"More"- the Spring '16 Dolphins matched the mantra with a superior 8-1-1 campaign. The season brought sensational moments for the entire squad as we rolled through the U8 Howard Division. Jordan took it to the next level by sharpening her passing & specialty game leading to a team high 9 Assists. Taylor played with her heart on her sleeve and enjoyed multiple big game moments. Unofficially the most practiced team in the FSA, the Dolphins looked sharp and displayed great sportsmanship during a tremendous run. Here's how it all played out...
Week 1 vs. Goalbusters
Mid February brought the season opener, a 9am kickoff, and temps in the mid 40's coupled with stiff 15+ mph winds. The Dolphins came ready to play in the elements after frequent & cold off season workouts. Jordan scored early on an tough angled shot but most of the game heroics belonged to Taylor. Late in the 2nd quarter she took a hit to the face on a Goal Kick which brought her to tears - with concerned screams from the sideline as a backdrop, she suddenly blasted out of a pack of players and launched a long shot that found its mark right as the 1st half ended. The play would prove to be backbreaking for our opponents who conceded 5 consecutive goals and the Dolphins won 8-5.
Surrounded by opponents Taylor would deliver lucky green ball in the goal for a rare short score...
...and later tore up field on a breakaway
Week 2 vs. Fighting Eagles
The Dolphins put on a clinic the second week blasting the Fighting Eagles 9-0. Jordan's specialty game was on as she scored on a Free Kick and notched an Assist on a Corner Kick. She would later get a 2nd goal while Taylor would score once and deliver a shut out quarter in Goal. Below the girls pose in the west goal where they found so much success.
Week 3 vs. Sugarplum Shooters
The quintessential measuring stick game. The last time these teams played the Dolphins ate a 5 goal loss. Early our opponents would dictate an up tempo game as the teams traded goals through a high scoring 1st half. Jordan was named Captain and acted the part with a game high 3 goals and for the 2nd consecutive week she notched an Assist off a Corner Kick. The Dolphins defense would shutdown the Shooters in the 2nd half and earn a tough 9-6 victory.
Calling for the ball on a Throw In
Our "trick kickoff play" for the 2nd time in her career Jordan would nail it during a wild back & forth 1st half
Jordan cuts loose a rocket shot at the opposing goal...
...and her ponytail flew back when this kickoff bounced off her chest
Week 4 vs. Los Gauchos
It happens on all levels of sport and unfortunately a "letdown game" sniped the Dolphins after an emotional win the previous week. The team staggered through an incredibly lackluster performance just prior to Spring Break. Credit the Gauchos who showed up motivated to play and looked just a bit more aggressive & faster then the Dolphins for most the game. Despite the down game the Dolphins crawled back into it late before subsequently losing by the slimmest of margins 5-6.
Taylor breaks out of the pack...
...and immediately finds teammate Addison open in the middle
Tough outing for the team's 1st/3rd quarter line up which was shut out - but at least they looked nice in their headbands!
Week 5 vs FC Ponies
Week 5 felt more like Week 1 as the Dolphins faced an early kickoff, low 40s temps and stiff northern 15 mph winds. We didn't get any pictures because Mom had to spring into action and coach w/ Dad when Coach Emil had to miss the game on short notice. The teams traded goals for 3 quarters - a highlight was when Jordan dished her 3rd Corner Kick Assist in 4 games. The Dolphins owned the 4th quarter and pulled away for a 6-3 win.
Week 6 vs Party Rockers
This was a showdown game against the undefeated Rockers. In this defensive slug fest, goals were hard to come by. The game was tied at the half but the Dolphins found themselves behind quickly in the 3rd quarter and caught a big break when the ref overturned a Rocker goal due to a tripping penalty. After tieing the game later in the 3rd the 2 teams would both miss on several scoring opportunities in a scoreless 4th and settle for a 2-2 tie.
Jordan gutted out the 2nd half after taking a tough fall in the 1st quarter
Week 7 vs Pink Panthers
The Panthers have played together longer then any team in our division. Known for good passing, strong defense, and a loud British Coach this game was circled on the schedule long ago. Off and on light rain persisted throughout the contest and fed a tight defensive 1st half. Things looked grim when The Panthers executed their own trick kickoff play and scored to start the 2nd half - the Dolphins literally flipped the switch a few minutes later with some electric passing and scored 3 quick goals. Jordan had a Goal and 2 Assists (4th Corner Kick) in the 5-3 win.
Taylor does a 180 looking for the ball
Jordan & Olivia (background) ignited the crowd when the duo tied the game on a successful Corner Kick play - the goal was Olivia's long awaited 1st of her career and couldn't have come at a more critical point in the game
Week 8 vs. Shockers
Dad had a good feeling about this game when he saw the Shockers feasting on donuts just before kickoff. Donned in our alternate Italy jerseys, the Dolphins put on a passing clinic taking their opponents "behind the woodshed" in a 12-1 blowout. Taylor called her shot at breakfast & later delivered on a big game premonition scoring 3 Goals & adding an Assist. Jordan ran the 1/3 line with precision and delivered a selfless 3 Assist/1 Goal stat line.
This was a standout game for Jordan - she was all over the field making hustle plays...
...while Taylor also brought her "A game"...
