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Lasers 6 - 1 Burlington
There is nothing like saving the best till last. Last night was one of our best performances of the season but even within the game we waited until the second half to produce some of our best soccer of the year. Perfect conditions at Burlington's Maple Park. With a venue that close to the lake you always run the risk of an icy wind but last nights still warm air provided ideal playing conditions. Burlington has had a very up and down season. They are loaded with talent and can score goals with the best of them, but they have had some inconsistent results this year so you are never sure what to expect. We on the other hand needed a result to keep the pressure on Oakville but coming off the emotional high of the weekend we were perhaps vulnerable for a let down.
Straight from the kickoff we carried the game to Burlington and had some success running at their defence, we were rewarded with a goal just after the 10 minute mark. Burlington moved the ball quite well and always looked dangerous on the counter attack. We managed to bend without breaking at the back and added a terrific headed goal off a corner for a two goal margin. The lead didn't feel comfortable though as Burlington pushed forward and began to find some space and some cracks in the Laser defence. They were rewarded with an excellent goal on a shot from the outside. The nature of the goal was scary and coming just before the half it announced that the game was still finely balanced and the three points were anything but secure.
Fortyfive minutes of our inaugaral OYSL season remained and we had everything to play for. Both sides started the second going forward and it was only a matter of time until someone added to the scoreline. We were the braver of the two squads and broke the ice in the second. That goal inspired us and obviously seemed to create uncertainty in the Burlington ranks. Confidence is such an important element in sports, with it everything is easy without it, the simplest of skills seem difficult. We began to pass the ball with increased purpose and began to carry the play straight at the Burlington goal. In the middle of the field we won every ball and although Burlington remained dangerous on the counter their forays forward came mainly as a result of route one balls over the top. The second half was one of our most dominating performances of the year, which is very satisfying, the fact that it came against a quality opponent makes it even more so. The game closed our regular season with an exclamation point, and is a perfect tonic as we begin to shift our focus to PEI.
We end the season with 38 points which is currently good enough for first place. Our situation is very simple. We are curently nine points ahead of Oakville, who have three games remaining, we have identical goal differentials. Oakville need to win their three remaining to tie our point total. If they do they will increase their goal differential which will give them the league title, if they drop any points the title will be ours. Either way we have now done all we can and must wait for the final outcome. What will be, will be and we must now focus on bigger games to come.
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Lasers 2 - 1 Pickering
Not sure what to write about yesterdays game. I was there I did watch it and I know we won because I have the medal but apart from that mcuh of it is a bit of a blur. My heart goes out to the Pythons. They have been and continue to be one of the top teams in the province. When it comes to the Lasers though they have an incredible losing streak. Going into yesterdays game we had played the Pythons eleven times in full field competition. Starting at the MIT in 2005 the scores have been:
At U11
1-0, 1-1(1-2 loss on pens), 2-0
At U12
2-1, 2-0, 4-1
At U13
3-2, 5-0, 2-1
At U14
3-2, 3-2
So going into yesterdays game we had a 10 game winning streak on the line. Some games we have been the better team, some games though it could be argued that Pickering was the better team. Regardless of the play on the field we always seem to come out on the right end of the score. Any sane person will tell you that a streak like this can only last so long. Although the girls were confident thay could beat Pickering a soon as they realised that they would be our opponent, some of us may have had a teeny tiny sense of foreboding understanding that there are only so many times you can beat a quality opponent especially given how well the Pythons have been playing of late. Still yesterday proved no different from so many of our games, the Lasers and the Pythons play and regardless of what happens on the field when the final whistle blows the Lasers emerge victorious!
Much better conditions at kickoff than last year, warm with a breeze but not the icy gale of last year. Not much to choose between the teams early. I thought Pickering settled a little quicker and applied much of the early pressure. As we settled we started to carry more of the play bouncing one of the bar, and calling the shots. As the half ended the momentum shiffted again and it was Pickerings turn to be in the drivers seat. So 0-0 at the break in a finely balanced tie.
A nightmare start for the second as we failed to deal with a bouncing ball over the top. The committee system that tried to deal with it proved to be just a little too slow allowing the Python striker to zip in and poke the ball in the net. Still at least we had 39 minutes left on the clock to rebound. And given the fact that Pickering scored first in in each of our games this season panic wasn't in the girls minds. Unlike most of our previous games though we didn't rebound with pressure. It was the Pythons who upped the ante and bossed the game for most of the half. About 25 minutes in though we scored the tieing goal of what was our first legitimate chance of the half. The second came about five minutes later and suddenly the dream of going to Nationals is within our grasp.
The game had twists right until the end though. The first came with the announcement of five minutes of added time for the treatment received by the Pickering keeper. At this point in the game 5 minutes seemed like an eternity but we were dealing with it pretty well for the first four minutes and then towards the end as Pickering threw everything forward we began to scramble. A desparate swing at a clearance with almost no time left resulted in a Python free kick just a yard outside the box. The lengthy treatment to the injured player added to the tension. After what seemed like an eternity we were ready for the last few seconds. A hard shot that got by the wall was pushed behind for a corner, with no time left there would be another opportunity for the Pythons. A high arching corner that dropped into the six yard box was bundled behind for a goal kick. The Lasers had withstood the final Pickering onslaught, a goalkick up the field and the final whistle blows time.
Last year at this time I wrote about history, today is about more history,we have done what very few teams have done, winning back to back titles.
After big wins some teams go to Dinsney world, we are going some place better, Prince Edward Island here we come!
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Lasers 4 - 1 London Utd.
And then there were two! Games to go that is. Going into last night we needed to win three games to achieve our goal, now we have to win two. A very different game from the first London game where we put the game away inside the first 10 minutes. Straight from the kickoff we carried the paly but our territorial domination didn't translate to goals and unlike many of our previous games it really didn't translate into good scoring opportunities. We were clearly fighting the ball for much of the game last night. We were rushing ourselves in the final quarter of the field, we were snatching at shots and generaly not very composed. There can be any number of reasons for this. Part of it I am sure was and attempt to do things out of order. We need to receive a pass, control the ball then shoot and score. Last night we wer so anxious to get on the score sheet that we were thinking goal first and skipping right past the recieving of the ball and the control bit. The result was some pretty untidy play. The other thing is regardless of our experience we are well aware of the importance and magnitude of our next game. All in all a 1-1 tie at the brek was a source of concern given our play.
An entire second half though meant we would have plenty of time to settle and claim the three points. As time went on though, you began to wonder if this would be another one of those games. Fortunately the go ahead goal came some twentyfive minutes in and was followed up with another inside of two minutes, the third goal of the half created a more acceptable scoreline. There is nothng like scoring a goal to settle the nerves. This is without question a much improved London team. Our performance though, should be a precursor of what to expect on the weekend. We will be excited, we will be nervous, all of these are normal reactions to such a big game. When we find ourselves in that position on Saturday we will have to understand what is going on and be patient and calm in order to overcome it. We have all played in big games on numerous occasions, we have managed to raise our game in response to those occasions and without question we will do so again on Saturday!
