Game #7 vs. Matrix
Missing my second game in a row was another major disappointment, but I applaud Coach Howard for not missing a beat during the game. Finally, we are overcoming our fear of bigger opponents. The Daisies have learned size doesn't matter! It's your heart and drive that will get you to the finish line.


Game #6 vs. Freedom
What a heartbreaker! Not being at the game was disappointing. The Daisies were aggressive and controlled the ball the entire game, and then letting the other team capitalize on only a few opportunities is tough for the girls. This game was a good test for the Daisies. Don't give the other team opportunities to score and if you are given the same opportunities, then we have to close on our chances to score.

Game #5 vs. Lil Bratz
Our teamwork is progressing every week. The girls are passing and working as a team to accomplish their goals at the start of the game. Each week the games are getting a little more physical and we are learning we have to be mentally as well as physically tough. We are taking what we are working on in practice and implementing this during the games.

Game #4 vs. Lady Raiders
Another strong performance and a great way to rebound from a difficult game against the Starburst. We are spreading out a little better, but our passing and field presence is greatly improving. We shot on goal and had some great shots.
We are learning soccer is not an easy game. It is a physical game and we have to play tough or we let the other team take advantage of us. Both teams were very evenly matched and had to play all the way till the final whistle blew.

Game #3 vs. Starburst
This was a good example of why we play 4 quarters. After the first two quarters, it appeared we would not have any problem with the second half. Attacking with the wind the first half allowed us several opportunities to score, but again we could not captitalize on our opportunities until the last 5 seconds of the second quarter.

The momentum switched at halftime and the Starburst looked like we played the first half. We had a couple of opportunities in the second half to score but could not hit the goal. About midway in the third quarter we feel asleep like Sleeping Beauty and would not wake up until the referee blew the whistle to end the game. I guess that why we play the game. Learn from the game and improve during practice.

Game #2 vs. Hurricances
I think this was our most competitive game in a very long time. Neither team seemed to have a superior advantage. We had our opportunities to score and we scraped by many close shots by the Hurricanes. One thing we did good was shoot on the goal. We had our brilliant moments and then we had times when we seemed to be sleeping.

One thing we can improve on is spreading out and not running to the ball but anticipate where we should be to receive a pass. Passing and looking for open areas - pass and move.

Game #1 vs. Screamers
What a great game the entire team played. The skills and abilities of every player has progressed over last season. It was exciting seeing players (who were less aggressive last season) being aggressive and attacking the ball with authority.

This was our highest goal total and I believe our first shutout since last spring. The players are passing the ball and not afraid to pass backwards to another Daisies player. It is amazing how many shots we had on the Screamers goal. Everyone was shooting!

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Game #6 vs. Mighty Crickets
Being short two players, the Daisies played strong the entire 4 quarters. There were several players that played positions they have not played in the past and they did great. We stayed in our positions much better this week and the players were challenging the ball agressively. Hopefully, we are turning the corner with the concept of passing instead of dribbling until we lose the ball.

What happened to our fall temperatures? This was ok because the temperatures did not seem to effect the players too much. One thing that has helped tremendously is Coach Howard's suggestions we play with two (instead of one) midfielders. The has prevented the one midfielder from running so much and the extra midfielder has assisted on defense and getting the ball up to the forwards. I am very pleased with the girls performance, and I think the girls should be proud of how they played. There is much improvement from the first game of the season.

Game #5 vs. Heartbreakers
The Heartbreakers lived up to their name. We played great the first two quarters, but we ran out of steam or motivation the final two quarters. I don't like to comment too much on the other team's play, but I feel their style did damper our player's spirits. This was the first time I have seen another team grabbing jerseys to gain an advantage. Every team pushes while going after the ball, but we had not seen the likes of it to this extent until now.

The first half we were moving after the ball staying position and trying to pass the ball, but the second half we looked tired and were standing around quite a bit. We had several good dribbles only to loose the ball because we should have passed one step sooner before the defender was on us. This is something we will continue to work on. The Heartbreakers and the Lady Knights are on a different skill level tthan all the other teams we play and that is all right. The Daisies looked much better against the Heartbreakers than when we played the Lady Knights. This is why we practice!

Game #4 vs. Starburst
Can I give a triple WOW here! I'm not into the emoticons, but this is the look I had on Saturday :) Playing with only 9 players the Daisies did not get down and give up. We had a lack luster first two quarters, but the final two quarters the players came to life.

I let my soft side get in the way and allowed us to start with 5 players since the Starburst only had 5 at the start. Coach Howard reminded me it is not our fault they did not have a full team. Well, once they scored all bets were off and I was not going to play one or two players down anymore. I was pleased to see us score two goals against a complete Starburst team (7 vs. 7) on the field.

Finally, everything we have been working on the past two weeks showed. We stayed spread out in our positions and pushed our fulbacks up to help assist our forwards with added pressure on the Starburst defense. Thanks to Coach Howard for recommending and working with the fulbacks to keep the pressure on the Starburst.

