With the onslaught of snow, sleet and freezing rain, the Sodium team is taking a little R & R time this winter. Conditions have made it impossible to GET anywhere, let alone practice. So, keep practicing those foot skills in the house girls, knocking over the Christmas tree, candles, mom's best china, little brothers and the dog. And between hot cocoa, peanut butter balls and 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' reruns, make sure you play hours of Wii Fit and Dance, Dance Revolution to keep in tip top physical shape! Oh, and you could actually bundle up and go outside for a long walk. [if you don't mind frost bite and being pelted by razor sharp frozen particles of ice blowing in sideways that is!]
Have a Happy Holiday Season One and All!
But most importantly remember: Ho Ho Ho, GO SODIUM!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Surf Cup Recap
Wow, what a weekend! Stiff competition, good weather, great soccer!
Despite not advancing to the second round the lady warriors held their own against nationally ranked teams in San Diego.
Right out of the box Sodium faced Sereno 96 Girls White, a team we caught a glance of at Regionals. The scouting reports held true as they were a very technical team. Although field conditions were a struggle on both sides, we have to credit the defense for shutting down their extremely talented duo of forwards. These girls are ear-marked for greatness on a national level but Sodium shut them down to 3 goals. Sodium forwards and mids battled to the end with flurries of shots. Taylor Moscoe rocketed one off the far post with Emmy and Payten both there to slam shots off the Sereno keeper.
The night game proved to be the toughest test yet for Sodium as they faced the So Cal Blues - Bobak team [currently ranked 7th in the Nation]. The first half was exciting as Sodium attacked with a vengeance and had the So Cal team on their heels. Up 1-0 after the break the Blues changed their tune and displayed their 'prevent' defense. After a sloppy corner kick and an obvious jersey violation, So Cal had Sodium signing the 'Blues' with a 3-0 victory. The girls really played hard and showed what they were made of against a very worthy opponent.
On Sunday Sodium played a 7:30 night cap against the San Francisco based South Bay Force Black. After going down 1-0 in the first half you could sense the determination in the Sodium girls eyes, they would not let this game get away. Midway through the second half the Sodium forwards were relentless in their attack. MAC Kearney, double teamed on the break, was mugged in the box as she drilled the back of the net for the tie! But...it was called back because the ref said it was MAC who was the aggressor. Apparently, you aren't supposed to play that hard in Cali. The stands went nuts as the Sodium faithful voiced their displeasure. This fired the lady warriors up as they turned up the heat on the unsuspecting South Bay team Sodium Style. With just minutes left Laura Camp had a free kick from 25 yards out. She placed the ball just outside the far post where a battling Marisa Reid was there to drop a one-touch to Emmy Owens for the score! This one counted and the game was tied!! [officially!]
Sodium pounded the box again and again as time ran out and the score was deadlocked 1-1.
Summation
Sodium needs to realize a few critical points;
1) Not any team can come and play in this tournament, but you can. Do you think FC, LOSC, OR Rush or Keizer played in any tournaments this weekend? And if they did, do you think they saw near the competition? Doubtful.
2) It's about RESPECT. You can't tell me you didn't earn the respect of each of those teams. You KNOW they woke up Monday morning feeling like they had been through a war this weekend. And even though they are used to playing a technical game, blowing other teams away and scoring 6, 7 or 10 goals, we held them to 3 or less.
3) What you take away from a tournament like this you can use to elevate your play far beyond any competition you'll see locally.
4) Keep your heads up Sodium, be proud. You took a risk, you rose up and went to war against devastating odds, and held your own. You accomplished great things and now you can take what you learned and use it against opponents who are no where near the level at which you played.
Special Thanks
I would like to thank the following guest players for riding with the lady warriors into battle this weekend. Not only have you earned our respect, but our friendship as well.
Sahalie - Eugene Magic
Delaney - OR Rush
Crystal - LOSC Extreme
Cailin - THUSC Mercury
You will play with and against each other for many years to come ladies. This is what it's all about, friendship, building memories and looking at how far you've come. So live long, laugh hard and kick butt!
Thanks.
GO SODIUM!
Despite not advancing to the second round the lady warriors held their own against nationally ranked teams in San Diego.
Right out of the box Sodium faced Sereno 96 Girls White, a team we caught a glance of at Regionals. The scouting reports held true as they were a very technical team. Although field conditions were a struggle on both sides, we have to credit the defense for shutting down their extremely talented duo of forwards. These girls are ear-marked for greatness on a national level but Sodium shut them down to 3 goals. Sodium forwards and mids battled to the end with flurries of shots. Taylor Moscoe rocketed one off the far post with Emmy and Payten both there to slam shots off the Sereno keeper.
