Alexander Takes the GYSL Title posted by Coach Flint on 07-26-2004 15:26

Alexander came into the finals Sunday night 50 minutes short of their goal at the beginning of the weekend (and the beginning of the season), Finish the season as the best team. All that stood between Alexander and their goal was a solid Pembroke team, which had all of its players ready to go. Despite being at a size and age disadvantage, Alexander was confident in their abilities and focused on the task. The team was fired up and ready to go.

Alexander showed that they were the strong team right off the opening whistle as Linz and Court would work the wings and hit some great crosses in the first 5 minutes. Julia and Maranda controlled the middle of the field and worked their passes through to the forwards. Most important, the defense was on all game long, allowing Pembroke only 7 shots. Stacey kept the defense in shape all game long, and Alesha showed once again that she is capable of shutting down any mark that is thrown her way. Just like last season Pembroke would try to get their top striker away from Alesha, but she stayed on her most of the game and allowed nothing past her.

Kate and Carissa worked on the outside and stepped to the ball and controlled their marks for the entire first half of the game. Alexander outpassed and outworked Pembroke for the first 25 minutes of the game and it would eventually pay off. After stealing a ball in the back Alesha would get the ball forward. After battling with the defenders and slipping down the sideline Linz would hit a hight shot towards the far right corner of the net. As the shot dropped the keeper couldn't get back in time and the ball found the top right corner of the net to give Alexander the 1-0 lead before halftime.

The 2nd half saw Alexander do some shuffling to help hold onto the 1-0 lead, and their grip on the title. Maranda would move back to outside defender to help shut down Pembrokes attack. Carissa moved into the center of the field, Courtney moved to outside mid and Tara entered the game up top. Alexander didn't slow down as they continued to push the ball forward and fire it on net. Linz was solid throughout the 2nd half, running her mark ragged and hitting cross after cross. Alexander nearly put the game away 30 seconds into the half as Kate stole the ball on the endline and fired a shot that beat the keeper, but hit the inside of the post and sat spinning on the goal line but didn't cross.

Stacey, Alesha, Emily, and Maranda went to work in front of Becky in the back and did everything they could to limit Pembroke to only a handful of shots in the 2nd half. Despite the fact that it seemed every team and their fans were rooting against Alexander (except for Alexander and their fans), Alexander kept dominating the game and putting pressure on at both ends of the field. Becky picked up 5 saves in net for the shutout, her 10th of the summer.

Julia, Carissa, Kate, and Courtney did a great job in the midfield, winning nearly all of the 50/50 balls and continuing to hit their passes all game long. As the game wore down Pembroke's forwards became frustrated. Alesha, Stacey, Emily, and Maranda had their number and were not allowing much inside the Alexander half of the field. The closes Pembroke would come to tieing the game came with just over 7 minutes left when a cross from the left side of the field would fly across the front of the net but hit the ground and roll out of bounds as Maranda and Emily held off their marks.

The final whistle blew and Alexander was champions. The players were exhausted, they had given everything they had and more, but nothing could compare to the sweet taste of the victory they have been working towards for the last 2 years. The team came to the weekend focused on a goal and worked together as a unit to achieve the goal. Despite wearing down as the final went on no one quit, and no one said they were too tired to make any more runs. That is the reason that the team came out on top. It was a great battle, and an even greater end to an awesome weekend of soccer.

1st star went to Alesha, shut down Pembrokes only real chance to score, stepped to the ball well, and had great clearances out of the back. 2nd star went to Stacey, leadership in the back was great, cleared out several very dangerous balls, and had solid passing from the back. 3rd star goes to Julia and Linz, worked their butts off all game long on offense, both of them had great passing, ran themselves past the point of exhaustion, and their hard work paid off. 4th star goes to Maranda, Emily, Dana, Carissa, Kate, Tara, Courtney, Becky, Ginny, Mandie, Laura, Casey, and Alyssa, they all did their parts in this game and throughout the weekend to help this team take home the title they have been looking for. It was a great weekend of soccer, which was a great end to an excellent summer season. Enjoy your time off over the next few weeks and get ready for the upcoming Modified/JV/Varsity season.

Alexander Clinches Berth in the Finals posted by Coach Flint on 07-26-2004 15:10

Alexander came into Pavilion knowing one thing, if they won by more than 1-0, they were guaranteed a place in the finals. This was due to the fact that Leroy had beaten Pavilion only 1-0, opening the door for Alexander to bust into the finals. It was early in the morning, but the team was extremely focused. Everyone involved did an excellent job throughout the game working the ball around the field. Becky returned from vacation to pick up the shutout in net having to make only one save, but keeping the defense in position all game long.

