What a season

Wow, do you think the U15 season could have flown by any faster? Now that state cup is behind us we will play all tournaments from here on as U16. Are you kidding me? I have a daughter that plays U16!?! Most of the tournaments from here, with the exception of US Club Regionals I believe, will be college showcases. That means lace up those cleats, apply mascara and get ready for war! Get ready to play the top teams from this half of the US and beyond. What an exciting time to be part of the soccer scene.
At this age it's time to set goals and realize dreams. To start the college process of elimination and face some outstanding competition in the nations top venues. These young ladies are headed for a whirlwind in the coming years and as parents all we can do is hang on, enjoy the ride and watch as our girls develop into young women, making tough decisions, having fun and living life to the fullest.

Thanks for letting us tag along lady warriors.

Here's to 3 more years of cheers, jeers and tears as Sodium slices and dices their way through OPL, NWCL and US Club.

I raise a toast to these young ladies!     : )


From wherever you are playing your loyal fans will raise our voices; GO SODIUM!!

Disappointing Finish To State Cup

You certainly can not say OSSA didn't deserve the 2011 OPL State Cup Championship. I was amazed at how flat and uninspired the team looked on the field. We were out-hustled to almost every ball. I will say that we did produce more attempts but even that seems hollow when you can't get the ball in the net. I guess the one bright spot would be if we play that lackadaisical and only get beat 1-0 then what would have happened if we would have brought out "A" game? There's still hope! LOL!!! You deserve to be disappointed lady warriors but don't dwell on it too long, there are many tournaments in your future.

Congratulations OSSA, you 2011 OPL State Cup Champions!

Up Next:
A break and we will resume practice 5/17 in preparation for the United Cup College Showcase and US Club Regionals in Seattle.

Heads up ladies, you have much to be proud of and remember, there is always next season!

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A little inspiration for tomorrow...

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships."
~ Michael Jordan

"Whoever said, ''It's not whether you win or lose that counts,'' probably lost."
~ Martina Navratilova

“I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.”
~ Mia Hamm

“I've worked too hard and too long to let anything stand in the way of my goals. I will not let my teammates down and I will not let myself down.”
~ Mia Hamm

“You can't just beat a team, you have to leave a lasting impression in their minds so they never want to see you again”
~ Mia Hamm

"Trample The Weak, Hurdle The Dead"
~ Bumper Sticker on a minivan at a soccer tournament

NEVER BACK DOWN. NEVER GIVE UP. NEVER LOSE FAITH.

Give it your all tomorrow warriors. From the opening whistle, never back down. Whether you are on the pitch or coming off the bench, no regrets, no reserves. Play the way you know you can and trust. Trust your teammates, they will never let you down.

Scream'n till their horse your fans will cheer; GO SODIUM!!!

Posted on the blogosphere

Defense wins championships

"My gut feeling is that it won't be a game of the starters, but the substitutes. We know these teams go full out against each other, and by doing so, the coaches will probably have to sub. (It could be all the way in overtime, but I just don't see either team making it through 80min plus two over time periods without SOME change if necessary) If, indeed, I get surprised and they don't sub, it will definitely be a fitness issue. One of the times before my daughter's team played Sodium this spring they were sprinting--less than 20min before a game. I have no idea they would be doing that, punishment whatever, but it showed me that they are one of the more fit teams out there, considering they went on to dominate us. As for OSSA, I won't draw any conclusions.
No doubt that OSSA's keeper is phenomenal, always has been. But I predict that the Sodium defense and a solid game from their keeper will put it away. "Defense Wins Championships". Although OSSA's got some good talent, THUSC's strong point has always been their stellar defense, and considering they are coming off 5 shut outs, its going to be a challenge for OSSA to find the back of the net. Also let's face it, OSSA's defense is no where near as athletic as THUSC's forwards- and with so many to choose from, their defense won't get a break. Without it, its only a matter of time before a goal slides by. Its happened a few games in a row now has it not?
Either way, both teams will be fired up, and its going to be a tight game regardless who wins. Although I predict a 1-0 win for the black/green side, the main thing I am hoping for is a great game with no injuries. :) "

I couldn't have said it better myself. One more solid practice before game time. I know I won't sleep well tonight so team, carb load tonight at Red Robin, hydrate, go to bed early. We have many teams playing tomorrow and if you can get away, come cheer them on. Get to the field at 10:30am and start mental preparation. During warm up start to feel the adrenalin, the crowd and take in the moment. You deserve to be here, you earned the right. Feel the competitive juices flow. Look across the field and see the adversary. Look at your team, know they will have your back. Know they will give 100%. Know that each of you will be laser focused on a single goal. And when the whistle blows......................Sodium Style

Rise up Sodium and play your game. There is no team better.

18 girls, 80 minutes, 100% - Nothing less

Never Back Down. Never Give Up. Never Lose Faith.

Feel the moment. GO SODIUM!!

Remember...

