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.