Saturday State Cup Results

Sodium advances to Semi Finals in dominating fashion. Although the score may not reflect it, the lady warriors put on a dominating performance against Sherwood this afternoon to advance to the State Cup Semi Finals next weekend.
Mid way through the first windy half Lexi Frey drove deep into Force territory where she crossed to a posting up Emmy Owens who one touched, pivoted around her defender and drilled it passed the keeper for the go ahead, and eventually winning, goal.
The second half found the ball predominately in the Sherwood half with shots careening off the cross bar, wide and high. Taylor Luty touched a total of 2 Sherwood shots all afternoon.

Other Quarter Final games...
Defending State Cup Champion LOSC falls to a persistent and always competitive OR Rush in PK's.
(Wait, defending champ losing in quarter finals the next year...hmm, where have I heard that before?)

FC Platinum over Magic.
It was a great run for the much improved Magic who played FC tough but gave up a goal on a defensive miscue in the opening minutes and could never get it back. We'll see Magic again in the quarters and beyond for sure.

Arsenal plays FC Ruby
FC Ruby had a great run this year but it ended with a 2-0 loss to ESUFC.

Next Up:
Semi Final Action:
Sodium takes on rival FC Platinum, Saturday 1:00pm @ REC #1
Rush vs Arsenal Saturday 3:00pm @ REC #1

From the sidelines
On the grass of field 5 Sodium put on a very workmanlike performance. They passed well, communicated well, took advantage of opportunities given and walked away with a win. Was it a spectacular outing? No. Was it a good effort? Yes.Was it a win to advance to the semi's? Absolutely!
Sodium will be back on the turf at field #1 for the semi final match up against FC Portland Saturday. In my opinion the keys to victory next week will be to come out charged, emotionally and physically. Score early and put FC on their heels. In the last few games I don't believe FC has trailed many. If Sodium can put them in a position where they have to worry more about defense, it will take them out of their usually offensive minded set.
Sodium will need a big effort from it's forwards and mids, a task they have risen to in the last few outings, and a solid game from the defense to keep the potent FC offense in check.

LOSC vs Rush - I watched the end of regulation here and you could tell the Rush squad was tired. They had 2 subs and LOSC was pounding them. You had players with hands on their knees and you could tell a couple were out of position. If we do end up playing these guys, Sodium needs to adopt that same attitude, run & gun and wear them out, like we have teams all year. The remaining games are at our house so teams will travel to us. Let's make the most of it.

FC vs Magic - FC took advantage of a very rare defensive miscue and scored in the first few minutes. This put Magic in that 'we need a score to tie' mode for nearly the entire game. When we arrived just after half the play was pretty centralized to mid field and the FC end of the pitch. While I was their the Magic keeper only touched the ball maybe 3 times. Tough to overcome that mental blow of an early goal. FC was just that, FC. I watched and watched thinking I was going to see what everyone has been spouting off about, but frankly, I saw nothing but the same old, same old. ODP keeper who is good. One defender (right side) who is fast, one midfielder who is ODP and fast and a handful of forwards who we have seen sine about U11. Nothing Sodium hasn't seen from many, many other teams they have beaten handily. Never underestimate your opponents, especially a team who has risen up like FC. They are hungry and want to win. We just need to be hungrier.

The lady warriors are really coming together now. You can see it on the field as they are beginning to anticipate and compliment their teammates moves and strengths. Really fun to watch them meticulously pick apart a defense with relentless attacks until they find the crack in the armor and pounce. The defense has been impenetrable, allowing the fewest goals in league play AND dishing out 4 shutouts in State Cup action. Great to watch as wave after wave will attack the opponents offense. A defender will challenge the ball then drop off as her sister advances on the player. They will strike and strike again until they gain control of the ball and push to start the offensive machine rolling. Great stuff on the pitch!

Never give up, Never back down, Never lose faith.

March on lady warriors for the greatest battles lay ahead...
     
GO SODIUM!!