STATE CHAMPIONS!!

The Skinny
Sodium beat FC Platinum in regulation, 2-1, to capture its second State Championship! The ladies put together 60 minutes of the best soccer this proud parent has ever seen. Overcoming the elements (rainy, cool, overcast all day), the field (haven't had a game on grass in how long?), and the color (wore whites instead of favorite BLACK) to beat an incredibly improved FC team, was quite an accomplishment. Can you say Total Domination! Sodium kept the pressure on the FC goalie and forwards all day. Emmy Owens delivered another outstanding performance as she kept punishing the FC defenders with physical play. And talk about setting and achieving goals! The team submitted individual goals (via email) they wanted to accomplish during the game. Marisa Reid had 2. First was to be more aggressive. Second was to score. Well Marisa, looks like your hard work and focus paid off handsomely! Around the 10 minute mark of the first half Sodium had penetrated deep into FC territory, attack initiated by co-captain Bailey Hall. From the left side Emmy found herself in a swarm of defenders. She punched a crossing ball where a sliding Marisa Reid put it the only place she could. Just out of the reach of the diving FC goalie she delivered a bank shot off the far post! The near capacity crowd erupts! Marisa is mauled by her teammates! Off in the distance you could hear the faint creak of the flood gates beginning to open. Oh they weren't done yet.You kidding me? This is FC and we're playing for the Championship! With several minutes left in the half, Sodium was again pounding the FC goal. Dayna Carlson, in typical fashion had beaten her defender and was flying up field. Taylor Crowell, who had another awesome game, freed herself for the up field pass. As all great players do, Taylor spotted a streaking teammate and placed a perfect lead pass. Breakaway, one touch, two touch, shoot, SCORE! Marisa Reid again finds the back of the net! The crowd goes NUTSO! (is that a word?) The half ended with the score 2-0.
The second half started a little tentative for Sodium as FC had a couple rallies that were stopped by the outstanding goal play of Kristin Boone. Kristin has played amazingly this State Cup series. Near the 15 minute mark FC put together an offensive flurry that made us realize how they got there. Crisp passes and strong legs capitalized on a momentary Sodium defensive lapse as FC found the back of the net. Despite efforts by Kristin to call attention that FC might have been offsides, the goal was logged. Murmurs in the crowed were of the 2007 State Championship where Sodium watched a 2-0 lead dwindle into overtime & PK's before defeating LOSC. The killer Sodium defense would not let that happen. Led by co-captain Bethany Hall, the fantastic four which includes Laura Nguyen, Laura Camp & Taylor Coon, looked at each other with approving nods as if to say: "If it is to be, it's now up to us!" And up to them it was. The defense stepped it up and put the hammer down on the FC forwards. You could tell that they were a little leery to get into range of our defenders. Ella, I believe leading scorer for FC, was shut down. Several times she was slammed by multiple bodies with Sodium double teams. I'll bet the FC forwards are a little sore this morning. The final whistle blew, the crowd exploded and poured onto the field as cheers and tears filled the Sodium faithful. Hugs were flowing freely and a little ice water christened coach Ronnie the 2008 U12 Oregon State Champion Coach. A well deserved honor indeed.

What happens now?
Sodium will take a well deserved break after tryouts. Then it's back to work before a friendly against a Vancouver, Canada team May 24th. A team trip to Sunriver is also in the works for either May 16th thru 18th or May 30th thru June 1st. Watch email for details.
Planes take off June 13th for Regionals in Honolulu.

Try-outs will be interesting this year. With the leaving of key players there will be big shoes to fill on both the offensive and defensive sides. Current roster of superstar players will be able to pick up the slack and fill the positions but the new crop of players (just like last year) will be asked step up big. Sodium now has a reputation to uphold. Fast, physical, calculated play will be the norm. An 'In-your-face', 'Bring your "A" game every time' attitude is the style of play we are accustomed to and will be looking for in new players. Sodium will definitely be looking to THREE-PEAT in 2009!

ALOHA!

GO SODIUM!