What an amazing couple of days for the Spotsy Soccer program. I began last Monday, when the weather forced a fragmented practice, the team responded with an impressive effort. That led to Tuesday's amazing 1-0 win by Varsity (and unfortunately, a postponed game by JV), the first in almost four years. Three days later, JV held a powerful Chancellor squad to only 3 goals, which later was said to be the hardest competition Chancellor has faced all season. Monday, JV played a spirited JM team to a 1-0 victory, furthering the best JV season in at least 6 years. Varsity played an absolutely outstanding game against JM, just coming up short against a very good Jackets squad. Last night, JV carried a one-goal lead well into the second half, only to leave with a tie. JV hasn't tied or beaten Courtland in seven years. That was a great effort, and the team should be proud of their continued success this season. Varsity held the highest scoring team in the region to two goals in the first half, and should be very proud of their efforts against Courtland. Outside of the goals scored off of corners, the defense played AMAZING and we got shots on goal against the Cougars, something we have failed to do in four years.
All of this has been accomplished in such a short period of time, and has been accomplished with several key players missing part or all of games due to injury. For JV, Jesse Strong has been toughing it out in spite of a painful heel injury, Moskowitz has wrist and concussion issues and continues to play at an extremely high level, Holly has been playing through a knee injury, Megan has overcome toe issues, and Grace is now dealing with possible ACL issues. Almost everyone else is playing with some kind of smaller injury, and yet the team remains focused and playing at a high level.
Varsity lost the services of Perry due to an injured hand, Sullivan due to back injuries, and lost Hesse last night to stomach problems. For the last three games, all played on consecutive days, the team has had three subs. This is on top of the injured players still playing despite the pain; Tori, Luttrell, Hare, Cook, Aggy, and Donnelly have all "toughed it out," and I am sure there are other injuries I am not aware of. Yet the team has played as complete of a two-week stretch as I have seen, and has earned all the praise it receives. You have played AMAZING soccer, and the momentum should carry us to a successful end of the season.
I am proud to be associated with such a proud, courageous group of individuals.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Great Effort
Congratulations to the JV team for their 1-0 victory over JM last night. Chelsea scored the goal and Livelsberger made 3 saves for the shutout win, but the team cannot feel good about the missed opportunities in the game. 14 shots to get one goal is not a good enough percentage to win against the tougher opponents, including Courtland. However, the team has made outstanding progress and has been a pleasant surprise this season, as it looks to have the most successful JV season in nearly 7 years.
The Varsity team played well, but lost thanks to two quick goals by JM in the second half. The defense played terrific, and the midfield also played an outstanding game. Communication and trust is all that is missing, and is absolutely vital in taking the next step in the team's progression. Kudos to Luttrell, who played all 80 minutes at a high level, Hare for again doing a lot in limited playing time, Kreutzer for playing extremely well in goal as well as communicating, and Tori for conitually recovering and displaying world-class speed. Big game tonight, ladies. I know it sounds difficult, but you are going to have to step up tonight and play even better than the outstanding effort of last night.
The Varsity team played well, but lost thanks to two quick goals by JM in the second half. The defense played terrific, and the midfield also played an outstanding game. Communication and trust is all that is missing, and is absolutely vital in taking the next step in the team's progression. Kudos to Luttrell, who played all 80 minutes at a high level, Hare for again doing a lot in limited playing time, Kreutzer for playing extremely well in goal as well as communicating, and Tori for conitually recovering and displaying world-class speed. Big game tonight, ladies. I know it sounds difficult, but you are going to have to step up tonight and play even better than the outstanding effort of last night.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Chins Up
The JV and Varsity teams both suffered defeats Friday night, but in each game there were glimpses of promise. JV lost their game 3-0, but cut the goal differential from the last time we played Chancellor in half. Livelesberger had her best game of the season, recording 13 saves and conitnuously shutting down the efforts of the Charger attack. Grace kept her temper in check and combined with Courtney and Moskowitz to contain the runs through the midfield. Moskowitz's efforts were rewarded with a slight concussion. The entire team showed its customary strength, resilience, and energy in holding down the undefeated Chancellor JV team.
Varsity was on the short end of a 9-0 score, but played well after recovering from an early barrage from Chancellor. Kreutzer came in for the second half as keeper and did a good job of keeping the scoring to a minimum, and Aggy made an impressive three-line run and was thisclose to putting one in the net in the second half. The going doesn't get any easier, as James Monroe and Courtland come into our house this week. Forget Friday, and concentrate on the game at hand.
