Mentor Soccer Club

April 5 - Saturday - 9:00am

April 10 - Thursday - 6:15pm

April 12 - Saturday - 12:00 noon

April 19 - Saturday - 12:00 noon

April 26 - Saturday - 1:30pm (Silent Saturday)

May 1 - Thursday - 6:15pm

May 6 - Tuesday - 6:15pm

May 10 - Saturday - 10:30am

May 13 - Tuesday - 6:15pm

May 17 - Saturday - 1:30pm (Final game)



June 1 - Sunday - Time TBD - ALL STAR GAME  

(L) 6-1 --- Wild Cherries - 1, Mentor# 3 (Fuschia) - 1 ,Br>
Game MVPs: Brandy, Cynthia, Rachel

Fall Season Record: 4-5-1.

And so goes the fall season!! Girls, you have really improved in the short time we've been together. I couldn't be more proud!!

For those of you playing on my indoor team, I'll see you soon. I'll see everyone else in the spring. Enjoy the winter!!

----Coach Joe 

(W) 4-3 --- Wild Cherries - 4, Mentor# 1 (Orange) - 1

Game MVPs: Jessica, Caitlin, Megan

Fall Season Record: 4-4-1.

Another VERY exciting game!! I told you last week that you did everything right. This week before the game I asked you to play just like you did in the last game but this time I suggested that you actually kick the INTO the goal rather than outside the goal. You did just that and we had a great game.

The team we played had only lost two games prior to playing us. They were a very good team and yet our team kept the ball under control for much of the game. You held them to only one goal until very late in the game. Once again, very good defense.

I saw terrific passes and you used the entire field. When it got crowded you managed to swing the ball out into open space to make something happen. You tried hard all game and never stopped kicking at the ball until we scored or you cleared the ball out. Once again you girls gave it everything you had and I am SO proud of how much you have improved during these nine games. Thanks for making this so much fun!!

----Coach Joe 

(L) 1-0 --- Wild Cherries - 0, Mentor# 2 (White) - 1

Game MVPs: Marisa, Cythia, Brandy

Fall Season Record: 3-4-1.

What an exciting game!! You girls did everything right. You must have had 30 shots on goal. We just couldn't manage to get a single one of them into the goal!

Just like our last game, you did a great job defending. You kept the ball on the other side of the field for most of the game. They managed to fire off a terrific kick to the far side upper corner and got the game winning goal. You all did a great job trying to stop that shot but you can't stop them all and that was a really well placed shot. Learn from that kick and try to take similar shots when you are attacking the other goal. Most of our shots were a little slow and didn't have a lot of power on them. I'm sure we'll see some real power kicks at our next game!!

Keep up the hard work girls. We only have two games left in the fall season.

----Coach Joe  

(W) 2-1 --- Wild Cherries - 2, Mentor# 4 (Gold) - 1

Game MVPs: Teressa, Hannah, Caroline

Fall Season Record: 3-3-1.

In soccer and in most other sports, they say defense wins games. Our defense has had its ups and downs this year. I've been working with you girls to get you to understand your positions and to never let up. This game showed me that you are really starting to understand how to play soccer. What a terrrific team effort!!

All of our goalies did a fantastic job and held a very good team to only one goal. Our defenders fought for the ball, never gave up, and knew when to clear the ball to the outside. Our mids were amazing! I know how much effort it takes to play mid and run the entire field but that is exactly what a mid has to do in order to help our team. I've been saying all season that when the ball is back I need our mids back. When we regain the ball, our mids need to push up and work with the forwards to find scoring opportunities. During this game, that is exactly what you did. Every time the gold team had a break and it looked like they would score on us, the mids came charging back to work with our defenders. Excellent team work!!

This was a great team effort against a very good opponent. (Due to the weather our next game will be Wednesday, 10/3/07, at 6:00pm on field# 1.)

---- Coach Joe  

(L) 6-0 --- Wild Cherries - 0, Kirtland#1 - 6

Game MVPs: Caitlin, Jessica, Rachel

Fall Season Record: 2-3-1.

Once again, I want to say how proud I am of the way you girls played today!! I told you going into this game that we were in for a tough game and wow was it!! Before the game started I talked to the coach of the Kirtland team and he told me that almost all of his girls were 9 or 10 years old. They have been playing as a team for two years and it showed. They were very aggresive, very fast, knew there positions, and passed the ball. We may have lost the game but we learned a lot and never gave up!!

