This ends our 1st full season in Comp, and the girls made huge strides from the Spring to the Fall.
When we started play in the Spring, I think we all knew right away how far behind we were as a team to be able to win at this level. But we then changed our original plan of practicing just once a week and went to twice a week and we were able to make up a lot of ground, especially in the Fall when for most of the year, we were able to get most of the girls to many of the practices. The problem is, with most of the girls starting high school this year, soccer took a back seat to many school activities and after school sports. It's really tough as a coach because while I want all the girls to get that full high school experience, it comes at the expense of team continuity. I think I just have to face the fact that it will be difficult to get practices with the "full team" any longer.
I think the turning point to this Fall season came weeks before District Cup when I started roll call for practices. This started a "commitment" from everyone to get to practices and from that point on, Ron and I saw a huge improvement in the girls play. This commitment paid dividends at our first District Cup where we ended up taking 2nd place out of 8 teams in our division. With each game in the Cup, you could see the confidence of the girls grow. It was special to see.
Including the Cup games, we finished the Fall season with a 6-6-2 record. I think we should have finished higher in league play, but we tied and lost to 2 teams below us in the standings, and those are points that are tough to lose. We ended up 1 point behind 2 teams that we tied and beat. But the luck of the draw had us playing the 1st place MVLA team twice, which no other team had to do. But no excuses. We should have finished as high as 5th but because we let some points slip away, we finished 7th.
Again, beating the 3rd place team and losing twice to the 1st place team by an aggregate score of 3-0 shows that we can more than compete with the best of the teams in this league. And with at least 8 of our girls (that I know of) playing for their high school teams, I know we will be much improved come 2009.
However, by comparison, I spoke to one of the coaches of the SASC Radicals (the team that beat us in the Cup final), and he said "all" their girls are playing for their high school teams.
For those girls that are NOT playing in high school, I challenge you to get better on your own. Tryouts for the team begin after the high school season, so don't wait until then to get in shape. If you want to continue playing at this level, you need to keep playing. Get out and kick the ball around with your brother, sister, mom or dad, or call one of your teammates. I'll try to get some informal "kickarounds" on the weekends for those girls not playing so that you can stay sharp. But don't wait for that to get out and run and kick the ball around. I know for a fact that we will have 3-4 new girls trying out for the team after the high school season, so it will be tougher to make the team in the Spring than it was this past year.
Thanks again to all the parents for getting your daughter's to practice and to games. I know it's a bigger commitment than playing in rec was, but if you are like me, I get such a kick watching them play that it is "so" worth the time and effort. I not only get to help shape their soccer DNA, but I get to watch them grow into the beautiful ladies they all are. I can't think of a better group of parents to work with and party with.
Also, huge thanks again to Ron and Chantal. Both have made my coaching experience enjoyful. I can't begin to say how much they both do for the team behind the scenes. But like I said before, please volunteer your time to Chantal. I know she has a lot on her plate and can use her help. Team Mom and Team Manager is really 2 to 3 roles and she is doing all of them right now, so don't be shy.
I'm looking forward to next season already, so keep an eye out for emails regarding practices for those not playing high school soccer.
Thanks
Dan
Friday, November 21, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Game recap...Nov 8
MVLA at Fury
0-2
Apparently, we must have drawn the short straw as we were the only team to have to play the 1st place MVLA twice this season. The Ice Breakers are a team that plays our game better than we do. They have speed up front, well, one girl at least. But that one girl beat us for 2 goals and caused problems with her speed all day. It shows you what speed, skill, determination, and game sense can do when used properly and how dangerous it is when you put all 4 or those traits together. They were also tough in the back and frustrated our forwards the whole game. The bright side is they will definitely move up to the A bracket and our girls showed we can hang with them. Having said that, we have our work cut out for us if we want to ever reach their level.
MVLA was always talking to each other and more importantly, for each other. That is probably one our biggest weaknesses. For some of our girls, they are just very reserved or quiet. For others, they are quiet because they don't know what to say. Either way, our girls need to communicate to each other more on the field. Without it, it's like playing with blinders on. It may seem like a small thing, but you'd be surprised how much it can help in a game. Seeing another team talk and execute the way MVLA does is great for the girls to see. Beating a team similar to us is great, but I'd rather lose to a better team and learn lessons like this that are hard to preach in practice.