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Lasers 3 - 1 Gloucester
Back to back trips to Ottawa seem to blur as we arrive home and reflect on the weekend. A better trip home without the Sunday traffic but not a trip you want to make on a regular basis, especially given the strength of the Ottawa based competition.
Gloucester is the type of opponent you don't want to face. They are big, tough, physical and can hurt you on a number of different fronts. Once again we were treated to wonderful facilities in the Ottawa area, the Hornets nest providing the backdrop, and a very nice one for the game. The drizzle and overcast of Friday had been replaced with warm bouyant air with a gusting and ever changing wind. We never have done too well in these types of conditions and Gloucester put us under pressure with long balls we had trouble judging right from the get go. Into the wind we had our chances but were not able to break through. The Hornets looked very dangerous on long balls and counter attacks, but the breakthrough didn't come until half an hour into the game. A forty yard diagonal cross from a free kick was met with an unchallenged header in the box. A very well taken goal and an illustration of how dangerous uncontested headers in the box can be.
1-0 at the break and the Lasers with the wind in the second, surely the outcome was in our hands. While the first half was fairly evenly balanced the second half was much more of a Laser show. However teritorial advantage means nothing without goals and as the game went on the frustration grew as we were unable to breakthrough. Gloucester understandably slowed the game but we did not panic and persisited, confident we would be rewarded. The tyeing goal came late almost 30 minutes into the second half. Once the damn had been breached it was a matter of going on to claim the three points, first the go ahead and then an insurance goal both in the final 10 minutes for the final scoreline. A very satisfying result and another crutial three points that piles on additional pressure for those chasing us. Although we have not had the type victories we had last year the feeling after grinding out such a win is in many ways even better. And when traveling so far for games it certainly makes for a much nicer trip home!
Today we were rewarded for our patience and hard work. This was a physical battle to be sure, we have a short bench which means everyone has to dig just that little bit deeper which is exactly what everyone did this afternoon. So we end August atop the OYSL, and in the final of the Ontario Cup. I hope everyone realizes just how impressive our accomplisments year todate have been. That said we have three competitive games in the next two weeks London, and Burlington in the league and Pickering in the Ontario cup. Three games that we need to address in order with maximum focus, we cannot afford to let up physically or mentally. We are very close to an acomplishment even greater than last year, it is within our grasp, but only with total focus and effort will we be able to sieze it.
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Lasers 3 - 0 Nepean
Just over 24 hours and 500 kilometres after our Ontario Cup semi final we were back to battle on the second front the OYSL league. A second day in hot humid conditions and we looked far frome lively warming up. Still, while a warm up cbe a predictor of game play as it was in London sometimes the team that answers the bell can be very different from the team that warms up. We kicked off and applied all the pressure, in many ways it was a replay of the Saturday game with Nepean being limited to the odd up field venture and basically defending non stop for most of the half. Lots of pressure and goal scoring opportunities were rewarded with a two goal lead at the break. We would have a slight wind disadvantage in the second but given the nature of our play we were justifiably confident we would be coming home with three points.
Five minutes inot the second half the routine game became anything but. A very harsh red card meant we would be playing a full 40 minutes with only 10 players. The back end of a double header in hot conditions against a quality opponent meant the three points would be anything but routine. The response of the team was terrific. In some respects we changed our playing philosophy seeking to hold the ball rather than strive for additional goals. As a result we played a much stronger possession game holding of the Nepean team while continuing to create scoring chances of opur own. Half way through the second period we were rewarded with a third goal which made the game more comfortable as far as a victory was concerned but as the game went on it seemed to become more important to girls to maintain the clean sheet as if to underline their displeasure at the efforts of the referree. The second half was a true Laser performance, backs against the wall, alone against the world, you name the cliche we came through in glorious fashion.
The result was another important three points extending our lead atop the OYSL. Other teams have games in hand but the more we keep winning the greater the pressure applied to those doing the chasing, and pressure can do strange things to teams that are in need of three points.
So we may have had to battle the traffic congestion from Trenton on in but we did so with three points in our back pocket. Three league games and an Ontario Cup final. Four games and four victories will be just waht the doctor ordered!
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Lasers 4 - 0 Oshawa
Ten days after a very disapointing result we drove west down the 401 to face the same opposition for the right to return to the Ontario Cup final. A larger squad than the previous game was a bonus given the heat. We have played ver few games in warm temperatures this season 9:00pm starts are cooler and even tournament play has been generally played in cooler, damper weather. It was nice haveing the 11:00am game as the temeratures only rose as the day went on.
From the get go the Lasers carried the play and restricted Oshawa to a few speculative runs into the Laser defensive zone. Still as has been our habit most of the year we were wasteful infront of the net shooting just wide or straight at the Oshawa keeper who turned in a pretty impresive performance. A single goal lead at the intermission was hardly indicative of the balance of play and hardly safe. Still we were creating chances and you just have to trust that eventually you will be rewarded.
We kicked off the second hoping for more of the same and were rewarded just five minutes in. Once that insurance goal went in the outcome was never really in doubt. Oshawa was playing with the short bench on this date and as they tired we began to control more and more of the play. Two additional goals made the final 4-0 Lasers and once again the Oshawa Ontario Cup run ends at the hands of the Lasers. In all it was a good performance if not a great performance but it meant the Lasers return to the Ontario Cup final for a second year running. Although this represents one more step towards our ultimate goal nothing can ever be taken for granted and simply making it back to the final represents a significant accomplishement.
In the second semi final Pickering were full value for a single goal victory over Oakville who were no doubt hopeful of going one step further this year. So September 6th we will face very familiar opposition in the Pickering Pythons in the next step of our quest.
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Lasers 3 - 3 Oshawa
There is an old sports cliche, something about on any given day......Well that was a lesson learned last night. Our previous history means nothing. Oshawa is a team fighting for their OYSL survival, and there are plenty of cliches about desperation and sports teams.
We were short bodies but that is the reality of play at this level, its a fact of life, that you are at some point going to have to play with a short bench. That is why its necessary to train hard, not so we can play in 10 minute or 20 minute spells but so we can play for 90 minutes and not only retain our physical skills but also our mental facilities. The brain goes just as quickly as the legs and lungs an once the brain goes the decision making suffers.
Regardless of our situation, entering the game we did more than enough to win the match (other than put the ball in the net). Kicking off we looked much the better team pressing from the get go, we forced several saves in the Oshawa goal and it was not a surprise when we took the lead. Oshawa served notice that they would not roll over though and tied the game up with a shot from outside that was not closed down. Although this was a precurser of things to come our response was good. We got straight back to business and added two more before the break. A 3-1 lead seems pretty convincing but given the sheer volume of chances it really could have and should have been more.
The second half was played in much the same manner we pushed the ball to the 6 yard box only to find some way to not score. This happened time and time again. Its not bad luck. The ball goes where we kick it. We simply have to get better at finishing. Not leaning back and sending the ball high, relaxing so we don't snatch at shots, relaxing and not rushing in scoring situations, concentrating to strike the ball through the centre. This is nothing new, we all know these things, the question is how much harder are we prepared to work, to esure that the ball goes under the bar rather than rebounding off it? Once Oshawa came within a goal they received a boost and we seemed to realize how tired we were. Oshawa were rewarded again this time with only 7 minutes to go. Ample time for us to flood forward yet again but as we had been all night, we were wasteful on the final ball.
A major blow no doubt but one we can not dwell on we have an Ontario Cup semi final in 10 days against the same Oshawa team. That result will hinge on our work over the next week. We have three practices and 9 days in which to work. We all know what we can do away from practice and what we must do while at practice, the question is are we prepared to do it?
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Lasers 2 - 0 Nepean
Perhaps one of the most important decisions yesterday wasn't made by anyone in the Laser camp or the Neapean side, it was the decision of the match officials to get the game played. This season has been a schedulers nightmare and teams still in the running in the Ontario Cup and the OYSL are experiencing what the pros do as the season draws to an end and they find a fixture backlog. Every fixture lost to weather is another game that has to be shoehorned in at the end of the season. Usually rain isn't a problem but a U18 boys game palyed immediately prior to our game meant the field was not only soaked but also fairly cut up. For those of you on the sidelines you couldn't really grasp just how bad the field was until you got out there.
There was some thunder and lightning prior to kickoff but come game time all we had was rain, a soaking relentless drenching rain. Still as a bunch of mudders we have come to enjoy these condidtions and we started the game the much better of the two teams. We carried the play right off the bat and had the best of the early chances. Part of this may be due to the travel issue, something we must all be aware of for future games in the Ottawa area. Nepean came into the game as the half progressed but we had a marked edge in possession and good scoring chances and were full value for the one goal lead at the break. We probably should have had at least one and probably two more given the way we played but goals are certainly harder to come by in every competition so you take what you can and make the most of it.
The second half kicked off, without the rain but plenty of slop aand it was Nepean who started the brighter. Much more movement and purpose had us pinned back and chasing for the first 10 minutes of the half. Though we were stretched at the back we never broke and once we weathered the storm (please excuse the pun) we started to come back into the game. The rest of the half was pretty even both teams had chances but it was the Lasers that scored the all important insurance goal with about 10 minutes to go. After that it was simply a matter o keeing things tight and not letting anyone in behind for the victory.
For the third straight year the Lasers find themselves in the Ontario Cup Semi finals. For those of you who don't realise how big a deal that is we are the only team in the '94 age to achieve that. While that in itself is an achievement of wich we can be justifiably proud it is just one more step toward our ultimate goal. In two weeks we will travel to Cambridge to face off against familiar opposition in the Oshawa Kicks. On the other side of the draw, Oakville knocked off the London Meteors while Brams and Pickering played only half a game and now have to do it all over again to decide the makeup of the other semi final.
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Lasers 3 - 1 Brams
What a difference a week makes! We have all no doubt heard the expression "its not whether you win or lose......" I would imagine most of us from time to time have even used it, but having won and lost I can tell you that winning is a whole lot more fun. Another week and another hard fought battle at the top of the OYSL table. All games are important but last night especially so. Both sets of players knew it as did both sets of coaches as well as the assembled masses along the sideline.
By kickoff time he thunder and lightning had passed and we only had the rain to contend with. Horses for courses is another popular saying. In racing circles some horses are know as "mudders" well perhaps in the soccer world the Lasers a really a bunch of mudders! Regardless, conditions were an issue last night but it certainly didn't affect the quality of the product on display. Last year we often missed out on the titanic struggles where the game hinged in the balance. Sure its nice to put the game away early but when you come out on the right end of such a battle it makes the victory all the sweeter. Certainly not much to choose between the teams in the early going, some close calls going begging at each end. In fact there was little to choose between the teams the entire half, as each took turns trying to dominate, only to relinquish control for the next period. It was Brams though who broke the deadlock 30 minutes in with a well struck shot from 25 yards out. The half ended as it had begun with not much between the sides, but once again we found ourselves on the short end of a close score line.
The second half was a different story it was one in which I belieive we were clearly the better team. From the start we applied pressure and were on top in terms of territorial possession. We tied the game just six minutes in on a bit of a scrappy goal, but its the type of goal we have not been getting of late. A knockdown off a corner leading to panic in defence a situation in which we were quickest to react. Its realy a simple matter of anticipation and aggression going to the ball but its something thet we haven't been displaying much of late. Having tied the game I honestly felt much as I did in the Pickering game that we would go on to win it. Continued pressure lead to a go ahead goal just before the half hour mark, which meant it was simply a matter of holding things tight to ensure the win. I am not sure what happened on the ensuing kickoff but it was an awful sight to behold as the Brams striker dipsy doodled her way almost to the front of the Laser goal before finally being stopped. Though Brams threatened on the counter we too continued to push forward and scored the insurance goal with five minutes to play.
To describe the game as hard fought and committed would be an understatement. Physical always, and on occasion outside the laws of the game, we were challenged throughout but we retained our focus and our composure and as a result were able to secure a well earned, critically important victory.
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Lasers 1 - 3 Oakville
It's always difficult to post after a loss and thankfully it's not something that I do often. You never know quite what approach to tak, losing is not fun especially when you are not used to it. But the most important thing is to respond appropriately, in subsequent games, practices and even in an internet blog. While no one is happy with last nights game or the final outcome let's not get too morose and try to keep things in perspective.
The game itself was hard fought and rather evenly matched. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Going into last nights game Oakville and ourselves have been the top rated teams in the 1994 age group. Interestingly enough after last night nothing has changed! The opening 20 minutes was fairly even both sides had opportunities which they squandered. We had several quality scoring chances, but nothing to show for it. Were we unlucky? or were we wasteful? Either way the result was the same, we didn't get a goal. It was Oakville who opened the scoring at the twenty minute mark, but this was pulled back inside of two minutes and the two teams were knotted again. The rest of the way was fairly even. I thought Oakville played with more control and shape, but having said that I thought we looked much more dangerous and the more likely to score. But looking dangerous means nothing without the score, and it was Oakville that got the go ahead goal five minutes before the half.
