It took us a while to find our shooting boots, but two excellent second-half goals - one each from Maggie and Mara - were enough to defeat a stubborn Sooke side. We certainly had plenty of opportunities in the second-half to ensure the scoreline was a better reflection of our territorial advantage, but a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing means only two goals for the Chaos.
I was pleased with the overall conditions of the fields at Fred Milne - they certainly were in better shape than advertised - but I was frustrated by the size of the goals. Not sure what the point of having non-standard goals is, but I will enjoy when other clubs pay more attention to field and goal standards. Soccer must be the only sport that goal sizes are subjective! Salt Spring, Sooke, Juan de Fuca - all of them with interesting interpretations of what a mid-size goal is! Oh well, rant over.
We played some nice stuff at times today, but overall there was one too many misplaced passes and poor touches for my liking (and Doug!). Not sure if it was the jet-lag from the long drive or a bumpier field, but we just didnt seem to be in "the zone" (thanks to Jadyn's Dad for that one!). Or perhaps we couldn't get going when your first half is missing the last ten minutes! Twenty-one minutes, twenty-six minutes, what is it with referee's watches? Or is the length of games also up for debate? Sorry, I'm ranting again...
Our second half was much improved. It actually helped us playing up the slope beacuse our passes stopped running off the field field of play. Maggie's quick turn and blast off the crossbar and in was very nice while Mara's long-range effort was a bullet. It was the least our play deserved. And I dont recall Sooke getting a shot on goal - also very nice.
Next up is a Gorge team I rate very highly. We beat them at Hampton back in September, but they were VERY combatative and had two or three players who, under their excellent coach, I expect will have improved no end.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sooke Fields are Open
Please be at the park 9:30ish. We are on Field 3, whichever one that is.
Here are directions to Fred Milne Park:
Take the Sooke Road. Shortly before you cross the bridge leading into Sooke is Edward Milne High School on your right. Fred Milne park is the next turn on your right. Please give yourself about 35-40 minutes to get to the field from Cordova Bay.
Here are directions to Fred Milne Park:
Take the Sooke Road. Shortly before you cross the bridge leading into Sooke is Edward Milne High School on your right. Fred Milne park is the next turn on your right. Please give yourself about 35-40 minutes to get to the field from Cordova Bay.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sooke Updates
The Sooke Manager called tonight to confirm our game is still on.
Please remember to check the blog Friday night and Saturday morning for updates.
Please remember to check the blog Friday night and Saturday morning for updates.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Spring League Soccer
This year's USS Spring League begins April 20 and runs until June 26. Games are played once a week during the evening (usually between 5:30 and 7:30pm).
I would be happy to enter a team this year but I cannot commit to being at every game due to other soccer commitments. I will bring registration forms to practice Thursday and perhaps we can discuss level of interest at that time.
The registration deadline is April 2 so you have plenty of time to think about it. We may even have enough players between the Chaos and Tom's U11's to enter two teams. Alternatively, I believe Doug is planning on entering at least one Superstar U10 team so that might be another option for some of our players/parents to consider.
Decisions, decisions!
The registration deadline is April 2 so you have plenty of time to think about it. We may even have enough players between the Chaos and Tom's U11's to enter two teams. Alternatively, I believe Doug is planning on entering at least one Superstar U10 team so that might be another option for some of our players/parents to consider.
Decisions, decisions!
Gorge Tournament Mar 20-22
Is there enough interest? This is the last weekend of public school Spring Break so some Chaos may be on holidays. Cost is $175 and this can be paid by the club. If we enter this tournament then it means we will have to pay out of our own pocket (around $30/player) for the Gordon Head Jamboree on April 4/5.
Please complete the poll on the left to let me know if I should register our team.
Please complete the poll on the left to let me know if I should register our team.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Another Close Result!
Another close result, but to be honest it should never have been that way. Usually our strength, our defence was caught napping a couple of times today and what should have been a simple win turned into a struggle to hold a lead. The Gordon Head team played a very direct style that put our sweeper under pressure and we gave up three goals pretty cheaply. What I mean by cheaply is that GHSA didn't earn those goals as much as we gave them to them by a) indecisive goalkeeping, b) poor communication or c) committing too early in the tackle instead of jockeying and slowing the player and waiting for defensive cover. Yes their forward took her chances well, but each goal was easily defended. It reminded me somewhat of our game against Juan de Fuca where we were indecisive at the back and they took advantage of every mistake we made.
The reason we won today was because we built an early 3-0 lead from some great attacking play. We peppered their goal with 9-10 shots in the first twenty minutes and I really thought it might be a case of how many could we score. Jadyn, Erin and Robyn grabbed the goals, but there was some strong approach play from all of the Chaos. Maggie, Mara, Robyn and Erin all did some great work setting up chances, while our defenders, most notably Sydney and Genevieve made some timely tackles. As a team I really liked how we stepped up to win the ball, something we struggled with against Salt Spring. Their goal came against the play and was a bit of a sucker punch, but overall we played some great stuff and it was a pleasure to watch.
