The SLSG Metro staff is extremely excited about the start of the 2012-2013 season. We hope that you have enjoyed your summer and had the opportunity to get some rest and relaxation. As we head into the first full week of training, it seems an appropriate time to reflect back on some of the summer 2012 successes of SLSG Metro teams.
In June, the SLSG Metro 13 Blue girls became the first SLSG Metro girls team to win an Illinois State Cup defeating a hard-nosed Eclipse team 3-2 in the Championship match. St. Louis Scott Gallagher’s athletic ability allowed them to chase down an early deficit after Eclipse opened the scoring in the 2nd minute of play. “We discussed before the game that if the other team scores first (or at all), just go get the ball and play. We relayed quite a few stories about teams that responded well after falling behind and to always fight hard and be relentless in our play,” head coach Mitch Bohnak explained. Although St. Louis Scott Gallagher remained behind for much of the first half, they controlled much of the game and spent nearly all of it in the Eclipse defensive end. With this pressure came St. Louis Scott Gallagher’s game tying goal in the 30th minute after a ball stolen in the outside flank was bent into the far post where Ashlin West made contact heading it into the Eclipse net. In the 50th minute, St. Louis Scott Gallagher wide player Abigail Crabtree used her explosive speed to beat her defender to the end line and cross it to an open Ashlin West, who converted her second goal of the match and giving her team the 2-1 advantage. “We are as good as anyone wide and our players are fast, athletic, and love to run at defenders. They are excellent 1v1 players and are able to get off decent crosses or win corners kicks. This is certainly an area of strength for this squad,” said Bohnak. Gallagher found an important thrid goal in the 62nd minute when Annabelle Copeland worked hard to get a cross off that might have gone in by itself, but Crabtree was there and made sure of it.
Eclipse could not be deterred, still playing as if it were a tied game and with this relentless pressure came a goal in the 70th minute; however, it was too little too late and SLSG Metro would secure their first girls state cup title 3 goals to 2.
According to Bohnak, “(Our goalkeeper) Jalin Stelzer, has been outstanding and has really grown from the beginning of the year when she joined our team. Our back four has also had a huge hand in keeping a clean sheet up until the final and I think our depth was certainly a key. 17 players were able to contribute to winning our first state title,” said Bohnak.
Nearly one month later in July, the SLSG Metro 13 Boys Pre-Academy became the first SLSG Metro team to qualify for US Club National Premier League post-season play after advancing to the Midwest Developmental League play-offs in Libertyville, Illinois. Qualification for post-season play was the main goal set by the 13 PA team at the start of the season. After a strong fall season this goal appeared to be within their grasp. A rocky start to the spring season saw two losses in Chicago and a poor tie at home to the Minnesota Thunder; however, the boys rallied and played some of their best soccer down the stretch. With a sweep of the Madison 56ers and Sockers FC Chicago in April, the stage was set for two very important matches with St. Louis Scott Gallagher-Missouri. Two tough matches saw two ties earned and enough points to push the team into the NPL Midwest Playoffs.
Continuing with the theme of playing their best soccer at the end of the season, the boys showed very well at the MDL play-offs losing 0-1 to Chicago Magic PSG in the Quarter-Finals. The Magic would go on to win their semi-final and final by a score of 7-0. The boys finished the play-offs with two ties, one each against the Chicago Fire Academy and Columbus Crew Pre-Academy. According to 13 PA coach and SLSG Metro Director of Coaching, "The season was a success on all accounts. The players in the group developed not only on the soccer field but off it as well. They have set a standard that SLSG Metro can have success at the younger ages in the NPL" adding, "the changes being implemented at U11 and U12 are paying off. I look for this to become the norm."
The final four was an all California affair with the exception of SLSG Metro who matched up against 2011 opponent and US Club Semi-Finalist, Juventus (NorCal) in their semi-final fixture. In Boise the previous year, the two teams had played to a 1-1 draw in their opening match of group play; however, SLSG Metro secured a 1-0 victory this year with a 63rd minute goal. The semi-final victory meant that SLSG Metro had placed two teams in a National Championship final in two consecutive years. In 2011, the U14 Pre-Academy defeated Southern California opponent Olimpica FC 3-2 to win the US Club National Championship. This year, SLSG Metro would once again face off against a Southern California opponent in the final after Manchester United Academy (formerly Nomads Academy) from Southern California defeated the Stockton Monarchas in the opposite semi-final. The Manchester Academy boasted a potent offense and a stingy defense, outscoring opponents 9-2 in their run up to the Championship match. At the end of regulation, the match was locked at 1-1 after two first half goals. The game, however, opened up in overtime with Manchester finding a goal in the first overtime to go 1-2 and then one in the second to go 1-3. SLSG Metro answered a few minutes later to bring the game to 2-3, but conceded a fourth late in stoppage time which sealed the National Championship for Manchester United Academy.
According to Blake Decker, SLSG Metro 14 PA coach and Pre-Academy Director, "As a club, we can be extremely proud of how this group of young men carried themselves, not only at this event, but throughout the course of the year. The opportunity to compete for a national championship is a significant achievement and one which came only as a result of this group of players commitment, attention to detail and hard work over the course of the past 12 months. Furthermore, by becoming the first SLSG Metro team to earn a berth into a National Championship series in two consecutive years as well as earning a place in the Championship match for SLSG Metro this year, they, along with the achievements of the 13 Pre-Academy, have set a standard of excellence, not only for themselves, but for the club and all of the players who will come after them."
When asked to comment on the recent successes of SLSG Metro teams in the U13 and U14 age groups, SLSG Metro Program Director, Dale Schilly commented that the answer is really quite simple. "There are no short-cuts to excellence. It takes time, energy, commitment, perseverance and sacrifice coupled with good players and a staff that knows how to help young soccer players develop to their maximum potential. There is no magic potion, no cheaper, easier way to achieve excellence with less commitment; it's having committed players with the right staff in a good soccer environment. The success of the SLSG Metro program at younger ages over the past few years is a reflection of the huge amount of resources we have placed into developing players at younger and younger ages. We are starting to see the benefits of changes we made a few years ago and I anticipate we will see even greater achievements this year and in the years to come."
No comments:
Post a Comment