Week 8 Recap

This week in the U14 Gold bracket we found a a little more action. More goals and a couple surprises.

Recap;

Saturday
LOSC Extreme 2 vs. FC Portland 1
SSC 95 Hotspur 1 vs. OR Rush 1

Sunday
ESUFC Arsenal 0 vs. OR Rush 1
Sherwood Force 0 vs. THUSC Sodium 4
SSC Hotspur 0 vs. USA Hotshots 0
FC Portland 0 vs. EMFC Magic 3

Game notes;
Saturdays games were puzzling to me. I would have thought that LOSC would have posted a few more goals against last place FC Portland and I would have loved to see the Hotsur, Rush tie. I bet that was a heck-of-a game. Sunday found the always improving Arsenal squad giving Rush all they can handle and the now revitalized Magic pounding FC Portland. Sodium took care of business against Sherwood [more on this later] and another SSC game I would have liked to see, a tie with Hotshots.

Bracket Standings
OR Rush [17 pts]
THUSC Sodium [13 pts]
EMFC Magic [13 pts]
SSC Hotspur [11 pts]
USA Hotshots [10 pts]
LOSC Extreme [10 pts]
Sherwood Force [6 pts]
ESUFC Arsenal [5 pts]
FC Portland [4 pts]

Bracket Notes;
With only 2 weekends of play left and 2 teams finished, here is my prediction for how the top 4 will shake out. Keep in mind, my opinion and very unscientific.
#1 - OR Rush 95G Nike
I am assuming they will have no problems with Sherwood and based on how both teams are playing, will give them the nod and the win over LOSC.
#2 - THUSC Sodium
The lady warriors have really started coming together in the last games. With a confidence builder this weekend, they will take this momentum into the last game.
#3 - This is where it is going to get tough. But sticking with the predictions I have already made, I am going to give this spot to EMFC Magic. I had Hotshots tied here as well but since they play Sodium and then Arsenal [who they tied 10/25] I am going to have to give it to Magic on points differential.
#4 - USA Hotshots [See above]

Notes from the sidelines;
Sodium really brought to FC Last week [unable to finish] and to Sherwood this week. It is really fun to watch the patience, the communication and the attack when they are firing on all cylinders. The Sherwood keeper did a great job of keeping Sherwood in the game, it could have easily been a much higher score.
The attack built up from the opening whistle. A slow methodical start as each team was getting the feel for the opponent. Towards the end of the first half Lexi Frey penetrated the Force defense from her left back position. Lexi lofted a shot that glanced off the cross bar to where a waiting Hannah Lautenbach punched it in for the first score! Welcome back Hannah, you were missed!. Several shots later the whistle blew and half-time ascended on a beautiful November morning.
After the half the lady warriors came out hot and began an relentless attack. Shot after shot as the Sodium defense and mids controlled the tempo, and the game. Marisa Reid drove the ball into the box, ripped a cross where a hustling MAC Kearney took the deflection and found the far post for a 2-0 Sodium lead! The bundled up crowd went nuts! As they have been instructed, the Sodium team was not about to let Sherwood back in. Lexi again found herself driving the ball deep down the left side, this time she checked off the defender and launched a bar to the far post where Jadyn McMillan was waiting to head it in!! The stands went wild! Sodium was really beginning to ignite! With minutes left the never selfish team player Jill Farley drove the ball in left, crossed right where Jadyn ripped a left foot into the net for her second and a 4-0 Sodium win! This was a break out game for Sodium, they needed to this one to build confidence as we start OPL league play 11/7. Let's keep up the momentum ladies and have a great showing at OPL!

Next up:
DOUBLEHEADER!!
11/7 - PCC Rock Creek. 4:30pm vs USA Hotshot & 7:30pm vs PCU Impact [OPL]

Rest up Sodium, it's going to be a fun night!

GO SODIUM!!