Hard Luck

Once again we leave Blue Heron Park with a narrow loss to show for a battling performance. I can't help but be frustrated when we lose the way we did and to their only shot of the game. But that's why they're in first place - they take their chances. We worked hard today, but we didn't work very smart. I also thought our passing and movement was the perhaps worst it's been all season. I'll put that down to the awful playing surface (concrete) and the fact we just couldn't control the ball quick enough before a Peninsula player was in our face.

Rob and Willie will be taking the reigns for the next couple of games and hopefully Brett or Steph will be available to help out with practices. See you all in February!

White Jerseys

A friendly reminder that we're wearing our white "Storm" jerseys tomorrow against Peninsula.

Battling Victory for the Storm

Well, that was a bruiser! All the better that we won then because anything less would have made the nicks and bruises we suffered hurt just that little bit more. It was nice to finally score a goal on Gorge because we had a stinker the first time we played them and the last match at Hampton Park was frustrating after dominating possession. That was a hard-fought win ladies, a real battle from start to finish.

Positives first. We played with a lot of intensity and energy and more than matched Gorge's commitment to winning the ball. We scored two very different goals, but both came as a result of winning the ball and making quick, smart decisions after gaining possession. Our defence was excellent, particularly Lily and Holly, and our fullbacks (Margaret, Marissa, Mia and Annabel) supported the forwards with nice through balls and good defensive positioning. I also liked how our attacking midfielders (Emma especially) got forward to get some shots on goal. Our goals were excellent, especially Chloe's well executed left-foot shot from Paige's fast low centreing pass. Not sure who got the final touch to the second but either Olivia or Brooke would be deserving after strong outings. And, not to be missed, Mia made a great face-save in the first-half after we gifted Gorge possession in our eighteen. Guts. Mara showed what a tough cookie she is after taking a high-tackle to the knee.

Areas needing improvement. Our free kicks didnt have the loft or distance to get past the first defender and we gave possession away as a result. Communication. Too often we had two players converging on the ball and getting in each others way. Remember, one player must always take command of the situation. Usually this is the player closest to the ball or, when players are equally close, the player who is moving toward the opposition goal, not going back toward's ours. Heading. Our defensive headers were good, attacking headers not so good. If our forwards can learn to use their heads we will score more goals. Simple as that.

So now we recuperate and prepare for what will be a very tough match against Peninsula. We will definately need to have a full compliment of players and be fully fit to take on the league leaders. As a result so you can expect a different sort of practice Tuesday :-)

Enjoy your weekend!

Gordon Head Jamboree April 3-4-5

Looks like a very competitive group of teams that have registered for this year's Gordon Head Jamboree. The Jamboree is scheduled for April 3-5 and some games may be played at Lochside Park.

So far there our competition comes from Vancouver (Dunbar Tigers and Dunbar Jabbawockies), Coquitlam Tornado, Comox Valley Salsa, West Vancouver Xtreme, Port Coquitlam Strikers and our local rivals Lakehill Reds. Not sure how many teams they're accepting but I noticed the Girls U13 Recreational Division "A" filled up faster than any other.

I'm assuming everyone is available to play that weekend (Spring Break for public schools is Mar 16-20) but if you're not then let me know as soon as possible.

Excellent Effort Today!

You should be very pleased with your performance today. I thought everyone worked exceptionally hard today and kept a high tempo for almost 70 minutes.

We controlled much of the possession and certainly had the ball in their end more often than they did in ours. But the one thing you can never control is luck, and we definitely didn't have any of that in the second half. First Marissa's shot cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and down and then Brooke G's quick turn and shot was cleared off the goal line. In between we had the ball in their penalty area 4-5 times without getting a good look at goal or a decent shot, but there was plenty of pressure. They say luck even's itself out over the course of the season, so let's hope we get a deposit next weekend against Gorge.

I was really pleased with our defensive play where we were first to the ball quicker than we've have done in recent games. More of that again next week please!

Practice is Tuesday as usual and we will continue to work on explosive and reactive foot speed.

Frank Leversedge

It is with extreme sadness that I note the passing of Frank Leversedge. Frank collapsed at Lochside Park Saturday morning doing what he did on thousands of ocassions - giving his time, energy and expertise for the "little soccer club that could". I offer my sincere condolences to Peggy, Fraser, Renton and their families on their loss.

