Coyotes Finish Season with a Bang!

Team Coyote ended the season today in an awesome display of teamwork and offense.  From the opening kickoff, to the final whistle, the Coyotes dominated and controlled the game.  The final score:  Coyotes 9 Green Team 4. 

The victory not only ended the season on a positive note, but propelled the 'Yotes to an overall winning record at 5-4-1.  Coyote Howl for a well done season!  Good job, Coyotes!  You played hard all season, and everyone showed remarkable progess throughout the season!  This Coach (and Coach Joseph) are proud of each and every one of you!

Kendal wasn't able to be at the game today due to illness, and we truly hope that she is feeling better!  I think that just knowing that her teamates played hard and played well will make her feel better.

Akil, Logan, Cole, and Rebekah all scored goals today to give the Coyotes the win.  But all the other players contributed to the victory as well.  Every one of the kids got a foot on the ball today, and they all played great defense! 

It seems that all those "passing drills" we practiced began to pay off, as the Coyotes were passing the ball to each other and setting up teamates for great shots on goal and plays on the ball.  Jack, Nick, and Jonas all had some good downfield kicks, and some great blocks and defensive moves to keep the other team out of the goal! 

The kids all said they had fun, which is what it is all about, and that makes me happy!  I wanted the team to have fun playing the game while they learned and progressed throughout the year. 

At the end of the game today, medals and awards were handed out to all the Coyotes for a job well done.  Here is a list of the awards and recipients:

Breakout Player of the Year...........Rebekah

Most Improved Offensive Player....Kendal

Defensive Award................................Nick

Attitude Award...................................Jack

Best Dribbler Award...........................Cole

The Fearless Award............................Logan

Hustle Award.......................................Akil

Fun Player Award...............................Jonas

Great Job Team Coyote!  You all played with pride and heart, showed great sportsmanship and teamwork, and each and every one of you showed great progress throught the season! 

Parents, thank you for allowing me the privledge and honor of coaching your kids.  I had as much fun as they did, and kind of sad (in a way) to see the season come to an end.  I think Team Coyote jelled well as a team, and I hope to see you all in the Spring! 

To close out for this season, here is a cute little video that I think you all will enjoy!  As far as this coach is concerned, YOU all are the Champions!!  Enjoy!

Pack Attack II

Team Coyote came hungry and ready to play soccer this past Saturday.  In a game that was all about strong performance and dominance, the 'Yotes looked like they were putting on a clinic at Heartland field.

From the opening whistle to the final whistle, the Coyotes dominated and controlled all aspects of the game.  The other team was short handed on players, but from the outset, when all players were fresh, the Coyotes took complete control early and did not let up.  By the end of the 1st quarter, Team Coyote was up 5-0.

It is necessary, I think, to congratulate the other team for their perserverance and effort.  Despite having only 4 players (and no substitutes), they did not quit or give up.  They stayed on the attack and gave the Coyotes several challenges throughout the game.  They displayed a wonderful attitude and great sportsmanship, and for that, this Coach salutes the other team!  Good job, guys!

It was one of those games that come along now and then where it was our turn to feast, and our team feasted like a pack of hungry Coyotes!  Akil and Logan got the majority of the goals, with Rebekah and Cole adding one apiece as well.  Kendall was very active on the field Saturday and had a couple of breakaways and a shot that went wide and out of bounds.  Jonas also had a breakaway, but the one of the other team challenged and won the ball from him.  Jack had some great throw-ins and a nice corner kick that set up Team Coyote on one of its goals.  Great job, Coyotes!  That is what happens when you play hard and as a team!  Nick was out of town this last weekend and was missed by his team. 

When the final whistle blew, the scorecard read 12-3 in favor of the Coyotes!  Coyote Howl for the team effort Saturday!  Good job, 'Yotes!

