u16

HOW CAN ONE RESIST

CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER NETS TIDY REWARD FOR UNITED
With the soccer season ready to resume in a weeks time, the Lower Island Metro u16 Girls kept themselves busy with a fundraiser at Victoria's Fort and Foul Bay Safeway block. Believe it or not, most donors were not interested in the chocolate. At least half the chocolate still remains and will be presented to the public again on February 11th (close to Valentines) for a 'to be continued' fundraiser finale. Proceeds raised  will contribute to the expenses for a development and educational visit in Seattle this coming March.

IT'S GRIN AND BEAR IT TIME.....

.....NOT GRIN AND BARE IT!

Megan continued her scoring ways as she made a splash with the local media in the annual Polar Bear Swim at Elk Lake this past Sunday. She is definitely alert and ready for the season to kick off again (Heh Megan, did you say hello to Jim and Ella (Amelia's friends) pictured running into the lake next to you?). One can't tell if Krista is smiling or is frozen solid. At least she's holding on to Megan making sure she doesn't make a fool of herself. That's what friends are for.

Speaking of freezing, January training began tonight at a wind chilled UVic. The session focused on endurance training that coach Nigel ran with the work out mixed with plenty of ball touches.

Training continues this week with sessions at UVic (Thursday) and Finlayson (Friday). A team fundraiser and party are scheduled for Saturday and an exhibition is lined up for Sunday versus the Gordon Head u18 Gold Girls.

Heh Stotes, great photograph!

 

DECEMBER FINISH ON HIGH NOTE

MEGAN NETS GOALS IN BACK TO BACK HOME GAMES
One could not anticipate the 'get out of jail' card that Megan pulled out of her sleeve on the game played at UVic's field 2b on Sunday, December 18th. The second of 2 games played that weekend found Megan absent from the team warm up and the first half of the game, knowledge of her whereabouts unknown.

With a short bench due to injuries and sickness, coach Nigel needed his magic wand to see the girls achieve their goal of back to back weekend victories. 

MORE PICTURES FROM JAN

A NEW PHOTO ALBUM ADDED WITH OVER 100 IMAGES SHOT FROM THE LANGLEY MATCH OCTOBER 2.

Super Mom Jan captured our girls in action on October 2nd and has provided great digital captures for our website.

These images have been un-edited other than optimized for viewing on the web.

Kieren (on the left) is captured in a sequence of shots that shows her great ability of ball control by trapping and transitioning into attack. Great focus Kieren, and great focus too Jan!

Click here to view these wonderful shots by Jan.

SIX WEEKS TO BUILD FROM

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING
The past few weeks have been an interesting ride for the u16 United Metro girls. A lot of character is being developed with this group as they find the strength within themselves and each other to persevere in this grueling u16 Metro League.

Since their road success in Coquitlam, the girls have eked out one victory and a draw in their past five matches. The results are not for a lack of heart or effort. This coming Sunday will prove to be a challenge as United hosts the Surrey Rage. Last year's cup finalist eliminated the u15's in the first round of their A Cup encounter. This will be a great opportunity to unseat the second place Ragers and move the girls into an upswing in the tables.

EARLY SUCCESS SETS TONE IN RAINY COQUITLAM

BOOKEND GOALS BY CASSIE AND KASSIE THE DIFFERENCE

It had been two weeks since the Victoria United’s u16 Girls saw the pitch in league play. The girls traveled to a rain drenched Coquitlam today to face the Coquitlam City …whatchemyoucallems… The rain would not let up and neither would the United team as they came away with a 3-2 road victory.

The Victoria team would take the play to the hosts early keeping the Coquitlam side pressured inside their defensive third. A throw from the right side in the 3^rd minute was crossed into the box with Cassie firing a left footed rocket that snapped the wet goal netting in the top right hand corner. It was a magnificent sound and beautiful goal.

NO JEWELLERY ALLOWED

BC SOCCER HAS ANNOUNCED A ZERO TOLLERANCE POLICY
At the Referee refresher clinic that all referees attended this past Monday in Victoria, BC Soccer announced a zero-tollerance policy on any jewellery.

No taping, everything comes off.

All referees received the same message, so it is likely the rule will be enforced uniformally.

How do you think this guy feels about the new rule?

THE FUTURE IS SO BRIGHT...

.....YOU GOTTA WEAR SHADES
Most often in soccer, you will find that behind each scoreline, a story is different than what would be assumed from an initial glance.

Sunday's 1-1 draw versus the Burnaby Crush in Burnaby, BC proved to be the greatest bit of soccer coach Nigel has witnessed from the core of his starting eleven ever. The back line played with absolute confidence not allowing a scoring a chance by the hosts. Poise from the defenders carried through to the midfielders and attackers as the United visitors dominated play in the opening half. Laura would count her first goal of the season as she calmly placed a spilled rebound into the open net before her. The girls would go into the halftime break with their first lead of the young season.

OUTWIT - OUTPLAY - OUTLAST

A GAME OF SURVIVOR
Today's match versus Guilford proved to be a test of will for both teams as the end result netted a 0-0 draw and a single point for both teams in the standings.

With the sun shining warmly on the grass pitch, the home team appeared to be the one with the most energy from the commencement of the referees whistle as they exploded into the Lower Island United's half of the field. The save of the match was earned in that opening minute as the Guilford attackers took advantage of the confused United defenders. An attacker broke in free and clear on keeper Stephanie. She clinically challenged the striker with her body crouched low and her arms outstretched wide. With catlike reflexes, she threw her body at the ball as the striker lowered her head to strike the ball. Her save was a piece of courage. It would be the single greatest threat on our keeper in the match.

All was not rosy however during the first thirty minutes of the game. The blue clad hosts continued with sustained pressure on the back line and constantly caused trouble for all. Midfielder Kate B-L was often found in the back line relieving the defenders from sustained pressure.

Our United girls would gain composure and ride out the storm. It may have seemed like forever for most, but the tide did eventually turn and the visitors from the Island pushed the play into the Guilford defensive half of the field. Aggression and courage took over.

Kassie became a handful for the defenders and was winning the 1v1 battles. In the 34th minute, she was taken down in the penalty area and awarded a penalty from the spot.

POWER SURGE TO VICTORY

U16 UNITED OPEN WITH STRONG EFFORT
Lower Island's u16 Metro girls launched their soccer season yesterday afternoon at Lake Hill's Beckwith Park. Despite a strong team effort and gutsy keeping by Stephanie, the host team saw points taken away with a goal conceded two minutes into injury time resulting in a 2-1 defeat. One could feel the sting of the defeat along the sidelines.

The visitors from West Vancouver pounced on an opportunity early in the 7th minute against the flow of play as a bounding ball sailed over our leaping defenders miss timed header. Power striker (#10) scored her first of two goals with ease as she slid behind the defenders to be all alone. She placed a far post strike beyond Stephanie's diving reach to her left.

In return, an equally fortunate goal was netted by Kristyn two minutes later. Megan's throw-in on the far side sailed over the head of her intended target. Kristyn put immediate pressure on the defender whose clearance careened of Kristyn's shin pads and looped over the surprised West Vancouver keeper caught off her line.

Newcomers Cassie and Kassie's move from Gold to Metro level looked seamless. Both challenged the West Vancouver midfield and back lines. Krista, Kate P and Kieren joined Laura on the back line. Captains Kate B-L and Kristyn played strong controlled games. Kate's adventure in the 36th minute had all on the sidelines in awe as she nearly netted one that was tipped by the orange clad keeper off the top of the bar.