Weekend Recap

Well the first weekend of Spring league is under way the Lady Warriors coming out of the gate with something to prove. The Saturday game proved to be not as physical as anticipated but a battle none the less.
The match started out in typical Sodium style with constant pressure on the Hotshot goal. Midway through the first half on yet another Sodium opportunity, Aliyah Chance flashed to goal and ripped the net for the game opening score! The crowd cheered as the Sodium squad was beginning to get their balance. Just before the half whistle Aliyah again was driving deep, this time down the right side. She drove hard and right footed a rifle crossing pass. Emmy Owens had shielded the defender and was placed right in front of the net to take the pass and blast it passed the Hotshot keeper for second, and what would prove the final, Sodium goal. Sodium took a 2-0 lead into half. The second turned out to be a little sloppy as Sodium, even though they had multiple attempts on goal, resorted to a "kick-n-chase" style instead of controlling the ball and creating opportunities. It was still fun to watch and a great opening victory!

Sunday was the battle we had all anticipated when Sodium took on cross town rival LOSC Extreme. Play was fast and calculated, physical and controlled. Both teams mid-fielders and defense took a pounding. And even though Sodium had just a couple more opportunities, the final remained 0-0. It was a great game.

Around the Bracket
ESUFC Arsenal over SSC Hotspur 1-0
Arsenal is the team to watch in my opinion. They have played all other teams tough in the fall and it looks like they haven't missed a beat into spring.
EMFC Magic over Sherwood Force 5-1
The score isn't officially posted but my sources are seldom wrong. The Magic remains on a roll. 5 goals against another Gold Bracket team is an accomplishment. Keep an eye on Magic folks, they could wreak some havoc in the bracket!
ESUFC Arsenal tied OR Rush 95G 1-1
As mentioned earlier, Arsenal is the team to watch.

Notes From The Sidelines
The victory over Hotshots was a little more one-sided than the 2-0 score indicated. Both new-addition Easton Kawawaki and Mercury's Katie Moeller each had a couple opportunities that just missed the mark.
The LOSC game though, it was a war. I think LOSC had 3 actual shots on goal. Sodium, maybe 5. The play was really confined to the mid-field with the defense pushing up to help. Bella (LOSC keeper) played her normal outstanding game and kept, what could have been the winning goal, out buy a diving fingertip save. Any other keeper in the net, it would have been 1-0 Sodium. An awesome performance.
Wow, what can I say about Arsenal. They seem to be firing on all cylinders right now. Glad we aren't scheduled to play them in Spring. And Magic, right in the hunt. Both these teams are going tough as nails down the stretch.

Next Up
2/13 vs Magic at REC #2 @ 5:30pm
2/14 vs FC Portland at REC #2 @ 2:30pm

From the stands at REC #2 the faithful fans yell: GO SODIUM!