0-0 tie v MTH Lightning

apparently this was a game of two halves. I have to take this on trust as I missed the 1st half due to TopGun duties.

The half that I saw was played almost entirely in the Lightning half of the field, but Sporting struggled to get a decent shot on goal. With about 10 minutes remaining we noticed that Fay was actually sat down in the penalty box. Coach Mark suggested she stand up again... which was just as well as she needed to pick the ball up and kick it at least once towards the end of the game. A packed Lightning defence kept the ball away from goal, although Lexie did manage a shot just wide of the post.

Zero goals scored this weekend, but only 1 against us. We have a good idea on where to focus practices. Conditioning is still not quite as good as it should be, and some basics have to be reinforced

Looks like being a very very tight division, but I'm going to place a bet now that the Devils will win this bracket

1-0 to Devils

I can't bring myself to write about this one. Try here http://devils98.blogspot.com

There are pictures too

Sporting 98 White to field synchronized diving team

At the recent team party and parents meeting, an undiscovered talent emerged as the girls showed off their prowess at team synchronized diving.

"Football is for hooligans," says coach Jon Terrett. "These girls have what it takes for London 2012. Olympic acquatics, prepare to be taken by storm."

Thaks to the Cioths for hosting the party this evening!

More pictures from the party can be found on our picture site.

Home opener, Delgado opener ends in 1-1 draw

Under cloudy, grey skies the Sporting girls took their field in the first Delgado match of the season. It was great to have the whole roster present, and every player healthy enough to play. (It might also be noted that the field lines were highly visible and precise for all weekend games due to the efforts of parents on this team)

Following the opening kickoff, Sporting moved the ball towards the southern goal defended by the opponents, Los Gatos Wildcats, and kept possession there for the first ten minutes of the game. But the Cats held tough, and with the leg strength of their backfield, they moved the ball back into our half of the pitch and kept it there for quite some time. The offensive attack was continuous, though not particularly potent, but one Wildcat shot took an awkward bounce on the sparse turf and dribbled into the goal to send the Cats into halftime with a 1-nil lead.

Coach T made some half time lineup changes that yielded a more successful Sporting offense in the second half. The hoopsters charged northward several times, sending a half dozen shots toward the LG keeper. LG responded with several panic-inducing, though ultimately unsuccessful counterattack campaigns. Finally, in the 44th minute, the Sporting pressure forced a mistake by the Cats as they were called for a hand ball in the box. From the parent sideline, the infraction looked inadvertent, but the CR, nonetheless awarded a PK, which was sent beautifully over the left shoulder of the Cats keeper by a Sporting forward.

From this point on, Sporting was clearly on the attack as the defense moved to midfield to support the onslaught. Numerous campaigns down the left side of the offense were turned back by a resilient LG defense. Despite a number of shots into the box, Sporting could not connect to score and ended up settling for a 1-1 draw.

Another scrimmage defeat

this time to the MP Strikers - who we nearly played in the 3/4 play off at SBTB. They beat us 2-1 but Sporting had more shots on goal and at least 5 one on one chances against their GK

Interesting game. The Strikers are a skilful team employing lots of cuts. They move the ball wide and put crosses into the box. Very little play goes down the center of the field. Sporting had an off day that is for sure. Lots of sleepiness and forgetting some basics. But I take a lot of heart from the fact we can play badly and still have chances to win a game against a team who were offered a spot in class 1 but turned it down. The Spring standings for the Strikers are below. This is Redwood league class 3A. Interesting to see the other teams in this bracket, some of whom we recently defeated at SBTB.

The season starts this saturday 9/12 ve LG Wildcats

Narrow loss to Top U12 team

0-4 v. TopGun97

Despite dominating the entire game with shot after shot at the opposition goal, 98GWhite went down 4-0 to four lucky break away fluke goals..... kind of.

On average, 98GW gave about 6inches in height to TopGun97 who clearly have been on the Miracle Grow (TM). We fought hard but the extra pace and power of TG was too much for our girls to keep out. 3-0 at half time, but only 1-0 in the second half. The second half was indeed much better. The girls played tougher, attacked harder and showed more skill and passing than TG - and these were responses to instructions from the coaches at half time - its so great when they listen and implement instructions.

It was a solid performance against a team who almost won "soccer by the bay". TopGun lost on PKs in the final against MVLA Cobras, the current U12 3A champions.