Week Three.

     Sorry I missed the U4 game this week.  My thanks to Mike Seng for filling in.

     The U6 Sharks had their big double-header week and played really well in both games.  They showed just a bit of fatigue toward the end of the second game but overall they played with great energy and yet with a lot of discipline too.  Karolyn was our leading scorer again.  She is so opportunistic, dashing in to clean up rebounds or running in from the open side.  My thanks to Ben Lighthall, Stacie Kilmer and my wife Chris for filling in for me early in the first game.

     The U8 Sharks were phenomenal this week.  If you saw Drew's pass from the right corner in to a charging Elizabeth you saw the style of soccer the Sharks were playing this week.  Drew took the ball along the wall and kept his dribble through two defenders then when they'd cut off his route to the goal he backed up and made a sharp pass inside.  Elizabeth was clearly anticipating the pass and had started running into the box well before Drew delivered the pass.  When the ball came free in the box at about six yards out Elizabeth just drilled it into the net.  You can not defend against heads-up cooperative play like that and the Sharks were doing it all game.  Austin had two goals and one was on a rebound situation where he ran into the crowd to finish off someone else's shot.  But his other goal was a  solo run where he picked up the ball near the eighteen, making a beautiful soft touch and turn with the ball followed by some cool-headed dribbling and then an easy blast into the net.  Austin was showing great skills all game and had a remarkably soft touch on the ball.
     The Sharks were pass-happy in this game and everyone was playing with a sure touch on the ball and their heads up, looking for opportunities.  Sam E. and Daylon were a great combination in the middle of the field, doing some great field-switching work with their passes.  I still find it hard to believe that Daylon has never played till now.  Beyond his amazing ball skills there is his precocious field awareness. He maintains spacing as well as any of the kids.  Sam managed a solo goal after several attempts at weaving through the white team's defense.  When he did get his shot off it was a rocket.
     We got Jackson back in keeper this week and he was his usual solid self.  Then out in the field he played with great patience, always opting for controlling the ball over taking wild kicks at it.  I really couldn't have been happier with their performance this week.  So now we have two weekends off.  Enjoy the break.