Home vs. Gorge FC (Jay's team)

Gorge Canadians Squeak Out a 2-1 Win

Gorge Canadians met Gorge FC (Jay's Team) on Hampton's new turf field ... a good thing, as Bullen and a number of other fields around the city were closed (again) today. The two other U11 Girls Gorge teams also played each other on the turf beside us. One word to sum up today's game is ... COLD! The players and fans were cold in the wind and driven rain.

A brief game overview...
- Gorge Canadian were missing three players today (including speedy Cara) and Gorge FC were missing their two key players (Olivia S. and Susie M.)
- Gorge Canadians took the play to Gorge FC immediately attacking and getting a shot on net in the first minute
- in the first half much of the play was in their end; however, the first on the score board was Gorge FC ... they scored on a quick run down the wing as they found a weakness on our side today (Jaymie had a sore knee and could not run to her best ability - a coaching mistake on my part putting her in a defence). Paige was not really tested anymore after that.
- controlling the midfield again this week was Kaitlin M. with Jenn C back from her ski trip
- we had many chances but the balls were either hitting the posts, cross-bars or into the hands of their keeper (who played well)
- our first goal came on a self-made play by Alanna B. who dribbled through a few players and sent a low drive into the left side of the net
- in the second half Paige came out to play midfield while Jaymie went in net (to save her knee and get really cold!)
- our defence again kept the ball out of our goal area for almost all the second half except for two or three shots ... the defence were first to almost every ball and were taking the ball to the outside and away from the centre of the playing field ... Excellent work by Heather and Lauren!
- the second goal was beautiful ... again, on a run down the wing by Erin she played a perfect cross/pass to Kaitlin M. who placed the ball cleanly in the net ..... that's the way soccer is played girls!
- in the end, the score was probably not indicitive of the play (we probably carried 75% of the play)

A "shout out" to the following players...
- to Erin, for excellent runs down the wing and many good crosses to the middle
- to Lauren and Heather who held up the defence for most of the day (with assistnace from Alanna)
- to Alanna for tallying for the second straight game
- to Kaitlin M. who controlled the midfield again today
- to Jaymie for playing shutout soccer in the second half as keeper (and freezing)
- to the parents (and grandparents) who huddled in the cold
- to Gorge FC for playing a good game without a couple of their key players

Away vs. Gorge Buccaneers (Roy's Team)

Gorge Canadians "Spanked" 5-1 by Gorge Bucaneers

Coach Brad has been tardy at writing this one up because I did not know what to say about this game (plus my old brain is quickly forgetting things). There was moments of brilliance and moments of ... let's just say ... "less-than-brilliant" play.

Although the team was missing a key midfielder and defender and a couple of the girls were ill, this did not account for some of the play on the field. The first half went fairly well with the play fairly even and our girls defending well against the attacking skills of the Bucaneer's key player Kathy (I think we may have even got her frustrated as she wasn't penetrating the defence like she may be used to).

However, the second half we came up flat ... perhaps our conditioning is not as good as the Bucaneers. But, I think the biggest problem is that you girls were beaten by yourselves in the second half. After one or two end-to-end runs by Kathy, with a goal or two, you seemed to just give up on marking her. You had beaten yourself mentally by letting yourself believe she was unstoppable. At this point in the game I think I made some coaching errors and should have changed a few things. So we all made some bad plays! We'll chalk this game up as an experience and remember it for future games.

Some bright spots...
- Kaitlin M., after a long hiatus, returned to the team and played a great game! She worked hard, did not give up on any lost balls, tackled/defended well against their key player (Kathy). Great game Kaitlin!
- Lauren and Heather continue to improve on defence.
- Alanna finally got on the score boad with a great self-made goal.

I know you girls can do better! I know you can work as a team to shut down skilled players!

Remember ... teamwork and skilled passing trumps skilled dribbling any day!

Gorge Soccer Academy - January 15, 2006

School Is Back In Session!

The academy started up again on a cool Sunday and Coach Deano had the girls warming up after a long break. The session concentrated on getting our "soccer legs" back. So, running, change of direction, movement and fun was the order of the day.

For pictures see ... http://gorgegirls.zoto.com/galleries/academy20060115

The last exercise of the session had the girls collecting a number of items on the fly and creating a picture ... a Gorge U11Girls Soccer Academy Art Attack!

This teams creation was a picture of Coach Deano (sock uni-brow included)...















Coach Deano may not be available over the next week or two due to the impending birth of his first child --> Good Luck Deano to your wife and you!
The girls hope it is a girl!!

No Game - Bye for January 14, 2006

Bye for Januray 14, 2006 - Scrimmage in "The Cage"

Gorge Canadians started out the 2006 year by having a bye ... so we called a practise in the "Gorge Cage" - our small turf field. Due to a soggey few days preceding the Saturday, all fields were closed, so Coach Roy Cordick's team joined us in the cage for a scrimmage game.

*** Again, we are very lucky to be playing for Gorge Soccer Association to have access to these all-weather facilities to use when the weather is sour.

It turned out that Saturday was a great day for soccer ... the sun came out, it was warm and the girls had fun! These two teams will meet again - scheduled for next Saturday January 21, 2006.

The photo below was taken by Emma's mom (thanks Erin) and shows both teams together...
(photo coming)

Player Profile of the Week - January 11, 2006

Who am I?????




















Why Do You Enjoy Soccer: I enjoy soccer because it is fun and you get to meet new people
Number of Years Played Soccer: Two years
Favorite Position: Defense
Most Memorable Soccer Moment: When I scored my first goal
Favorite Colour: Pink
Favorite Movie: Harry Potter (all three)
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Favorite Animal: Dogs / Puppies
Favorite PopStar/Band: Hillary Duff
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Flavor of Ice-cream: Chocolate
If I had a million dollars I would.... Give some to the environment and to health care

Special Speed Training Session - January 5, 2006

Special Session at Hampton Turf Field
Gorge Soccer Association's head coach Dave Dew was introducing speed training through his series of coaching clinics to all participating Gorge coaches. The Gorge Canadians U11 Girls were the "guinea pigs" for him for the evening. Actually, Coach Dave wanted to introduce these drills to a younger, actively growing group of players, and our team was requested to help.

The drills concentrated on the following ...
- The proper mechanics of running, starting, turning and stopping. This included incorporating game situation movements i.e. running forwards, backwards, sideways and getting up from the ground
- Improving a players concentration, reaction time and decision making
- Improving the physiology of young players (i.e. building a "memory" of speed into their bodies)
- Lastly, and important for our girls, these drills (if properly incorporated into our training) will hopefully decrease the probablility of ACL injuries that are prevalent for female players.

The evening was great on all accounts...
- good coaching turn-out
- good training with clear goals, clear instructions and activity
- good participation by Gorge Canadians U11 team (with two players from Mike Carr's team)
- most importantly ... the girls had fun!!

It was good for the girls as they had a chance to get out and train a bit after a lay-off over the holidays --> thank goodness for Gorge's Turf Field (again)!

You girls did great! Dave Dew was happy and impressed on your "concentration, effort and enthusiasm". I also received some great feedback from the other coaches.

These drills will be incorprated to all of our practises and game warmups for the remainder of the season.

Thanks to Dave Dew and Gorge Soccer for the training and opportunities!

*** On the down side of things :-(
The only negative aspect of the evening is that we lost a player for a month. Olivia took a spill and landed awkwardly while running backwards and broke her arm. She is now in a cast and will not be available for games for at least a month. This will leave a hole in our team as Olivia is a solid/consistent defender. However, I know you girls will be able to answer this challenge and help out!

Jaymie C. - Last Player Profile of the Week

The Player Profile of the Week - November 30, 2005 was .... Jaymie C.
This was a tougher one to guess ... three out of the eleven that voted got this correct.

Stay tuned for another baby picture soon!