I am seeing a very young group of girls, with limited experience, playing as hard as they can. You all gave 100% today, and I picked the MVPs based on that effort. Many girls would give up or start complaining when you are losing in a game this tough but none of you did. That is heart. That is spirit. That is the determination that makes champions!!

Forget the score, close your eyes, and think about the game...you fought for the ball, you made really good passes, you had good shots on goal that just didn't quite make it. You cheered each other on, you had fun, and you gave everything you had!! I keep saying it but I can't help it...I AM PROUD OF YOU GIRLS!!!!

Half our team got hurt today, so put ice on your wounds, get some rest, and I'll see you Tuesday. I can't wait to do this again!!!

---- Coach Joe 

(W) 3-1 --- Wild Cherries - 3, Willoughby#1 (Team# 10) - 1.

Game MVPs - Sammy, Kayla, Andrea

Fall Season Record: 2-2-1.

I keep saying how proud I am of you girls and yesterday was no exception. I think this game demonstrated how well our team can play when everyone stays focused on their position and plays as a team!! Jessica had a terrific assist (her first of the season) to Andrea (who was actually in her position at the time) which led to an impressive goal. Megan "stayed home" to help protect our goal and made at least two great last second saves. Our defense protected the middle, passed to the outside, and our mids took the ball and pushed it up field until they could pass to our forwards. Really fantastic team work!!!

Congratulations to Sammy who got her first goal of the season. She beat a number of players with her speed and footwork and never gave up!! Her first shot was blocked but the goalie couldn't hold on so Sammy tried a second time. That shot was stopped as well. Sammy refused to be denied the goal she was fighting for and blasted a shot to the far side of the goal, which was a real heads up play!! When we get to see that kind of determination it helps us all grow as a team. I have been saying all season, "don't give up"! Yesterday you saw why.

What an improvement on defense!! Once again, our goalies did a great job but for the first time all season I saw our defenders pushing up when they could but getting back to protect the goal when they needed to. This was easily our best defensive effort and it was against a strong team. Great work everyone! Enjoy the weekend. I'll see you at the scrimmage on Monday at 6:00pm.

----Coach Joe 

(T) 3-3 --- Wild Cherries - 3, Purple Team# 7 - 3.

Game MVPs: Sammy, Megan, Brandy

Fall Season Record: 1-2-1

Well young ladies, you played another great game! We had a few rough patches where it looked like many of you completely forgot how to play soccer but then suddenly you spread out, played your positions, and started passing the ball.

I saw many great throw ins...I don't think we got whistled for a single bad throw in! Congratulations to Megan on her first goal of the season and to Brandy on her first assist of the season!! Nice goals were also scored by Andrea and Cynthia. Thank you goalies for stopping so many shots...you saved us more than a few times. Thank you also to our defense; you are slowly and steadily improving.

Girls, I am having so much fun coaching you!! Thanks for trying so hard and working as a team. Keep it up!!

---- Coach Joe 

(L) 7-2 --- Wild Cherries - 2, Green Team - 7

Game MVPs: Teressa, Hannah, Rachel

Fall Season Record: 1-2.

Congratulations girls!! Once again, you dominated the first half of the game. I am seeing a lot more focus on staying in your positions and passing the ball. While we can always improve on these two things, you have come a long way in a short period of time and this game showed that you are really starting to get the idea.

I know this was a tough game and there was quite a bit of shoving going on. For the most part, you kept your cool, played clean and did the best you could. I saw a lot more of you staying after the ball and kicking away until you won the battle for the ball. We did a great job of stopping their shots on goal for most of the game and I am very proud of Hannah and Caroline. When we shuffled up our players to give everyone a chance to try different positions, we left some big holes open and the other team knocked in several goals.

Please remember, that for third and fourth grade rec soccer, the focus is on learning and having fun. It is nice to win but the score doesn't matter at all. I see a lot of learning and smiles on your faces. I am extremely proud of how well you are progressing and the sportsmanship you demonstrated on Saturday!!

----Coach Joe 

(L) 4-1 --- Wild Cherries - 1, Kirtland# 2 - 4

Game MVPs: Caitlin, Caroline, Cynthia

Fall Season Record: 1-1.

Well girls, you really came out ready to play in the first half! That was a very organized, strong, aggressive team we played. You worked really hard, stayed after the ball and our goal keepers and defense were able to shut them out in the first half.