Up top, Courtney, Linz, and Julia provided the crowd with a passing clinic as they shredded the Pavilion defense time and time again. Linz, Julia, Mandie, and Alesha would pick up the goals in a 4-0 rout of Pavilion. Maranda, Kate, Carissa, Tara, and Casey all had great passing and solid defense in the midfield throughout the game. Tara, Laura, and Alyssa all played strong in their minutes up top with solid passing and great pressure on the net. In the back, Stacey, Alesha, Dana, Emily, and Ginny played strong in front of Becky limiting Pavilion to just 3 shots all game long.

It was the 2nd dominating performance in a row and it propelled Alexander in to the finals against either Albion or Pembroke as tournament favorite Kendall lost 2 out of 3 games in their division and failed to make it to the final.

1st star went to Julia, 2nd game of the weekend, 2nd sparkling performance. Great vision on all her passes, took her shots when they were open, and played strong defense in the center of the field. 2nd star went to Stacey, great leadership in the back, kept the defense on their marks, shut down anything coming up the middle of the field and cleared the ball out of our end with authority. 3rd star went to Mandie, Alesha, and Linz, all 3 had solid games in their respective positions and all 3 picked up big time goals which helped put us into the finals. Great performances were also turned in by Court up top, Maranda, Kate, and Carissa in the mids, and Dana and Emily in the back. Excellent game ladies, one more win for the title.

Alexander Blasts Batavia posted by Coach Flint on 07-26-2004 15:02

Alexander faced off against Batavia Saturday afternoon in a rematch of sorts. Batavia had knocked off Alexander 2-1 two weeks earlier, Alexanders 2nd loss of the summer. Alexander came out hot and scored early and often. Linz, Tara, Julia, Carissa, Kate, and Maranda did most of the damage on offense, with great passing all game long. Linz and Julia would both net 3 goals while Maranda would pick one up as well and Alexander would win the game 7-0, again getting maximum points and remaining in first place in their division.

Stacey, Alesha, Dana, and Emily made the lead stand up in the back while they limited Batavia to only one shot on the day, which was saved by Courtney in the first half. The defense showed great poise in the back, making excellent passes and runs to aide the offense all game long.

Also contributing in the back was Ginny, who played well in her first action on the U16 team. Casey, Laura, Alyssa all put in good minutes up top and in the midfield when they were called on, while Casey also played in net in the 2nd half and didn't allow a goal.

It was a great team effort from front to back. The leadership was there, and the team took Batavia apart from the opening whistle, until the closing one.

1st star went to Julia, great day in the middle of the field, picked up 3 early goals to put the game out of reach early, great passing, excellent all around game. 2nd star went to Linz, great runs down the side of the field, excellent crosses, and did some great work late in the game up some goals. 3rd star went to Maranda, solid performance in her first full game in the midfield. Picked up her 2nd goal of the season and showed great vision with her passing. Great performances were also turned in by Stacey and Alesha in the back, Kate and Carissa in the mids, and Court up top. Great job ladies.

Lyndonville Forfeits posted by Coach Flint on 07-26-2004 14:55

In their first championship tournament game Alexander would receive a forfeit from Lydonville, which game them a 3-0 victory and a great start to the weekend tournament.

U16 Blasts Lyndonville To Close Out Regular Season posted by Coach Flint on 07-23-2004 11:02

Alexander closed out a strong regular season by beating Lyndonville 8-0 Thursday night. It was a strong all around performance by the entire team as they prepare for the upcoming GYSL tournament that is this weekend. The passing and movement was very good. The defense played tough. Picking up goals for Alexander was Julia (3), Linz, Stacey, Kristi, Maranda, and Tara. Alexanders goalies picked up another shutout without making a save.

We have a tough tournament ahead of us this weekend, one that we should win, but we need to show up ready to play. Lets bring it home.

Alexander Bounces Back Against Pembroke posted by Coach Flint on 07-21-2004 13:24

The U16 team had to bounce back from only its 2nd loss of the summer Tuesday and did just that with a 3-0 victory over Pembroke. Picking up goals for Alexander was Stacey, Carissa, and Julia. Putting in a strong performance in her first game back in a couple weeks was Kate, who was up and down the field and played excellent in the defensive half of the field. Becky made 7 saves in net to pick up another shutout.