The night game proved to be the toughest test yet for Sodium as they faced the So Cal Blues - Bobak team [currently ranked 7th in the Nation]. The first half was exciting as Sodium attacked with a vengeance and had the So Cal team on their heels. Up 1-0 after the break the Blues changed their tune and displayed their 'prevent' defense. After a sloppy corner kick and an obvious jersey violation, So Cal had Sodium signing the 'Blues' with a 3-0 victory. The girls really played hard and showed what they were made of against a very worthy opponent.
On Sunday Sodium played a 7:30 night cap against the San Francisco based South Bay Force Black. After going down 1-0 in the first half you could sense the determination in the Sodium girls eyes, they would not let this game get away. Midway through the second half the Sodium forwards were relentless in their attack. MAC Kearney, double teamed on the break, was mugged in the box as she drilled the back of the net for the tie! But...it was called back because the ref said it was MAC who was the aggressor. Apparently, you aren't supposed to play that hard in Cali. The stands went nuts as the Sodium faithful voiced their displeasure. This fired the lady warriors up as they turned up the heat on the unsuspecting South Bay team Sodium Style. With just minutes left Laura Camp had a free kick from 25 yards out. She placed the ball just outside the far post where a battling Marisa Reid was there to drop a one-touch to Emmy Owens for the score! This one counted and the game was tied!! [officially!]
Sodium pounded the box again and again as time ran out and the score was deadlocked 1-1.
Summation
Sodium needs to realize a few critical points;
1) Not any team can come and play in this tournament, but you can. Do you think FC, LOSC, OR Rush or Keizer played in any tournaments this weekend? And if they did, do you think they saw near the competition? Doubtful.
2) It's about RESPECT. You can't tell me you didn't earn the respect of each of those teams. You KNOW they woke up Monday morning feeling like they had been through a war this weekend. And even though they are used to playing a technical game, blowing other teams away and scoring 6, 7 or 10 goals, we held them to 3 or less.
3) What you take away from a tournament like this you can use to elevate your play far beyond any competition you'll see locally.
4) Keep your heads up Sodium, be proud. You took a risk, you rose up and went to war against devastating odds, and held your own. You accomplished great things and now you can take what you learned and use it against opponents who are no where near the level at which you played.
Special Thanks
I would like to thank the following guest players for riding with the lady warriors into battle this weekend. Not only have you earned our respect, but our friendship as well.
Sahalie - Eugene Magic
Delaney - OR Rush
Crystal - LOSC Extreme
Cailin - THUSC Mercury
You will play with and against each other for many years to come ladies. This is what it's all about, friendship, building memories and looking at how far you've come. So live long, laugh hard and kick butt!
Thanks.
GO SODIUM!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Surf Cup Scouting Report
OK Sodium, time to get cranked up for San Diego!
Style
The style of play down south is much different than we play. Some of you will remember Regionals and the Slammers. The ref's will call any contact of any kind. Technical play is huge and perfect passing and communication is a must. Obviously a big adjustment for the Bailey & Beth as they love to Blow up the opponent.
So Cal Blues
Play much like the Slammers. Strive to get on the board early and often. These guys will push to win EVERY ball. Awesome body positioning and they always 'crash the goal.' All their forwards can shoot with both feet, head, whatever! They had a few losses this season so they are beatable.
Sereno 96
Very similar play to So Cal Blues but throw in the fact they play a very technical game, and you have Sereno.
South Bay Force Black
No word on these guys yet, still researching.
Summary
We must bring our "A" game. Any team can be beat on any given day. The keys are how hard you prepare, how much you want it and to not let up for a second. All the the reports say that the key is to play harder the second half, if you let up for just a minute you will be down by 3 goals and scratching your head. This will be our biggest challenge yet as the 2008-2009 Sodium team. Are we ready? Will be prepared for this challenge? Will every player give 100%?
I always bet on BLACK......
GO SODIUM!
Style
The style of play down south is much different than we play. Some of you will remember Regionals and the Slammers. The ref's will call any contact of any kind. Technical play is huge and perfect passing and communication is a must. Obviously a big adjustment for the Bailey & Beth as they love to Blow up the opponent.
