US Club Nationals Results

After the 2 hour lightening delay Sodium took the field to resume play. Play was sluggish as the lady warriors found it difficult to resume play. FCX found themselves with 1-0 lead going into half after taking advantage of a PK.

The second half the Sodium squad still wasn't firing on all cylinders. The FCX squad took full advantage and found a soft goal to go up 2-0. This, being down 2-0 to a team that Sodium knew darn well they could beat, and the fact that the game on field #7 was tied 0-0, fired the lady warriors up. They realized they have a shot at the championship and it's time to bring the 'A' Game, Sodium Style! With about 16 minutes in regulation the lady warriors turned up the heat. They slowed the tempo and started to pound the Illinois goal box. A feed from Eli Beard down the left side was dropped into the box by the midfielder where Lexi Frey was there to pound it in! Now the girls were starting to click. We've been here before and we know how to win. The action remained fast and furious as Sodium remained on the attack. Shot after shot was off the crossbar, wide or played by the keeper. Then, with under 5 minutes remaining, Dani Brown fought her way down the right side, cleared a perfect cross to Lexi Frey who was shielding one defender while the other was on her back and slammed in the second goal for the tie! The crowd erupted as players and fans from other fields watched the action unfold. Pounding and pounding Sodium continued to grind at the FCX keeper. Unfortunately time wasn't on our side (Tom's watch actually had over 1.5 minutes left!) as time ran out and the match ended in a tie.

Results;
Arsenal wins bracket by beating Pittsburgh 1-0 (And eventually wins the tournament by beating Marin 2-0)
Sodium ties FCX (IL) to play the spoiler for FCX

I will have to say IMHO that if Sodium had brought the game they brought to Washington Regionals, we would have walked away with the tournament. Many discussions were had post game about training sessions, playing/practicing as a team and alignment. We will see what adjustments will be made to ensure Sodium brings a high caliber of play to every match.

Do not hang your heads Sodium, you represented Oregon well in this tournament and rest assured, this will not be the last National event you will attend. Rest this week. Take care of injuries, bruises and ego's. We have a lot of practices ahead before fall season (wherever we will be) and we need to take what we learned and apply it towards developing as players and as a team.

Proudly, as we apply aloe to our sunburns, we yell: GO SODIUM!!