Unfortunately, playing MVLA twice hurt our chances for points in the standings and both the Mustangs and Quicksilver past us up in the standings with wins the past week. But I'm not worried about that. See my "Season recap" for the reason why and for a more detailed recap of Fall 08 and why I think we made some major strides to become a better team.
Thanks again to all the parents that helped with field setup.
Go Fury!
Dan
0-2
Apparently, we must have drawn the short straw as we were the only team to have to play the 1st place MVLA twice this season. The Ice Breakers are a team that plays our game better than we do. They have speed up front, well, one girl at least. But that one girl beat us for 2 goals and caused problems with her speed all day. It shows you what speed, skill, determination, and game sense can do when used properly and how dangerous it is when you put all 4 or those traits together. They were also tough in the back and frustrated our forwards the whole game. The bright side is they will definitely move up to the A bracket and our girls showed we can hang with them. Having said that, we have our work cut out for us if we want to ever reach their level.
MVLA was always talking to each other and more importantly, for each other. That is probably one our biggest weaknesses. For some of our girls, they are just very reserved or quiet. For others, they are quiet because they don't know what to say. Either way, our girls need to communicate to each other more on the field. Without it, it's like playing with blinders on. It may seem like a small thing, but you'd be surprised how much it can help in a game. Seeing another team talk and execute the way MVLA does is great for the girls to see. Beating a team similar to us is great, but I'd rather lose to a better team and learn lessons like this that are hard to preach in practice.
Unfortunately, playing MVLA twice hurt our chances for points in the standings and both the Mustangs and Quicksilver past us up in the standings with wins the past week. But I'm not worried about that. See my "Season recap" for the reason why and for a more detailed recap of Fall 08 and why I think we made some major strides to become a better team.
Thanks again to all the parents that helped with field setup.
Go Fury!
Dan
Friday, October 31, 2008
Game rescheduled, Saturday, Nov. 8
MVLA Ice Breakers at SSJ Fury
Saturday, Nov. 8 at Bernal 1
FIELD SETUP @ 8AM
We again have field setup, so please come early to pitch in!
Warmups @ 8:15AM
Kickoff @ 9AM
Wear Blue and bring your Whites.
Directions to field: http://www.delgadosoccer.org/fields?field=220&action=link
Saturday, Nov. 8 at Bernal 1
FIELD SETUP @ 8AM
We again have field setup, so please come early to pitch in!
Warmups @ 8:15AM
Kickoff @ 9AM
Wear Blue and bring your Whites.
Directions to field: http://www.delgadosoccer.org/fields?field=220&action=link
Sunday, October 26, 2008
PRACTICE SCHEDULE UPDATE...
I had no less than 5 girls request Tuesday practice this week, so by player demand, we will again go Tuesday/Thursday this week (our last week of the season). Because of the lack of time we will warmup and just scrimmage on Tuesday and then use Thursday to work on shooting in preparation for our season finale.
Here is the practice schedule for the week of Oct. 27:
Tuesday, Oct. 28 4:45pm till dark
*Thursday, Oct. 30 4:45pm till dark
*Join us at Aqui's on Blossom Hill Rd. after Thursday's practice for our traditional "last practice of the season dinner." I know it's a school night, but tradition is tradition!
Here is the practice schedule for the week of Oct. 27:
Tuesday, Oct. 28 4:45pm till dark
*Thursday, Oct. 30 4:45pm till dark
*Join us at Aqui's on Blossom Hill Rd. after Thursday's practice for our traditional "last practice of the season dinner." I know it's a school night, but tradition is tradition!
Game recap...Oct 25
Fury vs. CV Quicksilver
1-0 W (Caitlyn)
First of all, thanks to everyone for setting up and taking down the goals. Because this was a rescheduled make up game, there were no games before or after ours, so we had the pleasure of doing both.
The Quicksilver is a team that does a lot of the little things well. Their girls are always talking, going to the ball, being aggressive without fouling, etc. But for the most part, our defense didn't give them any room on offense to create any "real" chances as we notch our 2nd shutout of the season (not including D2 Cup). We really pressured the first half and had at least 4-5 great chances before Caitlyn scored the game winner near the end of the first half. Angie got around their left defender and put a great cross to the penalty spot that Caitlyn one timed past the QS goalie. Kelsey and Nicole also had great chances that went right to the goalie.