So Cal Blues
Play much like the Slammers. Strive to get on the board early and often. These guys will push to win EVERY ball. Awesome body positioning and they always 'crash the goal.' All their forwards can shoot with both feet, head, whatever! They had a few losses this season so they are beatable.
Sereno 96
Very similar play to So Cal Blues but throw in the fact they play a very technical game, and you have Sereno.
South Bay Force Black
No word on these guys yet, still researching.
Summary
We must bring our "A" game. Any team can be beat on any given day. The keys are how hard you prepare, how much you want it and to not let up for a second. All the the reports say that the key is to play harder the second half, if you let up for just a minute you will be down by 3 goals and scratching your head. This will be our biggest challenge yet as the 2008-2009 Sodium team. Are we ready? Will be prepared for this challenge? Will every player give 100%?
I always bet on BLACK......
GO SODIUM!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Some interesting thoughts...
As I watched the game Saturday I was repeatedly asking myself; "What's going on? How come we're not attacking the ball? Where is our controlled ball movement? How come we're not getting in front of the ball when their player is winding up to let it fly?"
Yes, they have a very good keeper. Yes, we have had better officiating. Yes, their style of play challenges our controlled style. But, given all that, we were still standing around, watching the other team kick the long-ball, not getting in front of their players, not winning any 50/50's, not hustling to the ball.
Was there some sort of lack of communication? Did we not realize that this was the Semi-Finals? Was everyone thinking about the upcoming basketball or indoor season and not the task at hand? I know a couple defensive players who were in tears after the game. [and the ride home, and at home] They had given it there all, 100% to keep the forwards in check all game. Physical, body-on-body, elbows knees, cleats, you name it. And after the game when some of their teammates were going; "oooh, look at the pretty metals, can we wear them? These are cool." It was just too much for them to handle. Third place, lady warriors. THIRD PLACE. These aren't medallions to be worn proudly. To your defensive players these are reminders of a game lost. A reminder of us resorting to boot-ball instead of our normal controlled game. A reminder of teammates not 'wanting it' bad enough to give 100%. A reminder that we, Sodium, should have been playing Sunday in the Finals, the Championship game. Not something a Sodium player wears proudly.
Tom said after the game that it looked like 3/4 of the team just didn't care. Unfortunately, your loyal fans agree. The other 1/4 of the team agrees. Can you spot the players who played hard, made the sacrifices, gave it their best shots? What about those who didn't? Can you recall not running as hard as you could have? Not being first to the ball? Not making a shot, winning a 50/50 or stopping the ball? We on sidelines can. Those on the bench can. Your coach can. Think about it. When you play on a team of this caliber, with this talent, everyone can see who is giving 100% and who is not. It is obvious and stands out. So don't ever think you can coast through a practice or a game. We all know.
You are probably saying;"He wasn't out on the field, he doesn't know what it was like." Correct, I wasn't. But yes, I do know what it's like. The reason I am saying this is because I have seen you all play together and do great things. I know what you are capable of if you work together. I have seen you accomplish the impossible. That is why I can point out these things. I know what is in you and what you are capable of. And when we on the sidelines watch games like we did Saturday, it makes us scratch our heads and wonder; "What happened?"
Sodium the harsh reality is this, if we play the way we did against Eugene and Keizer in the Surf Cup, it's going to be a short, embarrassing, deflating trip. I have the scouting reports of our opposition in the Surf Cup and they are TOUGH!
We have what it takes to compete. We have the talent to win, to win a lot! It's come down to dedication. To your teammates, to your coach, to your sport. You are players who know how to win. That is evident by the number of State Championships. You are the team that everyone either wants to play for, or beat. You are the team that threatens everyone in the league because you can defeat any one of them if everyone gives 100%. Pretty simple if you think about.
We need to keep focused on something Tom said right at the beginning of the season; "Everything we do, this moment on, is to prepare us for State Cup." So lady warriors I challenge you to think about that when you walk off the field. Did you do something on the field today that prepared you to win at State Cup? Did you get a little better today? Did you give 100%? Did you learn a new move or perfect a cut-off angle? Did you sprint 10 feet past the end-line? Did you do extra crunches or give 100% in every drill? Did you give just one more?
Indoor season starts Monday. Let's play hard, score a load of goals and have a ton of fun. Practices & scrimmages prior to Surf Cup need 100% of your focus and effort. My next post will be a scouting report from Bailey & Beth on the teams we play.
GO SODIUM!
