Hi Players and Fans,
We were overdue for a dominating game!--I lost count of the goals so I looked online and the refs recorded a 6 to 0 win. Isaac counted 7 goals (let me know what you counted), either way, it was strong from start to finish. Everyone played strong competition soccer and it led to great passes and probably 20 shots on goal. I think Tate only had to pick up the ball twice as keeper in the first half, and Nick didn't touch the ball the entire second half. Good job everyone on keeping the keeper bored--especially Zane who is holding great position and composure as our last defender.
So the play of the game was a great first goal (of the game and season) by Dylan "the energizer bunny" McArthur playing midfielder who picked up a loose ball down the middle of the box and finished with a rocket off the right foot into the right corner of the goal--absolutely unstoppable. Gooaaaalll!!! Nick and the "Brothers Newman" maintained great ball possession as our front line during the first half and all had shots on goal, and kept the ball in the enemy territory with great heads up dribbling and passing. We think goal #2 was either Gideon or Isaac toe poking the ball in from a few yards out. Probably a Gideon shot (goal) and Isaac toe tapped it in as it crossed the goal line.
Second half we continued the aggressive play with Dylan making a number of runs up the right wing outpacing all defenders and putting strong balls across the face of the goal (alas, nobody on the back post to capitalize!) Early on Isaac blasted one in and it was 3 goals. At some point Tate and Gideon put in a couple goals that involved great ball work into the penalty box where strong low shots slipped past the goalie (I think Isaac tried to "steal" one of these by running it into the back of the net--we encourage follow ups on all shots but Isaac had dinner at "Happy Sushi" on the line if he logged 3 goals). Sometime before one of these goals Isaac had a goal from the right wing that hit the far post and bounced in, then as the clock ticked down Isaac took a free kick at the top of the box that found the back of the net. Time was called and the fans went wild! (Best fans in the league)
ALL of the goals resulted from strong team play. Kyler took a great ball to the chest to prevent a counter attack as we had all of our players up. Daniel was fantastic at backing up the primary defender / dribbler and picking up loose balls. This is not the same kid that started the season. James had a beautiful one touch wall pass to the wing in the second half that led to another Dylan / Isaac combination run down the right wing. And Ben continues to be an unstoppable wall that shall not be passed.
An area for improvement (that is causing the coaches heartburn) is our inability to meet the ball on corner kicks and crosses to pick up "free goals" by deflecting the ball toward the goal from 10 feet out. Something parents can assist with is to throw or roll a ball about 15 feet in front of your player and help them learn how to time their runs and judge the trajectory of the crossed ball. I think the only goal we've scored off of a corner kick this season is when the defense put it in by accident. We'll need all the goals we can get against our next opponents.
OK, now to complete the "criticism sandwich" with a complement to the fan of the game, which goes to Logan who is sidelined with a knee injury for another game or two. We miss your ball control out there, Logan! We have just two more games and the weather looks great for the week. The hair is on the line again against the two Aggie teams (a win against either or two ties and the scissors come out). If this does not happen, the team has to buy me a container of my favorite conditioner--and maybe a few hair ties.
Cheers,
Coach Dave
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