Xtreme Shows Why Their Attitude Makes Them Fan Favorites

A weakened Xtreme took the field Saturday for their home opener against the strong McLean Spirit White. Xtreme had one player battling a cold, another player recovering from a cold and injured toe, and would lose a third player at the half to a knee injury. McLean jumped to an early lead, scoring in the first minute, and things went downhill from there.

An inexperienced referee made several questionable calls and non-calls, including allowing a McLean player to kick the ball out of the Xtreme keeper's hands for their second goal at 9 minutes. The referee also called 9 fouls on Xtreme and awarded three penalty kicks to McLean. It's worth pointing out that Xtreme hasn't faced three penalty kicks since the team formed, more than 57 regular season games ago. In any case, we hope the McLean homeowners association approves the referee's petition to do whatever it is she's trying to do to her house.

Some Xtreme highlights from the game included new goalkeeper Happy Feet stopping 11 shots, including one of the penalty kicks, Sharky's unassisted goal at the 40 minute mark, and First Aid, Big Foot, and Sunshine combining for 8 shots on goal. Additionally, team newcomer, Cameron, earned her nickname which will now appear on her practice jersey. "The Sledgehammer," or "Sledge," or "Sister Sledge" for short showed that though she may not be the tallest girl on the field, the other team will feel her.

The girls continue to do a good job of migrating techniques from practice to games, and even though they lost 8-1, the game was closer than the score sheet indicated. Several parents from the McLean team were heard remarking as such in the stands, but the question on everybody's mind was, "how would the Red bounce back for Sunday's game against first place DCST Metros?"

The answer was – the same way they always do, with pluck, determination, and smiles on their shining faces.

Division leader DCST Metros came to town and began licking their chops when they saw the Xtreme bench: only 1 sub to the visitor's 4. But Xtreme was sporting their new white kits for the first time, and with the weather 30 degrees cooler at kick off than the day before and a light rain falling, the Red showed they might just be mudders after all.

Xtreme began with immediate pressure, putting several shots on net and making the Metro keeper earn her…keep.

All in all Xtreme put 21 shots on net – 11 from The Taxman herself. A team record.

In fact, speaking of records and statistics, Xtreme dominated Metros in every statistic. Except one. Goals.

Xtreme took 31 shots, 21 on goal; Xtreme keepers were tested only 10 times, and all but one was turned away; Xtreme took 11 corners, only had to defend 2; and Xtreme defenders blocked 7 shots, Metros only 4.

The Red defense defended beautifully against the fast-breaking, long-legged, laser shooting Metros, and they communicated and moved the ball very well, executing set plays and showing great creativity.

In the end, despite outplaying the Metros for about 90% of the game, Xtreme gave up 1 goal after struggling to clear the ball at the 48 minute mark. And despite excellent efforts, especially in the closing minutes, that is how the game would end.

A wonderful performance and disappointing loss, but for the girls to show the heart and determination they did, after being dismantled the day before, shows why Xtreme 98 Red is the most beloved team in WAGS. The squad and their adoring fans look forward to the second half of the season and the upcoming VIP Tournament.

Xtreme Notches First Multi-Goal Game of the Season

Xtreme 98 Red took on PWSI Courage 98 Black on the road for the second game of the regular season, and once again, Xtreme came out strong. Xtreme controlled the pace of the game at the open, completing smart passes and applying pressure to the Courage defense and keeper almost immediately. The sides traded quality scoring opportunities through the first 18 minutes, until finally, a Courage player found the back of the net.

Four minutes later, Xtreme answered with a series of beautiful passes – from Big Foot to Sunshine to the Taxman to the back of the net.

Five minutes later, at 27 minutes, Courage would take the lead back. But the Xtreme first half keeper, Sharkey, valiantly turned away 11 shots – and got a little help from the crossbar once.

The second half saw Happy Feet in goal for Xtreme – a first. She was tested hard and early, and quickly showed that she meant business, despite her inexperience. First Aid worked with Sunshine, the Taxman, and the still nicknameless Cam to keep the pressure on, and they were finally rewarded at 55 minutes, when Space Ghost challenged and won a ball from Courage, sent it up to First Aid, who crossed it to the Taxman, who put on a footwork show, drew an extra defender to the corner and then laid a ball right in front of the charging Sunshine. Sunshine, perhaps inspired by the Marta-Puma commercial, deked the defender, faking a shot and pulling the ball across to her left, and then sliding the ball past the Courage keeper to tie it up again.

But the Courage were not done. They peppered Happy Feet with shots, and the Xtreme defenders, who were throwing their bodies in front of balls – First Aid, Big Foot, Space Ghost, and the Professor blocked 10 quality shots, began to break down. The Hammer, exhausted and under the weather, suffered what competitive eaters refer to as a "reverse swallowing" action, but then rallied and finished the game strong – closing down passing lanes, and playing her usual aggressive defense. But the Courage had a deep bench and were able to add fresh legs to the pitch. Finally, at 59 minutes, they broke the tie, going ahead 3-2.

Happy Feet kept Xtreme in the game, shutting down three breakaways that Courage parents were sure were goals. Xtreme aimed to finish strong – trying to steal the points from Courage, but in the end, fatigue took its toll, and Courage added a fourth goal at 68 minutes.

Despite the loss, Xtreme played a terrific game, with every member of the team contributing. The two goals – the first of the season – mark the first multi-goal game for Xtreme since April 17 when the squad beat the NVSC Jr. Majestics 2-1, and showed that Red can finish.

The squad looks forward to next weekend's home opener double header with games at Holmes and Sprague against McLean and DCST Metros – both of whom are 1-0-1 on the season.

Xtreme Looks Great, Loses Opener

Soccer can be a cruel mistress – dominate your opponent for an entire half, and then an unlucky bounce, and suddenly you're on the wrong end of the score sheet. Xtreme 98 Red has had their share of those games – and the Fall 2010 Season Opener was a classic example.

Xtreme traveled to Springfield to open the season where they closed last season, Hooes Road. The opponent was SYC Stampede, who were knocked back on their heels for much of the first half as the Xtreme girls played their possession game that quickly frustrates opponents. Red possessed the ball for about 70% of the first half, only to give up the lead during a corner kick (one of only two Stampede mustered) towards the end of the half. Stampede was well-positioned and executed an excellent set play, while Xtreme was caught flat-footed and Stampede found the back of the net.

Their confidence restored, Stampede then added another goal on a freak play. A direct kick was awarded to Stampede, and though the Xtreme keeper made the initial save, the slippery ball took a strange bounce off her hands and squeaked into the goal.

Down 2-0 at the half, Xtreme made adjustments to try to break the scoring drought. But Stampede made adjustments too. Xtreme tested the Stampede keeper several times, but emboldened by their lead, Stampede took some chances, which unfortunately for Xtreme, paid off. A questionable non-call in an otherwise solidly officiated game led to a Stampede breakaway for their third goal. And finally a miscommunication between the Xtreme keeper and one of her defenders led to a fourth and final goal on what would have been a routine stop.

Despite the loss, the Xtreme girls showed that their hard work is paying off. They communicate well on the field, work as a unit, backing each other up and keeping the other team "predictable" as Coach Lance says. While the end result of the game was not what the fans hoped for, the squad showed that Red Soccer is still moving in the right direction. The girls look ahead to next week, when they will take on a powerful PWSI team on the road.