Alexander has one game left in the regular season before they head to Bergen for the season ending GYSL championship tournament. Excellent victory girls.

Alexander Suffers Second Defeat of Season posted by Coach Flint on 07-18-2004 09:45

Coming into the game short players, Alexander looked to sneak out a Friday night win vs Batavia. Without several players Alexander still struck first with Stacey hoooking a corner kick into the net to give Alexander a 1-0 lead. However Alexander would tire as the game wore on with no subs and reduced to 10 players late due to an injury. A Batavia player would outrace Alexander to the ball and put it in the net to make it 2-1.

It was a tough loss for Alexander, but the battled Batavia all game long. Players will get a rematch against Batavia Saturday in the tournament at GCC with the full team and looking to prove that this loss was a fluke.

Stars went to Rachel and Stacey, who both had outstanding games.

Alexander Knocks off Kendall posted by Coach Flint on 07-14-2004 11:29

Alexander came into the game against Kendall wanting and needing a win to keep their title hopes alive. Alexander came out strong in the first quarter and pressured the Kendall net a great deal. Kendall returned the favor in the 2nd quarter forcing Becky to have to make several saves. Linz picked up a goal off a pass form Stacey near the halfway point of the game. From there on out Alexanders defense took over and shut down the Kendall attack, pitching the shutout against the top team in the league.

1st star went to Linz, picked up another big time goal to knock off Kendall. 2nd star went to Alesha, great job in the back harassing and shutting down her mark all game. 3rd star went to Becky, came up big on several saves to keep Kendall off the board. Great performances were also turned in by Stacey and Maranda in the back, Cordes, Julia, and Kristi in the mids, and Court up top. It was a great all around game and a big time win. Excellent job ladies.

Alexander Pulls it Out Against Avon posted by Coach Flint on 06-30-2004 10:07

Despite having no subs Alexander faced off against Avon and picked up a win Tuesday night. With players tiring Alexander would play with 10 players to allow some got get a rest. With just over 4 minutes left in the game Linz would put Alexander up 1-0. It would prove to be the game winning goal. Becky picked up her 5th shutout of the summer making 7 saves in net.

Sounds like an excellent all around game from everyone involved. Girls played in all different positions. Great team effort to pick up the win. We need some subs...so get some of your friends out for the team.

1st star goes to Kristi, had an excellent all around game, good hustle and great passing. 2nd star goes to Tara, great game up front, maximum effort all game long. 3rd star goes to Stacey, did an excellent job playing in a couple different positions. Great games were also turned in by Linz up top, Kate and Alesha in the back, and Becky in net. Excellent job ladies.

Alexander Bounces Back Against Bergen posted by Coach Flint on 06-28-2004 11:09

The third game Alexander needed to bounce back and try to close the tournament out with a strong performance and they did just that. Alexander dominated the first half. Kate, Carissa, and Julia lead the way in the midfield moving the ball all over the field. Missy and Linz made some nice runs up top and several times nearly put the ball into the net for the lead. Stacey, Bucky, Alesha, and Maranda played a very strong game in the back. Becky made several good saves in net to keep Alexander in the game. Bergen had only 2 shots in the first half, but one was a PK that would put them up 1-0. Alexander came out strong in the 2nd half and continued to push the ball forward. Just over 7 minutes into the half, Missy took the ball from midfield and blew by the Bergen defense and buried it into the back of the net to tie the game at one. Alexander continued their strong play, but couldn't get the ball into the net.

1st star went to Becky, finished off an excellent weekend of soccer making 7 saves in net, and nearly stopping a PK to keep Alexander in the game. 2nd star went to Carissa who played a great game in the center of the field, solid passing and great defense. 3rd star went to Missy, who picked up the game tieing goal and had great runs with and without the ball all game long. Strong performances were also turned in by Stacey and Alesha in the back and Kate in the mid.

Thanks to all the girls that came and helped out this weekend by coming and providing us with subs. Mandie, Courtney H, Dana, Rachel, Courtney A, Laura, and Casey all did an excellent job when they got onto the field and showed whey they were invited to come to the tournament. All the starters did a great job as well. Nice tournament girls.

Alexander Ties Greece posted by Coach Flint on 06-28-2004 11:05

The second game Alexander squared off against Livonia needing a win to put themselves in position to make the finals. Unfortunately Alexander didn't play one of their better games and had to settle for a 0-0 tie. Becky picked up 8 saves in net for the shutout.

Game ball went to Becky who played strong in the back being under constant pressure and picked up the shutout.