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.