The Quicksilver were the first team I've seen that played the offsides trap. While it did catch us offsides 4-5 times, it also created 3-4 breakaways, which is the reason it is such a risky tactic. Not only do you need your entire defense to be on the same page timing-wise, but you also hope the referee/linesman catch it. Combined, I feel the risk is greater than the reward and when you have team speed like we do, you are playing with fire. Funny thing is we worked on breakaway shooting on Thursday, but it looks like we need to continue working on it.
In the second half, the QS started to dominate midfield play, but Elle and Kiara still were able to create 3-4 great opportunities that we just missed fired on or the goalie made great saves. But our defense, behind Christina's ball hawking, maintained the shutout and the crucial win.
This win puts us in 5th out of 10 teams, but the QS and Cougers each have 2 games left with each playing a winnable game that would vault them past us. I believe the worst we can finish is 7th, with the loss to MTH and tie against Chivas being 2 games we should have won.
Let's finish strong against the 1st place team next week!
Dan
1-0 W (Caitlyn)
First of all, thanks to everyone for setting up and taking down the goals. Because this was a rescheduled make up game, there were no games before or after ours, so we had the pleasure of doing both.
The Quicksilver is a team that does a lot of the little things well. Their girls are always talking, going to the ball, being aggressive without fouling, etc. But for the most part, our defense didn't give them any room on offense to create any "real" chances as we notch our 2nd shutout of the season (not including D2 Cup). We really pressured the first half and had at least 4-5 great chances before Caitlyn scored the game winner near the end of the first half. Angie got around their left defender and put a great cross to the penalty spot that Caitlyn one timed past the QS goalie. Kelsey and Nicole also had great chances that went right to the goalie.
The Quicksilver were the first team I've seen that played the offsides trap. While it did catch us offsides 4-5 times, it also created 3-4 breakaways, which is the reason it is such a risky tactic. Not only do you need your entire defense to be on the same page timing-wise, but you also hope the referee/linesman catch it. Combined, I feel the risk is greater than the reward and when you have team speed like we do, you are playing with fire. Funny thing is we worked on breakaway shooting on Thursday, but it looks like we need to continue working on it.
In the second half, the QS started to dominate midfield play, but Elle and Kiara still were able to create 3-4 great opportunities that we just missed fired on or the goalie made great saves. But our defense, behind Christina's ball hawking, maintained the shutout and the crucial win.
This win puts us in 5th out of 10 teams, but the QS and Cougers each have 2 games left with each playing a winnable game that would vault them past us. I believe the worst we can finish is 7th, with the loss to MTH and tie against Chivas being 2 games we should have won.
Let's finish strong against the 1st place team next week!
Dan
Friday, October 24, 2008
Game reminder, Saturday, Oct. 25
CV Quicksilver at Fury
8AM field setup; 8:15 warmups; 9am Kickoff
Bernal 1
We need to set up both goals, so please arrive at 8AM to help.
Players: please be at the field at 8AM, dressed and ready to go.
Wear blue and bring your whites.
Parking note: We are asked by the league NOT to park on the street. If you can, park in the school parking lot off of San Ignacio, or park on San Ignacio where there are no houses. Do not park on Oronsay Way as I presume the neighbors will complain.
Map: http://www.delgadosoccer.org/fields?field=220&action=link
Dan
8AM field setup; 8:15 warmups; 9am Kickoff
Bernal 1
We need to set up both goals, so please arrive at 8AM to help.
Players: please be at the field at 8AM, dressed and ready to go.
Wear blue and bring your whites.
Parking note: We are asked by the league NOT to park on the street. If you can, park in the school parking lot off of San Ignacio, or park on San Ignacio where there are no houses. Do not park on Oronsay Way as I presume the neighbors will complain.
Map: http://www.delgadosoccer.org/fields?field=220&action=link
Dan
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Game recap...Oct 18-19
Saturday, Oct. 18 vs. SCCV Wildcats
1-3 (Caitlyn)
Let me start by saying I'm embarrassed that we are inviting teams to play on a field like this when we are playing on opposing fields that are close to immaculate. Bernal Oval is like the field that time (and maintenance) forgot. While it didn't play any outcome on our game, it's just sad that we have to play on such a field. Now I remember why we left the SSJ league to go to the South Bay rec league to start with.
