DR Strikers 5, Mariner United 3

We have a few things to work on after a disappointing 5-3 loss to a very good DR Strikers team. This Thursday we will be working on playing better defense. We also have to do better beating our opponents to the ball and making short passes. They were winning a majority of the balls at midfield. Their defense was as good or better than any we played last spring. We had way too many guys trying to dribble through defenders. It doesn't work. So we can work on that too on Thursday.

Johnny Bowman was probably our MVP on Saturday. He and Ryan did everything they could to try to stop a relentless attack from the Strikers. Dighton moved the ball very well up the field and always found the open man. They switched fields and when they got the shots they kept the ball down. Those small nets were awful! But both teams had to play with them. So we cant make excuses. We could have easily been up 3-0 in that game if a couple of bounces went our way. Our first goal got started by a great through ball from Curly. Vincent got a good shot off and when we all thought it was a goal Anthony realized that the referee wasn't going to call it a goal so he blasted it into the back of the net. That's how to play until the whistle blows buddy! We could have quit at 5-1 but Curly got a great goal to get us back into striking distance and I think he even got an assist on Johnny Butlers goal too. Our offense stalled all day until we decided to move Curly from defense to offense. He will be playing more offense this week (but still getting back on D) against Westport and hopefully he will give us the spark we need right from the kickoff. I also liked to see Curly smile and do a somersault at the end of the game. Losing stinks but you have to keep in mind that it is only a game. And playing soccer on a beautiful afternoon with your friends is what it is all about. You are not going to win every game. When you lose you tip your hat to your opponent and try harder next time. If we make the playoffs we will see that team again. And we will be ready to give them a run for their money. Win, lose, or draw we should always try to leave the field with the kind of positive spirit that Curly had. It was nice to see. Somersaults after every game if you ask me! Parents too!

Great to see Johnny Butler playing offense and scoring for us! It was also great to see Coby and Felix out there playing hard and contributing to the team. We were shorthanded with Christian out and I think our guys got gassed. This week we will have 3 subs which will make a big difference. Thank you to Rebecca and Herman Elger for the nice pictures. It was great to see Tres playing some offense. He did a great job! Now its on to Westport this Saturday lets try to bring our best effort!