After shaking the rust off and clearing the cobwebs from spring break, Sodium exploded for 4 unanswered goals against Pacific FC Avalanche 95 in the second half.
The scoring began as Aliyah blasted the net during a scrum in the 6-yard box. This was followed by a deep penetration down the right side and a beautiful Aliyah cross to an awaiting Dani for a 2-0 lead. Moments later Dani took the breakaway pass and singlehandedly waltzed the ball into the net. The 4th and final goal came with about 10 minutes left, Laura lined up the corner and lofted a great ball to Kerri for the match.
This victory vaulted Sodium to the top of the OPL bracket with 4 games remaining. The current bracket shakes out like this;
Sodium 16 pts. 5 wins, 0 losses, 1 tie, 18 GF, 2 GA (4 games remain)
FC Portland 95G Navy 15 pts, 4 wins, 1 loss, 3 ties, 17 GF, 10 GA (2 games remain)
OSSA 95 Blue 15 pts, 5 wins, 1 loss, 0 ties, 19 GF, 3 GA (4 games remain)
EMFC 95 Magic 12 pts, 3 wins, 0 losses, 3 ties, 10 GF, 5 GA (4 games remain)
ESUFC Arsenal 6 pts, 1 win, 2 losses, 3 ties, 7 GF, 12 GA (4 games remain)
WSM Havoc 6 pts, 1 win, 5 losses, 3 ties, 7 GF, 16 GA (1 games remains)
PCU Impact 4 pts, 1 win, 5 losses, 1 tie, 6 GF, 23 GA (3 games remain)
Pacific FC Avalanche 95 4 pts, 0 wins 6 losses, 4 ties, 4 GF, 13 GA (0 games remain)
The remainder of the Sodiums OPL schedule;
4/3/11 vs ESUFC Arsenal @ REC #1
4/9/11 vs EMFC 95 Magic @ PCC Rock Creek
4/10/11 vs PCU Impact @ REC #2
TBD vs OSSA @ TBD
Nice job tonight ladies.
GO SODIUM!!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday's Game Review
Sunday, March 20, 2011
A Relevant Poem
I was watching an ESPN special on the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are the only NFL team to make it to 4 straight Super Bowls without a win. After the third loss the coach, Marv Levy, was back in his room and a verse from a poem popped into his head;
"Fight on, my men!" says Sir Andrew Barton;
"I am hurt, but I am not slain;
I'll lay me down and bleed a while,
And then I'll rise and fight again."
The poem was entitled Sir Andrew Barton. Coach Levy posted this poem on the wall of the bills locker room before the next season began Every player asked the coach for a copy and they lived it.
I think this is relevant because right now the squad is off step. They are playing well but not as a team. It is time for us to lay down for awhile and regroup, to heal. To look deep inside and reevaluate. And then to come out stronger and tougher than ever.
To rise and fight again.
Never Give Up.
Never Back Down.
Never Lose Faith.
GO SODIUM!!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Mac Ripping In Free Kick Against Santa Rosa
Click the link below to see Mac rip in the winning goal against Santa Rosa. So cool.
Thanks to Carl Brown for the footage.
WATCH THE SCORE!!
GO SODIUM!!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Las Vegas College Showcase Wrap-up
With many college coaches on hand Sodium took on #1 in the Nation MVLA Sunday. The Lightening was disciplined, technical and had incredible team speed. This team is what all teams aspire to be. But the little from Oregon would not be intimidated. No, not today.
After coming off a great win over the #9 team in the Nation Sodium had a new found confidence. A confidence that had escaped then for a couple months. They knew now that they could play with, and defeat, the best.
The game just what you'd expect. Sodium played a "Sodium Style" match. Physical, calculated, waiting then attack. MVLA was patient, controlling the mid field and very fast. Back and forth the first half went with the shot advantage going to lightening and possession about even. Luty came through with some outstanding saves that kept the Sodium squad excited and in the game. The second half started as the first did with a MVLA flury. Sodium counter punched with a MaKayla break and Lauren (Guest) and Aliyah a pair of beautiful crosses. This was a prize fight with neither opponent giving an inch. With under 10 minutes left Lightening mounted another attack. The defenders stepped up but the MVLA forward found just crack of daylight. Luty charged out of the box but the ball rolled just outside her diving reach and into the net for 1-0 Lightening lead. The battle ensued and Sodium had a coulpe of late attempts go wide.
