Eliot River Ramblers Soccer Club © 2024
Game 1: Win 7-1
The score in the game is not the importance here, at half we were only up 2-1. What was important in this first game was the determination, drive and team bonding that developed on and off the field amongst the girls. After having one team practice, these girls surprised me with how hungry they were to get to the ball and to challenge themselves 1 vs 1 against players on the opposite team as well as their forward thinking to pass when they knew they should. There was no "me" in this game, it was "us" as a team.
Before the game started, I told the girls Rule #1, HAVE FUN! Rule #2, WANT THE BALL! And they certainly showed both.
Leila was a force as a forward and striker! She scored one goal and sent her teammates many beautiful passes. Leila has the talent to challenge for the ball, to run with the ball when there is space and to pass to her teammates. Excellent decision making Leila, I look forward to seeing you progress with your skills this summer!
Sienna and Arya...what fighters they are! They were both always where the action is, diving in, raking that ball and running forward. No matter what position they played, they played it all out, full effort and drive all game with big smiles every time they came off for a break. They both have amazing upbeat personalities that are infectious to everyone around them. Sienna has no fear and Arya is a spitfire! Sienna was never afraid to run right up to the goalie after the ball, which resulted in a goal! What I want to see more from them is when they see their teammate go in for the ball, to put themselves into a position for a pass and support. Great work girls!
Addison scored 1 goal and Molly 2! This was a result of good team work and passing. They both surprised me the most as they were so quiet at practice! They both did an excellent job playing their positions and staying on the side or area that they should be in. Learning not to run all over the field after the ball is sometimes a hard impulse to overcome. Addison thrived as a mid-forward getting the ball out of many clusters to run it up the field, good job! Molly was key on the wing, never giving up, and winning those 1 vs 1 more often than not, and always running down the ball to get it back! The drive to play was in full gear. I want to see both girls bring this drive to practice. Practice how you play!
Sydney & Gray both like to play defence. Sydney was never afraid of any challenges, going in for the ball, running it up a bit before passing up to a teammate. Sydney is fast and positive. Well done Sydney! Gray started off hesitant but I could see her confidence grow as she warmed up. She didn't want to go up front as striker near the end of the game, but she did...and she scored a goal! Gray, challenge yourself, take risks! Everyone makes mistakes, that is how we learn and grow on and off the field. I look forward to seeing more drive on the ball, you have it in you!
Riley & Bridget both brought their "A" game to the field. Riley scored a goal and I could see the confidence grow with the big smile on her face. Riley never game up and always went forward with the ball towards the net. Good job Riley! Bridget is a "go getter", she was always there to support or to attack. I know I will see Bridget grow as a player this summer. She listens and tries out what she learns, this is an important trait to have to become a better player and a better person. Great work Riley and Bridget!
Sutton is an attacker! When she came off for a break she said "I was so scared out there, but I challenged myself and kept going." It's so true! And as a coach, I couldn't ask any more from a player. Sutton certainly did challenge herself and she played an impressive game by never giving up and winning that ball over and over. So proud of you Sutton!
Meredith...Meredith was given MVP for giving the whole game everything she had. She played every position with her heart and skill. She won every ball, made passes and cheered the loudest for all her teammates. I can tell Meredith is and will be a leader in life. After the game, I said a few things then opened the floor to the girls to share their positive feedback with their teammates. Meredith addressed the whole team, telling them how proud she was of everyone for working hard and working together, and for running their fast chicken legs out on the field.
The girls shared many positive moments about each other from the game and it's important for them to hear it from their teammates. It was a great game to start the season with. I expect much growth from these girls. I want everyone to bring more drive to practice, I've seen it, and I want to practice with it!
Game 2: Loss 6-3
The game started late as we had no Ref! But thankfully soccer dad Mark Cameron (Riley's dad) stepped up and the game was on. Thank you Mark, much appreciated.
This game was a great game to have. It challenged everyone and gave us a good understanding on what we need to work on for future games. One point being to spread out in the mid-field and the role of the striker with the mid-fielder. This was a fight, they scored, then we scored, then they scored a few, we scored back, it was a great game to watch. All the girls on their breaks cheered loud and hard and were very immersed in the game.
Central Queens had very strong offence and at halftime I took out the striker and placed in a fullback to support the defence. Only one of the girls knew what a fullback was but once I explained it the girls they immediately understood and agreed this was a good idea.
Addison went from 2 goals as striker to our first fullback with confidence and skill. From never having practiced or knew what a fullback was, she modelled for her team and was there to push her right and left defence up the field when needed and supported them both by stopping many, many balls from getting near our goalie and passing it out and up the sides. Addison, I know you have speed and I want to see more sprinting from you. Consistent and reliable Addison, well done!
Sutton made many excellent passes, moving the ball up the field and always being the first to get there. Sutton showed quite the goalie skill stopping many shots and brought lots of smiles as she ran off the field after her goalie shift exclaiming "thank god! that was really hard!"
Gray impressed everyone with her goalie skills with many stopped shots! She went for the ball picking it up in front of flying cleats and sent it out to defence. So proud of you Gray. I want to see this drive on the ball out on the field, in every practice and every game! I know there is more to come out too.
Meredith also showed considerable goalie skills as well. She was the first in nets and there was no hesitation as she dived on the ball. She even caught a fast one in the air that was speeding towards her face! Out on the field she was consistent in her positions of being first to the ball, moving forward or passing out.
Scarlett likes to play defence, but get ready to try it all! Scarlett can be fast and she had quite a few good kicks up the field to her teammates. One of her kicks hit a girl in the face on the other team and being the kind hearted person she immediately went to the girl to ask her if she was ok. Scarlett, I want to see more drive on the ball. Run to it and fight for it. Be the first there. As I said to her before the game, "I've seen you send your older brother running in fear and I want to see you take that drive to the field after the ball." After the game, she told Gray how great she played at goalie.
Sydney & Bridget were consistent with their hard work all game. When playing defence remember to move up the field with the game and support your teammate playing on the wings ahead of you. You are both great to pass the ball up and run after the ball. Bridget had a short debut as goalie at the end of the game, she did it eagerly and stopped quite a few shots. Keep up the good work girls!
Arya plays a fierce game. She is lightening fast on the ball. She brings a lot of energy to her game and you can count on her to dive in and get the ball out and up. She was pumped to play fullback exclaiming "Im a fullbacker!" Her speed and fight made her an excellent fullback and striker, it's a position that allows her to run to both sides of the field, which is what she can do in the blink of an eye. Remember to talk to your teammates, if you are running in for the ball, yell "On it!" This will let your teammate know to either fall back to support you or to move ahead for a pass. Keep it up Arya!
Molly, Leila and Sienna have shown that they are in the game to win. All three showed their understanding of the triangle formation of passing. They spread out, passed to each other through the spaces of their opposition always looking to put themselves in a position to give and receive a pass. I was very impressed by their passing and decision making. Remember to talk more to your teammates and don't hesitate to tell them to move up for your pass.
Riley Cameron, you shined in this game. Every time you had the ball you broke out front dribbling the ball and shooting at the net. You made 1 goal amongst many, many shots. One went right to the post and it felt like the whole game was holding it's breath wondering if it was going in...it was that close! All your teammates on the sideline were going wild for you. You didn't pause but ran right after it raking it it back from going out beside the post and shooting again at the net. Amazing work Riley!
MVP went to Addison and Riley for their hard work.
Thank you to Manager Stefanie for keeping time all game for subs and all timing questions! It's certainly much easier with you there with me!
Great game everyone!
Emily