The second half wasn't quite as good as the first half, but we certainly had the majority of play. What we didn't do was take our chances with several players miscueing on their shots and crosses. Then GH scored to make it 3-2 and we didn't look so composed on the ball. Fortunately McKenna went on a long run and bulldozed through both their defender and goalie to make it 4-2. Game over? Not quite, as their #3 potted her third after we didn't deal properly with a long ball down the middle of the field. Still, we held on for the win, which on balance I think we deserved.
We've been working on our attacking play the past couple of weeks, but after toady I think we need to address some of our defensive positioning. It's never too early to work on trigonometry!
The reason we won today was because we built an early 3-0 lead from some great attacking play. We peppered their goal with 9-10 shots in the first twenty minutes and I really thought it might be a case of how many could we score. Jadyn, Erin and Robyn grabbed the goals, but there was some strong approach play from all of the Chaos. Maggie, Mara, Robyn and Erin all did some great work setting up chances, while our defenders, most notably Sydney and Genevieve made some timely tackles. As a team I really liked how we stepped up to win the ball, something we struggled with against Salt Spring. Their goal came against the play and was a bit of a sucker punch, but overall we played some great stuff and it was a pleasure to watch.
The second half wasn't quite as good as the first half, but we certainly had the majority of play. What we didn't do was take our chances with several players miscueing on their shots and crosses. Then GH scored to make it 3-2 and we didn't look so composed on the ball. Fortunately McKenna went on a long run and bulldozed through both their defender and goalie to make it 4-2. Game over? Not quite, as their #3 potted her third after we didn't deal properly with a long ball down the middle of the field. Still, we held on for the win, which on balance I think we deserved.
We've been working on our attacking play the past couple of weeks, but after toady I think we need to address some of our defensive positioning. It's never too early to work on trigonometry!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Cardiac Kids Win Again!
OK, I know it was Valentine's Day, but those weren't the kind of beating hearts one typically associates with February 14!
For the second week running, a goal in the final minute of the game wins the game for the Chaos. This time Kathleen did the honours with a great turn and finish to the bottom-left hand corner of the goal. It sent the Chaos players and parents home happy, or perhaps that was panic as everyone raced-off cars to catch the ferry?
It sure didn't look like we would make the breakthrough as neither the size or condition of the field worked in our favour today. And it's not like I'm being overly-critical or a turf snob - the field was the size of a postage stamp and completely inappropriate for U11 soccer. Nor were the goals regulation size and probably the strangest sized soccer goals I've ever seen. It's easy to say both teams had to play with them, but when only one team is actually getting any shots near goal that point becomes somewhat moot.
Compounding the problem was some early apprehension by our girls in getting to and competing for the ball along with some tenacious tackling and spirit from the Salt Spring team. Their team competed very well and we didn't match their intensity until the second-half. It's not often we get beaten in the tackle, but for the first half anyway it seemed they won most of the 50/50 challenges. They also packed their penalty area so most of our shots found knees and legs and rarely made their way onto goal. Only occasionally did our wide players (in defence or attack) get the ball down and take players on, with Maggie probably the pick of the bunch. Still there was some good passing, including a series of passes in the second-half between Erin, Nina and Jadyn which opened their team up and lead to a fast attack.
The two first half goals were both equally strange and unexpected. Mara's shot/cross seemed to have eyes on the ball as it made it's way through a packed penalty area and nestled in the far corner. And the Salt Spring goal, well, the less said about that one the better as no Chaos player made much of an effort a) to get to the ball and b) block the shot. We've let in a couple of those goals recently and they are very avoidable - if we are paying attention!
Perhaps the girls think their parents are enjoying all this late-game heroics. All I know is my caffeine habit is making a reappearance :-)
Practice as usual next Thursday and then it's Gordon Head next saturday at Lochside. They are a much improved team from our first game so the girls will need to get going much earlier and often than recently.
For the second week running, a goal in the final minute of the game wins the game for the Chaos. This time Kathleen did the honours with a great turn and finish to the bottom-left hand corner of the goal. It sent the Chaos players and parents home happy, or perhaps that was panic as everyone raced-off cars to catch the ferry?
It sure didn't look like we would make the breakthrough as neither the size or condition of the field worked in our favour today. And it's not like I'm being overly-critical or a turf snob - the field was the size of a postage stamp and completely inappropriate for U11 soccer. Nor were the goals regulation size and probably the strangest sized soccer goals I've ever seen. It's easy to say both teams had to play with them, but when only one team is actually getting any shots near goal that point becomes somewhat moot.