Game #3 vs. Angels
WOW! That is all I can say after a great performance by the Daisies. We worked on staying in our positions all week at practice and the players responded to what we have been working on. I can't remember but one or two times where we had two or more Daisies huddled by the ball.

Our defense played superb, allowing our goalies to touch the ball 6 or 7 times as I can remember. We played great for all 4 quarters. We spread out and had intentions on passing the ball, but waited too late several times allowing the Angels' player to stop us. We will work on passing sooner in practice this week not dribbling until we lose the ball.

I am proud of our the entire team played because the Angels are not an easy team. After two tough weeks, the Daisies were due a great performance!

Game #2 vs. Sweet Feet
Another tough game for the Daisies. We seem to still be intimidated by the other team. We finally persisted through the heat against the Sweet Feet, and finished the game strong with all our players available.

The Sweet Feet did not have any greater passing skills than us, but they seemed to be in the right place at the right time. The girls need to keep working on moving and not standing around waiting for the ball to come to us. We need to go meet the ball. We still want to huddle and play "bunch ball" instead of spreading out and staying in our positions. We will begin to work on the players staying in position.

Game #1 vs. Lady Knights
WOW! The Lady Knights were tough. I think they have been the best skilled team we have played in the Daisies existence. The greatest skill they demonstrated was how they moved and never stood still. They always attacked the ball. They didn't wait until the ball came to them. They passed and moved. While the heat was certainly a factor, we seemed to be intimidated by the Lady Knights waiting for someone else to attack the ball.

I hope everyone rehydrated and cooled off quickly after the game. Playing in 104° weather is not fun, but I don't see the heat relinquishing its dominance over the area anytime soon. We have to find a way to persist during the Dog Days of Summer.

I believe this week at practice will be very important for the players to rebuild their confidence. The only thing I will ask is for everyone to come prepared to practice.

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Game #7 vs. Mighty Crickets
What else can be said for a good effort? This was the best game since game #3 against The Angels. We were more aggressive than in previous weeks, we shot on their goal, we passed, and we played good defense. This is the reason we moved up to "division 1" so we can play better teams, which in the end only helps the Daisies get better.

Game #6 vs. StarBurst
WOW! We are at the half-way point in the season
Offense, finally we saw some much needed offense. The girls battled back and forth for most of the game and we finally scored first. This was good to see Skyler take the ball the length of the field, dribbling by and around the StarBurst, and shooting the ball in the "back of the net".

The team had some nice passes and were more aggressive against the StarBurst. Our defense played stellar for just about all of the game. Our defensive actions are getting much better at trying to stop the offensive player rather than just kicking at the ball. Passing and trying to spread out are things to keep improving on.

Game #5 vs. Sweet Feet
Another Nail Biter
I don't know about all of you parents, but these nail biters till the end are difficult. The Daisies played a good game, but we just didn't seem to be able to generate any offense for a second game. We appeared to be "prancing" around the ball. For most of the game we seemed somewhat passive in the sense we did not want to challenge for the ball. It has been a tough season playing against teams with girls bigger than us. Being aggessive and challenging for the ball is something we will continue to work on at practice.

Game #4 vs. Mighty Crickets
Cheers to Coach Howard
Coach Howard led the Daisies after a last minute call I would not be at the game. For the reports I received, this was a tough physical game. Nobody soccer was a cakewalk. The team held strong without much offense for the day but played a tough defense. This is another reason for the players to come to practice with a good mind so we can discuss our opportunities and mistakes during the games.

Game #3 vs. Angels
Headlines read Daisies get gassed!
These are the games we will remember years from now, not the beautiful weather games. The weather was ominous but forgiving for an hour Saturday morning. Things early on did not look good for us starting without any substitutes and finishing the game with only one sub. This surely forced the girls to dig deep inside and play tough from the opening to the final whistle. Let me tell you they surely did this.

Getting scored on early did not bode so well for the team but the Daisies are constantly surprising me. I mentioned in our first game we did not have our soccer brains on, but this game we did. We were passing, dribbling, running, running, and more running we did. We got our few chances to score and we made the most of the opportunities in front of us. I am pleased and so should you be with how the girls played against the Angels.

Game #2 vs. StarBurst
This was a game where the wind played a big factor. Starting with the wind the first half we coined the phrase, "can't buy a goal for anything." We had shot after shot in the first half and we could not put the ball in the net for anything.

The girls were attacking the ball and shooting at the goal as we had been practicing. We were passing the ball and working as a team. We played as team all four quarters. This game was a 'nail biter' all the way to the final whistle. We scored in the final minutes of the game to squeak by with a tie.

Game #1 vs. Screamers
It really showed it had been about 4 months since our last game. This only lasted for about 1-1/2 quarters and then we got our soccer brains back on. We started displaying what have been working on for the last month - passing, teamwork, and having fun. I was really proud of all the players.

Our teamwork is very evident. It shocked me when I heard those players on the sideline chanting, "Here we go Daisies, here we go!" Keep motivating the girls at home to keep up the teamwork.

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