An outstanding effort and a truly great match. The College Coaches were impressed I'm sure as several approached us fans to gather information.
From the sidelines
I wish the girls could have played the first two games as they had played the last two. I really believe that even though the points may not show it, this tournament was big boost of confidence and a jolt of realization that this squad can play with the best. MVLA did not have an easy time with Sodium and I think it was a bit of a surprise to many just how tough this squad really is. Someone said that this squad has a tendency to play to the level of their competition. This seems to be quite true. Now, if we can just keep the play up when we play a team that is not as talented, we could really have something here! LOL!
We are very proud of this team and look forward to getting back on the pitch after the break.
Up Next
A week of practice just to stretch out and then Spring Break!!
GO SODIUM!!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Day 2 Final
In a rematch of Mustang Stampedes finally, Sodium took on Santa Rosa from Cali. The first half was identical, both teams coming out with an attitude and ended deadlocked at 0-0. Sodium was especially out for vengeance after suffering the loss in their last match. The second half proved to be an exciting affair as both teams had opportunities but couldn't find the net. In bizarre twist number one, Santa Rosa was given a free kick at the 18 yard box because the A/R said she stepped outside the box during her kick. The shot was deflected by the wall and play resumed. That was in the first half. Bizarre twist number two occurred with 14 minutes remaining in the game. The Santa Rosa keeper was called for the same infraction. The difference was Mac lined it up and just punished the net with a rocket giving Sodium a 1-0 lead! Sodium had a couple more chances before the final whistle gave them the win!
MVLA is next, going to be a fight.
Go Sodium!!
day 2 update
Sodium playing aggressive and holding their own against Santa Rosa. 0-0 at half.
Pride Final
Sodium fought hard but couldn't overcome a late Pride push and suffers a 1-0 loss to open the Las Vegas Showcase.
Some great looks and some outstanding personal efforts just weren't enough to get the equalize yesterday morning.
Next Up
Beach FC @ 8:00am.
Beach suffered a 3-1 setback at the hands of Richmond, VA.
The weather is beautiful, the fields pristine, a perfect matchup for some 'Sodium Style' soccer action!!
Never Give Up. Never Back Down. Never Lose Faith.
From the roller coaster atop the Stratoshere the parents screen (amongst other verbs!); GO SODIUM!!!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Viva Las Vegas!
Tomorrow the Sodium squad take off for Las Vegas. Safe travels everyone!
Go Sodium!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Click the link to get the forecast for Las Vegas while we're there!!!
Vegas Weather
GO SODIUM!!
Guts, Heart and Determination
I watched the Power Athletics National Cheer Competition on Sunday in Tacoma, WA since I didn't have a soccer game to go watch (wink) and witnessed 2 of the greatest examples of guts, heart, determination and sheer love of the sport that I've seen in a very long time.
The first was exhibited by a young lady who overcame enormous obstacles to compete for her team. In competitive cheer you can't just not show up. You can't come off the floor or call the coach and tell him/her you can't compete due to an injury. For the team to be competitive, everyone, EVERYONE, needs to show up and give it everything they have for the team. There is no bench. Otherwise you have to withdraw or, if you choose to go on stage, nothing looks right because everyone has a specific job, a specific tumbling run or stunt to base, and it leaves a hole and you have no chance to win.
But for this particular young lady, her team is the most important thing in the world. You see just 4 days before competing she had another round of chemotherapy. While the other girls had ponytails sprayed up high, she has no hair. But in no way did this stop her from giving everything she had. And when the routine was finished, not one girl on her team cared if they even placed. They surrounded this young lady with cheers, screams and tears of joy. A true testament of what being part of a team is all about. She overcame everything to compete, to be part of the team she loves.
