A Day To Remember

vs Eastside FC G95 Red
In the morning game the lady warriors faced, what would prove to be, their toughest adversary. The Eastside team, the Washington GU13 State Champions, were big, physical, hadn't been scored on and definitely brought their "A" game. They had been shutting teams down and shutting them out 4-0, 5-0. Until, on this humid July morning, they met the girls from Oregon. The opening whistle found the gunslingers from Oregon right in the Eastside teams face. Within the first two minutes Jadyn McMillan penetrated deep down the left side. She crossed the ball right in front of the net where a diving KJ headed a blast past the Eastside keeper! The crowed erupted and Sodium had 1-0 lead! Smelling blood the lady warriors were on the attack! Relentlessly attacking the goal, controlling the midfield, the defense stepping it up to shut down even the smallest hint of an Eastside run. But folks, don't let my biased writing fool you, this Eastside team was fierce. They were talented and they gave Sodium all they could handle!
From her midfield position Kelly Priest controlled the tempo. On a 50/50 ball she dropped a perfect pass to a crashing KJ who ripped the net! Within the first five minutes Sodium had 2-0 lead!! The Sodium faithful were going nuts! The Eastside fans and team seemed stunned. The battle that ensued was one of epic proportions. The physical play at the midfield, the battles between forwards and defenders, Taylor Luty making play after play at keeper. This was one of, if not THE most exciting soccer match this blogger has ever seen. [And this was just the first half!] The Eastside forwards capitalized on a Sodium defensive glitch to put the match at 2-1 at half.
The second half started off in classic Sodium style. pushing the ball and the envelope on every possession. Back and forth until Erika Cook found a streaking Dani Brown to put Sodium up 3-1! Unbelievable! The green machine was firing on all cylinders at this point, but as I mentioned, the Eastside squad was a great opponent. They answered Sodium's goal with not 1, but 2 of their own to tie the score with under 3 minutes left! But, as with any true championship caliber team, the game isn't over until the final whistle. Like in the previous SSC game when it was tied, the lady warriors ratcheted up their attack even further, to a level we didn't even know they had. With under a minute left a Sodium PK was awarded just shy of the 25 yard mark. Laura Camp was given the nod by Tom to test her metal. Laura lined it up, gave her patented stutter step and ripped a long-ball over the keeper's reach and into the upper far post corner! Game , set, MATCH! The 4-3 victory sent Sodium on to the Semi-Finals! The place went crazy as Sodium fans were coming out of the woodwork to cheer on the Green Machine!
As I mentioned earlier, this truly was an outstanding game and hat's off to Eastside FC G95 Red who gave us an absolutely great, right down to the wire, game.

vs Northwest Nationals [NWN] G95 Red
As with the first game, the nightcap semi final proved to be a barn burner with play going back and forth and bodies hitting the turf on every play. Sodium again drew first blood as a Laura Camp's corner kick drifted to the far post where Hannah Lautenbach emerged from the crowd to head in the first score! The Sodium faithful were going nuts! Hard play ensued as the first half ended with a 1-0 Sodium lead. Both squads came out determined to make it to the championship in the second half. Battle after battle, mids, forwards, defense, keeper and back again. Then, late in the half, the NWN forward launched a shot from 20-yards that sailed just inches from the outstretched fingers of Taylor Luty to tie the game 1-1. Walking back to midfield all you had to do was look into the lady warriors eyes to know they weren't going to take this lightly. In the last 4 minutes Sodium must taken at least 10 shots on goal. With time running out the NWN defender knocked the ball out of bounds to the right side. Tom brought Taylor Coon up from middle defender to take the throw in. The throw entered the 18-yard box where it was trapped by Aliyah Chance and returned to Taylor who lofted a chip-shot towards the goal. The chip was headed toward the goal by Hannah and finished into the back of the net by Dani Brown!
Sodium is on to the US Club Regionals Championship Game!
The place erupted as fans, parents and spectators swarmed onto the field in celebration.

Notes from the sidelines
I have never witnessed a team, and I am including all the sports I have ever coached or watched, that has gelled together so quickly with such outstanding results. A true testament to Tom's coaching skills and the maturity level of the 2009/2010 Sodium squad. The patience with the ball, the communication, the movement of the ball and players are all signs of a championship team. These girls have come together to form a bond that is evident both on and off the field. A true joy to behold.

Up Next
The 2009 US Club Regionals Championship vs Crossfire Premiere G95A - 8:00AM, Field #4

Note: If Sodium wins, they will play in US Club Nationals in Virginia Beach, VA. Keep your fingers crossed loyal followers!

From under the umbrella's, all puffed up and proud, the parents scream; GO SODIUM!