Coyotes Battle Rattle Snakes to a Tie

Team Coyote came out of the den yesterday with the hairs on their backs raised, ready to do battle with whomever took the field with them.  That somebody was a team called the Rattle Snakes.

Despite the gruelingly hot day, the 'Yotes took to the field running and hustling, going up and down the field keeping pressure on an evenly matched Rattler team. 

On what was a bogus call, the Rattlers drew first blood as the ref awarded them a goal...even though the Coyote goalie (Jack) not only stopped a shot, but had it picked up and was holding the ball.  The ref claimed that because he turned into the goal and crossed the goal with the ball (in his hands, no less), it counted as a goal, and the Snakes were up 1-0.

The Coyotes pinned their ears back and went on the attack, with Savannah dribbling downfield and taking a beautiful shot, leaving the Rattler goalie standing in his cleats to put the first goal of the season into the nets for the 'Yotes!  Great job, Savannah!  The first quarter came to an end, with the teams knotted up at 1-1.

As the 2nd quarter got underway, the young Coyotes kept up the pressure, aggressively taking shots on goal and winning the ball defensively from the Buzz Worms whenever they tried to attack the Coyote goal.

The Coyote Strikers managed to find the back of the Rattler goal twice more in the quarter to take a 3-1 lead into halftime.

As the third quarter got started, the 'Yotes began to show signs of tiring in the hot sun, and were held scoreless throughout the quarter, while the Rattlers cut into the slim lead by a goal.  Combine the heat of the day with the fact that the Coyotes were playing down three players, and it should be appreciated how well our kids hung in there and kept fighting.  The quarter ended with the 'Yotes holding on to a slim 3-2 lead.

The 4th quarter saw the Coyotes gain back the goal they had given up in the 3rd, but they just could not manage to hold on to that lead, as the Buzz Worms added two more goals of their own to tie the game with less than a minute to play, and that would be the final score:  4-4.

This coach is very proud and pleased with the efforts that our young Coyotes put out yesterday!  It appeared to me that some of the things we have been working on in practice were coming to light and producing results on the field.  Cole made a heads up pass to Savannah at one point, and Callie also passed the ball to Rebekah.  The 'Yotes were taking shots with more power and velocity on the ball, and the dribbling and ball control looked good!  Hats off to our Coyotes for a well played game!  The tie brought the season record to 0-2-1.....maybe next week we can chalk one up in the "W" column!  If the kids get out and play next week like they did yesterday, they definately have a fighting chance of doing just that.

Here is how it broke down:

The Strikers:

Cole                          3 shots on goal
Rebekah                    1 shot on goal
Matt                          4 shots on goal/  1goal
Callie                        1 shot on goal/  1 goal
Savannah                  7 shots on goal/  2 goals

The Goalies:

Jack                        3 saves
Cole                       7 saves
Callie                     1 save
Savannah               1 save

Great job, Coyotes!!  Also, Jack played very well in the Striker position, getting involved in the play and getting his foot on the ball!  It was good seeing him get aggressive...keep it up, Jack!  Kendal cleared the ball a couple of times from the midfield position, and was also getting more involved offensively in the Striker position!  Keep it up!  Savannah and Rebekah were putting on a clinic from the midfield position, constantly disrupting the Rattlers on any breakaway attempts, and Cole was on fire in the goal...frustrating the snakes 7 times by denying any goals while he was guarding the "house".

It seems to me that we are headed in the right direction!  We should all be proud of our young Coyotes...they battled against the heat, and no one complained when called on to get into the game as they had to play longer than usual since we were short handed.  Good job, 'Yotes!

A reminder:  Vanderbilt University is having an NYSA appreciation night this coming Friday night at the Vandy/MTSU womens soccer game.  The game begins at 7 pm, $5.00 per adult, kids FREE if they are wearing their team jerseys....

Also, don't forget that this coming Saturday (the 10th) is Picture day at the NYSA....our game is at 11 am...so we will need to be at the fields by 10 am for our team photos and individual photos.  I'll send out a reminder towards the end of the week.

Here is a short video demonstrating some great soccer skills....one day this could be YOU!  Enjoy: