2003 Brevard Fall Challenge

It was an awesome weekend of soccer for our boys. In order to play 11 aside we ended up entering as a U12 team (i.e., we played up an age group). We were put into a very tough bracket matched up against an awesome region C team from Brandon, and excellent region B team from Melbourne that had made it to the final four last year in region cup, and a very strong, much larger U12 team from OUS.

In our first game we met up with Brandon. We had played them once before at Black Watch and took a beating. We lost 3-0, but the score could have been far more lop sided. This time, we were a different team. We came out very strong in the opening minutes and had the edge early. We possessed the ball very well and did a great job of winning balls in the middle. Brandon was probably a bit stunned and it clearly took them a while to wake up. Chase eventually connected with Mitchell, who put us on the score board about mid way through the first half. Our team continued to play well and by half time, up 1-0, we looked like the team to beat.

But Brandon came out much stronger in the second half. Our boys still played well, but Brandon improved their possession time and I think had at least a 60/40 advantage us. They were also penetrating our box often and getting off some well placed shots, but mostly too far out to be a great danger. Our biggest threat came from crossed balls, direct kicks, and corner kicks, which I warned the boys about and we had practiced all week to prevent and defend against. Eventually Brandon was handed a gift in front of our box and finished with authority a well placed direct kick. Tying the game with only 15 minutes or so to go in the match gave them a boost of energy that continued to the end. They continued to possess the ball well and fought hard to get off shots. With only minutes to go they took advantage of a weakly crossed ball and Danny found himself alone and in a wrestling match in front of the goal. Brandon managed to slip in a second goal and knocked us of 1-2. Although we dropped this one, it was in a sense a moral victory for our team and proved that we can play with anyone in the State of Florida.

In game two, we had some issues. At least six kids complained of head aches. Our warm up was perhaps the worst I've ever seen. Lots of goofing off and not much edge. Our warm up carried itself on to the field against a strong, fast, very large OUS U12 team. We certainly had moments of excellence, but we lost the middle of the field and got beat to almost every ball. OUS had some serious speed up front that our defense had difficulty contending with. Fortunately, OUS finished poorly or we could have had a rather ugly first half. OUS got up on us 2-0 and it wasn't until late in the game that a ref reversed a call and gave us back the ball for a controversial (but correct) direct kick. Mitch launched a sweet in-swinger to the far post that Andy knocked in with his golden skull. For the last fifteen minutes or so, the old Rampage came back and we threatened to score a few more times, but it wasn't to be. We dropped another one 1-2, but against a physically superior team. Two losses, but two great challenges. Nothing to be disappointed in.

Game 3 was against an excellent Melbourne Tsunami team. We had seen them several times in region cup competition, but had never played them. Out of character, our boys all arrived as the sun rose in the background wide eyed and ready to play. I could tell from pace of our warm up that we would come out on fire. And we did. Less than 5 minutes into the game, Cameron crossed a beautiful ball to TJ, which he finished nicely. A few minutes later, Conner sent a ball through the box that Tyler put away. Up 2-0, our intensity kept up, but Tsunami started to come to life. The game became more competitive and was more the even match that I expected. Late in the second half Tsunami finally found the net on a well placed ball and it looked like we might be in a bit of danger. But our boys rose to the occasion and following an out-swinger from Mitch on a corner, Andy snuck in a third goal giving the boys a solid 3-1 win. It was a great end to a great weekend of soccer.

All 14 boys that went to this tournament played fantastic ball. In the end, our opponents Brandon and OUS made it to the championship match, which OUS won. I couldn't have been prouder of the way we played against such a tough draw. Danny played a solid game in the goal and managed to give us more than 20 saves. Camp, Mitch, and Andy did a superb job of controlling the middle of the field during most of the tournament. Our defense was excellent, allowing only 5 goals. Cameron, Andy, Connor, Emilio, Taylor, Trace, and TJ all deserve a round of applause for allowing so few goals in 180 minutes against three excellent teams. Trevor was on all weekend, and created alot of opportunities from the wing as well as holding mid. Chase, Cameron, Tyler, Taylor, and Landon gave us some excellent scoring chances and helped us keep the field long.

Each game, we select a player of the tournament who displayed, though leadership, hard work and other Rampage qualities. This time we've selected Trace R. for our Sportsmanship Award. I thought Trace simply lead by example all weekend by giving 110% and no less. Congratulations Trace and to all 14 players for a great weekend of soccer. It was a pleasure to watch.

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