So 2-1 down at the half in what had been a very even game was not an unexpected score, it could have just as easily been reversed, then again we could just as easily have seen 3 or 4 goals for either team. The second half continued in much the same manner. As it went on though we started to create more opportunities and were in behind the Oakville back line on several occasions. We were continously frustrated though by very good goal keeping combined with lack of finishing. Sometimes everything goes in sometimes nothing goes in. At the back we were caught out by the Oakville movement while in the middle we spent too long chasing rather than dictating the play. But lets remember that this is often the case when we win, there is always work to be done and areas in which to improve. Its just that after a loss those things are usually a little more focussed. What we can't do is simply claim we were unlucky, nor can we thow up our hands and give up. We didn't finish because we didn't kick the ball where we wanted to. What should our response be? Its simple, we need to work harder and more focused in those areas in which we need to improve.
Last night was not the end of the world, it simply means things have become a little more congested at the top of the table. if we are to emerge succesful from that group we need to address that which needs addressing. None of this should come as news to the players on this team. We have said before that this year the competition is harder, the top teams we face are more tactically diverse everyone needs to bring their best effort each and every night. There are no givens in this league everyone can play! Winning this league will take work, hard work and smart work. It will take a much greater coordinated team effort and that can only come though consistent hard work and application at every opportunity, game and practice.
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Lasers 3 - 2 Pickering
Gary Lineker, the English striker, winner of the golden boot in the 1986 Mexico world cup described soccer as: "A game for 22 players at the end of which the Germans win". Looking back at our games with Pickering over the years you could forgive them if they stole that idea simply swaping the Lasers for the Germans.
Last night was so similar to so many recent Laser/Python games it was almost as if the girls on both teams were following the same script. Even the score 3-2 was the same as in three of the past four meetings. And just as before in each of these meetings the games followed a similar pattern. As in our earlier meeting this season the Pythons came out of the blocks fast and strong. They carried the play and dictated terms for the first 15 minutes or so. A defensive breakdown lead to a well taken first goal but given the Pythons play it was no more than they deserved. The goal seemed to wake us up a little, although we are so familiar with this Pythons team it is simply amazing that we seem to repeat the script every game. Still we seemed intent on following the script which dictated we should wait for about 20 minutes until we started to play for real. As we settled we held the ball a little better and spent more time in the Pickering half and started to produce chances of our own. A well taken goal at the mid point of the half knotted things up and the two teams were then content to slug it out for the rest of the half.
1-1 at the break was perhaps a fair score as there was little to choose between the two teams. Once again Pickering got off to a quick start in the second half and popped a go ahead goal after only five minutes. This I believe masked the fact that we had actually changed gears and out intensity level had changed. As our level of commitment changed we seemed to win more 50/50 balls and started to carry the play. Momentum shifts happen all the time in games, and you could sense a shift as this game went on. There is nothing worse than to be on a sideline and feel the shift and not be able to do anything to prevent it. Once we tied the game it seemed inevitable to me that we would go on and win it! It was simply a question of when and how. A header off the line? A shot from outside just wide? A scramble in front that turned into a rugby scrum? It wouldn't have surprised me where it came from but I for one was confident it would come. Seven minutes from time it came, a dagger though the heart of the Pythons who must have thought this was "deja vu all over again! " From that point on it was simply a matter of keeping it tight and tidy for the win.
Just a tremendous effort all round tonight. We were banged up and short staffed at the back. But a very tired rear guard put in a stellar effort against a very talented Pythons squad. We were short staffed up front but were still able to do what was needed when it counted, and thanks to Paige and Breanne who once again helped us out and allowed some tired legs to recover in the mid field. In case anyone hadn't noticed there are simply no easy games in the OYSL. Some times the soccer isn't that pretty but games like last night when played with passion and intensity are really something to behold.
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Lasers 2 -1 Gloucester
It seems strange that a performance can vary so much game to game. But that's why a league title is so difficult to claim, it is symbolic of the team that week in and week out gathers the results, regardless of the way those results are obtained. Last year we were perfect through the regular season, however if you check the game reports you will find that while we had several of the London Utd. type we had several more that could be described as winning "ugly". Yesterday was such a game. The things that we did so well in London didn't seem to click in quite the same manner. Our dominance in the air that was so apparent in London was absent in yesterdays game. The net result was the walk in the park turned into an endurance contest.
These are the type of games that leave everyone befuddled. It certainly wasn't for lack of trying. No one could fault the effort given yesterday, its just that some days you're the bat and some days you're the ball. Its the mark of a good team that they win when not playing their best game. Yesterdays game was also an illustration of the parity that exists in this league and how no team can afford to take the day off. Difficult game conditions to be sure. The gusty bouyant air meant that the ball was rarely on the ground and rarely under control. As a result clear cut scoring chances were at a premium. Still going into the teeth of the wind we came away with a single goal advantage at the break. Once again though going with the wind proved to be less of an advantage a little too strong and too inconsistant to be of real assistance. Corners have been very effective for us of late so it wasn't really a surprise to see the second goal arrive from a corner. That insurance goal was very important as we gave one back around the mid way point. But that was as close as Gloucester would come and after 90 minutes it was the Lasers who claimed all three points in what can only be described as a gritty performance.
We now have reached the mid way point of the season, we have played all teams once. We have dropped 5 points (a loss and a tie). We know we can improve on this record in the second half and as good as our record is we will have to better it the second time through if we are to emerge as league champions, the competition is that tight! So we enter our summer hiatus an opportunity to rest and recover some weary bones ahead of what will prove eight very intense weeks of soccer.
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Lasers 7 -1 London Utd.
Last night was our first experience with real travel in the OYSL. Yes we drove to Sudbury last year but that was a weekend. This was a week night trip for a regular scheduled game. Our previous distance record was Oshawa and that doesn't really rate now does it? For most of us it was a three hour trip at the end of a work day, and when playing a competitive game after such a trip you never know how the team will react.
How did they react? Rather well I suspect. Not sure how many of you watch us warm up but we often aren't all that impressive, we shoot the ball hard but often the safest place to be is between the posts. Last night there was something different in the air. Our shots were on net we finished crosses with well placed headers, from the back of the goal we looked rather impressive. When the game kicked off we looked just as impressive as our surroundings.
Last season, more often than not, we scored early and put teams under pressure right from the get go. More often than not that really hasn't happened this season. Sure we have dominated games but not on the score sheet. We started showing some signs of coming through this at the Robbie over the weekend, but would that success translate against OYSL competition. Last night we kicked off and anyone not already in their seats missed the first goal. It was probably more than 30 seconds in, but it certainly wasn't more than 40 and London was kicking off again! Two minutes later the score doubled. The fifth goal came at the 17 minute mark. An completely devastating performance, to say the least.