Varsity was on the short end of a 9-0 score, but played well after recovering from an early barrage from Chancellor. Kreutzer came in for the second half as keeper and did a good job of keeping the scoring to a minimum, and Aggy made an impressive three-line run and was thisclose to putting one in the net in the second half. The going doesn't get any easier, as James Monroe and Courtland come into our house this week. Forget Friday, and concentrate on the game at hand.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
WOW!
The JV team fell behind 2-0 in their game against King George last night, and looked a little hesitant. This may be because the team was playing less than 48 hours after returning from Spring Break, and having not practiced on a full field in almost two weeks. However, they kept their composure and got a goal back with a sweet score from Kelsey Link. Then the lightning came, which caused the remainder of the game to be postponed. There is no official word on the make-up of this game.
If the JV players stayed to watch the Varsity game, then they witnessed the Knights' best effort of the season. Top to bottom, every player played exceptionally well in the role they were given, even as some played through injury, illness, or phantom offsides calls. Aggy scored off of a frantic possession that began with Raven bouncing a shot off of the post and ended with Hare giving the assist to Aggy only minutes after nailing a scholarship interview. Aldinger played LIGHTS OUT, and had a look and demeanor about her that makes me feel sorry for any defenders she faces the rest of the year. Luttrell and Floyd did an amazing job controlling the midfield and winning 50/50 balls, and Cook helped the defense keep its composure throughout the frantic final minutes. Donnelly gave her all in a game she probably shouldn't have been playing in due to illness, and Hare, Raven, and Candice looked as strong in the 80th minute as they did in the first. LT made some great runs in the second half, and continues to improve her play in the midfield.
Then there was the defense, and there was certainly a lot of it. Tori, Corker, Stewart, and Kreutzer didn't give the Foxes room to breathe, so scoring for them wasn't an option. Perry earned the shutout in goal, making one of the best saves I have witnessed in person with under two minutes two go in the game, racing back across the net to preserve the victory.
The victory was not without cost: Hesse and Tori both suffered injuries, and Corker gets to sport a shiner for a while. It is the responsibility of each player to preform their role, and when asked, be ready to give their all in another role if necessary. Such was the case with Hare, who played the left side last night after spending the season exclusively on the right side. Her play was above and beyond expectations, and she ultimately led the team to the winning goal.
A special kudos to Megan Hesse, who literally laid it on the line (and ultimately paid the price) throughout the game. This fearless, reckless effort is exactly what the team needs: I promise you that if you play like that again, with the same intensity and bravery, the wins will PILE up. You were the better team last night, you played like it, but most importantly, you believed in yourselves and each other. It was a joy to watch you play last night, and I look forward to seeing this kind of play out of the team again.
Congratulations, ladies. You were amazing.
If the JV players stayed to watch the Varsity game, then they witnessed the Knights' best effort of the season. Top to bottom, every player played exceptionally well in the role they were given, even as some played through injury, illness, or phantom offsides calls. Aggy scored off of a frantic possession that began with Raven bouncing a shot off of the post and ended with Hare giving the assist to Aggy only minutes after nailing a scholarship interview. Aldinger played LIGHTS OUT, and had a look and demeanor about her that makes me feel sorry for any defenders she faces the rest of the year. Luttrell and Floyd did an amazing job controlling the midfield and winning 50/50 balls, and Cook helped the defense keep its composure throughout the frantic final minutes. Donnelly gave her all in a game she probably shouldn't have been playing in due to illness, and Hare, Raven, and Candice looked as strong in the 80th minute as they did in the first. LT made some great runs in the second half, and continues to improve her play in the midfield.
Then there was the defense, and there was certainly a lot of it. Tori, Corker, Stewart, and Kreutzer didn't give the Foxes room to breathe, so scoring for them wasn't an option. Perry earned the shutout in goal, making one of the best saves I have witnessed in person with under two minutes two go in the game, racing back across the net to preserve the victory.
The victory was not without cost: Hesse and Tori both suffered injuries, and Corker gets to sport a shiner for a while. It is the responsibility of each player to preform their role, and when asked, be ready to give their all in another role if necessary. Such was the case with Hare, who played the left side last night after spending the season exclusively on the right side. Her play was above and beyond expectations, and she ultimately led the team to the winning goal.
