Region II Championships - Sunday, June 24

Though I have yet to reset my hotel room alarm clock to the correct time, I managed to actually set my phone alarm to AM this time, and was up with the sun and off to Starbucks to write.

I don’t know why I refuse to reset my hotel clock.  Maybe too lazy, maybe I enjoy the momentary panic I give myself those moments when I glance at the clock and before I realize that it’s still set nearly two hours ahead... probably the former.

I wanted the girls up and at ‘em relatively early in the morning, so I made plans for them to head back out to the field complex for the 10:00AM U15 Minnesota girls game - Woodbury Inferno vs ELA (IL).   Not only do I still have many friends involved with this team and wanted to go and support them, but also I felt it was a great way to address the inevitable questions that would/did come up about “Why are we going to support a non-Bangu team?”  It was easy to sell this outing however as Hannah’s older sister plays on the Inferno and a number of the Woodbury girls on our team know some of the Woodbury Inferno girls.  Moreover, I wanted to set an example for the girls and the parents in our group that we may battle against other local clubs while in Minnesota, but this event is different. Local battles aside, here we want to cheer for the success of other Minnesota teams, regardless of club affiliation.

The Inferno game started about 10 minutes early, and it was nice to arrive at the field and see that 9 out of the 11 starters for this big game were players who I had had the pleasure of working with when with this group.  It was a blast to see them compete on this regional stage and play well against the Illinois team.  I have told the Bangu girls many times that the “experiments” that I did with this Inferno team when they were 11 and 12 allowed me to come into my current group armed with the knowledge and experience of what it takes to develop committed, young female athletes.   I had told the Inferno girls and their parents on a number of occasions that they were guinea pigs of sorts and I was trying to approach their development with new thoughts and ideas that I do not believe were the norm at the time in Minnesota when dealing with girls at this age group – year round training, looking to travel to top level regional events, playing up an age group, etc.  My current group also knows that they are guinea pigs sometimes in some of the things we do.  It is all a process, working towards being able to place the young Minnesota girls on an even playing field with top teams across the country.  Will we ever get to a point where we are consistently better than top young teams from Chicago, St Louis, Michigan, or the Ohio areas?  Tough to do so as these areas have a head start with numerous higher level coaches in place, professional training and directors of coaching, facilities, large population bases, and a soccer club-like mentality (vs a community club-like mentality) already accepted and expected in many areas.  But we can try.

The Inferno game ended 0-0 and if I would have left at that point, I would have left thinking the Minnesota team was the stronger, more dangerous team on the field.  As it would happen, ELA would eventually pump in 5 goals in the second half… isn’t that just how this game goes?  The Inferno deserved better, and hopefully they’ll bounce back with a good performance tomorrow against another tough Illinois team.

The girls left the complex to head over to play some mini-golf and laser tag and I stayed around to watch our U14 boys at Noon and our U14 girls at 1:30PM. They returned to the complex for our assigned team picture time at 3:20PM and then we were off to hang out a bit, cheer on the MU U13 boys, and warm up for our game.

* * * * *

I could tell from the first 2 minutes that we were truly in for a battle with the Javanon team. They were solid. Athletic, skilled, aggressive, and here to play. We, with me leading the charge, rolled into the game thinking it was going to be more of a cakewalk. The Bangu girls were caught on their heels a bit and struggled to get into a good rhythm. We were under pressure for the first 10 minutes, though we defended well and Mudd was not forced into a tough save.

We eventually began to settle into the play and start creating some chances of our own. The offsides trap was not anywhere to be seen… they must have learned their lesson from yesterday.

Half ended 0-0, and we knew we could play better.  It was a wake up call for all of us.  Though Mudd (GK) had not been forced into any tough saves, she was kept busy. 

The talk at halftime was all about stepping up our intensity and effort.  We knew we were now in a battle and I challenged the girls to rise to the occasion.

Our second half was much better and we for sure were the more dangerous team for the last 35 minutes.  We created some great chances through continued wide play and crosses, but we could not break through. 

30 seconds from time, the 4th official came over and said the center ref had indicated 90 seconds of extra time because of injuries and make up time for the time lost due to substitutions.  We were pressing the attack looking for the game winner and there was a positive feeling as we continued to knock on the door. 

A minute later, Javanon was awarded a throw in right in front of our bench about 25 yards from goal.  I was yelling at Bidi (RM) right in front of my to step up and mark her girl tight, but she remaining back about 4 yards.  The Javanon defender threw the ball at the girl in front of Bidi and the girl flick headed it backwards.  Bidi controlled the ball with her thigh and volleyed a long diagonal ball into the danger area.  The Javanon GK came storming out of her goal to the top of the box as Millie (LF) ran on the ball from the diagonal. 

Millie and the GK had a collision in the first half on a similar ball, with Millie bravely heading the ball on goal and a split second later getting a GK glove to the face was the GK missed punching the ball clear but didn't miss Millie's head.  The header was too weak, but it was a feat just to go for it at that time.

This time, the ball bounced and Millie ran through it, allowing the ball to bounce off her stomach past the Javanon GK.  Millie raced to the ball with two Javanon defenders scrambling to cover the open goal and fired the ball into the back of the net.  I get goose bumps just typing it. 

I looked down at my watch... 35:50.  What a finish.

* * * * *

Chicago Magic tied Mequon 1-1 in somewhat of a surprise result.  So... with a win or a tie tomorrow morning we will advance into the semifinals on Tuesday. 

There is a good vibe in the air with this group.  We are a better overall team than Chicago and we'll get a chance to prove it tomorrow morning.  I can't wait.