Friday, July 31, 2009

2009 Devil Camp a Big Success

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The Devils wrapped up a fantastic Devils Training Camp on Friday at the Sunnyvale Soccer Complex. The five-day camp was led by Coach Tim Newsome from Planet Futsal*, and was one of the best training programs the team has gone through in their two seasons.

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Christene & Lindsay
Coach Tim focused each day on a specific training topic, and formatted each two-hour session with a series of drills and games. Holding UEFA, English FA, NSCAA Advanced National and CYSA licenses, Coach Tim was well qualified to run the camp, but his great demeanor and teaching style turned out to be huge factors in running such a successful camp.

The camp as a whole turned out to be a fantastic program to kick off the 2009 fall season.

Training games like “rapid fire” shooting and “goalie wars” were favorites among the girls. “Power & Finesse” was another training game that the team took well to.

One of the most basic, yet effective, focuses during the camp was centered on turns and fakes. Retaining possession will certainly become more of a factor as the girls move up to U-11 this season, so this portion of the camp is something that will stressed much more during regular practices.

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Coach Tim
What was most impressive, was the efficiency at which each drill was setup and executed, and the level of involvement that each player had during the games.

Coach Sonya took copious notes throughout the week, and will certainly integrate many of the drills and teaching techniques that were applied during the camp. Hopefully, this type of camp will become a regular event prior to each season.

Well done Coach Tim!

* Tim’s bio from the Planet Futsal website:

Coach Tim grew up with the game of soccer. He played from a very young age through college and semi-professionally in England. Coach Tim has been coaching since 2002, first for Wycome Wanders Football Club in England and with the MLS youth programs and the Sunnyvale Alliance Soccer Club in the U.S. He also coached at Gunn High School in Palo Alto and St Lawrence Academy in Santa Clara. Coach Tim most recently coached Shrewsbury Town Football Club’s (Professional soccer team in England) U14 youth team. Tim completed his Masters degree in Sports Management and the Business of Football from Birkbeck University of London, England in September 2008.

Certifications:
- UEFA 'B' Licence
- The English F.A. Level 1 & 2 License
- The English F.A. Futsal Level 1 License
- NSCAA Advanced National
- C.Y.S.A. Licensed Coach
- MSc Sports Management and the Business of Football

2009 Devils Camp: [Photos] | [Slideshow]

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Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Devils Heat Up Sonoma Tournament

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The Devils ventured to the northern extremes of the Bay Area on Sunday to participate in the Puma Seawolf Cup Six-A-Side tournament at Sonoma State University. The girls played in four games, splitting the day with 2 wins and 2 losses. The original schedule called for a five game schedule, but one of the teams in the U11 group pulled out at the last minute.

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Devils Team Dinner
Many of the Devils and their families made the trek to Rohnert Park the night before, so the team enjoyed an afternoon of swimming at the hotel pool. The families than met at a local restaurant for a team dinner.

The soccer action started earlier on Saturday, but the girls had to acclimate themselves to the 6-a-side rules, which included no goal kicks beyond the midline of the small 50-yard field. They would also run into a strong Elk Grove Blue Team, which opened the 30-minute game with two quick goals.

Marlene would cut into the Elk Grove lead with a 15-foot shot from the right side just before half time. Elk Grove would add three more goals in the second half, which was capped with a pretty corner kick that was knocked into the goal by a forward who would out-leap a Devil defender for the redirect.

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Akayla uses
her head
The Devils would get on track in the second game against the River City Chaos, with a commanding 5-2 win. Akayla would make her return to the team with a pair of goals, including the opening tally off a chip shot from 12-feet.

She would setup the next goal by ripping a shot that rang off the left post, before Courtney swooped in to pump home the deflection for the 2-0 lead. River City would cut the Devils lead in half with a goal right before halftime, but Akayla would deposit her second score of the game with a 15-foot shot from the right side.

Audrey would push the lead to 4-1 with a goal early in the second half, after picking the pocket of a defender along the right sideline.

Katrina would make her half in goal count with a big save, knocking down a shot before diving on the rebound with two Chaos players converging on the ball.

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Ruhi charges up field
The Devils would help the Chaos out with a deflection into their own goal with 4 minutes to play, but Audrey would convert once again for the capper.

In Game 3, the Devils would avenge their early morning loss to the Elk Grove, by knocking off their sister team 2-0 in a sweltering afternoon sun. Karsyn and Akayla would share the shutout, after turning in masterful performances in net.

The Devils would score both of their goals in the second half of the game. First Courtney chipped a 15-foot shot over the head of the Elk Grove White goaltender from the right side after Christene set her up with a pretty diagonal pass across the middle.

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Audrey navigates
in traffic
Ruhi would setup the second goal with a smart pass up the gut after the Elk Grove defense was forced to pinch up while trailing late. Marlene took the 30-foot pass, then drove straight in on net and punched home her 3rd goal of the tournament for the 2-goal lead.

Akayla would preserve the win with two great saves late in the contest.

With three games under their belt, and the afternoon heat taking its toll, the Devils struggled in the tournament finale. The bench would be shortened by one player, limiting the bench to a single substitute. They would lose to the eventual tournament champion FOSC Fire in a 4-1 game that was close through the first half.

After falling behind 2-0, Marlene would bag her 4th goal of the tournament with a spectacular 30-foot shot that tucked just inside the right post just before half time.

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Marlene seals the Elk Grove game
The Devils seemed to run out of gas in the second half, surrendering another two goals to put the game out of reach. They were unable to mount the comeback that would have put them in contention for the tournament title, but the day’s performance was solid.

The tournament was a great opportunity for the girls to work on their short game and shooting. Hopefully the early start will translate into a faster start once the fall league season begins.

Here are: [Tournament Photos] | [Slideshow]

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Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Sonoma Tournament Information

Here is the game schedule for this Sunday's Sonoma Tournament:

Team Check-In: 9:00am (DON'T BE LATE!)

Time: 9:45 AM
Field: 8
vs. Elk Grove Edge - 2

Time: 12:05 PM
Field: 9
vs. River City Chaos

Time: 2:40 PM
Field: 7
vs. Elk Grove Edge - 1

Time: 5:00 PM
Field: 8
vs. FOSC Fire 98

Time: 6:10 PM
Field: 8
vs. US GIRLS

Here is a [map of the fields]

The address for SSU is 1801 East Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928.

Here is a [map and driving directions to the tournment site]

From San Francisco Bay Area: Highway 101 north to Rohnert Park Expressway exit. Turn right onto Rohnert Park Expressway and follow to its end at Petaluma Hill Road. Right on Petaluma Hill Road to the stoplight at East Cotati Avenue. Right on East Cotati Avenue to Main Entrance of the campus on your right.

From the tournament director:

Please let parents know that they are allowed to bring propane grills, food, drinks, chairs etc. SSU will be offering reasonably priced vending services and there are also restaurants across from campus. We ask that you keep your pets at home or on a leash the entire time they are on campus. We have yet to have any problems with animals, and hope to keep it that way.

Also we ask that individuals stay out of the baseball field, tennis courts, softball field, as well as the fountain/pond area. At our last tournament there was over $1000 of damage incurred to these facilities that the Men¹s Soccer program was responsible for. If you see any children/individuals in these areas, please remind them or feel free to talk to any SSU Soccer staff.

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