Wolverines vs. Aggies JL (1-3)

Hello Team, We got through our first game in the "heat of Spring" and it is clear we need cloud cover next midday game--the kids were exhausted. Nonetheless, our boys played hard against one of the best (the best last year) teams in our league. We were the better team the first 15 minutes as we pressed the ball and used the entire field. We moved the ball from the wings into the center and this paid off early as Ethan "don't feed me no grapes" Wilcox put an exclamation mark on his first goal of the season as he timed his run perfectly and delivered an absolutely unstoppable shot that ripped into the top of the net! Goooaaaalllll!!! To use the vernacular of one of our players at half-time, "that was one 'sick' shot on goal"--yes it was, someone call the doctor. The Aggies looked stunned and they were already wary of us since we ruined their otherwise perfect season in the Fall. But the Aggies held on and got a nice goal off a cross that found an open Isaac Larsen (speedy #15) on the far side of our keeper for an Isaac on Isaac showdown that went the wrong way according to our Isaac--it was a beautiful goal and sometimes you just have to admire these--but only for a second: we need to make sure our defense doesn't let any more strikers slip into the open in the future. I'm not sure all of our kids understand what "goal side" means when I ask them to stay goal side of the striker. We left the half in good shape with the score sitting at 1:1. We played three defenders the first half, with three midfielders and one striker (3:3:1). For second half we switched to a 2:3:2 to keep the pressure on the offense. Unfortunately #10 on the Aggies was able to get free of our defense on the right wing in quick succession to have two perfectly placed shots past Isaac to the far post that took most of the wind out of us. At some point they got a pass into the back of the net as our keeper looked rather "shell shocked" on the back line. The psychological aspect of the game can never be overlooked. They kept our defense busy and we made some good stops and saves that we were able to turn into counterattacks that just didn't lead to goals. We are getting so close to having all the pieces fall into place--and when it does, watch out! Jenn was at another game so I don't have any stats for this game--I think we were quite even in the first half, but the second half plainly got away from us and I let the kids know that the better team won. Still, I think we won about half of the 50:50 balls and I kept reminding the kids as I rotated them off to repeat in their heads, "first to the ball". Winning a 50:50 ball is something every player, regardless of skill, can set as a tenable goal. We've improved dramatically since last year, but so have the other teams and every match is going to be a workout. The kids showed a lot of character during the second half as they never hung it up, but more importantly, I didn't hear any negative comments among the players (one or two were directed at a mom, but I'll let you handle those). It was a very clean game with no pushing or dangerous slides on either side. I think they are all having fun and I feel very confident with about any combination of kids on the field. Keep them practicing at home--this is so important for their confidence and basic skills. We have out next home game on Tuesday against a new team in our league and we have a practice scheduled for Monday at 3:30--I won't be able to get to practice until about 4pm--can someone help out with this practice? No experience necessary! We'll send you the instruction manual. Thanks again for supporting a great bunch of kids, Coach Dave P.S. Deadline to register for the Summer Games is end of the month--so let's plan to have you all discuss this with Jenn and Tuesday's game during half time.