In other news, Team Coyote did not have practice last Tuesday, as Coach Art and a handful of soccer players attended the MTSU Blue Raiders Blackout in the 'Boro football game in Murfreesboro that night.  MTSU recognized youth athletic programs throughout Middle Tennessee, and the kids that came in their soccer jerseys got to go onto the field at halftime and be recognized.  It was kind of fun, but would have been better if the Blue Raiders had won their game against the Troy State Trojans.  Coach Karen Davis (a U-8 coach) also attended the game with the few NYSA players that came. 

We only have 2 more games left on this season, Coyotes....it seems like the season has literally flown by!  So, let's go out there these last two games and play hard and with Coyote pride!

Since Halloween is also fast approaching, I thought you Coyotes might enjoy the following video:

Coyotes Come Up Short in Cat/Dog Fight

On a cool, crisp Fall morning down at Heartland Field, the Coyotes and the Puma's took to the field to do battle.

The Coyotes drew first blood on a breakaway goal by Cole, but the Pumas answered with their own goal, tying up the game.  Back and forth both teams fought, seeking to pull away, but neither team could really break out into a substantial lead.  At half, the Coyotes were up by two with a 6-4 score.

As the second half got going, and the sun began to warm things up on the field, the Puma's staged a comeback and scored two goals to tie things up again.  The Coyotes were down one player, as Kendal was out of town this weekend, which meant more playing time for our kids in rotation.  By the fourth quarter, the Coyotes began to tire a bit, while the Pumas (at full strength) were able to rotate in fresh players.

In a real Dog/Cat fight, the two teams exchanged goals in the 4th quarter, but when the final whistle blew, the Coyotes fell just short:  8-7 in favor of the Pumas.  The loss brought the Coyote's record to 3-3-1 on the year.

Despite the loss, Coach Art was pleased with the performance of our team!  Each week brings more and more individual growth and improvement for our players. 

Jonas is getting more involved in the offense, and is challenging more and more on defense.  With 3 games to go, don't count Jonas out of scoring a goal or two before seasons end.

Logan did much much better in challenging for the ball without using his hands or arms, which is very good.  He had a couple of goals yesterday, and was an asset to our team.

Cole did much much better in staying with the ball and not giving up or quitting, even when he was scored on, or had a shot blocked.  His second efforts gave him a couple of rebound goals.

Rebekah kept after it, followed up on kicks, had a couple of breakaways, and her second effort also earned her another goal for the week.

Akil did much better in stepping in and winning the ball from the other team, and turning it around and taking it down field.  His competetiveness is awesome, and there is no quit in his efforts.  He plays at full speed all the time when on the field.

Jack, like Jonas, is getting more and more involved in both phases of the game.  He is beginning to go after the ball without having to be told to do so, and is beginning to step up on defense as well.

Nick is a defenseman!  He loves to hustle down the field on defense and get in front of the goal to block goal attempts.  He made at least 3 saves yesterday, and is just about ready to go after it offensively.  He is a little tentative, but his confidence seems to be growing week to week.

While it would be wonderful if we could put a "W" on the board each time out, it is not likely that will happen.  When the team gets out there and plays as hard as they have the last couple of games, even if they come up short, they deserve nothing but praise for the efforts.  I am proud of every one of them!
Good job Coyotes! 

There will be no practice this week as Tuesday night is the MTSU game down in Murfreesboro at 7 p.m.  I will be going down to the game (unless it is freezing cold or raining and/or both).  If you are going down, be sure your Coyote wears his jersey.  They will be honored at halftime, and get to walk out on to the field.  Admission to the game is $8.00 (with your jersey).  If you are planning to go to the game, please let me know, and we can perhaps meet somewhere and all sit together.  If not, enjoy your night off, and be sure to watch the game on ESPN2, and howl at your teammates on the field at halftime.  Our game next Saturday will be at 11:00 am on field #4, but I will remind you via email later in the week.

Once again, Coyotes...hold your heads up!  You played with pride on Saturday, and save for a few bounces of the ball, came up just short.  You have nothing to be ashamed of!  I am proud of all of you!

I have been hanging around you Coyotes so long, you have me chasin' rabbits, scratchin' fleas, and howling at the moon!