"Here Comes the Rain Again" - not a tribute to an 80s Annie Lennox ballot but a statement describing the carnage that was the Fall '18 season. Rain repeatedly impacted games & practices leading to a dubious mark of most practice cancellations in team history. We would happen to play several matches on Field Turf which would save some games - only to be played in the elements! The rain and disruption would test the teams conviction but as the impacts dragged on for weeks, we managed to literally navigate the waters to maximize routines and put our best foot forward. The team struggled through an uneven 2-2 start but would close the year on a 5 game winning streak and secure our 5th Silver Medallion. Here's how it all played out...
Game 1 vs Texas Stars
After the unusually wet Training Camp, remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon hung around Frisco for our 1st Soccer Saturday. With our games this season on Field Turf at Toyota Soccer Center the FSA made good on it's promise to play in the rain. The team eagerly stepped up to this new challenge which included playing a strong team coming off a 7 win season. Adversity struck early as the wet conditions led to an 1 goal 1st half deficit. The Dolphins regrouped and scored 2 successive goals while surging to a halftime lead. Conditioning made all the difference while Jordan led a 2nd half scoring explosion making play after play in front of our opponents Goal - eventually collecting a hat-trick. It turned out that the Dolphins thrived in the rain and collected an impressive 7-2 win.
Soaking up the rain & glory of a dominating opening weekend victory!
Early morning rain gave way to high afternoon humidity, sun, and blazing temperatures in what would be a tough game for the Dolphins. We had taken 3 in a row from the Storm but trailed at the half after conceding a Penalty Kick in the final minute. The teams battled to a stalemate until the last 5 minutes where an exhausted Dolphins team gave up 2 successive goals including a score on the last play of the game. Hats off to our opponents who outplayed us - especially late in each half, in the stunning shutout loss.
Jordan playing a little defense covering on a Corner Kick
After a record 8.5 inches of rain in 12 hours washed out a weekend of games, the Dolphins were ready to toss the bad vibes of the previous loss. The last time these 2 teams met it was Spring '17 and the Gold Division was on the line. This time would carry far less fanfare. Another Saturday, another rainstorm - this time the sky's opened 10 minutes before kickoff and continued with a steady shower until halftime. The team thrived again in the elements and scored 3 minutes in when Jordan connected with Addison on a Corner Kick. Taylor would score minutes later as she crushed a hard shot that skip off the ground and through the Goalie's hands. Things would open up in the 2nd half when we cut loose our World Class Goalie and she would deliver 2 quick goals. Jordan would continue the onslaught with big plays in the box eventually tallying 4 scores in the wild half! The Dolphins would reach double digits for the 1st time in a year with the 10-1 win.
7 of the 10 team goals were scored by Jordan, Emme, & Taylor
Jordan challenges a defender deep in opposing territory...
Game 5 vs Sugarplum Shooters
It's rare you get a 2nd chance at a game in a weekend but a previous weeks cancellation led to a Dolphins double header. Rain continued to be in the forecast and showers missed our late Sunday afternoon kickoff by mere miles to the East. The Dolphins were on grass for the 1st time this season and thrived on the natural surface. We had a terrific history against this team having never lost and Jordan and/or Taylor each scoring in all of the previous games. The team put on a shooting show absolutely barraging the opposing Goalie with shot after shot. Taylor would extend her consecutive game scoring streak to 3 with an early goal while Jordan would add a 2nd half score. The defense played far better then the previous day holding a shutout. The Dolphins would eventually knock the opposing Goalie out of the game with a broken wrist and rebuild some team confidence with the dominating 6-0 victory.
