State Cup Game #1 vs Eagan

Excited to start our State Cup Experience this year!  Same thing I've done with past teams (current U17 Woodbury Inferno, current U15 MTA Elite 94 Blue) - play up to U13 State Cup as U12s for the experience.  The idea seems to be catching on, with Prior Lake's U12s following suite, as are 3 or 4 U12 boys teams this year.

For me, this year it's all about (as you might have guessed) this year.  The long-term goal is to earn the right to represent our State in the 2010 U13G Midwest Region Championships by winning the 2010 MN State Cup.  Short-term goal is to compete and get acclimated to the nuances of the event this year.

Do I want to win games?  Of course.  And I plan on working to not only give the girls the needed experience, but also plan on working to get out of our group. 

* * * * *

At the fields in Lakeland 2 hours ahead of kick off in order to complete some final paperwork and get the team through the initial team check in and welcome words from the tournament director.

Lots of down time then prior to kick off, and I hoped the girls would be able to maintain their enthusiasm and not have a pre-game let down due to a buzzkill.  Spent the next hour goof around with the girls, walking through some set plays with our free kick takers, and playing a little Duck Duck Grey Duck.

We had seen Eagan a couple times in the D-League this winter.  They were missing some of their multi-sport athletes in the Jan/Feb months, but I felt fairly confident that if we came to play, we'd get the result.  That is taking nothing away from the Eagan team, coaches, or the club.  I just feel that we're a more talented group.

My main worry, as it always is when I've got a U12 team playing U13, is that we get beaten by high lofted shots from distance or by simply being out-paced and having a super fast 13 year old run through us.  If we're beaten by good soccer, I've got no problem with it.  But this is my third cycle through with a group of 12 year olds playing up, and I know what I know based on experience.

The field was large.  120x75.  Huge area for little 11 and 12 year old legs to cover.

Started in a 4-4-2.

Got on the board in the 9th minute when Meg (RD) served in a good corner kick from the right side.  Babes (RF) battled with an Eagan defender at the near post and volleyed in a rocket from 8 yards out.

We doubled our lead in the 17th minute as Cal (RM) sent in a very good cross from the right flank that found Mickey (LF) with her back to goal in the Eagan penalty box.  A nifty lay off back to Quicksy (LM) and a good first time left foot shot found the back of the net.

4 minutes from halftime we effectively put the game away as Babes (CM) found B-Money (RM) on an Over the Top through ball.  A great change of pace from B to beat her defender and a Slot Cross found someone (ladies, help me out here).  The shot was deflected past the Eagan GK who didn't have a chance to react well to the ball's change of direction.

Midway through the second half we got our 4th goal when Mal (CM) found B with another Over the Top ball.  B battled past her marking defender and hit a powerful shot past the diving Eagan GK.

4-0 final.  Decent game, though our play was not as sharp as I would have liked overall.

We have a bye for the second game, so I'll get a chance to scout the other 4 teams in our group tomorrow.

Minnesota Thunder 94s Two Wins Away from History

Cool accomplishment for my previous team if they can make it happen this weekend!

From topdrawersoccer.com

Written by ESNN (Elite Soccer News Network)
April 30, 2009

The Minnesota Thunder U15 Girls continue to progress through the competitive trials of elite youth soccer. This weekend could be their next big accomplishment, as winning two of three matches will make them the first Minnesota team to win the Midwest Regional League Premier division.

Coach Mark Cook cited team balance as a primary characteristic of the squad.

"This is a pretty solid group. All in all they don't have too many weaknesses," Cook said. "They were regional champions at U13 and then lost to Michigan Hawks in overtime of the semifinals of U14 last year. They've had good national success already.

"We primarily focus on playing quality possession soccer," Cook continued. "We still spend time on the technical part of the game including receiving, passing and ball-striking. I'm a big fan of watching professional games and I like for us to try playing the beautiful game. We are trying to make them better players down the road. Sometimes it comes out in the game and sometimes we struggle, but in the end it forces them to be better soccer players."

The Thunder lineup starts with regional-level goalkeeper Tori Fuglister, who is a good shot-stopper that Cook credits with having improved her game in the air.

The starting defenders, right-to-left, include Jillian Richgels (quick and tough), Rebecca Roberts (great in the air and the team leader in the back), Brianna Stelzer (a move-in this year from Houston club Eclipse) and Rachael Van Keulen, a technically proficient left back. Rachel Gratz is a fast and physical defender who completes the unit.

In midfield, Bianca Diaz and Madison Nelson provide good service from the flanks, with Hannah Werth's solid ball-striking and Lauren Nash, just returning from a long-term injury, providing depth. Centrally, Mackenzie Lewis is dominant in the air and in disrupting the opposition attack, with Kaelyn Korte a technically-gifted possession player and Taylor Brownrigg a mixture of the two.

U15 Girls National Team player Lauren Miller is a stalwart in the forward line, with the fast and hard-working Kylie Schwartz complementing her up front, and Mallory Getchell providing support as a good distributor of the ball.

Cook said an MRL title would also help his team relax heading into the Minnesota State Cup schedule.

"We're hoping to win the league and go into the State Cup being able to to work on our game and not having to worry about results."