Eclipse/Storm – a tale of one team

This year we split the team into two for our indoor soccer season, so that all players would get plenty of playing time, touches on the ball, and build their field awareness. The Storm and Eclipse were split in such a way as to create two competitive teams, which they demonstrated with their play and final results. Our team (the Wildcats) is primarily 10 year old girls with five 11 year old girls.. This mix requires that the girls play-up an age bracket, which they are more than capable of doing. The Eclipse team primarily came from the previous Wildcat indoor team and hadn’t lost a game in 3 seasons. They’ve come close to losing; they’ve been down goals but have always worked steadfastly to bring the game back into reach. So with three indoor championships, I believe the Eclipse were a little cocky. Many of the Storm players were new to indoor soccer and the first game or two were a little rocky as they adjusted to the speed of play, the intensity and the physical play.

The Eclipse  ended up losing two very good games; one to their sisters, the Storm and one to the Piedmont Highlanders. The Eclipse vs. Storm game was one of the most intense games that I’ve gotten to watch. It was also the most fun. We coaches set the line-up and the substitution rotation and the girls were responsible for themselves. The intensity, direction and support they gave each other as they battled made me a proud coach. The referee, Gabe, enjoyed the game as much as we did. In the end, the Storm won with a resounding 7-2 score. The Storm played with tremendous intensity and desire to win,and  scored the highest number of goals against the Eclipse all season.

The Storm worked hard and deserved their unbeaten streak, and led us to believe we would see a rematch of the two teams in the final. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, as the Chivas brought all of their heart and skill to the game and defeated the Storm in an intense and close fought battle.

The Eclipse ended up finishing 3rd in regular play and drew the 2nd place Highlanders , who they’d lost to in the regular season. A team of all 11 year old girls that was very physical, very tall and moved the ball well. The Eclipse showed up that day and knocked them out of the running with superb passing and immediate counterattacks that gave us the initiative and the win.

The Chivas game was monumental and both teams showed the drive and determination to win. The beginning was interesting as the girls passed the ball around and it there were a minute or two of them feeling each other out and then it was game on as each team fought for every fifty-fifty ball. We had a tremendous defensive effort to shut down the top scorer of the Chivas and Janelle would drop back to help the defense and set the counterattacks. Karina played the best game I’ve ever seen and executed our plan perfectly as she was not only a forward, but had the responsibility of dropping back and filling the center of the midfield too.  Again, our passing and the contribution from every player to was what determined the final outcome- Eclipse 4, Chivas 1.

During the game the Director of the Bladium, Luis Orellana, commented to the number of spectators, as they were lined up three deep to watch the game. I think next year we’ll have to charge admission . He was also very impressed by the level of play and the sportsmanship shown by our talented teams.

In the end the Eclipse won the Championship, but they could never have done it without the competition pushing them everyday at practice (teammates and the Storm)  and the character to keep battling. Congratulations Eclipse!

I couldn’t be happier that we came away victorious, but I’m more proud of the way we play soccer. Our brand of soccer requires a huge effort from the girls to always be thinking “what comes next,” the willingness to push themselves and each other in every practice. Thanks girls for giving so much effort and for being so committed to the team.