Fall Schedule Announced

WAGS has released the Fall 2009 Schedule earlier than anticipated. The Red Squad will ease into the season, with 3 home games in September, and then go on the road for 4 games in October. We'll close the season in November with a road and then a home game.

The games have been added to the team's Google Calendar and will begin appearing in the column at right shortly. Each week, the team will receive game reminders, directions, and uniform information. The full schedule for the entire division is available on the WAGS Website. We are in Division L.

For your long term planning purposes, here is the schedule - (you can click on the field for location information):

Sunday, September 13
12:00 pm
vs CYA Freedom '98 Purple
Holmes MS Back

September 19-20 BYE WEEK

Saturday, September 26
3:00 pm
vs BRYC 98 Elite (a.k.a. Lightning)
Holmes MS Front

Sunday, September 27
2:00 pm
vs Herndon Pegasus
Congressional School Soccer Field

Saturday, October 3
4:30 pm
vs SYA Storm
Kincheloe #5

Sunday, October 4
12:00 pm
vs VYS Attack
Vienna Adventist Academy

October 10-11 - Columbus Day Weekend
VIP Tournament

Sunday, October 18
3:00 pm
vs VSA Heat
Long Park Turf #6A

Sunday, October 25
vs Loudon 98G White
Ray Muth Park #2

Sunday, November 1 (REVISED)
2:30 pm
vs CYA Freedom '98 Purple
Franklin MS #2

Sunday, November 8
2:00 pm
vs Loudon 98G White
Congressional School Soccer Field

Coach's Report: From The Bench 8/23/09

Red team players, great job at the BRYC tournament. You played two games with all your heart. Your parents and coach are proud of you.

First Game:

In the first half, the team played exceptionally well. You showed how well this team can play with square, back and through passing.

Everybody was on their toes and prepared to receive and pass the ball. Players were relaxed when they had the ball and made good passing and dribbling decisions.

You had several good shots on goal. The shots on goal started from passes by the defenders, then the midfielders, then the forwards.

Nice job everyone.

Second Game:

The other team played much faster in this game. This meant that you had to be faster on your feet and faster with your brain. Did you notice the difference?

Good job tackling and getting to the ball first. Good job getting open and calling for the ball.

Once again, nice job everyone.

Girls Gel in Tournament

Day One of the BRYC Fall Kick Off Tournament was rained out, which was a disappointment for all. But organizers moved the tournament to a nearby turf field and salvaged two of the planned four games.

The Xtreme 98 Red squad gelled beautifully in Game 1 against PWSI Courage 98 Gold. The first half was played almost exclusively in Courage's end with Xtreme controlling the ball and the pace of the game with spot on passing. But Courage held their own and their keeper made some excellent stops and had help from her full squad.

At half time the score was 0-0. But that wouldn't last.

Reina found the back of the net quickly in the second half with the foot pictured.

Courage fought back, finding their game and pressuring Xtreme's goal keeper, Carson, on loan from her sister's squad. But Carson, energized from the day before where she notched three shut-outs in the Frederick, MD Scrimmagefest, shut down Courage.

And Mariana, on loan from the White team, put the game away with another strike.

The game ended 2-0.



After a short rest and ice cream, Xtreme took the pitch again to face another team in the PWSI Courage system, the Black squad.

Both teams notched several great chances, but Xtreme was simply unable to find the back of the net. Something Courage Black was able to do more than once. The game ended 3-0 for Courage Black.

While the split wasn't ideal, the important thing is that the girls got out and played in real game situations, dusted off those cobwebs, and really connected as a team. The two new players, Kendall and Erin G. stepped right in and immediately began contributing, as did our two guest players from White, Mariana and Melanie, and Carson, who of course played with Xtreme 98 Red for several seasons.

All in all, a good, fun experience, despite the shortened schedule. Check out the slideshow of some photos from the day.

Thanks to everyone who came out today, beared with the ever-changing schedule, and helped cheer on Xtreme from the sidelines!

Video Lessons

Coach Lance will identify web videos from time to time to help demonstrate skills we're working on in practice and game situations. We'll post them here and the first three are below.

"Soccer Players, over the summer we have talked about the difference between playing U-10 and U-11. U-11 is faster. To play faster, everyone will need to be quick on their toes and have a good first touch on the ball.

Watch these videos, practice the skills (if you have time), and be prepared to use the skills in practice and in games. Notice how Mia Hamm is always relaxed and breathing normally when playing the ball. Enjoy."

-Coach Lance

Using the inside of the foot to play faster

Using the outside of the foot to play faster

Using the bottom of the foot to play faster

BRYC Tournament Schedule Announced

The schedule has been announced for the BRYC Fall Kick-Off Tournament and Xtreme 98 Red will be facing off against 4 new opponents - including a boys team.

You read that right. A boys team.

BRYC was sponsoring a U10 Boys Tournament the weekend after our tournament, but interest was low. So they slid the boys teams into our tournament. We'll play one game against the boys - a U10 team from BRYC. (2 of our other 3 opponents will also play the boys.)

This will be a great opportunity for the girls to see a different style of game being played, and Coach Sherry is quite confident the girls can hold their own against them. After all, "girls rule, boys drool."

All games are played at Robinson High School on the Upper Fields. The school is located at 5105 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, 22032. Here's the schedule:

Saturday, August 22

Game 1: 9:15am ABGC Xtreme 98 Red v. PWSI Courage 98 Gold - Field 2

Game 2: 12:00pm ABGC Xtreme 98 Red v. PWSI Courage 98 Black - Field 2

Sunday, August 23

Game 1: 8:00am ABGC Xtreme 98 Red v. BRYC 99 Elite Boys - Field 2

Game 2: 2:30pm ABGC Xtreme 98 Red v. ASC Xtreme - Field 3

Welcome the two newest members of Xtreme 98 Red

Xtreme 98 Red was fortunate to have several good players work out with the team this summer and two young ladies have been added to the regular season roster. Erin comes to us from the BRYC system, and Kendall comes from the Burke club, and they have both agreed to join the Red squad. We welcome their arrival!

Kendall (#21), no stranger to the keeper’s box, will help fill Carson’s shoes (that usually came off at some point during the games). Kendall and her powerful boot are also expected to round out the defensive group.

Erin (#24) brings speed and agility to an always improving Red squad, and is expected to be a solid addition to the line-up – on both sides of the mid-field line.

More about these new players and all our players in the coming weeks as we profile them each in our Player Spotlight Article.

Pre-Season Tournament

Xtreme 98 Red has applied to play in the 2nd Annual Fall Kick-off Tournament sponsored by BRYC.

We will play four games over the weekend of August 22-23, so mark your calendars.

Once opponents and game times are announced, we'll send out an email and post the information here.