Caps Take it to UVI

Today's game took place under perfect winter soccer conditions - no sun, no wind and mild temperature.
Some very quick bullets to summarize the game:
- UVI played very strong in the first 10 minutes and had a few forays down in our end
- Capitals figured out their weakness (flanks) and strengths (Moira) and adjusted our game to their strengths
- The chances and deep attacks started coming with greater numbers and frequency in the later part of the first half --> lots of shots and excellent chances within 18 yard box but could not capitalize
- For the second half, the Capitals came out out fast and strong and scored two very quick goals within the first 10 minutes.
- After that point the UVI team went into a defensive shell i.e. they packed the 18 and made hard but not impossible to attck the net.  We had a number of very good chances that did not go in (posts, crossbars and near misses).
- With that game under our belt, we will have to get ready to do battle with Semiahmoo who are feeling the pain of the last couple of games and will be coming out of the blocks against us hard ... we are big targets right now.
- Some good goaltending by Mikki - who although was not tested a lot - had to stay in the game mentally and was called on a couple of times to come of her line quickly to smother balls or kick them away.
- Another clean sheet for the Caps!

Commitment to the team - there is no such thing as in-between, you are either in our out.
Pat Riley

Look Out UVI .... Erin is Pumped!!!

Erin is PUMPED to play against Moira & Julia!!

New Coaches Coming

Some news on the coaching front...

Girls U15 West Coast Capitals Super Y-League Coach

Carey Gustafson was named the coach of next season's Girls U15 Super Y-League team.  Carey has a lot of playing experience with UVIC (2000-2005), Whitecaps FC (2001-2003) and in the FA Premier Womens Soccer League.
See more at Canada West Athletics  here
See more at CIS here
See more at FC Victoria here



Provincial GU15 Coach
From BC Soccer Website

BC Soccer is pleased to announce the official appointment of Donn Sparks as the Head Coach of BC Soccer’s 2010 U15 Girls Provincial Teams Program.  Donn has been a valuable member of previous BC Soccer Provincial Teams Program Coaching Staff’s and will provide a high quality of knowledge as it relates to the development of the players within the Provincial Teams Program. In addition, Donn brings the required skill set for elite player development with specific experience on the female side of BC Soccer’s player development programming.

Donn is a current Coaching Education Instructor with BC Soccer and the Association is pleased to have a individual who demonstrates the required passion, knowledge and experience working with BC’s players within the Provincial Teams Program.

With its continued advancements within the area of player development, BC Soccer’s Provincial Teams Program has become a symbol for players and coaches who are dedicated to enhancing the development opportunities for elite players at the Regional, Provincial, and National Team level of play.

It is with a continued commitment to its players overall development that the BC Soccer is pleased to finalize the Head Coaches for the 2010 Provincial Teams Program Head Coaches.

A bio from Coquitlam's another website ...
Don Sparks - Girls High Performance Academy
Don will be a new face to most of you as he has not coached in our club before but comes with an unbelievable coaching and playing resume. Don is an ex-Jamaican National team player and has coached girls/women at almost every level including College, Provincial Team, Metro teams. Currently he works with the Vancouver Whitecaps and Prospects program and holds a B-National License. Don is our Under 10 Select team coach this year and also is the Head of our CMFSC’s Premiere Women’s team.

Richmond Regaining Their Form ... Take 3 Points From Caps

A very brief review of the game below...
- The first half saw Richmond maintain most of the possession and shots - most of the shots were from outside the 18
- In the second half the Caps finally figured out the Richmond team and for the first 10-15 minutes of the half, saw much of the play in Richmond's half of the field and our shot count started climbing
-  However, Richmond would not let up and scored about the 15 minute mark
- Finding ourselves in the unfamiliar place of having to play "catch up" did not deter the Caps and about 10 minutes left to play Kathy scored on a nicely lofted ball over the defence from GiGI and Katy beat the defence and chipped the goalie as she was coming out to pressure her
- Perhaps we let up a bit and this allowed Richmond back into the game on a nice individual effort by Summer Clark
- A shout out to Natalie who came up with numerous good saves throughout the match

All in all a good game but we know we can play them better.

For a much lengthier overview of the game from a RIchmond point of view, check out the Richmond News

"Winning is not everything, but wanting to win is" Vince Lombardi

Caps Returning To Form

A good day for soccer over in Maple Ridge for this second game vs Golden Ears United - high overcast mild temperature and no rain!

Despite a number of the girls not having any practises under their belts since the Christmas break, the girls played well for their first game back.  Because of this the coaches placed soem girls in positions they are not accustomed to.  After  10 minutes of familarization and allowing Golden Ears to pressure us a little too much; the Caps started rolling and took the game to GEU.

The game tactics and play for the Caps had two different halves.  The first half saw the caps use their skill and passing through the middle and in the second  we switched the game to the flanks and used longer balls or sideline passes to bring the ball around to the goal.  Both had pretty much the same effect with many chances at goal.  The final result was a 2-0 convincing win.

The black mark on the day was that Hannah went down at the end of the 1st half with a knee injury and could not return to the game.  Hopefully things are not serious and she has a speedy recovery.

Some highlights in the game:
- our possession in the first half of the game was much better than previous games ... Brad is tracking this :-)
- some brilliant strings of passes in the first half - especially one particular attack that started deep in our end and after 7+ passes ended up on a shot off the post (but could not capitalize on the rebound)
- a lovely goal by Hannah --> cool and calm under pressure, placing the ball in the corner of the net past the keeper (this also started from a number of nice passes)
- today also saw Natalie save her third PK this season ... from memory, she has 3 saves and no goals against for PKs
- a clean sheet for Natalie and Michaila - who shared keeper duties
- our goals against / differential continues to be very good

Happy New Years Caps!

To celebrate the new year & the new decade of 2010, the Girls U15  Victoria Capital girls are havin' a PARTY!!!

Date: Saturday, January 9th
Time: 12:30 - 3:15pm
Where: Pearkes Arena Ice Rink & the Flipside Teen Centre.

Some deatils ....
- First we'll meet for the "Everyone Welcome Skate" from 12:30 - 1:40pm
- Next we'll head to the Flipside (Teen Centre) from 1:45 - 3:15pm
-the cost for the party is $5.00 each --> this covers skating, skate rental and room rental!
Skating:
- Bring skates, and warm wear for skating
- If you have never been skating (or name is Erin) bring a helmet :-)
Post-Skating Party:
- Please bring some food to share with everyone (pot luck, snack)
- We'll put the food in a room while we skate, then we'll just hang out & relax in the Teen Centre where there are video games, a pool table, Karaoke & more