have a great opportunity to take out SSC Hotspur next weekend and then on to the next round. Stay focused, work hard and make every effort count. This can be your year Sodium, it all depends on who wants it bad enough to make the sacrifices to succeed. Get the rest you need, eat right and practice hard. You have to believe in yourself Sodium. Your loyal fans believe in you.

From the bleachers at Aloha High School we yell; GO SODIUM!