In most of our losses this year, we were simply out hustled. This game was no different. While the first half was actually pretty even, the Wildcats did all the little things right while we did not. From going to the ball, being first to the ball, trapping the ball, making good passes, etc., the Wildcats just seemed to want the game more than we did in the second half. And as usual, any of our mistakes usually end up in our net. After playing a few weeks of nearly flawless soccer, we have shown that it is tough when we make multiple mistakes AND get outhustled.
Sunday, Oct. 19 vs. MTH United
0-1
We had more than our share of chances to win this game but we came up short. In the first half alone we must have missed at least 3-4 golden chances. In the second half, I was confident we were going to score in the last 5 minutes, but the soccer God's were not shining on us today. Losing to the last place team is never good, but fortunately did not hurt us in the standings much. If anything we may drop a place. But with 2 tough games coming up in the next 2 weeks, it was a tough one to let slip away. After beating United in the tournament, while I knew they would be tough, I thought that we would shine on turf with our attacking speed. But we also had to deal with what I thought was the worst refereeing crew we've had this season. We were getting called for some nit picky fouls when our girls were getting mugged with no calls. And the linesman on our side must have made at least 5 wrong calls on throwins. Regardless, we played well enough to win, but we just did not finish our chances. Diana and Caitlyn made a few great saves and Christina, Elle and Kiara used their speed to create numerous chances up front.
I'll take most of the blame for both losses as we had great momentum coming off District Cup but because of 2 games the past 2 weekends, I thought it would good to limit practice to just once a week and I think that took some of the wind (and timing) out of our sails. But with all the logistics of other sports, injuries, lack of daylight, etc., it made sense at the time. And it doesn't get easier with HS soccer starting up.
Let's focus on our 2 remaining practices and our 2 remaining games and finish the season strong!
Dan
1-3 (Caitlyn)
Let me start by saying I'm embarrassed that we are inviting teams to play on a field like this when we are playing on opposing fields that are close to immaculate. Bernal Oval is like the field that time (and maintenance) forgot. While it didn't play any outcome on our game, it's just sad that we have to play on such a field. Now I remember why we left the SSJ league to go to the South Bay rec league to start with.
In most of our losses this year, we were simply out hustled. This game was no different. While the first half was actually pretty even, the Wildcats did all the little things right while we did not. From going to the ball, being first to the ball, trapping the ball, making good passes, etc., the Wildcats just seemed to want the game more than we did in the second half. And as usual, any of our mistakes usually end up in our net. After playing a few weeks of nearly flawless soccer, we have shown that it is tough when we make multiple mistakes AND get outhustled.
Sunday, Oct. 19 vs. MTH United
0-1
We had more than our share of chances to win this game but we came up short. In the first half alone we must have missed at least 3-4 golden chances. In the second half, I was confident we were going to score in the last 5 minutes, but the soccer God's were not shining on us today. Losing to the last place team is never good, but fortunately did not hurt us in the standings much. If anything we may drop a place. But with 2 tough games coming up in the next 2 weeks, it was a tough one to let slip away. After beating United in the tournament, while I knew they would be tough, I thought that we would shine on turf with our attacking speed. But we also had to deal with what I thought was the worst refereeing crew we've had this season. We were getting called for some nit picky fouls when our girls were getting mugged with no calls. And the linesman on our side must have made at least 5 wrong calls on throwins. Regardless, we played well enough to win, but we just did not finish our chances. Diana and Caitlyn made a few great saves and Christina, Elle and Kiara used their speed to create numerous chances up front.
I'll take most of the blame for both losses as we had great momentum coming off District Cup but because of 2 games the past 2 weekends, I thought it would good to limit practice to just once a week and I think that took some of the wind (and timing) out of our sails. But with all the logistics of other sports, injuries, lack of daylight, etc., it made sense at the time. And it doesn't get easier with HS soccer starting up.
Let's focus on our 2 remaining practices and our 2 remaining games and finish the season strong!
Dan
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