6-1 Win @ Hopkins...and More!

Ladies!

Way to take care of business and handle success at Hopkins last night. It was impressive as a coach to observe! Bottle that up, prepare this weekend individually, and come out swinging once again this Monday as we dive back into the conference season!

Here goes with the tentative schedule for this coming week:

**Monday: home game vs. Holland...meet in my room by 3 PM..."dress up" in school...Yaz = food/vid...Taryn/Kora = ball girls...WIN!
**Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black.
**Wednesday: game @ B.Center...what to wear in school = TBD...meet in my room by 3 PM...bus leaves at 330 PM...Nicky = food/vid...WIN!
**Thursday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray.
**Friday: home game vs. Black River...what to wear in school = TBD...meet in my room by 3 PM...Bria = food/vid...Katlyn/Syd = ball girls...WIN!

Note: Congrats to Bria for having been voted by her peers as the alternate captain for this next week's matches and training. And congrats again to all of you for not only currently passing your trimester 3 classes but doing so with impressive overall grades! Keep up the good work in the classroom--your most important role as "student-athletes"!

DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN INDIVIDUALLY TO PREPARE THIS WEEKEND FOR SUCCESS THIS COMING WEEK. WE NEED TO COME OUT FIRING FIRST THING VS. HOLLAND ON MONDAY!

Looking forward to seeing you girls continue to blossom. :)

History-making 1-0 Win vs. Unity

Job well done last night, ladies, BELIEVING we could have success and then going out and actually doing it...with ENERGY! :)  Very proud of you all...no matter the role you played. We ALL helped the winning cause, somehow some way.

Now the ultra challenge is this: HANDLING SUCCESS AND AVOIDING ANY TYPE OF COMPLACENCY. Know you all have it in you.

The next test: Hopkins tomorrow (Friday)!

Looking forward to seeing you all take another positive step on this journey.

1-0 Loss to Z.West

GREAT finish to the game the other night, ladies, but from here on out WE ARE A FULL-GAME/80 MINUTE (OR MORE) TEAM! Let's make it happen.

Believe, stay together, and perform today vs. Unity!

2-1 Win @ Kenowa Hills...and More!

Greetings!

Great job on the first win of the season this past Thursday as it was a well-deserved "W". Feel free to check out the "game recaps" link below and to the left in order to view game specifics.

BUT THE K. HILLS WIN IS JUST THE BEGINNING, RIGHT???!!!

Here's how we're moving forward with a huge week coming up here:

**Monday: game @ Z.West..."dress up" in school...all black/Hail shirts for game...meet in my classroom at 3:15 PM...bus leaves at 4 PM...Frannie = vid/food...Noelle/Melinda = see me for key to shed.
**Tuesday: practice 3-5 PM...wear black...Team Dinner at Katlyn's @ 530 PM (bring personal beverage).
**Wednesday: home game vs. Unity...what to wear in school = TBD...Kirsten = vid/food...Nena/Ana = ball girls...pre-game music?
**Thursday: practice 3-5 PM...wear gray.
**Friday: game @ Hopkins...VARSITY PLAYS FIRST AT 4:30 PM...what to wear in school = TBD...bus leaves at 3:15 PM...meet in my room immediately after school (will eat/drink then and there)...Jos = food/vid...Noelle/Melinda = see me for key to shed.

Notes: please note that the May 9 game at Unity will now be played (Varsity) at 5:30 PM...congrats to Yaz for being selected as "alternate team captain" by her peers for this upcoming week...PLEASE BE SURE TO DO ALL THAT YOU CAN THIS WEEKEND TO PREPARE FOR THIS COMING WEEK--HUDL, 4-3-3 TUTORIAL VID., VISUALIZE, POWER POSES, SLEEP, EAT RIGHT, BE ACTIVE, ETC.!

Let's keep this thing rolling forward in a positive direction, ladies!

1-0 Loss to Hudsonville

Keep the faith, girls!

Last night overall (but especially the second half) was a positive step in the right direction for our season...despite the scoreboard at the end.

