The Coastal Storm FC U11 Boys hosted the Cliff Avenue Athletics FC at their temporary home turf of Langdale Elementary this weekend under warm overcast skies.
Fresh off the championship win from last weekend, it seemed clear our boys were still on holiday as they started the game and CAU had a great passing game. We were on the run trying to make up ground. Chris Coates started off the day with a nice attack plan and Taiyo Blackwell put his stride to good use. Samuel Uwa blurred the distances between plays, throwing CAU off its attack briefly.
As Marshall Curtiss and Jack Marshall tried to organize against this awesome assault in defence, the incredible goal-tending skills of Hayden van der Stelt weren’t enough to stop their full pressure style of play. Several points behind, we were beginning to realize what was needed to curtail this wicked flood of passing – get in the game by returning to our high-energy roots and stifle them.
Samuel finally slotted one after a sweet passing melee from behind to give our side a burst of cheer and hope to bring the boys out of retirement. It seemed we had a source in Max Joe who tried with Sasha Kliewer to wiggle through the CAU defenders but to no avail, and Rory Scott and Ocean Fitzsimons rallied some decent protection plays in our end, only to be countered with more really well organized pressure, resulting in a few more goals against.
As in any of the great efforts the Storm FC have displayed this year, it was a pleasure to watch, cheer and see the progress being made for this all-new squad. The boys learned some valuable lessons and will no doubt be listening very well at the next practice to continue their inevitable rise to soccer greatness.
Girls Soccer
The Coastal Storm U13 girls went over to North Vancouver on the weekend to face the North Shore Kodiaks in a match bound for the record books – the two top ranked teams in the league meeting for the first time. It was a sweet, still, foggy afternoon on a perfect William Griffin turf field. The fans were many and it felt like sports magic was bound to erupt at the whistle.
The white Kodiaks immediately put our Storm on notice: passing was the game and physical play was the fair. It appeared we didn’t get the memo to go after the ball and go shoulder to shoulder whenever possible, and the Kodiaks’ level of play reflected our reluctance.
Luckily Mary Wood in goal made fantastic saves to keep us in the game. In front of her, Ella Campbell and Pippa Boothroyd began their construction of the wall.
They seemed to be able to put it up every game and stop full-on attacks. The Storm could only run after the coordinated passing game of the Kodiaks. It appeared they were chasing more than moving into place.
Paige Clucas seemed perfectly poised to show her natural gift in being the striker we all dream to be, time after time sliding into their end only to find little support and a strong defence. After too many fast-paced efforts into our end and a loose ball staying too long in front of our net, one slipped in almost by accident, 0-1. Gracey Hemstreet and Hanna Listwin each in their own way demonstrated speed and tenacity. Leela Fernandes and Aila Brampton aggravated the Kodiak front line with finesse, grit and all-out wildness.
As coach Trina laid out the plan for the second half, the gallery was anxious for more. Smooth full-tilt play led to some truly awesome saves by new goal tender Pippa Boothroyd, who worked hard to stymie shots. Jasmine Fitzsimons slowed the game to a nice smooth pace whenever she touched the ball, giving nice passes out to her wingers. Faye Duffy and Clara Pashkewych started their patented style of play in the middle with some success but still little support from elsewhere to make the drives complete. Mary, playing out for this half, created her own glory with some great dives through the centre.
Two teams matched up against each other for an early season battle and no one left there without amazement beautifully delivered. The Storm held on until the last whistle, trying to tie it up. We were shown another level of soccer to which our girls are perfectly positioned to grasp, thrive on and make their own. This is hands down the team to watch.