At least once a season Taylor & Addison combine to take over a game and put it to bed. That was this game as they combined for 6 goals & 2 Assists, most of which came in the 2nd quarter - here the pair + Jordan blast down the field in a convoy
Week 9 vs. Soccer Stars
No pictures for this one as Mom once again marched the sidelines with Dad to help coach. It wouldn't be easy as our opponents had size, mad passing skills, and a good coach. The Dolphins caught all kinds of breaks in this game, including the benefit of our opponent scoring on themselves on a freak early play. After taking, and subsequently losing a 2 goal lead in the 1st half, the team hit pay dirt when Jordan converted on a empty netter after controlling a great pass and patiently delivering the ball to the goal in the 3rd. The Dolphins took the lead for good in the 4th quarter where after a sleepy 1st half, Taylor had Assists on both our team scores, which book-ended the quarter. While never trailing in the game the team still had to survive a tenuous 8 minute onslaught of shot attempts on our goal late where every bounce went our way. When the dust cleared the Dolphins eked out a 5-4 victory.
Week 10 vs. Goalbusters
The final week brought a familiar opponent in our only rematch of the season. Friday evening storms led to a soft field and unseasonably cool temps. The Dolphins 1st/3rd line-up looked sharp and outmatched their opponents 7-0 during the 2 quarters. Taylor capped the season with the final goal of the year leading to an outpouring of emotion ranging from hugs to tears. The Dolphins cruised to their 3rd consecutive win over the Busters 8-3.
Bombs away for Jordan!
Tangling with lucky green ball - the team was 6-0 when we played with it this season
Taylor going coast-to-coast
Getting air on Corner Kicks
Jordan shows textbook form on an under appreciated part of her game - Throw Ins &
Taylor gets lost in the emotion of the moment after connecting on a long score late in the game
So after all the hard work & accomplishments of the Spring season it was finally time to let our hair down and celebrate our success. The team headed to Urban Air to do just that. We managed to get a few pictures of the festivities
...who couldn't help but get emotional after she collected her props
The Spring '16 Dolphins (from left to right)
Addison, Jordan G, Grace, Savannah, Sophia
Coach Brian, Jordan K, Taylor, Ava, Olivia, Sarah & Coach Emil
The Fall '16 season will bring a bigger field, 7 on 7 game play, and some new players to the team - time to recruit!
Week 6 vs Party Rockers
This was a showdown game against the undefeated Rockers. In this defensive slug fest, goals were hard to come by. The game was tied at the half but the Dolphins found themselves behind quickly in the 3rd quarter and caught a big break when the ref overturned a Rocker goal due to a tripping penalty. After tieing the game later in the 3rd the 2 teams would both miss on several scoring opportunities in a scoreless 4th and settle for a 2-2 tie.
Jordan gutted out the 2nd half after taking a tough fall in the 1st quarter
The Panthers have played together longer then any team in our division. Known for good passing, strong defense, and a loud British Coach this game was circled on the schedule long ago. Off and on light rain persisted throughout the contest and fed a tight defensive 1st half. Things looked grim when The Panthers executed their own trick kickoff play and scored to start the 2nd half - the Dolphins literally flipped the switch a few minutes later with some electric passing and scored 3 quick goals. Jordan had a Goal and 2 Assists (4th Corner Kick) in the 5-3 win.
Completely out numbered, Jordan took the lead 1 minute later as her shot somehow snuck through to the goal
Keep your eye on the ball
Dad had a good feeling about this game when he saw the Shockers feasting on donuts just before kickoff. Donned in our alternate Italy jerseys, the Dolphins put on a passing clinic taking their opponents "behind the woodshed" in a 12-1 blowout. Taylor called her shot at breakfast & later delivered on a big game premonition scoring 3 Goals & adding an Assist. Jordan ran the 1/3 line with precision and delivered a selfless 3 Assist/1 Goal stat line.
This was a standout game for Jordan - she was all over the field making hustle plays...
...and successfully challenged opposing Sweepers all game
Known for her post goal celebrations, Taylor gets a hug from buddy Ava and beams after her hat-trick in what could be her trading card picture
No pictures for this one as Mom once again marched the sidelines with Dad to help coach. It wouldn't be easy as our opponents had size, mad passing skills, and a good coach. The Dolphins caught all kinds of breaks in this game, including the benefit of our opponent scoring on themselves on a freak early play. After taking, and subsequently losing a 2 goal lead in the 1st half, the team hit pay dirt when Jordan converted on a empty netter after controlling a great pass and patiently delivering the ball to the goal in the 3rd. The Dolphins took the lead for good in the 4th quarter where after a sleepy 1st half, Taylor had Assists on both our team scores, which book-ended the quarter. While never trailing in the game the team still had to survive a tenuous 8 minute onslaught of shot attempts on our goal late where every bounce went our way. When the dust cleared the Dolphins eked out a 5-4 victory.
Week 10 vs. Goalbusters
Bombs away for Jordan!
Time for the trophy & award presentation - Jordan collects her "Assist Award" & even gets a hug from our "Emotional Play Award" winner...
Addison, Jordan G, Grace, Savannah, Sophia
Coach Brian, Jordan K, Taylor, Ava, Olivia, Sarah & Coach Emil
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