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Seals U16-U17 Test SJ Earthquakes Academy TeamJanuary 15, 2012
by Dave Nugent
 An off-season assemblage of U16 and U17 Seals players, with a sprinkling of three promising U14 players thrown in, took on the San Jose Earthquakes Academy team on a chilled Sunday morning January 15th. The match was hosted by USF's Coach Eric Visser at history-rich Negoesco Field ... and the Seals form, in an off-season contest for them, gave hint to why last year's U16 team won the Champions Trophy at Denmark's Dana Cup International Tournament.The available Seals had the disadvantage of having been out of season for two months, plus with many of their teammates being Winter High School league ineligible, Coach Shani Simpson patched together a decently competitive group of available U17 and U16 players, plus three U14 squad players drafted to get work against the bigger, faster and harder-hitting competition. The young Seals were privileged to meet and get a brief talk from the Quakes Head Coach, Marquis White - whose story of his own determined path to success in South American, European and MLS pro play set the tone for the day. At kick-off the young Seals shook off the rust and pushed their lower fitness to the max ... and set about to make a statement with composed play and a ball-control game. But the Earthquakes reaped the benefit of 4 practices per week and being in-season through the winter, taking a 1-0 lead by halftime. The Earthquakes Academy players - drawn from across the Bay Area and beyond, were disciplined in their shape and movement, and their collective pace and skills were well-honed ... clearly bearing the stamp of a Coach White team. But the Seals matched their Academy opponents reasonably well to make for a very high energy, combative - and cleanly played - game.  At halftime, Seals Coach Shani Simpson directed his Seals to press and shut down their better-fit opponents before they had a chance to turn with the ball. The second half evolved sharply and with intensity ... a solid display by both sides, with the in-form Earthquakes having better possession and creating the better chances. Yet the Seals played their Pro-Club Academy opponents head-to-head, creating several good scoring opportunities themselves ... but it was "one of those days" for the boys, who just couldn't find the back of the net when chances were created - the sharpness of that final touch or shot being just a hair off.In the dying minutes, the Quakes' better form and fitness earned them 2 more well-deserved goals. And at final whistle the Seals & Quakes shook hands over a 3-0 final score ... the Seals already talking about a rematch down the road with a full, fit roster ... Much thanks to Coach Marquis White for bringing his very good squad up to play our Seals and thanks to USF Coach Eric Visser for allowing our boys to experience a bit of the Negoesco Field magic. The SF Seals U17 and U16 squads are coached by Shani Simpson and Ben Studholme respectively. Try-outs are held on a rolling basis. Interested players please contact Dave Nugent: davenug@comcast.net
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