Chaos extinguish Firebolts!

Our first game on our new turf and our first win - definately the best way to start-off the weekend. The Firebolts are a very good team - many of them familiar to our academy players - but in the end we had just that extra amount of quality and effort to win the game. I felt we were strong defensively all game and, while it took us some time to adjust to the speed and bounce of the ball on turf, once we got going I thought we were always going to score some goals.

Jadyn had most of our best chances early, most of them she created herself with some good running and shots from the right forward position. Robyn also did some excellent hard running and crossing from the left, but it wasn't until about 15 minutes before we opened the scoring - Mara finishing well on a breakaway from centre after a very nice through-ball from Robyn. We had a couple more chances but the Firebolts keeper (Jenna) did an excellent job of controlling her penalty area.

We started the second half strong and it wasn't long before Jadyn finally found the back of the net with a boomer from twelve yards. We had lots of play in their end after this, but without really getting a good shot away. With about ten minutes to go the Firebolts made things interesting when they scored off a breakaway. But just like you did against Juan de Fuca, after conceding a goal you responded immediately with one of our own. Maggie did some good work in midfield before finding Miranda with a pass wide on the left and after storming the goal, Miranda finished off her own rebound. I thought it was the least our play deserved and the goal was a nice bonus for Miranda after her strong play on the backline.

So another win and plenty of positives to take into our game next week against Prospect Lake. Reminder that practice is Thursday at 6pm. This week we will be working on our crossing and shooting.

Lakehill 0 Chaos 2

Great effort today girls! I don't think I was alone in thinking the early kick-off would effect our play, but we were strong from the beginning and deserved to score more than the two goals we did. I was especially pleased with our passing and composure on the ball. There was very little panic on display and plenty of good decision-making. Outside of Miranda's injury, it was almost the perfect game.

Kudos to Kathleen and Jayden on scoring, and my sincere thanks to Richie for the coffee and danishes which allowed me to somewhat function.

Next up for the Chaos is Gordon Head at Lochside - our first game on turf!

Lakehill Game

I spoke with the Lakehill coach this morning and he confirmed our game is 8:30am at Braefoot Park. Our game will be played on Braefoot Field #2 East. This is the middle field at Braefoot, not the one nearest the parking lot nor the "top" field farthest away from the concession (hence the "middle" field :-)

Field conditions may deteriorate with poor weather tonight so please make sure to check the blog Saturday morning for any game cancellation info. I think things will be fine but you nevre know.

You can also keep your eye on field conditions by checking the Lakehill website: http://www.lakehillsoccer.com/

A super Super 8's Festival for Chaos Kids

I'm sorry that I missed our Noon game against Salt Spring. I understand from Doug that you once again dominated play and possesion but the opposition dared to make things interesting by tieing the game up with only minutes to spare. How dare they! Dont they know they're just supposed to let us score whenever we like? Seriously though, it sounds like you played well and had some fun, and that's the main thing. (Note to self - winning does not mean everything, repeat at regular intervals). Goalscorers were Kathleen, Robyn and Mara. First Star of the Game was Robyn (well that's what SHE told me). Kathleen was the second star and Robyn was also la troisième étoile.

The afternoon game I'm better positioned to comment on as I actually witnessed/suffered (just kidding!). We were a bit sluggish in the opening stages and our passing and decision-making was a bit fuzzy, but we got better as the game went along and in the end we scored five goals to their none. Goalscorers in the afternoon match were Jadyn, Sydney (first of the season - way to go Syd the Kid!), Robyn, Kathleen and Maggie (with only seconds to spare as it happened). Phew! It could have been more - Mara slipped just as she was shooting after a five thousand-foot long breakaway and Kathleen hit a couple of uprights. Defensively we didnt have much to do, but both Erin and Robyn did well to track-back and shut down their attackers when they did look like shooting.

It's back to the slog of league play next week with a game against Lakehill at Braefoot Park. I am reliably informed our game is 8:30am! Yikes!!! Perhaps they've heard we're only half-awake at kick-offs at the best of times so they think an early start will give them even more of an advantage. Of course their fiendish attempts will come to nothing as espresso* machines in Chaos kitchens will be percolating in the early dawn hours!

In any event I will confirm the game time and location as soon as I am able. In the meantime eat your Wheaties, drink your OJ and we'll yee you all Thursday at 6pm on the turf.

* The author of this blog does not endorse the use of caffeine or other performance enhancing supplements for youth soccer players. If some of Chaos players have caffeine in their system during games it is purely accidental ;-)

Saturday is Picture Day

Saturday is team and individual pictures day. We are scheduled for 9:15am at Lochside Turf. Let's hope Mother Nature cooperates and the sun makes an appearance.

Reminder - Practices are now 6pm Thursday

Practices are now 6pm Thursday and from this point forward they will be combination practices with Tom's team. Brett and Steph will run practices and Tom, Doug and I will assist.

Hope the new time works for most everyone.

Super 8's Festival Game Schedule

We play two games this Saturday - Noon vs. Salt Spring Island and 3pm vs. Gorge. These are both teams we've not yet played so that's a good thing. I expect both teams will be tough opposition. Both games are at Beckwith Park.

Please let me know by Thursday practice if you cannot make one or both of the games.

Game Cancelled

Lochside Park is under water so our game tomorrow is cancelled :-(

Next week is the Super 8's Festival at Prospect Lake. I believe most games will be at Beckwith Park but I wont have our schedule until the middle of this coming week. We will play two games on either the Saturday or Sunday.

Game time this Saturday

I just received word that our game this Saturday has been moved to 9am from 10am. Hope to see everyone there for the big game!

Chaos 4 Juan de Fuca 1

That was an awesome game! We only had nine players and suffered our first goal of the season scored against us, but in the end our play caused chaos on the field and a determined Juan de Fuca wasn't able to cope. Their coach was very complimentary after the game and for me there is nothing better than when you receive praise from the opposing team.

I thought each and everyone of you was excellent with several of you having your best game so far this season. In fact I'd go so far to say that the four that attended practice Thursday - Miranda, Nina, Genevieve and Nereda - were equally outstanding. JDF had a couple of very talented players who caused our defence problems, but we coped well and rode our luck on one occasion when a shot rebounded off our post.

But I was most pleased with your response to their goal. I think we played our best soccer after they equalized, and our last two goals from Mara and Kathleen were very hard, well-placed shots that left their goalkeeper no chance. Even some of the parents watching the game being played beside us took note! The passing leading up to the goals wasnt too shabby either!

This Saturday we play the other Cordova Bay U11 team. We need to replicate the effort, passing and composure we showed against JDF for our game this coming weekend. They have several talented players but if we keep our play simple and work hard defensively I'm sure we'll do well.