Category Archives: soccer

Utica Select 7 AYSO Tournament

Earlier this week I was contacted by the AYSO coach from Mohawk whom we faced in the Frankfort tournament two weeks ago. They had a partial team for the competitive Utica Select 7 tournament and asked if we had any players from our HP team that might be willing and capable of playing in the Select 7 tournament on Saturday morning. I mentioned a few players as options and Mohawk picked up three of the HP U12 AYSO boys to play in the Utica Select & tournament. Carter, Eric and Sawyer played well and the team ended up capturing 2nd place in the six team tournament.

Below the team introduces themselves and tries to remember names (Carter #13, Sawyer #9, Eric #17).

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There were two girls on the team; Emma from Dolgeville was an outstanding goalie.  Boys included Derrick, Geo, and Joshua. The team played four games winning big over Camden, getting beat 3-1 by Utica (who won the tournament), playing the Rome team to a 0-0 tie and winning big over Canastota.  The team ended up with a 2-1-1 recording; the same as Rome.  Since both teams tied in head to head competition the tie breaker went to goals scored which was won by Mohawk; earning them 2nd place in the tournament.  Carter had several steals.  Sawyer scored a goal and had a couple of assists.  Eric had three assists and played his best game vs Canastota as he got more confident and assertive.  Each of the boys had shots on goal opportunities.  This was a good opportunity for the boys to play in a competitive tournament with highly skilled team mates.

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Sawyer, Carter, Alex, Geo, Derrick, Emma, Jazz, Jacob and Eric.

U12B v New Hartford

HP01 U12 Boys team got stomped by an experienced New Hartford team 9-1 in the 1st game.  New Hartford did a much better job of spacing and passing to open team mates.  Josh Savage had a couple of excellent crossing passes.  Sawyer, Matt and Zachary all had opportunities at the goal, but weren’t able to connect.  Eric scored one goal with a left footed follow in of his shot.

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HP Gold vs Waterville

After losing two closely contested games the U12 Boys finally got a 2-1 win over Waterville.  Josh D. followed a goal attempt by Zach and scored on a rebound off the goalie.  Carter and Luke scored on a give and go.  The boys played the best game to date.

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The team had no botched throw-ins; the goalies (Logan, Eric and Matt) ALWAYS got the ball to wing and not up the center. The team was aggressive committing to loose balls and challenging opposing players.  They did a good job of passing and unloading the ball before being double and triple teamed.
Defensively we have been reciting our mantra:

  • Prevent Scoring. Keep between the ball and the goal.
  • Delay the advance of the ball. Challenge and distract the dribbler.
  • Regain the ball.

We need better communication, particularly on offense, to announce open team mates (. i.e.  “I’m here” “You’ve got help”).  We need our goalie to call out “KEEPER” as soon as they touch the ball.  Matt almost got kicked in the head as he lost contact with the ball and a Waterville player kicked it in for a goal.

This is a young U12 team that will be pretty awesome if they continue this level of improvement for the entire year.

 

HP Gold vs Sauquoit

Eric moved up from U10 to U12 this year.  A number of the boys from his U10B team moved up as well: Logan, Zach, Nicco, Carter, Sawyer joined previous U12 players (Josh S., David and Matt).  Dean was a newcomer to soccer and JD and Luke came over from the other HP team.

Our 2nd game was versus Sauquoit and we lost 4-1, giving up one goal on a short penalty kick and one goal on an accidental tap by Dean.

The team got better this week:

  • The team played better as the game went on.  The team got more aggressive about committing to loose balls and challenging opposing players.
  • The boys got better about passing and unloading the ball before being double and triple teamed.
  • Communication was much better, especially on the defensive side.  We worked on that during practice and the boys communicated much better today.
  • I thought the team made an effort to play hard and were consistent throughout the game.
  • We were able to get everyone significant time playing offense and defense that will pay off in their development.

Eric played much harder this week and made an attempt to be 1st to the loose balls.

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So yesterday Luke fell and got the wind knocked out of him. I came out on the field and talked with him.  I asked him if he was OK while he was laying down and if anything specific hurt.  Luke said that he was OK. So I told Luke that probably his Dad was worried about him and that he should just lift his hand and give a little wave or thumbs up.  Luke looked in my eyes and smiled that sly “Luke Smile” that I am sure his parents have seen a million times….I said “Oh, you are going to make him suffer, eh?” and he gave a big, ole grin. After another moment or two he decided to sit up. I think Luke may enjoy pulling Mom and Dad’s chain sometimes, eh?

Nicco off sides on Eric’s shot on goal.

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Front: Sawyer, Carter, Josh, Logan, Zach and Dean

Back: Nicco, Josh, Luke, Eric, David and Matt

Coaches: Jim, Jim and Doug

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Every team picture has to conclude with a Funny Faces version.

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Eric’s 1st Soccer Goal!

This is Eric’s 3rd year of AYSO soccer. He played 1 year of U6 (under 6 years old) and this is his 2nd year of U8. U8 soccer is played 5 vs. 5, usually with 3 offensive attacking players and 2 defensive players (no goalie). Eric says he likes playing defense best and has gotten quite good about challenging an oncoming player and kicking the ball back up the field.

But being AYSO all the players rotate and play different positions so he plays offense too. Last spring Eric almost scored a goal. He found himself 20-30 feet from the goal with a loose ball and no opposition. Rather than dibble it in; he kicked it and the ball gradually lost momentum and stopped just short of the goal where it was kicked out by the other team.

On the way to the game Eric told me they had practiced goal kicks in PE at school that day and he hoped he would get a goal. Prophetic…..

This past game the opposing team didn’t use a 3 up 2 back alignment, but all 5 kids went after the ball. There was a clump of kids kicking at the ball and Eric went to the open area between the clump and the goal. Josh Savage either passed or just plain kicked the ball out of the group right to Eric who once again took his shot. This time he was a little closer and the kick was a little stronger. GOAL!

He was beaming from ear to ear. But afterwards he said he still likes playing defense better. I think because he can practice his dance moves like the pictures below.

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Eric’s Soccer Team

Last week Eric’s soccer team finally won a game.  He is the youngest player on his U8 team.  The U8 team plays 5 vs 5 with 3 upfield offensive players and 2 defensive players.  At this stage Eric is more comfortable playing defense, but he gets moved around like all the AYSO players.  Below Cory tries to steal the ball while ‘Big Josh’ and Eric guard the goal.