Please keep in mind that the life cycle of a season is a PROCESS, and we are still in the BEGINNING stages of that process. That said, the sooner we can truly start "performing", the better.

We'll get better--provided that we ALL keep doing the daily things necessary to propel us forward!

5-1 Opening Game T.K. Loss...and More!

Ladies!

Hope you're hanging in there?? Keep those heads up!

Please remember the overall sentiments last night: the season is a PROCESS...and last night's game wasn't going to be the "end all, be all" either way...win, tie, or lose. WE WILL GET BETTER. WE WILL KEEP FIGHTING. WE WILL STAY TOGETHER!

(Check out the "game recaps" link below and to the left for post-game reviews if you so please)

Ok, so here's where we tentatively go from here:

**SPRING BREAK: ENJOY, HAVE FUN, BE SAFE, PLAY SOCCER, STAY IN/GET IN PHYSICAL SHAPE (SPRINTS, LONG DISTANCE, ANAEROBIC, ETC.)!

**Thursday/Friday (Spring Break Week): optional practice from 2:30-4 at the HS. Wear whatever but be fully dressed for game-like action!

**Monday, April 11: practice 3-5 PM...wear gray...vote on alternate team captain.
**Tuesday: JUNIORS ACE THE S.A.T.!... away game vs. Hudsonville...bus leaves at 4:15...meet in my classroom by 330 PM...Melinda = food/vid...what to wear in school = TBD
**Wednesday: practice 3-5 PM...wear black
**Thursday: away game vs. Kenowa Hills...bus leaves at 3:30...meet in my classroom by 3 PM...Dani= food/vid...what to wear in school = TBD....Quinn's bday! :)
**Friday: practice 3-5 PM...wear gray

Note: please always keep in mind that we need to continually train our minds and bodies in the POSITIVE: visualizing, power posing, mastering non-verbal communication, supporting each other, offering constructive feedback, etc. 

Very much looking forward to seeing you all again, working with you, and continuing our improvement upon this special season! Take care!

Next Week and Beyond

Hello, girls soccer fam! Hope the sun and mild temps are treating everyone well??

Our first game week is upon us (BEAT T.K.!!!), and I couldn't be more excited. :)

Here is the tentative schedule for this abbreviated week coming up here...and beyond:

Homework for the weekend: 1.) memorize/know/understand all "offensive/defensive team agreements" from the previously shared "Hamilton Soccer" document and 2.) view/learn/reflect upon vid footage via hudl of our first opponent T.K. coming up here next Wednesday.

**Monday: outdoor practice 3-5 PM (wear gray)...CHECK UPDATED "SOCCER RESPONSIBILITIES" DOCUMENT REGARDING YOUR RESPECTIVE DUTIES PRE- AND POST-PRACTICE.
**Tuesday: outdoor practice 3-5 PM (wear black)...REQUIRED TEAM DINNER AT THE ROBINSONS' AT 5:30 PM.
**Wednesday: away game vs. T.K. (WIN!)  Meet in my classroom by 3 PM...what to wear in school TBD...Noelle = team meal (to be consumed at the game site)...bus leaves at 3:30 P.M.
**Thursday/Friday: NO PRACTICE...HAPPY SPRING BREAK!

**Thursday/Friday of Spring Break week: OPTIONAL 230-4 PM practice at the HS.
 
Note 1: when in charge of the "team meal", please simply provide a light food/beverage for a total of 16 teenage girls. Healthy food/beverage recommendations include (but not limited to) the following: sandwiches/wraps/subs, fruit, veggies, water, gatorade/powerade, pretzels, granola bars, healthy crackers, healthy snacks, etc. For home games, we'd need the meal ready by 3 PM in my room 111 classroom in the HS. For away games, we'd need the meal somehow packaged and ready to load on the bus upon departure time as we will enjoy the meal shortly after arriving on site. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP IN PROVIDING THE GIRLS WITH A HEALTHY PRE-GAME MEAL THAT WILL HELP US ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN THE SUBSEQUENT MATCH!

Note 2: congrats again to Melinda and Dani for being selected by their peers recently as permanent team captains for the season. Thumbs up!

