Eliot River Ramblers Soccer Club © 2024
Win 3-1
The win in this game was the result of excellent passing, teamwork and staying spread out wide on offence. Though the score on the sheet says 3-1, I believe one goal was missed for our team. Regardless, it is not the score that matters but the fun and feeling that we rose to the challenge of the game and gave it our best.
What I noticed the most in this game is how our players (you girls!) made the decision to trust their teammates to take on 1 vs 1 and decided to place themselves in a support position, either for a pass, or to be ready to take on the opposition (the player from the other team) if opposition won the ball. This is what we have been practicing and talking about at every practice. It is truly a proud moment as a coach to watch your team take what they learn and use it.
Bridget claimed MVP this game for her never give up attitude. She played forward and striker and was the first to the ball every time. Bridget was often in a 1 vs 2 or 1 vs 3 against the other team fighting to claim possession of the ball. When she won, she passed it out to her teammate (who made that smart decision not to add themselves to the cluster, but to be in a support position for that pass!). On the few times she lost, she did not stop, she chased after them putting pressure on from behind resulting in 2 things: 1) reclaiming the ball back or 2) she drove the opposition towards her teammate allowing her teammate to engage and win the ball. Bridget, I love your positive, never give up attitude!
Meredith & Sienna are hard working teammates that everyone can rely on to engage the opposition, win and make a smart pass. Meredith played forward, defence and striker in this game. They are both players that I love having on right or left defence or forward because they instinctively get the not too close, not too far concept when defending. They run fast to the other player who has the ball, but slow down at the right moment with the right distance from the opposition and they strike to win the ball when the opportunity arises. They both have the confidence to run with the ball when they have the space and to pass before they no longer have that space. This shows smart decision making skills. Sienna played defence and forward. Excellent work girls!
Sydney was a spitfire of energy and fight! You can't do anything but smile when Sydney sprinted with the ball up the side and made those excellent passes every time. And sprinting is one of the things I tell the girls to do more. If you have the ball and the space ahead of you, take advantage and run! I seen her engage with the opposition, win the ball and kick it forward sprinting after it. I believe I saw more confidence in Sydney's playing in this game and it showed. Believe in yourself. Well done Sydney!
Gray & Scarlett both showed me what they were capable of in this game and I know they are only scratching the surface of what they are going to do this season. Out of everyone, these two have improved the most, and in just 3 games! Gray ran to be first to the ball, won and passed. When she came off for break Stefanie and I both told her what an amazing job she was doing and her smile was worth gold. There was more confidence in Gray's playing and that is half the battle of playing any sport. Be confident, believe you can do it, try hard, make mistakes and you will not only become a better player, but a more confidant you on the inside as well. Scarlett engaged the opposition at every opportunity in this game. She didn't hesitate to go in to steal the ball and pass it out. Passing was one of her strongest skills in this game. She made numerous crucial passes out of a cluster directly to her teammates. Her passes were bang on. I can't express how proud I am to see her put herself out there, challenging herself and giving it her all. Scarlett excelled at mid-forward in this game. I know this position was at first, possibly daunting, but she rose to the challenge and did it well. Gray & Scarlett, I want to see you both run more with the ball if there is space ahead you. That is your next challenge, and one I know you both can do. Hats of to you both!
Molly, your teammates, myself and Stefanie, can't thank you enough for coming to play in the first half. Molly had a dance recital Saturday morning and she chose to come and play for a half before having to leave. That shows not just dedication to playing, but dedication to your teammates. We hope you had a wonderful recital and the team gave Molly a big cheer and hand clapping before she left. Molly played defence and forward and as always played hard and played well. Thank you Molly!
Arya: After the game one of the girls told everyone that Arya was half the size of the other players and she just went in amongst them after the ball and when she got shoved, turned her fall into a cartwheel! Yes, the cartwheel, no one missed that! Arya, you certainly showed your gymnastic skills! The mid-fall into a cartwheel was instinctive which is how Arya plays. She has a feel for the game and is lightening fast; when she gets the ball she's near impossible to catch. Arya also internalizes what she learns. We have talked about staying in our positions. Meaning if you are playing left forward, stay on the left side of the field, do not follow the ball over to the right side leaving your area wide open for the opposition. I have seen Arya stop herself and make that decision. Arya scored a goal off a free kick and played a double shift in second half. Stefanie and I knew you had the everlasting energy to do it! Always a joy to see Arya play.
Addison & Sutton are both solid go getters. There was a moment when the opposition was heavy in front of the net and and our right defence was engaged 1 vs 3, the ball shot out towards the net and while it felt their was an intake of breath in the game, Sutton came darting from the left (where she was on defence) and cleared that ball out and up to a teammate. That was the most intense part of the whole game. Sutton was so fast to act it was amazing! Addison also played strong on defence during this game. I don't think anyone got by her, and if they did, it was only for a second before Addison overran them and took the ball from them. Wherever Addison is, she controls her area with skill and is a team player to the core. Addison scored a goal while playing forward. Amazing girls, there is nothing you two can't do.
Riley played goalie for the first half and played it well. In the second half she played striker and I asked the girls on the side to watch how Riley plays striker because she has an excellent understanding of the position. The striker is always hanging out ahead of her forwards but before the other teams defence. This allows her teammates to pass the ball up quickly so the striker has the chance to take that pass, get through the defence and take a shot at the net. The striker gives us the advantage of having a player ready and waiting for that pass. The right and left forward are to support the striker by running up their side towards the net while the mid-fielder follows the striker in support and is ready for a pass back or to reclaim the ball if the striker looses it. Riley scored a goal as striker and also played a dbl shift in the second half. Well done Riley, keep it up!
Laura played her first game with us and boy are we happy to have another happy energetic teammate who is there to play to her fullest! Laura showed her skill on defence and forward. She was first to the ball and had no fear taking it on the run and passing it to her teammates. Laura has confidence and a strong understanding of the game and I look forward to seeing her play every position with her intense drive. Laura also had a goal!
Leila, you thanked your teammates...for making the game sooo boring while you played goalie. We all had a good laugh. Leila did, however, get her foot on the ball as goalie and made the biggest and most amazing pass. She BOOTED the ball from the net and sent it soaring in the air to her left forward, clearing half the field! Hopefully the next game will have more action for you! Thanks Leila!
Did you know that every practice and game while you learn to be a better player, I also learn to be a better coach? It's true! After a practice or game, I always think about what can I do to help my players reach their potential? How can I explain something differently or run a drill better the next time to see if that works better? In this game I decided to lengthen the shifts in order to give the players more time to work together. It definitely gave the results I was looking for.
Thank you for showing up and playing your hearts out.
Emily & Stefanie