It wasn't parents; it wasn't coaches; it was the girls who dubbed themselves the Green Machine.  With a (silent 1, 2, 3) "Green Machine" they jogged out on to the field four times - and walked off each time w/ a hard fought win.

 

The team was lead by Dynamo players Alexis, Shea, Alaina, Taylor, Mimi, and Becca.  In the championship game, those six would trot out to the center of the field to represent the team together as their captains.  A little more than 70 minutes later they would raise the championship trophy together after an unlikely, undefeated championship run.

 

The tournament began with a 3-0 win over a tough U14A Orchard Park Lightning team.  It might have been Mimi's best game of the weekend as she both denied attacks and then lead counter attacks.  Mimi played U14 this year - but she's a true U12 - she has high energy, speed, and smiles when she plays - she played well all weekend but her very best was the 1st game when she was a leader in the team's win.

 

You know who else was good in game 1 as well as 2, 3, & 4 - Taylor.  Taylor is another true U12 who is flat out an outstanding athlete.  You could place Taylor on any field in any sport and she'd do a great job.  If Taylor ever decided she wanted to be a star soccer player - alll she need due was spend a little time playing because she is a star athlete.  Taylor throughout the weekend helped lead Green Machine attacks - and you cannot help but watch her & think about how high the level she could play if she spent more time at the game.

 

Game 2 was against host Clarence - a U12 A team the year before that had stepped back to be a strong U 14C team.  Clarence is a deep roster; the year before they had scared the best of the U12 teams and really entered the tournament as the favorite.  The Green Machine forgot that they weren't supposed to be beating this team - they went out & eeked out a 1-0 win - Lexi would score her 3rd goal of the tournament - and would add #4 the following morning to lead the team in scoring.

 

Against Clarence & throughout the weekend, Shea was a defensive force - Shea has fun on the field & she can flat out play.  She's a good athlete; she is fearless; she likes the game.  Every time she stepped out on the field this weekend, Shea was a contributor & a leader.

 

2-0 after day 1 and a guaranteed spot in the finls - great day 1 - exciting - ok, but can they seal the deal.  Day 2 would start against Rochester's Rush Henrietta - the Green Machine scored in the 1st half to take an early 1-0 lead.  They padded their lead with a 2nd half goal but had to hold on tight as Rush Henrietta scored to make it 2-1 and then pressured for the tie.

 

One of the things that made the tournament unique was not only had this team not played together - they had not a single player who had ever played goalie.  Catherine handled it for the majority of the weekend - but Alexis showed both what a good kid she was & good athlete in stepping up & playing goal.  Alexis is a good forward - she had speed & guts & puts the defense on their heals.  She helped lead the attack every game - this game she'd help seal the deal in goal.

 

Ok - very cool - the girls have a chance to win the tournament - ugh, it's against a Clarence team that we knew was very good & felt a bit lucky to walk off the day before w/ a win against.  The 1st half was very, very even and neither team could break through. 

 

On defense, Becca - our 11 year old super star was flat out awesome.  Becca spots everybody 2-3 years, 20 pounds, 4 inches - and it doesn't matter.  She may have been the best on the field that game; she may have been the best on the field the whole tournament - like her teammates what really makes Becca special isn't her play - it's her love of the game - she smiles & has fun as she plays - it's cool.

 

The 2nd half begins - it's a 0-0 battle - Coach Garth pushes the other coaches aside and lays down the game plan.  His attack plan is designed to spring Ariana - it works - she draws the direct kick 10 minutes into the 2nd half - she nails a direct kick short side for a 1-0 win.

 

Hurray!  But can the girls hold on - Clarence is deep and talented and took over the game.  It was their home tournament - they planned on winning it.  The pressure was constant - and the team scrambled to turn back the attack.  The play of the game came from Alaina who fended off a break away pass with a bicycle kick that was flat out awesome - the ball was beyond her - the 2 on 0 break a foregone conclusion - Elaina reached back w/ her right foot and smacked the ball back over her head & those of the attackers away from harms way.  Alaina was another of the leaders of the Dynamos who helped guide the team to the championship.  Her ball skills rival the best in this age group - and she was a key player in the team's championship drive.

 

The game never was easy - the team held on in the final moments - but hang on they did winning a tournament victory not many would have forecasted.

 

It's a nice testimony to the development of the playerd & the coaching of Coach Anne - who while not being there this weekend had her handprint all over these wins - is there a nicer, cooler coach? - and, oh by the way - she's the ultimate role model as a D1 Varsity player - way to go Anne.  Thx Tony for pulling it together.

 

Congrats to Alexis, Taylor, Mimi, Becca, Alaina & Shea - Congrats to all the Dynamos - way to go Green Machine!!!