A number of things that we have been working on clicked in last night. We were far more agressive going to the ball. We managed to find gaps for the through balls, these ball inevitably found forwards on the run. We finally seemed to understand that the ball played away from the goal is a more dangerous offensive move than the ball played toward the goal. The other thing that has shown marked improvement in recent weeks is our ability in the air. Teams find it very difficult to defend players who attack the ball in the air. This past weekend and last night we were very impressive offensively in the air. What we showed last night is how effective the defensive header can be not only defensively but as an offensive weapon. By attacking high balls played at the defence in the air, rather than on the ground, we not only snuffed out our opponents offensive move but we instantly turned the situation around into a Laser attack. That situation happened time and time again.
The result was a performance that simply overwhelmed our opponent. Not only did we play effective soccer we played attractive soccer. We passed the ball with authority we played very controlled soccer and held possession well. We attacked down the flanks with our defenders and midfielders starting to understand the impact of pressing forward. In all it was clearly our best, most complete performance of the season, and unlike tournament play this was achieved against legitimate OYSL competition.
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Robbie Tournament Recap
When you are young tournaments can be about a lot of different things. Fun with your team mates, team bonding, lots of good times and often a nice shiny bauble at the end of the day. As you age and mature as a team, tournaments take on a new use. Yes another medal is always nice but as much as anything its about having the ability to experiment and implement systems of play without some of the pressure associated with OYSL league play or Ontario Cup competition. The Robbie provided just such a classroom for the team as we move forward on our quest.
Lasers 4-1 Peterborough
Difficult conditions to start, a wet heavy field with long grass, and a bench area under several inches of swamp water. A solid win but one that was lacking some cohesion as the girls struggled to get completely comfortable with our new system. Soccer is in many ways a mental game. Emotion is such a big part of the package but so to is confidence. Our new system requires far more commitment from defenders and wide midfielders to the attacking aspects of the game. Very often the girls were attacking but with reservation. When this happens you get the worst of both worlds and get caught out in neither an attacking or deffending position. We were strong enough though that Peterborough were not realisticly going to challenge for the points. An important lesson was learned though on the Peterborough goal. Referees will make their decisions regardless of the discussions on or off the field. Players cannot allow themselves to be caught out of position and distracted as happened in the Peterborough goal. The soccer field is a classroom and this lesson was apparently well learned.
Lasers 5-0 West Rouge
Two teams from Quebec, one from Alberta, and we played none of them! A familiar opponent from CGSL U12 and a week earlier in Ontario Cup competition, West Rouge. This was perhaps our best team performance of the season to date. We attacked as a unit and defended as a unit, demonstrating far more cohesion than we have showing. The result was a comprehesive win in a game in which West Rouge rarely saw the ball. We were less wasteful in front of net and showed signs that the team is starting to come together understanding the new system of play.
Lasers 3-0 Tecomseh
A team we have not come across before, Tecomseh is from the Windsor area, and while we may have bemoaned not facing one of the Quebec teams or the girls from Alberta, Tecomseh were excited about facing the defending Ontario Cup champions. We need to remind ourselves every once in a while the status that the Lasers have earned around the Province. The game itself though was a bit of a let down. The forward steps of the West Rouge game seemed to been lost overnight as the commitment to go forward was replaced with a much more tentantive approach. This is the mental aspect of the game that is so important. Three goals and a clean sheet but the reality was it could have and should have been a very much different score line.
Lasers 7-0 North London Meteors
For those of you who are not familiar with the North London squad system this is not the venue to discuss its pros or cons. A very different Meteors from the team we faced in Mississauga. But that doesn't matter. The girls saw North London and felt they had something to prove. The game had far more intensity than the other matches and we were rewarded with a goal just a minute in. Two up in less than four minutes before the unfortunate delay. When the game resumed the Meteors were a much more emotional and we bore the brunt of much of their frustration. We were also on the end of some very bizarre refereeing decisions. But in this game the girls, learning the lesson from earlier in the weekend, never lost their focus. Up by five at the break the foot slipped off the gas a little in the second, which is probably predictable but we still added a couple more but more importantly we preserved the clean sheet.
Lasers 3-0 Wexford
This was a replay of the U10 Robbie from 2004. Quite a frustrating game to watch I am sure. You don't get much more dominating than that and yet we could have ended the first half down a goal. Its difficult to play goal for the Lasers, you don't get much action but when you do you are expected to come up with the highlight reel save. I wish I had video of that one! The difference between success and failure can be so slim. As as we get older goals become so much more difficult to come by. When things don't quite click for you as a player you seek answers. Oh that there was a majic formula! Its not a case of lack of effort, everybody works and works hard on this team. Its not a lack of ability, everybody on this team can play and play with the best. Sometimes it is an intangible thing, an aggressive attitude, an attacking demeanour, sometimes just a simple desire to win the ball and be first. A miniscule difference between success and failure, the girls know when its there they can feel it, they can also feel the frustration when its not quite there. Yesterday's final shows a convincing win, we know it could have been a substantially different score line and that is our goal as we move forward. To convert these dominating performances into more dominating scorelines.
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Ontario Cup, tournament recap
The O.C. tournament came a month earlier this year but for the first time this summer it actually felt like Ontario Cup weather. Sunny, warm with the ever present threat of thunder and lightning.
Lasers 1-0 Erin Mills
The last time we played Erin Mills was in the semi final of the OSCAR at U11 in September 2005. They were difficult to beat at that time and not much has changed. They are currently in first place in the SRSL and odds on favourite to join us in the OYSL next year. An L3 team but a quality team none the less. Tournaments can be full of potential bananna skins and this one was one such game. We carried the play from a territiorial perspective but for all our dominance we really didn't create much in the way of clear cut opportunities in front of net. That said Erin Mills created even fewer, and it was good to see us return to a more Laser defensive performance. Erin Mills set up in a defensive formation with a view to clogging the midfield, keeping down the score and hoping to steal a goal if an opportunity came along. When teams do this they can be very frustrating, you simply have to be patient, but ensure you take your opportunities when they present themselves. The goal to open the second relaxed the team a little but they were still unable to find the second to make the game safe. Still three points and a clean sheet were exactly what was asked to open the tournament.
The unexpected absense of Glen Shields meant Saturday ended early but it did give us the opportunity to work on our new set up. These things take time and familiarity only comes from drilling and repeating.
Lasers 2-0 West Rouge
An opponent we are more familiar with to open Sunday but one we haven't seen for a couple of years. This game was a perfect illustration of how deceptive a score line can be. This game was not only a dominant performance in terms of territorial possession but unlike the previous game we carved out chance after chance. This was good to see and the girls could feel the difference. That said we were still very wasteful on numerous occasions in front of goal. The score could have and should have been much larger, but it wasn't. The scoring to chances ratio will have to improve, as the competition stiffens we will find we have fewer opportunities and the need to convert will be greater. Still it was an improved performance with more flow and a little more coordinated approach to the game. 2-0 is not perhaps the intimidating score that we have been used but as we age those big scores become less frequent. What matters is results, and once again we collected the three points and posted another clean sheet.