The second half started out OK but then the other team got more organized and many of us forgot all about our positions and where to be on the field. I got the sense that since the other team was very aggresive and fouled us several times, we got a little scared and didn't want to get in and fight for the ball. We have a very young team but you girls have nothing to fear from anyone!! I have seen all of you take on and beat players that were bigger than you. Don't ever give up!

We must have had six or seven really good shots on goal that either just missed or were stopped by their goalie. If a few of those could have made it through...who knows?

I saw some really good passes and some strong foot skills. I also saw a group of proud and happy Wild Cherries who played as hard as you could. By the time you were all munching on your snacks, I don't think any of you cared too much about the final score. That kind of sportsmanship makes me happier than any win ever could. You are all first class players with great attitudes. Our team is growing stronger and I am very pleased with your efforts!! Keep it up!!

---- Coach Joe 

I have to say that I didn't think we would have such a great turn-out but we had 8 out of 13 girls at our voluntary practice today. Thank you girls and parents for taking time out of your busy holiday weekend to work out with the team. I see so much improvement everytime we get together!

At this age quick, effective throw-ins can make the difference between winning and losing. Girls, remember it's not important how far you throw the ball, it's that you did it correctly and threw the ball to the right place (down the line toward OUR goal).

We had some really good goalie practice. Remember to run the ball up, find someone who is open and punt or throw the ball to them. Throws are usually much more accurate than punts as we learned today. Then hustle back to the goal and be ready for anything!

I want every girl at every game to keep your EYES ON THE BALL AT ALL TIMES!!! If you can't see the ball you won't know where to go or what to do.

Once again, great practice!! Thanks for coming and for trying so hard. Keep it up and have a great weekend!!

---- Coach Joe 

I wanted to make sure all of you were aware of the foot skills sessions that are available. Both of my daughters have attended these sessions in the past and there is a very noticeable and immediate improvement in ball handling. The sessions are free and completely voluntary. They are taught by Wave professional coaches. Be aware that these sessions focus on learning skills and require the girls to be focused and attentive. They are not as much fun when compared to the practices that we have had as a team but as I said, they learn a lot!

The sessions will begin September 7, 2007 and run through October 19, 2007. They are from 6:00 – 7:00pm on field #4 at Garfield Park (off Mentor Ave. near Garfield Rd. just East of the mall).

I strongly recommend these sessions. The teams that have the most girls attend will end up having the best players and therefore the best teams. The improvement is that significant. (Andrea and I will be attending every session as long as we don’t have a scheduling conflict).

---- Coach Joe  

While stretching is very important, it appears that it will be very hard to have time to stretch out and still have time to get warmed up and discuss our strategy for the game in the few minutes we have prior to the game. Because we won't have enough time prior to our games, I encourage you to have your daughters stretch at home before the game.

If you are uncertain of stretching techniques, please let me know and I will pass your questions on to Roxanne Pell (Teressa’s mom) who is a physical therapist. She has offered to assist in explaining proper stretching.

---- Coach Joe 

(W) 6-0 -- Wild Cherries - 6, Willoughby #2 - 0

Game MVPs: Marisa, Jessica, Andrea

Fall Season Record: 1-0.

Well, I hope you all found last night’s game to be as exciting as I did!! I am so proud of how well the girls played last night. They were doing a pretty good job of staying in position; they were using the entire field, passing quite well, and how about that hustle?! They really seem to be enjoying themselves and for this early in the season they seem to be coming together as a team. The goalies did fantastic!! I talked to them just before the game and stressed the importance of getting to the ball quickly and trapping it. All four of our goalies did just that and the result was a shut out.

In case there was any confusion last night, the Mentor Soccer Club is dedicated to fair and competitive recreational soccer. With that in mind, when one team is up by four goals the team in the lead can play one player short or the other team can add a player or two in order to keep the game fun and competitive. This meant that we had to drop down to eight players since the other team had no subs. After my daughter Andrea scored a goal I took her out to try to even things up. As some of you saw, that didn’t go over so well! I spent the rest of the night explaining to her that she was doing a great job and that she wasn’t being punished. We just needed to be fair with the other team. I’m sure we’ll all appreciate these guidelines if we ever find our team on the wrong end of a lopsided game.

Great game girls, keep it up!!!

---- Coach Joe