July 17, 2008 - It's always fun to
compare the first practice of the season to the first
practice of the previous season.
What a difference.
It's going to be a fun year.
Our tournament
schedule is complete with Shockwave competing in 5
tournaments this fall.
The team will also play in the new Topeka
League beginning the weekend of August 23rd.
Our annual carwash will take place on
Saturday, July 26th from 9:00am-4:00pm at Bug Off Car
Wash at 29th and I-470. The carwash will be
followed by the Shockwave team party.
In the last year, Shockwave has added
more new players than any other team. And, in a
very short period of time we have built a team that not
only has success on the field, but has also become a
true soccer family off the field.
Shockwave = Team.
To be honest, not many people gave this
team a chance. But, they don't know how tough
these kids are. They have used a lack of respect
as motivation to achieve great things.
Shockwave = Tough.
This team has both great players and
soon-to-be-great players. Make no mistake, this
team is good and getting better all the time.
Spring Season Highlights
Shockwave Pride Grows
June 2, 2008 -
Team. Teammate. Words used a lot, but never over
used.
"They played like a team".
Sure, it's a cliché, but that's what this
group did this spring. And, the results were
fantastic. The victories and championships were
fun to watch, but even better was seeing new friendships
emerge and a true sense of UNITY take root.
There were so many great images - teammates helping
teammates become better players, teammates showing care
and compassion for teammates who suffered injury, and
then pulling together with enough mental toughness to
finish the season strong and as one.
As we head into next season, there is a
sense of optimism and confidence like never before.
The Shockwave girls now know that they have what it
takes to be a great team and look forward to having new
teammates join in the fun this fall!
The Shockwave Kick Back The Blog Is On
May 12, 2008 - Now, it's your turn to kick back. Our
new blog is up and running. A blog gives us an
opportunity to have a running discussion on various topics.
Shockwave Takes 2nd at KCI Finishes Spring Tournament Season with 11-2-2 Record
May 26, 2008 - Injuries and illness can take a toll on a
team. In fact, with 5 players out this weekend, the prospects
did not look good at all. Shockwave girls are tough but with
only 11 players - and only 10 on Sunday - we knew it would
be a tough weekend.
Honestly, if someone had told me Friday afternoon we would
take 2nd place, I'm not sure I would have believed them.
But, what a weekend! After a win and a tie on
Saturday, Shockwave needed a two goal victory on Sunday to
advance to Monday's final. On a muggy day with only 10
players and down a early goal, the girls rallied back with
an equalizing goal to finish the first half. In the
second half we found new energy and clawed and scratched our
way to a 3-1 victory and a trip to the finals.
As much as we knew the girls wanted to finish the season
with a third tournament championship, fatigue did play a
major factor in the final game. Their hearts were
strong, but their legs were a bit weak as they fell to a
good Aftershock team and had to settle for
a well earned second place finish.
We all enjoyed watching the team, heads held high, accepting
their trophies after the game. Each player knowing
what she and her team had accomplished during the weekend
and this season.
Even with an injury depleted and otherwise banged up group
Shockwave has proven without a doubt they deserve to be
ranked among the top teams in the state.
The Shockwave girls should be very proud of what they have
accomplished this season. For sure, parents and
coaches are extremely proud of you.
Governor's Cup Champions! Second Tournament Championship of The Spring
May 4, 2008 - When you get 109 shots in a
tournament, good things usually happen. In this case,
the good thing was a perfect weekend that led to a first
place trophy at the Spring Governor's Cup in Topeka.
But, first things first. For the past week and a half,
the primary focus has been on creating from the back and
keeping the back line tight and constantly pushing the
attack forward.
Every week, we are seeing more and more things to like about
this team. Our younger players are very talented and
starting to understand what it takes to compete at a higher
level.
Winning is great, but seeing the way we are coming together
and playing like a team is what is really exciting.
Shockwave Off To Rocky Start In League
Play
Lack Of Possession Key
April 6, 2008 - You could tell as soon as the players
arrived for warm-ups.
Coincidentally, our first league game against BVSC Tottenham
came exactly one week after our first meeting - a
well-played victory for Shockwave.