Lasers 6-0 Bolton
Owning all the tie breakers the Lasers had already qualified going into the final game. The first time we have played Bolton. They were over matched but they will take something from the weekend playing much stronger teams that will help them when they return to friendlier competition within their division. We also took something from the game other than the result. This was another opportunity to become more familiar with the formation while playing without a great deal of stress or pressure, concentrating on our positioning and set up. We still have a way to go in this regard before we are fully comfortable but we must take every opportunity we find as league play and future Ontario Cup competition will be too unforgiving for on the job learning.
So job one is complete. We advance to the quarter finals to be played August 9th at home in Newmarket against familiar OYSL opposition in the shape of Neapean Hotspurs.
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Lasers 3 - 3 Burlington
There was a very strange feel to yesterday's game. At the start of the season Burlington was one of the teams who had loaded up in typical SRSL fashion in anticipation of making a run at nationals. They have historically been one of the top teams in the province in the '94 age group. At the end of the day the scoreline isn't all that surprising. But scores tell so little about the game and it was the way in which the game unfolded that left the bitter taste.
A typical Laser like start a goal inside the first two minutes and two more inside the first fifteen minutes I think everyone could be forgiven if they were anticipating a potential big score. For what ever reason the team got away from doing what was working and allowed Burlington back into the game. At 3-0 the next goal was crucial. had we scored it would probably have buried Burlington but they got it and it provided them with a lifeline for the second half.
A 3-1 lead should have been safe but once again we were a little wasteful in front of net although we did produce substantially more chances than we have been producing. Burlington's second goal, (and lets face it if you can bang it in of a post from 30 yards out you just have to tip your hat), caused us to defend a little deeper. This is a trap that all teams fall into and all it does is allow the attacking team to mount wave after wave of attacks without any substantial period of relief. Again we had opportunities to restore the cushion with an insurance goal but the magic boots of the first half seemed to have gone and shots that were finding the target in the first half rolled wide or found the keeper. Burlington managed to tie it up with a third with about five minutes to spare. The result ending tied at 3 and while Burlington will view the game as a point rescued we will view it as two points lost.
So a bitter taste and one that has become a little too familiar this season. But before we develop chicken little syndrome we have to remember the nature of the competition we are facing. Going into the season we anticipated losses and ties, our ability to deal with these set backs will be the difference this season. We are now a third of the way into the season, after six games we have dropped 5 points. By comparison teams we know Oakville, Pickering and Burlington have dropped 10, 9 and 7 respectively. Last year the two top teams at U14 in the OYSL Brams and Oshawa each dropped 12 points in a 13 game schedule. Richmond Hill, Ontario Cup champions and national silver medalists last year dropped 18 points in their schedule. Clearly we are not a million miles away from where we need to be. And that is after six games where I think we would all agree we are not playing our best soccer yet. But our target is still very much within our sights and with attention to detail and hard work it is there for us to claim.
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Lasers 3 - 2 Pickering
Over the years the Lasers and the Pythons have played some pretty impressive games together. Other than a penalty shootout in the 2005 MIT final the Lasers have always managed to do what ever has been necessary to "git'er done". Last night was just such a game. The game kicked off with a strange site on the Laser bench, fifteen and three quarters healthy players almost a full team, a luxury that we have at no time experienced this season. Strangely enough though we didn't seem to use this bonus to our advantage. At this level the difference between first tot he ball and second best can be very fine. For much of the first half we weren't bad but being not bad is simply not good enough at this level. Pickering was just a little hungrier, faster, physical or intense you name it. But that little difference was enough to give them the edge in the first half. The result was a 1-0 deficit at the break.
The game was in many ways a tale of two halves same girls different team kicked off the second. You could certainly field the intensity ratchet up as we started the second half. Just a little more commitment to close Pickering in their defensive zone a greater willingness to chase lost causes. As we worked harder Pickering began to lose some of their composure on the back end and the result was a clear momentum shift. We were rewarded with an early goal in the second period and the Lasers with the bit between their teeth are an awesome team. In the next fifteen minutes two more unanswered goals for a 3-1 lead and it appeared we were home and cooled out. There was no quit in the Pythons though and as we seemed to let our foot off the gas they were rewarded with a goal that made the last ten minutes very interesting. At the end of the day though the Lasers did what they always seem to do in these encounters, break Pickering's hearts and claim all three precious points.
A good victory to be sure and although the work rate and effort was superb we can certainly make things easier for ourselves by improving our passing and discipline in staying with our marks when defending. still if we had nothing to work on it would make practice kind of booring.
One days rest and next up is an always tough Burlington looking to rebound from a couple of disappointing results.
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Lasers 2 - 0 Oshawa
Its always interesting to see how a team responds to a tough loss. Yesterdays game showed some of the characteristics we have come to expect, but as always there is room for improvement. Most of our league games this year are 9:00pm starts, that would have been nice yesterday. A 3:00pm kick-off on the hottest day of the year was always going to be an influencing factor on the game. Still game time came and both teams kicked off in the searing heat with only the light cross field breeze providing some respite. A dream start for the Lasers with a strage goal inside of two minutes. A firm but routine shot stopped by the keeper who managed to bundle the ball into the net while rolling. You couldn't ask for a better start. The rest of the half was continuous Laser pressure as we dominated possession territory and shooting opportunities. A second goal added just inside twenty minutes was a great example of switched on soccer, one we have talked about, recognising the opportunity to move early on dead ball situations. Two goals up after twenty minutes, the Lasers playing in a dominating fashion one might have expected a much larger score by the half.
Possession stats and territorial advantage mean nothing without the goals to go along with them. And in this regard we were quite wasteful. Seems we were either shooting high and wide or directly at the keeper, we were certainly not making the keeper work as much as we should have. Still a two gaol edge at the break was respectable even if it was a little disappointing. Not sure what went on at the start of the second half. We were caught watching and standing and for the first ten minutes we were under the gun. In spite of this spell though Oshawa weren't able to carve out any clear cut opportunities and once the team reappeared the game reverted back to its first half format i.e. the Lasers carrying the play before squandering the final opportunity.
In some respects it was nice to see such a dominating performance on the other hand the level of dominance only served to emphasize how wasteful our finishing was. Still lots of things to work on as we move into our next series of games. Some crucial league encounters against Pickering and Burlington ahead of the Ontario Cup tournament round which is now just two weeks away.
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Lasers 0-1 Brams
First warm night of the season and a great venue for a match the only thing missing, other than a few more healthy bodies was an appropriate scoreline. Though tempted we cannot use absent players or injuries as an excuse, those are both facts of life, especially the absent players in this grade 8 year. That said you cannot ignore the impact that such issues have on the makeup of the team. We still have a good dose of the injury bug and school trips, they are just the luck of the draw. Regardless, the team that lined up last night was only a percentage of the Lasers, and at this level of competition that will always make things difficult.
