Sodium plays up, and plays very well!

The lady warriors have chosen to play the U13 Gold bracket for the Spring '08 portion of the season. A move we all agree is going to be nothing short of fantastic for the girls as everything from this point on is in preparation for the second half of State Cup. Playing up allows the girls to play against U13 Premiere Gold opponents who are bigger, often faster and have an additional year of experience.
Sodium played its first game last weekend against Atletica, an FC Willamette team. They played very well despite the 3-0 loss. This weekend Sodium split against rival LOSC Dynamite and OSA Milan. In the 2-1 loss to LOSC the girls played hard physical ball all game, ending the first half locked at 0-0. The second half was just as rough as Sodium adjusted to the age and height differential. Nearing the half-way mark Jadyn McMillan took a cross and found the back of the net for the go ahead goal. Fatigue took its toll late in the second half. Sodium could only field 11 players Saturday and it proved to be there downfall as the fresher legged Dynamite scored twice at the end of the second half to take home the victory. The score was no indication of how good Sodium played. All game long the play centered in the Dynamite end of the field.
It turned out that Saturday's game was just a warm up. Sunday Sodium faced OSA Milan, a bigger more experienced team. Right out of the gate you could see Sodium, having two games against U13 opponents, knew exactly what it would need to do take home a victory. Crisp passing, communication and a strong defensive effort proved too much for OSA. The play all game was centered around the Milan goal. The Milan goalie played a great game, deflecting and grabbing shot after shot. Finally, just passed the midway point in the second half, on a Bailey Hall corner kick, Payten Sonnen rocked the goalie. The ball deflected off and Emmy Owens was there to fire it into the net. The defense held as the score remained 1-0 at the final whistle, solidifying a Sodium win.

Playing against these older, more experienced teams will prove to be a great tool in developing Sodiums skills. Add to that a confidence boost by beating these teams and it will prove to be an invaluable experience as we prep for State Cup.

Next up: Blue Mountain Exchange - Feb 29 thru Mar 2 in Richland, WA.
(I will try to post the background on the teams we play)

GO SODIUM!

OSU Tournament Results

Let me editorialize for a moment. I don't think I have ever seem a team play as well as this team is playing right now. I have coached many teams, I have played on State Champion teams, but I have never seen a team gel together, even when playing as two separate units, as 2007 Sodium. When Ronnie mentioned this team is 'Special' I think we all know exactly what she is talking about. Have we ever seen passing this crisp? or patience with the ball? or attacking the goal and FINISHING!?! Can't you just sense a great feeling of pride every time they take the field?! ALOHA! Anyway, the recap;

Sodium 1 Tournament Champions Record: 6-0-0
Name & Goals
Hannah Hartford 3
Bailey Hall 5
Laura Camp 4
Laura Nguyen 2
Emmy Owens 5
Taylor Coon 1
Katherine Kramer 3
Jadyn McMillan 8
Team Total Goals: 31
Goals Allowed: 4

Sodium 2 Tournament Co-Champions Record: 4-1-0
Name & Goals
Kristen Boone 1
Bethany Hall 1
Taylor Crowell 3
Hannah L. 4
Erika Cook 3
Payten Sonnen 6
Marisa Reid 4
Dayna Carlson 1
Total Team Goals: 23
Goals Allowed: 5

NOTES: Sodium 2 actually allowed fewer goals. (total includes Sodium vs. Sodium game) Sodium teams combined outscored their opponents 10 to 1 (50 to 5)(excludes Sodium vs. Sodium)
I would have to say that right now these lady warriors are nearing their peak. They are playing so good it is a joy to watch them take the field. They are confident, patient, relentless and dominating.

Next up: February 16th vs (FC)Will Atletica. 10:00AM at Salem Indoor Soccer.

Note from the sidelines; Click here to see who is ranked as the top U12 Girls team in the State of Oregon! (as of November 2007)

With pride I say; GO SODIUM!

Sodium Tunes Up For OSU Indoor Tourney

Sodium vs. Lightening - that is the closest it was all night.
Within the first 2 minutes of the last indoor game of the season, the lady warriors drew first blood. Smelling fear, Sodium dominated Lightening ending the first half 7-0.

As they took the field for the second half you could see that gleam in their eyes. That look that says "I own you", and own them they did. So many Sodium players scored I stopped keeping track after awhile. Even the official quit adding the scores to the scoreboard. The highlight was a Laura Camp header goal in the second.

After the dust settled, Sodium walked away from Soccerplex with a 16-1 victory.

They have really elevated their play.

Next up: OSU Indoor Tournament

GO SODIUM!