Showers pass just East of the Warren Sports Complex creating this rainbow - the Coaches would see 2 flashes of lightning during the game
Big rain was yet again in the forecast for this early Saturday match. As we settled in for the game a light mist gave way to what can only be described as a torrential downpour just minutes into the 1st half. A firm wind and not yet 60 degree temperatures made 9am kickoff an unprecedented environment. The Dolphins have shown to play great in the rain with 2 dominant victories this season (1 already against the Stars). The team took the Coaches advice of shooting early and often. At the absolute peak of weather madness, during as heavy a rain as you can imagine, Taylor extended her personal best consecutive game scoring streak to 4 when she delivered a nice centered pass into the goal. The score would extend our lead to 2-0. With just minutes left on the 1st half clock multiple lightning flashes would arrive and hastily end the contest.
Game 7 vs Sugarplum Shooters
2 more weeks of constant rain led to half our October practices being cancelled and several game postponements. We found ourselves playing our game 5 opponent again in what was supposed to be the season finale. No weather concerns on this day as a blue sky, bright sun, and high 70s temperatures welcomed the team for the midday kickoff. How we would perform would be a mystery based on the lost routines. The question was answered quickly as just seconds into the game we gave up the quickest score in team history. The team kept their composure and we would fight our way back to take a 2-1 halftime lead - highlighted by a great Assist from Taylor when she pushed a ball to our Left Wing for a score. The 2nd half was a grind and despite our opponents strong effort they suffered 6 separate injury stoppages cutting significantly into actual game time. Clinging to a 1 goal lead the issue was settled when the opposing team suffered a handball in their Goalie Box and Jordan was tapped for the Penalty Kick. She calmly delivered a great score, wrapping the game 3-1.
Jordan floats in the air during pregame warm-ups
The Dolphins came into their weeknight reschedule against the Stars with massive energy bolstered by the confidence of a hat-trick of trends: 6-0-1 under the lights, 9-0 on team picture day, and 15-1-1 playing with our Lucky Stars & Stripes ball. This game was out of the gates with a blistering pace as both teams were highly motivated - the winner was guaranteed a top 3 spot in the coveted FSA Gold Division. The Dolphins would score 4 times in the 1st half (including Jordan delivering a pair of scores on a Corner Kick & a hard shot in the box) but despite some crowd igniting heroics from our World Class Goalie, other defensive breakdowns would keep the game a 2 goal difference. The offense continued to find success with Jordan leading the way with 2 more scores in the 2nd half, we would neutralize our opponents best player with some "man-on" coverage and coast to a 8-3 victory.
Taylor flashes a smile during a break in the action and later battles for the ball
We play hard during the game but sportsmanship is always an underlying fundamental
It all comes down to this. Fate would have it that we would be playing the Storm in a winner take all match for sole possession of 2nd place. Irony would not be lost on the game as we played the Storm with equal stakes on the line 364 days earlier during the FSA Fall Qualifier playoff. Fast forward to November 10th and mother nature would get last tag on the Dolphins as the 8am kickoff game time temperature was a balmy 32 degrees! The Dolphins have thrived all season in bad weather games but this would be the ultimate gut check. The 1st half was rocky as our opponents beat us to the ball repeatedly and kept the action on our half of he field. Despite the pressure, the offense broke loose for a score off a great Assist from Jordan and carried a lead into the half. We lost the lead in the 2nd half only to retake it off a strong shot from Jordan - again showing dominance in the box. The last 15 minutes of the game would have multiple high drama moments and missed Penalty Kicks from both teams. The Dolphins would "ice" the win with 2 successive scores, including a brilliant lob shot from Jordan, avenge our early season loss, and claim Silver Medallions for the 5th consecutive campaign.
"Ice Bowl" the 32 degree kickoff made this by far the coldest game in team history & gave us the opportunity to dress in layers
Team Party
For the 5th consecutive season our team party was hosted at Braum's. We celebrated yet another Silver season. The team excelled through adversity and closed out strong with a 5 game winning streak. Both Kalmar girls achieved personal milestones with Taylor's scoring streak and Jordan's 15 scores which led the team. Change is in the air for the Spring so it was great to soak up yet another successful campaign.
Great season Dolphins!
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