The second example came as a team effort. In the gym Taylor's sister belongs to there is a team amply named, Fierce. This team is made of girls from the two other teams and put together just for fun, just as a fill in for a particular level. Well, on this day it was more than that. These girls decided that today, it wasn't just for fun. Today they weren't just a "practice squad" but a legitimate team to be contended with. When they approached the stage you could see just how serious they were, it was in their eyes, their stride. They came to play. When the music queued these young girls snapped into place and proceeded to perform their routine with the precision and enthusiasm of a varsity squad. They hit every tumble run, every lift, every stunt. And when the music stopped not did they burst into excited but their entire gym and the entire convention center. They had given the performance of a lifetime. Not were they impressed, so were the judges. They ended up taking home the firat place trophy for their bracket.
I wanted to share these two examples because I believe this is where we are at Sodium, on the brink of greatness. These examples show what it means to overcome obstacles, to come together, and take yourself and team to the next level.
Vegas this weekend will be a test. We are playing some the top teams in Region IV and the Nation. Who will rise up as a leader, a player willing to sacrifice and do whatever it takes for her team? Who will be the hero?
Never Give Up. Never Back Down. Never Lose Faith.
With the slots ringing in the background, the faithful will be cheering; GO SODIUM!!!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
NWCL ends
Well, Magic came to play, Sodium came to watch. Best team won on this day. Magic 2, Sodium 0.
Kudos to the Magic. Their forwards kept the pressure, their mids were physical and Sahalie had another outstanding performance in the net. They deserve to be playing for the NWCL championship tomorrow. Best of luck girls.
From the sidelines
On the other hand, Sodium seems to be struggling with the new formation. It worked great when introduced at the U17/18 Showcase but since then the team looks a little lost. A jumble of players in the middle shuts down passing lanes for the forward and creates a situation that is easily defendable. I saw a lot standing around today too. I saw players lose the ball and quit instead of pursuing to recapture it. I saw players not taking their time but hurriedly taking one touch then booting to a zone. I believe the formation would work if we had our attacking mids where more aggressive and directed traffic. Make the center mids and center backs commit then find the opening. As it looks now our mids are playing with their heads down and not seeing the opportunitites as they open. We had a couple really good runs; Mac off the cross bar from Jadyn, Easton and Aliyah had a couple great crosses.
It will come with time and practice. These things happen and it won't be the last time. What is important is what you take away, what you learn from this.
Remember;
"It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference"
Thanks Kristina.
Let's learn and put this behind us. We have a huge tournament next weekend in Las Vegas and we need to focus on the tasks at hand. We will always be there rooting for you no matter the outcome. You are the team. You are United. You are Sodium.
Never back down. Never give up. Never loses faith.
GO SODIUM!!
Vegas Showcase Scouting Report
Before we take off for Sin City wanted to give everyone a current update on what we can expect to see there. First we will start with Sodium.
THUSC Sodium
#1 in Oregon
#20 in Region IV
#70 Nationally
Now for the competition;
3/11/11
Pride Predators
#3 in Colorado
#48 in Region IV
#142 Nationally
3/12/11
Beach FC
#15 Cal South
#76 in Region IV
#216 Nationally
Santa Rosa United Shock
#2 Cal North
#2 Region IV
#9 National
3/13/11
MVLA SC Lightening 95G
#1 in Cal North
#1 in Region IV
#1 Nationally
Report
Pride will not be a problem if we play our game. Stay physical. Keep a body on their forwards and attack aggressively with and away from the ball.
Beach FC. Midlevel gold team from CS. 2 maybe 3 players who can bring it. Again, control the ball then attack. Word on the street, Sodium is a heavy favorite in this match up. Santa Rosa beat us in finals in Mustang and recently beat OR Rush in finals ay Arizona Presidents Cup. Time for an OR team to rise up.
MVLA. What more can you say than we will be exposed to what U15 soccer is all about. This team is #1. BUT.....and we know this well, you have to play the game. That's why I love to be the underdog. If we can bring it "Sodium Style" and keep them on their heels there is no reason we can't play with them. We have the defensive power. We have a killer offensive threat. We can rise up to this challenge lady warriors and give this team a match they will not soon forget. Remember Mustang Stampede? All those teams challenge MVLA every season. We came, we played, we conquered.
Let's bring it today and take this momentum all the way to the finals. Let's give Magic a true taste of what Sodium can do.
More to come.
Never back down. Never give up. Never lose faith.
GO SODIUM!!
Posts