Saturday's game was different as concentration - something
we have emphasized, and were very good at last weekend - was
not there. Even so, the first 5 minutes were very
crisp and we were able to put together a nice build-up
attack ending in a well-placed goal by Amber.
It was at that point, however, when complacency set it.
From there, we reverted back to a hurried, one-touch game
that did not value possession and naturally allowed
Tottenham far too many counterattacking opportunities which
they were able to take advantage of on two occasions.
Final score: 1-2.
In game two, our approach was much the same in the first
half with similar results as Omega intercepted a pass and
converted a breakaway opportunity. Final score:
0-1.
To their credit, the girls were able to settle down and get
back to a possession style in the second half and had
numerous -very numerous- opportunities. But, luck was
not on our side this game.
On the day, Shockwave managed 35 shots and 12 shots on goal
but only 1 found the back of the net.
Shockwave Opens With Crossroads
Championship
Great Way To Start The Season
March 30, 2008 - We have talked a lot about
concentration lately. After this weekend's great
effort, the Shockwave girls are now able to concentrate on
the latest tournament gold medal.
Shockwave won all four games and allowed
only a single goal while scoring 7 times. The team had
victories against Blue Valley Stars, KC Outlaws Black, KC
Legends World Cup and KC Outlaws.
The great thing about the tournament was
the way everyone contributed to the team's success.
Congratulations to Jaimie who scored 3
goals and Alex, Amber, Kelly and Liz who each scored 1 goal.
Shockwave Kansas Cup Champions
Defense Coming Together
September 30, 2007 - It's all about confidence. And,
sometimes the coin toss.
Shockwave after winning the Kansas Cup
2007 Championship - September 30, 2007.
For
sure, the second half of the championship game Sunday
evening was a test. After scoring on a beautiful
corner kick in the first half, Shockwave found three
opponents waiting for them in the second half.
First, was a
tough KC Strikers team. But, this was an east-west
field so, in addition, the team had
to face a west wind gusting to 40 mph right in their face
and a setting sun that on many occasions kept them from
seeing the ball.
Even so, the team played their best defensive half of soccer
this season while also creating several chances at a second
goal. After a late goal by the Strikers, Shockwave players
kept their composure for the remaining minutes to maintain the
1-1 result and send the game to penalty kicks.
This is where our poise and confidence won the game.
The girls knew exactly what to do when they stepped up to
the spot and performed flawlessly. We figured that if
we could get just one stop, we would be in great shape.
That's when Whitney took over, denying the Strikers on every
attempt.
As always, there is still much to work on, but our defensive
effort is very good. The back line is beginning to
understand when to flatten and when to cover, something we
struggled with a couple weeks ago. Whitney is becoming
a total goalkeeper/sweeper not just the typical line sitter.
This week, we will work at turning those
scoring opportunities in goals.
Interesting stat: In the eight games
since September 15th, we have given up less than one goal
per game (.6) while recording five shutouts.
August 15, 2007 - For our first weekend together
as team with many new faces, we had two options - easy or difficult. We
chose the latter as Shockwave jumped into the season against some of the
toughest competition they will see all season in the KC Legends Invitational.
For sure, it was a major test of the team's mental toughness and from my
perspective, we passed the test.
Teams like Gladiator Blue (Nebraska) and NWA
Lightning (Arkansas) are the best to come out of two states that play very good
soccer. The main thing these teams do is put their opponents under
constant heavy pressure. Their ball skills were not exceptional but they
were able to maintain possession by dispossessing us. Eventually, they
were able to inch their way to the goal and score. That gives us a very
clear picture of what we need to work on to be a quality team.
The two things I was looking for were effort and
improved play from the first game to the last whistle. Without a doubt,
our level of play increased each game. That's something we can build upon.
Workin' At The Car Wash
Shockwave Fundraiser a Big Success
July 28, 2007 - Saturday's car wash at
Danny's Car Care Center was a giant success! The Shockwave family
soaped, scrubbed, sprayed and dried their way to a big bank deposit at the end
of the day. Thanks to everyone's hard work, the team will deposit more
than $750 into the Shockwave account, enough to pay for a couple of tournaments!
As you can see, it was also a lot of fun! Thanks to everyone who made this
such a great day!
Go Big!
June 2, 2008 -
Team. Teammate. Words used a lot, but never over
used.
