Week Four

The Bullets' game was a tough one and not because of the score. Within the first few minutes the speed and intensity of the other team had our kids completely intimidated and they played in a kind of shock and panic the whole game. I hate to see that. Win or lose, the main thing is that the kids should have fun and when they are playing scared they aren't having fun. Instead they play like they just want the game to be over. Being short some players hurt us too. If we'd had some subs we might have been able to get the whole team's attitude turned around. Oh, well.
Some good things did happen and I want to note those. Catherine and Avery played the whole game with the intensity that the rest of the team needs to have. Catherine's efforts in the second half while in on offense were impressive especially one run where she crashed through two defenders taking the ball along the wall. Avery played hard the whole game but over and over again found herself alone in front of the other team's goal with no one to pass to or pick up a rebound. Nicholas and Helen were both courageous again in goal against a team that had at least three really strong shooters. And Erin was solid and generally cool-headed as usual but those big kicks of hers didn't lead to much real offense for us. Everybody had their good moments but overall they didn't seem to be having any fun. I'll work on that next week.

It was all Sam this week for the U4 team. He had three goals and at least three times as many shots-on. Noah and Luke did great work getting back on defense when needed.

The U6 Blue Angels were on fire this week. Despite going scoreless in the first three quarters they basically controlled the ball the entire game. When they did get it together in the fourth quarter they brought on a barrage of shots on goal that lead to three goals. Alex had one of those for sure and I thinks another one was by Nate and then the last goal, coming off a pass from Alex, seemed to bounce off a wall formed by Owen, Nate and McKinley. After the game Owen said he thought McKinley was the one who touched the ball in. Great play all around with lots of impressive passing and disciplined ball handling.
Maddie was in goal for us first and was as solid as she could be, making a lot of smart passes out to her team. Mason was great in goal too and took my suggestion that he try a few punts so seriously that he did nothing but punt. When McKinley took her turn in goal I suggested to her that she could take the ball and sprint out toward the other goal if she had an open field in front of her. She really liked that idea and when she saw her chance to try it she went for it. It was a great run and she took a good shot but the other keeper made a great stop. She's a player.
Peyton and Cody are looking great, especially attacking on offense. I'm waiting to see Cody really drill one from the left side. He has a great kick. Kendall continues to improve too, staying in the thick of it most of the time. She still gets a little put-off by the other team trying to take the ball from her but she's getting it.