Triangle Y Soccer Club

It's always tough to start a season against one of the top teams, but starting a new program against one is even more difficult. We're a first-year Challenge team with 12 players used to playing recreation soccer. But, I was encouraged by the boys trying to make some passes and work some plays, especially in the first part of the second half where we had 2 or 3 good opportunities to score. This should be an eye-opener for them and an incentive to focus and work harder at practices.

Goals
     Jake Benedict

Goalkeeper
     JD: 11 shots, 5 GA, 54.5%
     Gerald: 8 shots, 3 GA, 62.5%

The boys played OK in the first half, but got down on themselves once they got behind. There was some pretty good creativity, especially on Joey's goal, when Gabriel took a quick throw-in. But, when the other team got somewhat physical, we got timid and allowed them to control the game. This game should serve as a catalyst for changes at practice and more focus.

Goals
    Joey, Gabriel

Goalkeepers
    Gerald: 15 shots, 8 GA, 46.7%

A good performance. This was a much weaker team than the previous 2 and we easily dominated them. Excellent teamwork and hustle by everyone. Goals were scored by Joey(2) and Andrew. The defense, lead by Jesus, was outstanding, which made it easy for JD to get the shutout. Definitely something to build on.

Goals
    Joey (2), Andrew

Goalkeeper
    JD: 1 shot, 0 GA, 100%

This opponent really brought out some physical play. Some of their players crossed the line, but we would not be pushed around and gave it back as good as we got it. Gabriel, Buzz, and Andrew ran them into the ground. Nick lead the defense, which really set the tone for this game as the other team rarely got into our half of the field, which gave Gerald an easy shutout. Goals were scored by Joey(2), Andrew, and Buzz.

Goals
    Joey (2), Andrew, Buzz

Goalkeeper
    Gerald: 1 shot, 0 GA, 100%

This was a really tough loss and exposed our inability to finish. There were plenty of opportunities for us to score and the opponent rarely got into our half of the field. This was one we really should have won. Adrian, Gabriel, and Andrew dominated the middle of the field, and Nick and Graham played outstanding defense. It just wasn't enough; we couldn't take advantage of our opportunities.

Goals
    none

Goalkeeper
    JD: 7 shots, 2 GA, 71.4%

Very physical opponent. In my opinion, some of it crossed the line. But, I think we just got a little intimidated and didn't fight back. Our passes were rushed and weak, and we did a lot of standing and watching. Buzz played well and generated a very few scoring chances, but we just couldn't finish. The defense -- Jesus, JD, and Graham -- deserves a lot of credit for keeping it this close. Gerald also made a ton of saves.

Goals
    none

Goalkeeper
    Gerald: 15 shots, 3 GA, 80.0%

A good game against an evenly-matched team. Buzz and Adrian worked really well together to create scoring opportunities. Buzz opened the scoring in the first half by lobbing a pass from Andrew over the goalie's head. But, the Crushers tied it up before halftime. In the second half, Gerald collected one of JD's punts and scored the go-ahead goal. But, the lead was short-lived as we seemed to go to sleep for a minute following the kick-off and allowed the Crushers to score quickly. Once again, the defense -- Nick, Graham, and Jesus -- came through to keep us in the game.

Goals
    Buzz, Gerald

Goalkeeper
    JD: 7 shots, 2 GA, 71.4%

Although the score may not show it, we played a pretty good game today. Nice hustle and team work. Once again, we could not put away our scoring chances. Graham lead the defense, Buzz and Adrian played an excellent game in the middle, and Andrew scored our lone goal.

Goals
    Andrew

Goalkeeper
    Gerald: 9 shots, 3 GA, 66.7%
    JD: 4 shots, 2 GA, 50.0%

We kicked off the MSSL Tournament with a nice win. Once again, we came up against that "special" team. We totally controlled the action, making JD's day pretty easy in goal. Only 1 breakdown allowed them to score. But the entire team would not be denied. Gabriel scored on a rebound from one of Andrew's shots, Joey scored by rebounding the ball off one of their defenders, and Nick scored his goal on a very heads-up play. He remembered that you don't have to wait to take direct free kicks. So, while the defense was still setting up, he put one in the back of the net. Outstanding effort all around.

Goals
    Joey, Gabriel, Nick

Goalkeeper
    JD: 4 shots, 1 GA, 75.0%

A pretty good game against the eventual tournament champs. Gerald's excellent goaltending kept this game close. If we had capitalized on a couple of opportunities in the first half, this might have been a different game. The game was pretty even for the most part and Jake Stone scored late showing that we didn't give up.

Goals
      Jake Stone

Goalkeeper
     Gerald: 13 shots, 3 GA, 76.9%

The coach of the Carolina ATP Blue told me that this would be an excellent game between two evenly matched teams, and he was right. The play was back and forth with each team having many chances to score. Joey, Buzz, Andrew, Gerald, Adrian, Jake Stone, and Gabriel dominated the play while JD got a real workout in goal -- 18 saves for the shutout. Nick, Graham, Jake Benedict, and Jesus played outstanding defense to keep the opponent at bay. An excellent finish to the season.

Goals
    none

Goalkeeper
    JD: 18 shots, 0 GA, 100%