From U12 State Cup Finals;

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2008

Today (Saturday April 12th, 2008)
To the lady warriors;

Today you begin the journey you have been preparing for since June of last year. Today you take the field for State Cup. But unlike where you were then, today you are a team. Today you will remember the blood, sweat, tears and exhaustion you endured. Today you will remember the sacrifices you made, how hard you have worked & fought and the lessons taught by Ronnie. Today, when you get to the field, look around you and see how far you’ve come, be proud. Rejoice in your fans who love and admire you. Embrace your teammates and know that each and every one of them will have your back today, and you there’s. Today balls will hit the net, and bodies will hit the turf.

Today you will be unstoppable. Today you are a team. THE team.

Today, you are SODIUM.

From U14 State Cup Finals;

Proud

In a few short hours the lady warriors will take the field to play for the State Championship. I wanted to take just a moment, and I think I speak for the coaches/parents/fans, to say how proud we are of each of you. We know how hard you have worked and the sacrifices you have made for this team. We are proud of your commitment and dedication.

Regardless of the outcome today I want to personally say how great it has been to watch this team bounce back from last years loss in the quarter finals to become a championship caliber team. I have watched the hours they have put in, the disappointment when they lose and the elation at all the victories. To watch as the team found itself and molded into the fiercely competitive Sodium team that will take the field today.

There is one daunting task that lay ahead of you today to complete this season. Bring your "A" game and no one can touch you. Come out fighting Sodium because there is no tomorrow. Everything you have worked for and fought for for the last year comes together today. Stay focused on playing as hard you can for 70 minutes. Win the battles, win the half, win the game.

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

Today is the day that all doubts are shattered. Today is the day when nothing else matters. Today is the day that it all comes together. Today is YOUR day Sodium.

Proudly we will be screaming; GO SODIUM!!!

3 days to showdown

In 3 days Sodium will play for the OPL State Championship. A spot they have been in 3 other times in the past 4 years. The first was against this very same team when they were LOSC. The second was FC Portland, the third ESUFC. History repeats itself and again you find yourself facing a formidable foe. Again you face a team you have met in the past and been victorious. Does this mean you can take this week of practice off? Does this mean you can coast through to victory? Quite the opposite. OSSA will come at you Saturday with a vengeance. They have something to prove. This weeks practices need to be more intense, more focused than ever before. You know OSSA's are. They will come out hungry and if we are unprepared then get ready to feel defeat. We have never taken this team for granted. We have never underestimated them. The matches between you two have always been battles to the finish. Expect nothing less on Saturday Sodium. Count on one another, trust.
80 minutes 18 girls giving 100% - this is the formula that will elevate you Sodium, to the OPL Championship.

Who will rise up? Who will lead the charge in this battle? Who will be the hero? Who will be there at the moment of greatness?

And when you take the field Saturday, amidst the cheering crowd and fans who love you, ask yourself these questions;

If not now, when? If not me, who?

There is no tomorrow for U15 THUSC Sodium for the day after you become U16. Do you want to leave behind a legacy? Do you want to leave the Mercury's, Iridium's and Onyx's a brass ring to shoot for?

Never Back Down. Never Give Up. Never Lose Faith.

From the sidelines at field 2 the faithful will be screaming; GO SODIUM!!!

Sodium blasts through Semi's

Sodium opened up the OPL State Cup Semi's in typical Sodium Style with a 5-0 trouncing of the 2010 State Cup runner up ESUFC Arsenal.
Right out of the gate Sodium applied pressure to the Arsenal goal. Willy in the 18 yard box juggled the ball over the defenders to Dani in the 6 where she alertly headed it in! The pressure never let up as Sodium came storming back. Jadyn tippy toed past the mids and found Easton flying in from the left side. She dropped a pretty pass right to her feet and Easton ripped a blast passed the diving ESUFC keeper for the second. Just before half Dani worked her magic as she split the Arsenal defense and found herself one-on-one with the keeper. Well, we all know happens when Dani is one-on-one with the keeper, Sodium up 3-0 at half.
The second half began just as first had ended except that Sodium had a whole bunch of new faces. This second wave is just as dangerous as the first and the accelerator never left the floor. On a corner kick Emmy lofted a deflection to the far post where McKayla was posted and headed it in! With minutes left in the match Mac brought the ball up the right side and spied Emmy streaking up the left unmarked. Mac ripped a beautiful long pass that Emmy chased down and drove into the box. Her shot found the inside of the far post and gave Sodium the final 5-0 win!!

Other Semi Action
Meanwhile on field #5 OSSA handing FC Portland Navy a 3-0 loss.

OPL State Cup Final
5/7/11 - 11:30am @ REC #2 featuring THUSC Sodium vs OSSA

A classic matchup for sure. Great job this afternoon ladies!

Never Back Down. Never Give Up. Never Lose Faith.>

High the bleachers at rec 2 the fans will scream; GO SODIUM!!!

State Cup Update

Looks like Sodium will play in a rematch of last years OYSA State Cup this afternoon. ESYFC Arsenal defeated FC Portland White 1-0 last night to gain the #2 spot in bracket 2.

1:00pm kick off @ REC #4 - See you all there!

Best of luck to Sodium!

Never Back Down. Never Give Up. Never Lose Faith.

GO SODIUM!!