A lovely setting at Victoria Park but I had hoped we had left the wind behind in Mississauga. The wind was blowing strongly from West to East and it was at our backs for the first half. I thought that we dominated the half in terms of territorial possession but we were unable to convert this territorial advantage to goals. There was a certain newness to the lineup and that is a direct result of circumstances beyond anyones control. That said we were able to push the agenda for the majority of the first half, but all of this counts for nothing unless you score goals and no goals came.
Tied at zero it was always going to be a big ask in the second half going into a pretty stiff breeze. The response however was quite splendid. A short bench became even shorter early in the second. That put more pressure on the team as those girls returning from injury were forced to play perhaps a little longer than anticipated. Going behind by a goal only seemed to inspire the girls though and they appeared to up the intensity level in search of an equalizer. Brams with a full bench was able to bring on fresh horses and there is no doubt we tired as a team. We committed resources forward and that stretched a tired defence, they bent, quite a bit sometimes, but they certainly didn't break. Brams sought to put the game away with an insurance goal but it wouldn't come thanks to some stellar defending and a dramatic penalty save.
At the other end of the pitch we probably created some better scoring chances into the wind than we did with it. On another day a couple of the slow rollers would have found the net, and the crossbar at the end of the game would have resulted in a dramatic equalizer. But it wasn't meant to be and at the end of the day the only thing that matters is the scoreline and in that respect we were one short. Lets take nothing away from Brams, as they go top of the table (temporarily) they are one of the top teams in the province and we just played them to a stand still missing several key Lasers.
Last night marks the first league defeat since June 16th 2004. During that time the Lasers have strung together 63 consecutive YRSL, CGSL, and OYSL league victories. That is a record unequaled by any team. Last night was a terrific performance, sometimes though a terrific performance is not rewarded with a win, thats life. What we have to do moving forward, is ensure we respond to this minor setback in an appropriate Laser fashion!
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Mississauga recap
Its never much fun to write a recap after a disappointing loss but lets keep in mind that this year was never about winning a third falcon. Its about getting the team positioned and ready to win in September (and October) The MIT has traditionally provided a strong field for the '94 age group, this year wasn't as deep as in the past but given our condition health wise that was perhaps a good thing.
Lasers 4-0 Oshawa Turul
We have faced this Oshawa team a couple of times now and they provided an ideal early test. As often happens Mississauga means battling the elements as much as the opposition and in this game we had to come to grips with the rain the wind and the bumpy (grass?) Field turf it certainly wasn't!. We only got into our rhythm a few times and when we did we played some attractive soccer. We weren't able to sustain the level of play though and although we were never in jeopardy we could have been more convincing. Such is our lot that we now concern ourselves with the nature of our victories and not just the scoreline.
Lasers 3-0 North Miss (B)
Our second game saw a change of fields to the lit field, a much better surface on which to play. Although the rain had gone the wind picked up and the players once again found themselves battling the conditions as much as the opposition. As often happens when playing a B side their awkwardness proves difficult to play against. Although we dominated possession throughout the game both into and with the wind it seemed to take us for ever to put the game away. So day one ended with two shut out wins but strangely un satisfying in there nature.
Lasers 6-1 Burlington (B)
The best conditions of the weekend greeted us Sunday morning the wind had subsided and the rain not yet begun. As a result the ball stayed on the ground and we moved it with much greater conviction and authority. We also started to find our scoring boots and could have had several more goals in addition to the six we scored. The tournament format gave us the opportunity to tweak the formation a little and perhaps because of this we secured a greater domination of the middle of the park. It was disappointing to concede a goal but this only illustrates the need to stay switched on all the time as goals can come from the most unlikely of sources. So the round robin was successfully negotiated all that was needed was a semi final opponent.
Lasers 1-2 (pens) N. London Meteors
Our only other loss in the MIT came in 2005 at U11 and that to in a penalty shootout. There must be a lesson here, win it in regulation! North London should be in the OYSL but due to a rift in youth soccer in London they left the London City club and re-formed as North London. As a result their teams have had to go back to the lowest rung on the pyramid of play. Not a great situation for anyone. But make no mistake they are a quality team with deep deep resources. It was perhaps those resources that proved the difference today. The rain had gone by kick off and the sun was shinning, but once again the wind picked up force and was a definite factor. Although it was blowing mostly diagonally throughout the match it provided a substantial edge to the team kicking to the east. Allowing mainly counter attacks when going into it. We held the wind in the first and held a slight edge in the play coming in one up, the result of penalty toward the end of the half. The one goal difference was quickly erased off a goal mouth scramble early in the second period. The rest of the way London pressed and although we bent they were unable to add to their score. London took the wind at the start of extra time which meant we were defending with our depleted corps for the best part of forty minutes. And defend we did. As a result we were coming home with the wind, but by this point we were probably just too tired to seal the deal. This was really a gutsy effort on behalf of the team. We came into the weekend with thirteen healthy bodies, we had a lot fewer than thirteen at the end of the game. We were replacing one injured player with another slightly less injured player, all the while London rolled their fresh legs. This is not offered as an excuse. This year more than any the depth and quality of the squad is going to be crucial and due to our litany of injuries we are not very deep at the moment.
So after 80 minutes of hard fought soccer we ended up in a shootout. Not a bad way to win but a horrible way to lose. I am not sure if many of you know, but the shootout is a relatively new event in soccer coming on to the scene in the early seventies. Prior to that time after a tied game the referee would simply summons the captains to centre and toss a coin. So if you don't think much of the shootout, try the coin toss. I think I'll take my chances on the shootout. When it comes to the shootout though, you step up take your best shot and let the chips fall where they may. You'll win some (unless you're England) and you'll lose some. Yesterday wasn't our day, you congratulate the Meteors and move on.
So, not the outcome we wanted, or expected but we tried some things over the weekend and know what we have to work on to improve. The good thing is we have two weeks until our next competitive game. This will be a chance to rest and get healthy, so that we too have the resources. Who knows by that time we may for the first time this year have a full squad on which to call.
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Lasers 3 - 0 Nepean
Well that was our first OYSL opening weekend. Job number one of course is to come out of the weekend with maximum points. So in that regard mission accomplished! It was a very different game today from the opener on Friday. The game seemed to lack the flow of game one and was played in a very stop and start fashion. Converting the early penalty should have settled everyone down but we never seemed to be fully relaxed in this game and as a result we were often guilty of squandering many opportunities simply by rushing ourselves. The other contributing factor of course was the wind that probably did much to affect the game and possibly proved to be a great equalizer. Still one up at the half going into the wind can't be all bad.