Over the course of thirty years Frank nurtured and sustained Cordova Bay Soccer Club and it is not an overstatement to say the club would not exist without him as his contributions to the club are legendary. They include serving on almost every position on the Board at one time or another, including President; overseeing the expansion of the park by three acres to also include softball and converted the soccer fields to a sand-based operation, developed a partnership with the Community Badminton Hall so that youth soccer players could practice indoors in the winter season and for mini-tournaments; founding and nurturing the World Cups Festival, and most recently, the vision, planning and construction of our new turf field. Truly, a staggering legacy that is surely unparralled in local soccer circles.

Frank spoke often about the affection he felt for the "jewel" that is Cordova Bay Soccer Club. It is a measure of the man that he never once asked for any credit, despite the fact he largely made the club what it is today.

I consider it a privilege to have known and worked alongside Frank and hope and trust his legacy is never forgotten. He truly was one-of-a-kind and I am humbled by his grace, humour and passion for life and the goodwill of others.

Storm 4 Gordon Head 0

Some pictures of our game courtesy of Lakehill's Chief Scout! Judging by the subjects of the pictures I'm pretty sure Lakehill will be receiving a dossier full of intelligence reports about Paige's two goals, Chloe's set-up play and Olivia's fine finishing! We won't be seeing Lakehill again until February but I'm sure they'll be ready for us!

Overall we had a strong game from several different players. Once again we were very solid at the back only suffering a couple moments of panic and one strange penalty decision which gratefully went high and wide! In the first half when the score was tight I thought our defence - lead by Lily and Holly - did a great job handling the threat of Dallas and Bri. Both are very good players who can cause any team trouble. On a slick pitch a goalie's handling becomes critical and I thought Marissa's goalkeeping in the first half was excellent. Mia was less-tested in the second-half but her kicking was superb.

We played with a couple of different midfield combinations and with the exception of a ten-minute period in the first-half, I thought we got to grips pretty well. Our midfield seemed a little confused about our checking assignments when we didnt have the ball, but we got forward as a group better than some previous games. On our first goal it was a midfielder (Emma) who got to Olivia's cross first and caused the confusion which allowed Paige to slot home from close range. In the second half Lily, Chloe and Olivia all saw plenty of possession and contributed some good passes and support. Brooke E also had one great burst into the penalty area, only to be thwarted at the last moment.

When you score four goals it's pretty clear your forwards had a good-day at the office. Our second and third goals were the result of sustained pressure in the GH penalty area. Brooke G's shot had the good fortune of a wicked deflection before it crossed the goal line, but it was deserved given all of her hard work on the left side. Paige's second came from a poorly cleared ball from the GH defence, but the finish was top-notch - giving their keeper no chance with a shot high to the goalie's right. Olivia's was a highlight reel goal - good movement across the field from left-to-right, with Kristina's final killer pass allowing Olivia to blast home from a slight-angle. Perhaps we should have scored a couple more, but we scored the goals needed to win and that's what you aim for.

Next up is Juan de Fuca. Both contests earlier in the season were close affairs and I dont expect much difference this weekend. I expect I'll know game location by practice time Thursday.

Bottle Drive on Saturday

The club is holding a bottle drive this Saturday to raise funds for the Turf. Very few of you are likely aware because someone forgot to let everyone know in December. Looks bad on the Club President that his team(s) aren't involved, but there you go!

Anyway, Storm players can still participate by dropping off any bottles and cans they may have hanging around the house at the field before our game Saturday. Your parents may even have some full bottles they might consider emptying before Saturday ;-).

The bottle drop will be located in the parking lot at Lochside Park from around 10am onwards.

Tuesday Practice Cancelled

The field is far too wet from the melted snow and current downpour.

Hope to see everyone on Thursday at 7pm.

Bring It Indoors Champions!

Congratulations to Chloe, Olivia, Paige, Lily, Emma and Monique on their dominating performance this weekend at the Bays Indoor Tournament. The girls went undefeated, winning all five games including the final in a rough and tumble contest against Gorge.

Thanks to Bob Hegland for entering a team and asking me to coach - it was a pleasure coaching the girls this weekend.

And final thanks to Rob Kobenter for the team photos (in case you're interested Rob the Storm has an opening for team phgotographer :-). I'm sure we'll see some other photos soon.

Exhibition Game Cancelled

Unfortunately Peninsula U14 has advised that they cannot field a team for tomorrow so the game is off. Hopefully we'll get another opportunity to play them later in the season.

We will practice at 6pm instead.