Gopher Game vs Penn State

I had the U14s and U11s get together at ELR Stadium in St Paul to watch the Gophers play NCAA Top 10 team Penn State.  It is important that the girls watch as much high level soccer as they can and it is important that we continue to support the Gopher program.  Our club has had a good tie in with the U of M program, with many BTFC players on the Gopher rosters in recent years. 

Though Penn State was a better team overall, the Gophs hung in there and battled, taking the game to OT before scoring the winning goal on a free kick for the upset.  A great result for the Minnesota program, and a great game for the girls to experience. 

Moreover, it is important to me that the U14s look to mentor the younger girls.  My plan is to have the older girls come in and work with the younger girls this winter.  It will help the older girls as they now try and teach skills to others, something that will help in their own overall technical understanding, and it will help the younger girls as they can build relationships with the older girls, girls who the younger ones look up to in this club.  I've been very up front with the U11 group.  We are modeling their development plan after the one used with the current U14s, with the goal of contesting for another regional championship in 2010.  The U14s are good, the U11s have the potential to be better.  The U11s hear me talk about the U14s all the time, and it's good for the younger girls to be able to put a face on the older team as a whole through direct contact.