(more pictures to follow!)What an amazing weekend. I don't think there will be any better soccer experience for this age group than the Baker blast. Over 140 teams took over the city of Bellingham with nothing but soccer on their minds. We saw some of the best players in the pacific northwest take to the fields from u12 up to u18 boys and girls and the pace was fast and furious. In past years, our teams have played in the lower 'copa' division but this year you competed in the top of the top...'Premier'!
We got a good look at a really great team from TSS in Vancouver on Friday night. Their passing was crisp and their movement on and off the ball was excellent! It seems that our first game after travel has always been our toughest performance as we seemed a little 'jet-lagged' from the trip.
However we gradually battled harder as the weekend went on and despite the 30 degree + heat dug our heels in and hit the ground running against Lake Stevens. After our pre-game 'speech' and trying to stay in the shade, our opening kick off was exactly what was discussed. Possession. 7 passes later and in the attacking zone we had our first corner kick! We had the other team in panic mode and they were trying to break up our plays by clearing the ball back to our back-line our out of bounds. We owned the first half and it was really great to see you play at that level! But wow, these kids really liked to 'take the body' as well as the fouls. Maybe all that contact helped you all get stuck in!
Inevitably, the old kick hard and run fast play got us and they opened the scoring. After we lost Courtenay to a nasty tackle, we called on Amanda and put her up front changing to a 3-4-3 formation to press. Jaymie, Taleaha and Dallas held tha back line and Marisa, Amanda and Bri were on the prowl! A few passes and Bri was sent through. She made a couple of nifty moves and was just about to send a cracker to the corner when, WHAM! Yup, a good old Lake Stevens tackle (in the box). Our trusty Jaymie stepped in and made no mistake...1-1 final.
I'm not going to mention names here because you all played very hard but Cassandra made some fantastic saves...all weekend!
That was a very good performance and an exciting game to watch! Thank you!
Our third game was a revenge-type situation;) Our girls wanted this rematch against the Zone 5 BCSG team. They had strenghtened their already strong roster with a couple of Metro players so we were in for a tough match. Once again, the 1st half was very even with the play. Both teams had some scoring opportunities but finally, late in the 1st they but one past our amazing Cassandra!
Thanks to Olivia for 'saving that other goal!;) And also to Jaymie for constantly 'sweeping' us out of trouble!
This was another hard fought battle where we had to 'let them know we were there' and we did just that. I think they planned on having an easy game but as I asked you all weekend to, "you left it all on the field!"
I was very impressed with your performance this weekend. You played some teams that were big, strong, fast, and skilled and you fit right in!
Someone mentioned something about goals and I think setting goals is very important. The one goal I had for all of you this past 3 months was to improve your game. This wasn't about winning or losing games or scoring goals and some have a tough time comprehending that. This was about improving your game. Period! I am very proud to have seen you through this 3 month period and can honestly say that you are all better players for it. The less wise can question success based on goals scored however, you that have been a part of this team have seen and experienced things that will truly add to your success as a soccer player.
I am really looking forward to seeing you all on the pitch this coming season and taking pride in the fact that you'll all be leaders on your teams with experience that few others will have.
You're a very special group of soccer players and I hope these past few months of experiences, memories and friendships will last a lifetime!