Take care, all, and let me know if you need anything at all. 

Schedule Changes

Soccer fam,

A schedule change to note: our varsity start vs. Hopkins at their place on Friday, April 22 will now begin at 4:30 PM (with JV to follow at 6 PM).

And another one: our H.C. away game on Wednesday, May 18 will take place at 4 PM (JV also plays at 4 pm at a nearby location). 

Take care!

Opening Week/Weekend and Beyond!

  Hey, all!

Off to a great start here, and I couldn't be more excited. Already great working with you!

The 0-0 tie vs. GR Cath. Central and 3-0 win vs. Cheboygan were positive results for us yesterday, all things considering what with lack of practice time early on here!

And we keep moving forward....:)

Tentative schedule for this coming week:

**Monday: practice 3-5 PM (wear black)...parent meeting at 5:15 in the forum room...$30 due.

**Tuesday: volunteer event/team-building 3-5 PM (wear gray and close toed shoes)...bus to Holland Rescue Mission Restoration Center.

**Wednesday: practice 3-5 PM (wear black)

**Thursday: practice 3-5 PM (wear gray)...team pictures (wear white)

**Friday: practice 3-5 PM (wear black)...celebrate Summer's B-day! :)

Note: Next Tuesday, March 29, the Robinsons will host a required team dinner at our house just after practice that day. We will eat, drink, laugh, and be merry on the eve of our first game of the season!

That's it for now, all! Take care!

PS. Feel free to check out the "team roster" link below and to the left!

Welcome (back)!

Greetings, all!

I'm VERY much looking forward to working with all of you this off-season and into the season! Can't wait.

Here are some important dates to keep in mind from here on out:

**Monday, Dec. 21: Co-ed 5v5 Indoor Soccer Tournament (@HHS)
**Thursday, Dec. 10 - Friday, March 4 (excluding holiday breaks): weekday 3-4 PM off-season training. Meet in Mr. or Mrs. Robinson's classrooms.
**BY Monday, March 14: All physicals, insurance fees, and code of conducts on file with Connie @HHS
**Monday, March 14: First day of the season/tryouts/Iron Woman Contest
**Saturday, March 19: All day Varsity-only scrimmages at Grand Valley
**March 31-April 10: No required soccer activities.
**Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day): required late afternoon/early evening practice and team dinner for Varsity only.

Please do not hesitate with any questions, comments, and/or concerns from here on out.

Let's get this started!

0-0 Tie at Comstock Park…and More!!

Hi, all!

Thanks for an overall great season, girls, culminating in the tough 0-0 draw yesterday at Comstock. As a coach, I appreciate immensely the work you guys put into this season. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now, we're not done yet…:)

**Last team meeting: 3-3:45 PM in my classroom..next Tuesday, May 26…bring all clean uniform items to turn in…and hopefully we can all somehow make it across town to Zeeland to watch the Varsity team in their first round District game vs. Zeeland West (4 PM)???!!!

**Soccer Program Dessert Banquet: Tuesday, June 2 (6:30 PM) at the MS cafeteria. More details to come!

Thanks again, all, and let me know if you need anything!

2-0 Loss to Byron Center

Hang in there, ladies! We've got one more chance to finish this thing right.

Stay positive and support each other.

Oh, and beat Comstock Park!

See you outside for our last practice today at 3 PM. Team dinner at Ashley's to follow!

Our Last Week!

Hi, all! Hope you're enjoying the warm weekend??

So…here we go with our last official week together coming up. LET'S FINISH STRONG!!

See below for the tentative schedule:

**Monday: game at B.Center (5 PM)…bus leaves at 3:30…dress up in school…Katlyn = video
**Tuesday: practice 3-5 PM…last team dinner @ 5:30 PM (VanDenBerg's).
**Wednesday: game at Comstock Park (5 PM)…bus leaves at 3:15…Phebe = video
**Last Team Meeting: to be announced
**Program-wide banquet: Tuesday, June 2 @ 6:30 PM…HS cafeteria…more details to come!

