Weekend Review: Cal Cup

Extreme Family,

Thanks to everyone for the great support this weekend. I know it was challenging at times but we couldn't have done it without you.

Each game presented a new challenge for the team - challenges I hope we can learn from this fall.

On Friday we played two of the top teams in Northern California. The Placer United team is definitely one of the stronger more organized teams we will play. They are physically faster and play with a confidence that our girls are still developing. One good lesson I think the girls learned was that they have to be willing to think and play faster. More experienced teams defend at a higher level. They anticipate and read the play better. They take more aggressive angles to attack the ball and know when to take chances and when to hold.

Saturday, we made a few tactical changes, and the girls settled into a good passing rhythm and controlled large parts of both halves. Against Heritage we just couldn't find the combos or one change of pace to get by a very determined defense. Soccer is a cruel game sometimes and I think we were terribly unlucky to surrender a goal so late when we were pushing hard for a winner. Against Woodland we found more of the swashbuckling attitude and created many more chances. We got a great goal right at the start of the second half, a great overlap from Hailey and a very good run from Tigre led to Tia's well taken finish! I think all the girls were up for the game (even in the heat) and played well. MC did excellent in goal, while Katie, MJ & Jessica kept the back together. Paige had a fantastic match as the defensive midfield, controlling the game and linking our play really well with Hailey, Tia, Mikakay, Nat and the rampaging Macy. I think we had a second goal chalked off when it should have stood (but I think it as quite clear that I wasn't happy about the level of our ref crew). T-bone and Alyssa did a great job of holding the ball up in Woodland half and brought teammates into the game. And Tigre did a fantastic job at the #9, especially the second half when her off-the-ball movement was superb and clearly deserved that goal.

Juggle testing continues through July so make sure to practice over the soccer break & watch some soccer. It'll make you better.

See you in a couple weeks.