The second half continued in much the same fashion. Although Nepean sometimes looked dangerous on the counter it was the Lasers who dictated the play offensively and in the same breath proved to be a great assist to the Nepean defence wandering off side way, way, way too often. It is not unusual to get a couple of calls but today was extraordinary to say the least. It may have been excitement, it may have been lack of concentration but its certainly something we will need to work on. An insurance goal really put the game out of reach and the third provided some thrills for the spectators who were probably suffering a bit in the cold. The same move that worked with such great effectiveness in futsal, was translated brilliantly on the big field. A worthy candidate for goal of the week on Fox soccer channel!
So while it wasn't a pretty game by any stretch of the imagination lets remember on thing; In a game where we seemed to struggle to find our rhythm we scored three goals. Of the nine teams involved this weekend, eight of them can only wish that they could have scored three. So opening weekend is behind us. We now have a bit of a layoff to rest and recover until our next league game against Brams on June 2nd. In between though we have a falcon to defend back in Mississauga.
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Lasers 2 - 1 Oaville
What a way to start the season, a replay of the Ontario Cup final. Quite a mixture of excitement and possibly a little nervousness. Everyone knows the titanic struggle that was the Ontario Cup final. To win the OYSL and repeat the Ontario Cup we know these are the games we will have to win. We know that, but of course in the back of everyones mind is the knowledge that this has been a very hard off season on the injury front, and we know we are depleted, so our confidence may have secretly had an asterix beside it.
While it was nice to see old friendships renewed before the game, it was nicer to see them disappear once the whistle blew. They may be U14 but these girls are real pros! For the opening game the intensity level seemed just as high as our last competitive game. There clearly was no lack of focus or effort. The game had a good ebb and flow, each side taking turns to assert themselves. Overall I think we had the better scoring chances but of course "nice tries" don't count, and it was Oakville who broke the ice of a scramble in front from a free kick. The Lasers didn't panic though, we know that we can create chances and score goals. We continued to do so, getting the ball in the net only for it to be called back on the off side. But we continued with our game and were justly rewarded with a goal just before the break.
In the second half we were kicking into the wind. Sometimes on turf this can actually be a little easier, as the ball doesn't run away quite as quickly. Once again I believe we created the better chances and certainly more of them. We deservedly took the lead just over ten minutes in but it would have been much kinder to those on the bench if the game had been put away with at least one of several glorious chances. But the ball didn't go in and that allowed Oakville to stay in the game, with the wind at their back they applied considerable pressure at the end but some resolute team defence shut the door tight.
A great result and and a great team effort. We all know we are missing players we know that we are banged up and sick, but once the bell rang the girls were there to answer the call. A 90 minute game takes a long long time, especially when the game is tight and the bench is short. But we had great contributions from all. We had players in different positions and roles but regardless of the assignment everyone played their part, and well. That's why we have a squad of sixteen and that's why we have assembled a squad with no difference from player one to players sixteen, any one can play and anyone can play, if asked, just about anywhere. The players the positions all change, the Lasers though never change.
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OSA Tournament recap
We started our 2007 competitive campaign on March 12 with a 2-1 win at the OSA. A year and a day later we kicked off the 2008 competitive campaign with a similar result. Same result very different games. Once again though the OSA March break full field tournament provided an ideal early test for the Lasers.
Lasers 2-1 North Mississauga Panthers
We initially thought this was the U15 North Miss team, a top 5 U15 OYSL team. It turned out to be their U14 sisters. In theory an easier game but a team that the Lasers have never beaten, losing a semi final in the Robbie at U11 and playing to a hard fought draw in last years Ontario cup tournament. When describing this game we should perhaps live by the old adage "If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all" Not the type of game anyone anticipated to kick off the day. These things happen to all teams they happen infrequently to the Lasers but he measure of any team is the ability to overcome adversity. We didn't play well, we went behind early but we struggled though and found a way to win ugly. We certainly didn't generate much in the way of scoring opportunities but we capitalized on two that we had and were able to walk away, or should that be limp away, with a 2-1 victory.
Lasers 4-0 Oshawa Turul
A very different team showed up for the second game! All the elements missing form the earlier encounter seemed to re appear in the Laser arsenal. The panic and rushed play that had crept into the earlier game was no where to be seen as the girls show poise on the ball. As they relaxed the passing improved and they were able to spray passes around with confidence. Unlike the earlier game where everything went down the middle we opened up the field and started to work the wings. This created time and space which we were able to exploit to great effect. On the back line the defence played tight and limited Oshawa to only a couple of speculative ventures into our half of the field. A much more Laser like performance saw the girls full value for the 4-0 win.
Lasers 3-0 Oshawa Kicks Strikers
Our first game against a U15 opponent. This was a team we had defeated in the final of the Belleville U12 tournament when we were U11. If anyone was wondering which of the two Laser teams would show up the question was quickly answered. Again displaying the poise of game two the team passed the ball and exhibited a good amount of vision using the entire playing surface. We again worked the wings well as we cut through the Oshawa defence. We were once again very tight at the back, and any thoughts of the North Miss game were a distant memory as the girls, already through to the final before the kick off of this game advanced to the final in fine 3-0 style.
Lasers 2-0 London Utd. Freedom
Some interesting results in the other side of the draw had seen the defending U15 OYSL Champions sent home early. A tighter group than ours we didn't know our opponent until after the Brams Erin Mills game. With Brams winning that game our opponent was set and two semi rested teams faced off in the final. For the neutral observer this was probably the best exhibition of soccer during the whole day, and that's as it should be in the final of a tournament. London were a little better in all elements of the game than any of the teams we had faced. They are without question a quality team, that possesses a good amount of speed, just what the tired Laser legs needed. The game was fairly evenly balanced, the Lasers carried much of the play and created more opportunities but London was not without their threats. The break through goal came from sheer hard work and determination, half way through the game. Going behind though only seemed to inspire London who upped the tempo and started playing some longer balls over the top as they ran at the Laser defence, which hadn't had a spare since half way through the first game. London created some chances, none better than from the free kick at the top of the box with 10 minutes to go. Regardless of who plays net for the Lasers they will not let in a lot of goals. The measure of a great keeper though is the ability to make that one great save when the team needs it. Or in this case two! A wonderfully struck free kick tipped onto the cross bar was in its self a pretty damn good save. The second save, going back the other way to swat the ball over the top was simply sublime. Rather than allowing London back in the game we went down the field and stuck the dagger through their hearts with a great solo effort. A very gutsy performance in the final, not a lot of gas left in anyones tank but thats the way it should be.
So the 2008 campaign is under way, the rust of the first game is long forgotten, a great effort by the entire team. Some things to work on for sure but perhaps the most telling statistic is: Not one team today was able to score more than a single goal in any game. The Lasers never scored less than two in any of their games. Ultimately we play to win and if we continue to create and take scoring opportunities while denying them to our opponents we should win more than our fair share of game again this season.
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Newmarket United 1994 Girls ~** THIS IS LASER LAND**~
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