Note: congrats to Ashley for having been voted by her peers as our last alternate captain of the season. Well deserved!

See you all soon. Take care!

2-1 Win vs. Holland

Ladies,

Loved how you handled a bit of personnel adversity yesterday in that second half vs. Holland. As a team, we certainly were "limping", and we did "bend" a bit. BUT we didn't "break", and that's a tribute to you all. Nice job!

With two games left in the season, we need to repeat that team spirit again…and again!

See you at practice today…3 to 5 PM…Formidable Feet contests starting at 4 PM.

7-0 Loss to Unity

Hold your heads high, ladies, and remember: it could always be worse!

With three games and about a week left in the season, let's simply get better, look at the bright side of things, and enjoy each other and this beautiful game!!

See you all officially on Wednesday in my room right after school. Sophomore captains will be leading you in a spirited practice tomorrow!

Take care, all.

Upcoming Week…and more!

Greetings, all!! Hope you're surviving the dreary weather conditions this weekend.

Happy Mother's Day!! :)

Please check out the schedule below to prep for our second-to-last week together this season:

**Monday: home game vs. Unity (4 PM)…athletic bottoms and Hamilton soccer shirts in school…Maddie/Rhi = ball girls…Pauline = video
**Tuesday: practice 3-5 PM.
**Wednesday: home game vs. Holland (5:45 PM)…meet in my room directly after school…snacks/beverages in my room??...Morgan/Ana = ball girls…Bailee = video.
**Thursday: practice 3-5 PM.
**Friday: practice 3-5 PM.

Note: Congrats to Katlyn Eding for being honored by her peers as this upcoming week's alternate captain! Well deserved.

Take care, all, and let's finish this thing strong!

3-2 Win vs. Wayland

Loved that you met a couple of team goals tonight, ladies! And an extra bonus is that, in doing so, we are at an even 6-6-1 record on the season at this point. Well done! It wasn't always pretty tonight, but you hung in there and got the job done against a decent opponent.

Our overall effort will have to be x2 to get it done this coming Monday. And….we can do it!!

Take care, and have a great night.

2-1 Win at Zeeland West

Girls,

Really proud of your BOUNCE-BACK effort yesterday at Zeeland West. The first half was as bad as I've seen us play-- on multiple levels. Regarding the "crossroads" that I mentioned at halftime, we seem to be back on the right "road" based on the inspired play from then on. Now…KEEP. THAT. UP.

Starts (again) in practice. See you soon!

P.S. SUPPORT and EMPATHY, right??!!

5-0 Loss to Holland Christian

Girls,

Keep your collective heads up…BUT…we need a LOT better collective effort from here on out…practice and games…(dot dot dot).

 In our post-game talk, I mentioned that there certainly are many more important things in life than winning a soccer game. That said, remember the alternate point made: in this crazy life/world, you only get one chance to enjoy this great game at the high school level with friends, coaches that support you, parents that cheer you on, etc.! Make the most of it, and LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST.

See you tomorrow for practice, and let's keep moving forward!

7-0 win at Black River…and more!

Nice job last night, ladies, handling business against an over-matched opponent! I mostly liked the way you stuck to good soccer habits despite the score on the scoreboard-- especially since "good soccer habits" will be needed (x2) next week starting with H.C. at home this coming Monday! Rematch time!

Here's the tentative schedule for this coming week…another full slate:

**Monday: home game vs. H. Christian…vote on alternate team captain before the game…dress up in school…outside by 315 PM…Nicky/Teagan = ball girls…Ana = vid.
**Tuesday: practice 3-5 PM.
**Wednesday: 1/2 day in school…game at Z.West at 5 PM…bus leaves at 345 PM...Ashley = vid.
**Thursday: practice 3-5 PM
**Friday: home game vs. Wayland…Harley/Syd = ball girls…Shania = vid.

Note: THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH SPECIAL FRIENDS TO OUR DAUGHTER QUINN THIS PAST FRIDAY--FEEDING HER, PLAYING WITH HER, ETC.!! SHE LOVED YOU ALL! :)

Take care, girls, and looking forward to seeing you shortly!