Compounding the problem was some early apprehension by our girls in getting to and competing for the ball along with some tenacious tackling and spirit from the Salt Spring team. Their team competed very well and we didn't match their intensity until the second-half. It's not often we get beaten in the tackle, but for the first half anyway it seemed they won most of the 50/50 challenges. They also packed their penalty area so most of our shots found knees and legs and rarely made their way onto goal. Only occasionally did our wide players (in defence or attack) get the ball down and take players on, with Maggie probably the pick of the bunch. Still there was some good passing, including a series of passes in the second-half between Erin, Nina and Jadyn which opened their team up and lead to a fast attack.
The two first half goals were both equally strange and unexpected. Mara's shot/cross seemed to have eyes on the ball as it made it's way through a packed penalty area and nestled in the far corner. And the Salt Spring goal, well, the less said about that one the better as no Chaos player made much of an effort a) to get to the ball and b) block the shot. We've let in a couple of those goals recently and they are very avoidable - if we are paying attention!
Perhaps the girls think their parents are enjoying all this late-game heroics. All I know is my caffeine habit is making a reappearance :-)
Practice as usual next Thursday and then it's Gordon Head next saturday at Lochside. They are a much improved team from our first game so the girls will need t
Publish Post
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Salt Spring Game
Game time has been confirmed for 12:15pm at Portlock Park. I suggest we catch the 11am sailing as this will give us plenty of time to get to the park and warm-up for the game. The earlier sailing is 9am. The first sailing back is the 1:50pm - after that it's a two hour wait for the next sailing.
Directions to Portlock Park:
Directions to Portlock Park:
From Ganges (Thrifty Foods/Tourist Info)
Go North towards Vesuvius on Lower Ganges Road, continue on Lower Ganges Road past the Village Market Centre (on your left), go past the Salt Spring Golf & Country Club (on your right), turn left towards Vesuvius onto Vesuvius Bay Road (about 3.6 km from Thrifty Foods/Dairy Queen, first road on the left past the golf club), Portlock Park is immediately on your left.
Monday, February 9, 2009
World Cups 2009 Registration Open
Registration for this year's World Cups Festival is now open. This year's event runs from Friday April 10 through Sunday April 12th.
Link to online registration is here http://worldcups.cordovabaysoccer.org/index.php?fuseaction=league.form&league=World%20Cups
Link to online registration is here http://worldcups.cordovabaysoccer.org/index.php?fuseaction=league.form&league=World%20Cups
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Chaos Squeak Win!
It's an indication of a good team when they can win when they don't really deserve too. So it proved today. Jadyn's determined run and strong finish with virtually the last play of the game capped off a great fightback which saw three goals from Mara and a deft left-foot finish from Sydney to tie the game.
It's not that we played badly today. Quite the opposite, we moved the ball very well at times and could and should have scored ten goals. Our passing out of defence was excellent, our spreading the ball wide was mostly good, and everyone contributed something to the win. On the other hand you made it harder on yoruselves by not competing for the ball and some indecision in front of goal, where our shot, pass or cross wasn't quite the ticket. Saying all of that, I still thought 3-1 for them was a little unfair on us.
Instead, I believe today was the first game we were punished for our mistakes. Their central defender was strong throughout and they certainly could kick the ball hard and far. A couple fo their players were very competitive and it took us a while to figure out we needed to match their intensity if we wnated to win. They also took full advantage of their limited scoring opportunities while we missed some excellent chances in both halfs. We've been lucky with posts and crossbars, but today Lady Luck was apparently on an extended coffee break.
It is a credit to your strong play this season that our expectations of your performance are so high that a minor blip like today has Doug and I questioning every little aspect of our practices and game preparation. So thanks for winning and making Doug and I feel like we we know what we're talking about!
Just don't let it happen again ;-)
It's not that we played badly today. Quite the opposite, we moved the ball very well at times and could and should have scored ten goals. Our passing out of defence was excellent, our spreading the ball wide was mostly good, and everyone contributed something to the win. On the other hand you made it harder on yoruselves by not competing for the ball and some indecision in front of goal, where our shot, pass or cross wasn't quite the ticket. Saying all of that, I still thought 3-1 for them was a little unfair on us.
Instead, I believe today was the first game we were punished for our mistakes. Their central defender was strong throughout and they certainly could kick the ball hard and far. A couple fo their players were very competitive and it took us a while to figure out we needed to match their intensity if we wnated to win. They also took full advantage of their limited scoring opportunities while we missed some excellent chances in both halfs. We've been lucky with posts and crossbars, but today Lady Luck was apparently on an extended coffee break.
It is a credit to your strong play this season that our expectations of your performance are so high that a minor blip like today has Doug and I questioning every little aspect of our practices and game preparation. So thanks for winning and making Doug and I feel like we we know what we're talking about!
Just don't let it happen again ;-)
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