If Wasn’t For Bad Luck, Xtreme Wouldn’t Have Any At All

Xtreme took the field against Potomac Red on Sunday, and on paper the teams were well-matched. They were also well matched on the bench – finally the substitution-light Xtreme would not be going up against constantly fresh legs – both teams entered the game with 10 players.

The game opened slowly with both teams testing each other and the turf field that provided many odd bounces. The first half seemed to mostly be played between the two 18s, with neither team mounting much offense. The Xtreme keeper was only asked to make two saves in the half, and the Xtreme offense generated a season low 5 shots on goal all game.

Finally the stalemate was broken in the 42^nd minute when a Potomac breakaway led to a goal. Two minutes later, Potomac would add another one with a weirdly spinning ball. But it was the Potomac goals that somehow sparked Xtreme to life, as suddenly the squad began pressuring the Potomac defense.

With time winding down, Xtreme finally found the back of the net in the 64^th minute, when the Taxman pounced on a blocked shot, took two steps to space, and hammered the ball past the Potomac keeper.

With the Xtreme offense energized, Potomac switched to an effective lead-protecting, run-out-the-clock game plan. Potomac substituted the farthest player from the bench at every break in the action during the final 6 minutes. Xtreme provided an exciting finish with Big Foot and the Hammer sending a surging Happy Feet ahead on two breakaways in the final minutes, but it would be an all too familiar case of "too-little too-late."

Xtreme had hoped to head into the Columbus Day Tournament break with a win, instead they logged a somewhat frustrating 2-1 loss to a team they outplayed most of the game. The squad looks ahead to the VIP Tournament where they were finalists last year.

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.

Fall Schedules Are Out – Somebody Likes Xtreme 98 Red

When the front office first saw Xtreme 98 Red's WAGS Division (Q), much thought was given to the long road trips into Maryland that threatened. However, the schedule is now out, and there is no need for player's drivers to invest in new GPS hardware. We'll play 2 games each at Sprague and Baileys, 1 game at Holmes. Three of our 4 road games will be on familiar Virginia fields: Howison, Hooes, and Spring Hill Rec Center, and we'll take one trip out to Crownsville, Maryland on October 17 for a noon game. Five of our 10 games kick off at noon. Three games start at 1:00 or 1:30, and one game is at 4:30, (on October 3 at Baileys). We have one weekend of a double header with games on both Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26.

All in all, a very decent schedule that hopefully the girls can use to their advantage to notch some wins.

The full schedule has been posted to the Team Snap website and will be distributed to team members via email shortly.

Go Xtreme!

Xtreme Fall Practice Schedule Announced

Initial field assignments have been made and Xtreme received our first choices all around. Our two main practices will be Tuesdays at 6:30 pm at Sprague Center and Thursdays at 6:30 pm at Holmes MS Front. As we get later in the year it will get darker earlier and our practice start time will begin shifting earlier in 15 minute increments accordingly. We will begin using these assignments with the August 17 practice.

On Tuesdays our new sister team, the Vipers, will be practicing alongside us; on Thursdays, White will be practicing alongside us. The coaching staffs plan on integrating practices as appropriate. Additionally, we are working with Coach Germain on creating an optional third club practice – stay tuned for details.

Another exciting season approaches – get ready, get psyched, get Xtreme!

Fall 2010 Divisions Announced

WAGS has announced the divisions for the Fall 2010 season and we're going to see some old "friends" and several new ones. WAGS welcomed 14 all new teams into the U12 Division, and it looks like we'll be playing some of them.

Xtreme 98 Red will play in Division Q with McLean Spirit White (they fell to 98 White last season 3-1), PWSI Courage 98 Black (they fell to 98 White last season 2-1), and SYC Stampede (who tied 98 White last year 1-1). New opponents include Chantilly's Cesena 98 (formerly CYA Freedom Black), and four Maryland teams: Arundel Attack, CSA Power, Potomac Red, and DCST Metros Red 98. We've never played any of them, but we did post an almost identical record with Metros Red 98 in the 2009 Arlington Invitational. We never played each other, but we beat the same opponents and fell to the same opponents.

We now await the schedule to see how many times we'll be driving to Annapolis, Columbia, and other points in the Free State.