Alliance '01 Boys Black - alliance01boysblack

The T-Bays travelled far to join us bright and early this past Sunday morning.  Although their home fields are located in Cadillac, the team calls from Traverse City.  To get them to agree to make the drive for such and early game, this manager must admit that bribery was involved.  Donuts were promised for all the participants, as well as their fans. Who, along with their coach, Chris Lund, were extremely gracious.

Breakfast was delicious and was enjoyed by all.  Thank you everyone that helped me make it happen:  Brenda (and JR) for the cider and cups, Melanie for the pumpkin cookies and Rosie M. for the arroz con leche.  It was much appreciated!!

The boys started out strong, making crisp connecting passes and dominating the game from the get go. It was nice to see.  Kurt took the first scoring opportunity by landing one in the back of the night. Everyone was clapping, including Kurt. He was very happy!  we continued to make shot after shot allowing them little opportunity to come to our side, although they did manage some shots, which were immediately deflected by Ceaden rounded off the first half with an incredible header!  Alliance leads 3 to 0 at the half.

The T-Boys changed goalies for the second half and it was a great choice. He was able to take care of most of our shots, although Tommy was able to sneak another one in, but so were they.  The boys all played well and the ending score was Alliance 01 Boys Black 4, T-Bays 1. Great job boys!!

NOTE:  One a side note, our boys overheard the other teams players talking about how our boys were too good to be in this Division.  It is a very nice and appreciated compliment. Keep it up boys! One more game!

It seems the older the boys get the rougher the games can be. Although I know that this is not abnormal, I find myself sometimes wishing it was not true.  Our boys showed very well during this game versus the Muskegon Lakers, Even with some not so nice language and actions ongoing throughout the game. Of course I think our boys were perfect, but that goes without saying.

What also goes without saying is what an awesome game Kurt had.  Someone said that his goal to start out the game was Wheaties inspired. I agreed and have now stolen their phasing. Thanks!  They were able to get a fluke goal - but not without our help.  And it was 1 to 1 at the half.

In true Coach Ryan style, the boys came back to the game inspired and ready to keep playing.  After the half, Bren scored a goal that lookedsimply easy, but I am sure it wasn't.  This brought the score to 2 to 1.  Tommy was able to land one in the net after several tries. He looked extremely satisfied!  Score was now 3 to 1.  Tommy sent a great goal through to Ceaden and - IN! Score at 4 to 1.  The end of the game saw Aidan and Elijah on offense, both of them had some scoring opportunities, although Elijah tripped his up (see photo!).  Aidan was able to land one in the goal. Yes Aidan!  This ended the game at 5 to 1.  Great game boys! Keep up the hard work and the great sportsmanship!

Well, I think that we can all agree that this game started off rough. The parents were not awake, as the amount of Starbucks cups on the sidelines can attest to.  The boys were a little slow and behind the ball during the first half. There were a few good points; unfortunately most of them could be attributed to the other team.  This team was quick to score the first goal of the game, dribbling on past our defense and getting it to the goal.  Tommy was able to loft a nice one in, but that is where our scoring stopped and our opportunities declined. The Crew was able to score two more in the first half.

During half time, Coach Ryan must have given all of the boys a jolt of 5 hour energy because they came back in the second renewed and much more on top of the ball.  The Crew was unable to get any more past our defense and in fact they rarely saw our side of the field as we were busy shooting on them (and unfortunately missing), but the boys were shooting and that was a great thing to see.  There were not additional points scored, but the boys gave it their all. Alliance loses 3 to 1. 

What a season opener! The boys came out strong from their experience at the Palatine Celtic Cup. They looked ready to redeem themselves. Ready to win a game.  From the look of the Vardar boys, at least from a sheer size factor, there was worry in my heart.  It did not last long though. The boys dribbled, passed and shot for all they were worth. 

Alliance started out the first half of the game with a hat trick from Caeden. His three goals were assisted by Kurt, Tommy (shot and Caeden caught the rebound – nice!) and Brenan. The shot assisted by Brenan was an awesome looking header!  Then they got one past us leaving the score 3 to 1 at the half.

After the half the boys continued to play a great game. Chris went at the goal unassisted, then was able to get another one in the net with a little help from Brenan.  Then they were able to sneak another one in putting the score at 5 to 2.  

At the end of the second half, Aidan passed a nice one off to Caleb, SCORE! 6 to 2 Alliance. And Giu and Caleb had another nice combination on the ball to end the game in our favor 7 to 2. 

I for one, am hoping to see a repeat performance this week against Crew Jrs! Go Team!  (I’m allowed to say that right?)

The boys played hard this past weekend and ended up falling short in the semi-finals. It was a disappointment to all of the boys, coaches and parents. Most of us were expecting more as we were the Palatine Celtic Cup 2010 Champions for our age group. The disappointment was palpable as the boys exited the field and he boys had their heads hanging low.

There were quite a few high points in the games this weekend though.  The boys started the weekend with a passing and strategy practice while playing their initial opponent, winning the game 10 to 1.  The second game on Saturday was also a win, but a little harder won with the score against Ela Soccer Red being a mere 4 to 3 victory.

Sunday morning had the boys up bright and early and looking good in the brisk fall air.  While Mr. Taalman passed out bran muffins to the parents, the boys played a mean ( and by "mean" I mean good) game of soccer beating the GLSA Libertyville Premier Orange 5 to 2.  

Even during the semi-finals game, in which our opponents topped us by three goals, there were some good points. Coach Ryan made a point to tell the defense what a great job they did that game.  He knows more about what the boys need to work on as a team and I am sure we will see evidence of that in practices to come. Take heart parents, this was just the pre-season opener - or something like that!