Home at last...

Well we're home now. Our contingency plan like a few others was to visit SeaWorld on Monday, I think some of us would have like to have been playing soccer on Monday (Semi's at least) but judging by the shriek-factor, the girls really enjoyed SeaWorld. And judging from some of the photos below, so did some of the parents!




It was during our day that we've founded something to battle over and a new set of bragging rights for future EFC vs NW Nationals games, it will be referred from here on as the "Patrick Cup".

A special thanks to our guest players, they truly blended in well with the EFC regulars and made this a fun trip. And a big thanks to their parents for their support!

The Patrick Cup, the history:

A trophy of dubious distinction was won by a darling little girl (Laura) when she showed great skill in a fairground contest (shooting baskets). The contest was held far, far from home (SeaWorld) and the return voyage was wrought with peril (they flew coach). Fearing great labors to bring home the trophy her meanie father (Neil) schemed to rid himself of the trophy. An opportunity arose as the darling little girl befriended another darling little girl (Kaylene). In a gesture of friendship little Laura offered the trophy as a gift to her new friend much to the fiendish delight of the meanie father. The little girl proudly displayed the gift to her dismayed father (David) who immediately declared that this gesture was not a loving act of kindness but a savage plot by the meanie dad and in future sporting encounters an act of revenge would be delivered.

Thus was the origins of the Patrick Cup. The winner of future soccer games between the teams of NWN and EFC will be given the opportunity to pass on the trophy to the loser, who will then be entrusted to provide adequate care for the trophy until their next encounter where the results will dictate whether it passes from their hands.

Sunday

Aiiyiyiyi......
The game against the Hawaii team didn't have the outcome we had hoped for, but that's youth soccer. In earlier games the Blitz shown speed and perseverence, and did again today. We worked hard throughout the game but couldn't make enough opportunities for ourselves.



The Blitz put one into the net fairly early in the first half. That seem to create a sense of urgency in the girls and we battled harder through the remainder of the first. The second half we continue to work hard but have very few opportunities. A hard tackle by our defender in the box leads to a PK which the Blitz converts. A few minutes later a Blitz corner kick is hit towards our keeper who is unable to secure and the game ends 0-3.

We were pretty mmuch out of it after Saturday mornings loss but the girls seem to work hard throughout the tournament. Good job!

One more thing...

Apologies in advance, photos and updates will be delayed today because after the game against the Blitz we are heading to the beach! And hey, no wishing for sand in my eye!

Sunday's game vs Blitz

Today's game against the Blitz should be entertaining. We were rooting for them yesterday pm when they played the Blues but now..... They are similar in size as us but have a lot of energy and will run.

Saturdays pictures

So if your waiting for pictures your going to have to wait some more but there is a bunch of good ones. (ed. - I've added some so bleah to you K_ _ _ !)

The first two games were played at field 18 right next to the horse stables. Peew! Horses are beautiful animals but there is always a stink!

Post Saturday games

A lot to write about as Saturday was a full day. First game ws against some SoCal team, the Blues? To many of the dang teams. The game started with our girls looking a bit flat, and a step slow. Coach is trying her best to get the girls energy going but nothing is going to happen instantaneously. The Blues have a couple girls that look pretty dangerous and in the middle of the first half the put a shot low that gets past our keepers outstretched hands.
We're down 0-1. From then on it goes back and forth. JoJo gets a good looking breakaway and the SoCal keeper comes out to challenge, JoJo gets a foot on it to power off the shot but the keeper takes it in the gut and delects off. The second half continues with back and forth play, a couple of our girls go down hard and have to be helped off the field. In the final minutes the SoCal team gets another attack going and drives a shot towards goal, our keeper manages to get a hand on it to deflect it up and it hits the bottom of the crossbar and down. The ball bounces around the box while our girls try to clear it out. At least three girls try to get it out and finally its swept clear.

Finally the whistle blows, Blues 1, Eastside 0.

The second game is against the Surf, the host. This one proves to be another physical game and there are sevefal girls that are bigggg. Some how the manage to score on fairly early in the first.
We're still looking a tad slow and the Surf manufactures a second goal before the end of the first. In the sdcond half we're working hard to create something but are unable to get many opportunities in the center of their end. The game was another physical game with numerous knock downs, fortunately our girls don't get hurt and we stay above the agressive fouls. The final is Surf 2, Eastside 0.



Back at the hotel for dinner and coach gives a reward to the girls for hard play and not giving up, pool time! She also makes a special appearance in the pool! It was especially fun since the hotel setup a movie screen and served popcorn and fixing's for 'smores! Yeah!





And finally, we've got a special message for one of our teammates who couldn't make the tourney (click on the video below).