A special kudos to Megan Hesse, who literally laid it on the line (and ultimately paid the price) throughout the game. This fearless, reckless effort is exactly what the team needs: I promise you that if you play like that again, with the same intensity and bravery, the wins will PILE up. You were the better team last night, you played like it, but most importantly, you believed in yourselves and each other. It was a joy to watch you play last night, and I look forward to seeing this kind of play out of the team again.
Congratulations, ladies. You were amazing.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Curious...
Congrats to the JV team for their 4-0 victory over Eastern View. Chelsea White, Lauren Sisson, and Kelsey Link scored a goal each, and Lisa Moskowitz added two assists to a sweet goal from about 25 yards out. Theresa Livelsberger and Chelsea each had one save. The team is now 5-2, and has finished an extremely successful first half of the season.
The Varsity team didn't fare as well against the Cyclones, falling by a misleading 7-1 score. The team dominated time of possession, and the defense did well in limiting Eastern View to 10 shots on goal. However, EVHS capitalized on seven of the opportunities, spoiling the night for Tori Huber, who played lights out defense and scored her first goal off of a header on a cross in by Luttrell. The Knights had several chances on goal, but was a touch late or a hare off on their placement. The team played fairly well in spite of some of the most curious and questionable officiating I have seen, perhaps ever. There was an emphasis on substitutions, but physical play was ignored. Hmm.
This team is soooooooooo close to turning the corner. Build on the positives from last night: the strong midfield and defensive play, the aggression that picked up along with the intensity, WE FINALLY SCORED ON A CORNER. Use spring break to heal up and prepare for the biggest game of the season yet, King George.
The Varsity team didn't fare as well against the Cyclones, falling by a misleading 7-1 score. The team dominated time of possession, and the defense did well in limiting Eastern View to 10 shots on goal. However, EVHS capitalized on seven of the opportunities, spoiling the night for Tori Huber, who played lights out defense and scored her first goal off of a header on a cross in by Luttrell. The Knights had several chances on goal, but was a touch late or a hare off on their placement. The team played fairly well in spite of some of the most curious and questionable officiating I have seen, perhaps ever. There was an emphasis on substitutions, but physical play was ignored. Hmm.
This team is soooooooooo close to turning the corner. Build on the positives from last night: the strong midfield and defensive play, the aggression that picked up along with the intensity, WE FINALLY SCORED ON A CORNER. Use spring break to heal up and prepare for the biggest game of the season yet, King George.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Confidence
An impressive night for the Lady Knights soccer program began with a 7-0 victory by JV over Caroline. Chelsea White pounded shots on goal, and finished with three goals and an assist. Kelsey Link took advantage of a tired defense to score twice in the second half, Lauren Sisson added a goal, and Kristi Dickinson also scored the first goal of her high school career. Livelsberger took time out of her busy night to add an assist, and Lisa Moskowitz also added an assist on a corner kick. The team as a group took over twenty shots on goal, leaving the defense with very little to do. Excellent work ladies.
This impressive victory was just the prelude to the finishing act put on by the Varsity team. Aggy Johnson scored two goals in each half, Stephanie Floyd scored twice, and Kate Sullivan, Raven Bruce, and Lauren Taylor also scored a goal. Aggy, Sullivan, Floyd, Nikki Donnelly, and Michelle Aldinger each added an assist. Kudos also go out to Raven for her impressive work shuttling between forward and mid, Erica Kreutzer for keying several second-half goals, and Mindy Cook's tireless effort in the second half, when she worked so hard to net her first goal and get the lead to double-digits.
Both teams played with a lot of confidence, and it showed. By being proactive rather than reactive, challenging the ball, and making things happen, the Lady Knights showed that they can be a force to be reckoned with when they believe in themselves and each other.
This impressive victory was just the prelude to the finishing act put on by the Varsity team. Aggy Johnson scored two goals in each half, Stephanie Floyd scored twice, and Kate Sullivan, Raven Bruce, and Lauren Taylor also scored a goal. Aggy, Sullivan, Floyd, Nikki Donnelly, and Michelle Aldinger each added an assist. Kudos also go out to Raven for her impressive work shuttling between forward and mid, Erica Kreutzer for keying several second-half goals, and Mindy Cook's tireless effort in the second half, when she worked so hard to net her first goal and get the lead to double-digits.
Both teams played with a lot of confidence, and it showed. By being proactive rather than reactive, challenging the ball, and making things happen, the Lady Knights showed that they can be a force to be reckoned with when they believe in themselves and each other.
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