storm rally from 0-2 but fail to earn tie

The boys played a thrilling game, but could not overcome an early 2-0 deficit and lost to the FreePort Sting.

The two goals were let by defensive lapses.  We talked about those as a team and will try to prevent them going forward.  The defense really did play very well for 47 minutes and 40 seconds.  It was those two brief let downs.  That's what defense is all about, really, being constantly alert and dependable.  I need to start selling more of the boys on defense as a career.  It is very satisfying.  What I liked about this game was that the defense did not panic after giving up the two goals.  They dug in and did not give up that killer third goal.  Thus giving the offense a chance to get back in the game.

Which they did.   Joe got a goal with ten minutes left to make the score 2-1 and then there were ten thrilling minutes while the storm pressed and pressed.  Jack glanced a gorgeous arching shot off the far post.  And Joseph was in a scrum in the box with two defenders and bouncing ball.  Both were close things.  Really close.  Alas, the game ended with no second goal for the storm.

The biggest challenge was the we had no subs and were on the big field!  Zac posted but was feeling too under the weather to play.  Oh well, the boys that could make it got an outstanding workout.  

Quick things.  David - have you been practicing drop kicks?  they looked strong today.  Sterling have you been juggling?  I saw you pluck a few balls high out of the air with your foot.  Joseph was extremely tricky with the ball along the baseline.  Harry busted a guy with an ankle-breaking cut back move and had  near score in the first half.  Jack did an excellent job of slipping into open space near the goal.

Storm hold on for a 5-4 win

The Storm handed the Red Curry their first lost of the season and improved their own record to 2-2.  Red Curry was short-handed at kick off and the Storm took advantage, grabbing a 4-0 lead.  The Red Curry fought back - aided by both the arrival of some highly-skilled players and a bit of a lapse in Defensive focus on the part of the Storm to start the second half.  It was close at the end, but the Storm prevailed.

I was not at the game, but I did get a report.  From what I hear Jack C's progression as a clever and effective passer continues.  I also heard that Chad was un-get-around-able in the middle of the field.  These are both excellent data points.  And did I hear that Tamir scored a goal? A buzzer beater to end the first half?  Awesome if it's true! 

The win and the three points puts the Storm right back in the thick of things . . .

bad sunday

We only had to stop play once to help an injured player off the field, and his mom reported that he was just fine a few hours after game - so that is a positive thing.  And Harry looked really good one-on-one with the ball at his feet.  He busted a Kiski defender and made a quick step to the ball and touched it past the goalie for the score.  So that was good also.

But Kiski got the joy once again and that was the bad part.  The storm gave up two quick goals and the game kind of got out hand from there.  Our boys were a little slow with passes - especially at the start - and got shouldered off the ball a lot of the time.

One lesson to take from the loss is to give a close mark when defending.  Kiski was running to the corner and then centering.  Twice we had a boy standing generally in the right area to guard against a cross but not actually marking a defender.  The cross came in fast and accurate, and the Kiski player was able to touch the ball and redirect to goal with our guy watching from a few feet away.   If we can take that lesson forward and mark players such that we eliminate them as targets, then Sunday's outcome will be easier to take.

Ravens week

The Dynamo Storm will play the Kiski force this Sunday at 10:35, and it will be kind of like a Steelers/Ravens game.  Over the years outrage has evolved to mutual respect, and we have played some great, intense games with the boys from Kiski.  But I am going to have to tell our guys that in a good rivalry both teams get a near equal share of the wins and losses.  If my memory is correct, Kiski got the joy the last two games.  It's our turn.

Storm victorious!

The boys defeated the North Hills Raptors 4-2.  It certainly felt good to win a soccer game!  The first half was pure joy to watch.  The boys were touching the ball well, communicating, finding each other in space, and backing each other up.

Tamir and Lawson were awesome on  the D line and did not allow a clean shot on goal in the first half.  If James Harrison and LaMaar Woodley are as effective at shutting down Aaron Rogers as Tamir and Lawson were with the Raptor Strikers then we will all have some good times later today.

The Storm were up 2-0 at the half.  The Raptors got a goal to make it 2-1, but then Keanu scored two quick goals to put the match out of reach.  Speaking of . . . Keanu had four goals.  Hat trick +  Joseph and others were placing the ball into space and Keanu was quick to the ball and quick with a strike.  On the first goal Joseph had an assist on a classic Joseph header forward over the defense and into space.  Keanu's third goal was great.  He was dribbling slowly back from the baseline, tracked by a defender and scanning the field for a target.  Suddenly he pushed the ball forward and struck it back toward the goal.  The shot was a ground laser the went just inside the near post.

Two things I especially liked about the game today: (1) we had a lead and put a team away and (2) the offensive attacks were under control, not hasty.  All the boys should feel good about this morning's game.