Yes, they have a very good keeper. Yes, we have had better officiating. Yes, their style of play challenges our controlled style. But, given all that, we were still standing around, watching the other team kick the long-ball, not getting in front of their players, not winning any 50/50's, not hustling to the ball.
Was there some sort of lack of communication? Did we not realize that this was the Semi-Finals? Was everyone thinking about the upcoming basketball or indoor season and not the task at hand? I know a couple defensive players who were in tears after the game. [and the ride home, and at home] They had given it there all, 100% to keep the forwards in check all game. Physical, body-on-body, elbows knees, cleats, you name it. And after the game when some of their teammates were going; "oooh, look at the pretty metals, can we wear them? These are cool." It was just too much for them to handle. Third place, lady warriors. THIRD PLACE. These aren't medallions to be worn proudly. To your defensive players these are reminders of a game lost. A reminder of us resorting to boot-ball instead of our normal controlled game. A reminder of teammates not 'wanting it' bad enough to give 100%. A reminder that we, Sodium, should have been playing Sunday in the Finals, the Championship game. Not something a Sodium player wears proudly.
Tom said after the game that it looked like 3/4 of the team just didn't care. Unfortunately, your loyal fans agree. The other 1/4 of the team agrees. Can you spot the players who played hard, made the sacrifices, gave it their best shots? What about those who didn't? Can you recall not running as hard as you could have? Not being first to the ball? Not making a shot, winning a 50/50 or stopping the ball? We on sidelines can. Those on the bench can. Your coach can. Think about it. When you play on a team of this caliber, with this talent, everyone can see who is giving 100% and who is not. It is obvious and stands out. So don't ever think you can coast through a practice or a game. We all know.
You are probably saying;"He wasn't out on the field, he doesn't know what it was like." Correct, I wasn't. But yes, I do know what it's like. The reason I am saying this is because I have seen you all play together and do great things. I know what you are capable of if you work together. I have seen you accomplish the impossible. That is why I can point out these things. I know what is in you and what you are capable of. And when we on the sidelines watch games like we did Saturday, it makes us scratch our heads and wonder; "What happened?"
Sodium the harsh reality is this, if we play the way we did against Eugene and Keizer in the Surf Cup, it's going to be a short, embarrassing, deflating trip. I have the scouting reports of our opposition in the Surf Cup and they are TOUGH!
We have what it takes to compete. We have the talent to win, to win a lot! It's come down to dedication. To your teammates, to your coach, to your sport. You are players who know how to win. That is evident by the number of State Championships. You are the team that everyone either wants to play for, or beat. You are the team that threatens everyone in the league because you can defeat any one of them if everyone gives 100%. Pretty simple if you think about.
We need to keep focused on something Tom said right at the beginning of the season; "Everything we do, this moment on, is to prepare us for State Cup." So lady warriors I challenge you to think about that when you walk off the field. Did you do something on the field today that prepared you to win at State Cup? Did you get a little better today? Did you give 100%? Did you learn a new move or perfect a cut-off angle? Did you sprint 10 feet past the end-line? Did you do extra crunches or give 100% in every drill? Did you give just one more?
Indoor season starts Monday. Let's play hard, score a load of goals and have a ton of fun. Practices & scrimmages prior to Surf Cup need 100% of your focus and effort. My next post will be a scouting report from Bailey & Beth on the teams we play.
GO SODIUM!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Sodium upset in Semi's
Team Sodium was upset 1-0 in the semifinal match of The Oregon Premier League Tournament. Sodium never got in sync as they mirrored the oppositions "Bootball" style of play and allowed the underdogs a first half score. Even though Sodium seemed flat they out-shot the opposing team but with poor execution and officiating could never get back in the game.
[LOSC defeated Keizer in final 3-0]
Next Up:
11/17/08 - Indoor vs PCU White @ 5:40pm - Soccerplex
11/22/08 - Scrimmage @ 4:30pm - REC #1
11/23/08 - Scrimmage @ 12:30pm - REC#1
11/27/08 - Off to San Diego for Surf Cup!
The Sodium faithful yell: GO SODIUM!
[LOSC defeated Keizer in final 3-0]
Next Up:
11/17/08 - Indoor vs PCU White @ 5:40pm - Soccerplex
11/22/08 - Scrimmage @ 4:30pm - REC #1
11/23/08 - Scrimmage @ 12:30pm - REC#1
11/27/08 - Off to San Diego for Surf Cup!
The Sodium faithful yell: GO SODIUM!
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