One week away - I can hardly stand it!!!

As the title says, game 1 of spring season 2013 is one week away and I am so freaking excited I am practically buzzing! I have missed my teammates so freaking much! I miss seeing you people at least once a week - and seeing you all a wee bit hammered during that week if its a good week! Nothing quite like sharing a fine beer - or in the case of a certain male player (you know who you are) a apple-tini - after an exhilarating game of soccer!

So here is the dealeo - the full schedule is now posted on both the City of Eugene website as well as on Team Cowboy. Please take a second to go into team cowboy and RSVP for the games - you can RSVP for multiple games at once easily now they have a new RSVP to multiple games feature... Do it now to avoid me harassing you non-stop for the rest of the season.

Unfortunately due to some circumstances I was not able to do our usual pre-season BBQ at my house - nor was I able to throw our St. Patty's day debauchery as usual. However keep your eyes peeled, I will try to do something in April if all works well.

I can't wait for everyone to meet our new players to the team, I think I found some keepers! Also on another wonderful front - Josh - our injured and sometime fellow team blogger - has informed me that he should be back to fighting form and ready once again to dominate on the pitch! If you all remember - he was our secret weapon until his knee mutinied.

New players - your jerseys should be ready by Friday, I will bring them with me game 1. Again, see you all next week!

Whoops - I guess its been a while...

Hi everyone,

sorry, I guess its been a while since the last post - I almost made it through Fall season with the blogging before life and chaos swallowed up my time! So anyhoo....lets see - what did we miss since then...the recap:

Scores for the rest of Fall 2012 season

Game 6 vs. Mighty Narwhals Loss 5-7
not sure what it is with this team...I swear every freaking time we play them its insane torrential rain!

Game 7 vs Nutria Win 4-0
It was swift and decisive - we kick ass!

Game 8 vs Dam United Loss 3-4
Again it came down to 1 point - one of these seasons we will get that 1 point!

Overall the Win/Loss record for the team for Fall 2012 was our best yet!
W-L-T 3-5-0

I just want to point out that we have been steadily improving all these seasons - evidence below:

Fall 2011        - W-L-T 0-8-0
Spring 2012    - W-L-T 1-6-1
Summer 2012 - W-L-T 2-5-1
Fall 2012        - W-L-T 3-5-0

So my prediction for Spring 2013 season....

W-L-T 4-4-1

We will see!

In terms of player news here are some updates:

Brandi was injured in one of the last games of the self-officiated Fall 2012 season. Luckily her injury is one that did not require any major medical intervention and is something that some rest and nurture should bring her back to 100%. Sadly - this does mean that we will be missing her for this upcoming spring season

Myeshia our beautiful songstress superstar has left us for greener pastures (well really more like more yellow hills) of LA to pursue her imminent path to stardom. We all will miss her and wish her well.

Andrea will be taking a siesta from the demands of soccer for Spring season, we are gonna hurt missing our star lady striker!

However all is not lost - I am happy to announce that Elizabeth - who had subbed for us a few times last season will now become an official Grass Kicker! Welcome Elizabeth!

Also as your ever faithful manager I am currently working my magic recruiting mojo and finding us some new ladies to join the roster!

Okay, I think that catches us up to the current season, I can't wait for Spring season to start!

And in the mean time to warm your cockles here are some pics of the fun we had in the meantime...

Post final game of the season: (L-R): Kevin, Heather, Mike, Todd 

Post game final game of the season - I have no idea what is supposed to be on the phone...(L-R): Kevin, Heather, Mike, Todd, James M, James J, Jennie, Brandi

Its happened more than once - so now its a tradition! The Grass Kickers Halloween Party: (L-R) Heather, Andrea, Nancy, Brandi)

Halloween (obviously lol): (L-R) Heather, Nate, Andrea, Robby, Brandi, Nancy, Kenji

Fall 2012 Season team shot (L-R) Robby, Nancy, Kevin, Mike, Heather, Todd, James M, James J, Jennie, Brandi, Nate, Andrea, Myeshia

Week 5: vs. Pen Fed Pirates 5-0

Oh yes what can I say, we CREAMED them!

There was Scott who not only too the goal making shot, but also diligently followed his own shot into the goal. Then the dynamic duo of Keaton and Ian each made a beautiful shot. And the creme de la creme of the might was our girl goal by Brandy!

We played well as a team, we passed often and well leaving the other team running around after our lightening plays. It is so refreshing to be the team that is still energetic and running at the end of the game instead of the team that is panting and hating all the people that run faster.

Again we went out and celebrated like the awesome kings that we are!

Tonight Week 6 - rematch with the Narwhals! Every game we have played against them has been closely fought. This time we will tip the scale and preserver! also i hope we play on a field that does not have a mysterious pile of vomit on the turf this time, and it is also not torrential rain this time.

Oh and speaking of catching up...

Team pic from summer season

From L to R, Top to bottom: James J, Phil, Nate, Wayne, Martin, Michael, Teresa, Hannah, Me, Shannon, Kenji, Paolo, James M

Sorry for the blogging hiatus...Fall Season 2012 recap and catch up here we go!

Ok ok sorry for the random hiatus but honestly I have been more than swamped. Summer was a blur of sun, hiking, soccer, rivers, mountains, more soccer and general misbehaving and hijinks.  Then fall showed up before I even caught my breath and apparently somewhere in the midst of everything I lost my damned mind and booked out every single second of my insane life with full-time work, going back to grad school for another grad degree, taking classes through my work, 2 dogs, 3 soccer teams and somewhere in the middle I managed to find myself a boyfriend. Whew! so after last night's peer pressure and wringing of hands here comes the blog - lets get caught up!

Introducing new Grass Kickers of Fall Season 2012

#3 - Mike. I prefer to think of him as Todd's long lost other half (last year's horrible reign of unfortunate hair terror was the result of these two making a bet). Mike though perhaps unimposing upon first glance this guy is surprisingly fast and also quite a good shot!

#9 - Becky. She comes highly recommended at least on the social front having been vouched for and verified by the stringent awesomeness test that is being approved by Myeshia. Also having played against her this summer in Hat Draw her soccer skills are none too shabby either. Funny, goofy, cute as a button, she is a natural addition to our roster of awesome ladies - welcome Becky!

#16 - Robby. What can I say -  he is enthusiastic, determined, energetic - oh and did I mention he is cute as heck? (oh I may be biased as he is my boyfriend).

#5 - Sinah and #26 - Elizabeth: This dynamic duo of ladies came riding in to save our ladies when we had played our 3rd game with no girl subs! Not only has these ladies made it so Andrea doesn't just kill me out of frustration - but they each bring with them unexpected talents and skills!

Finally - it is with welcome relief after a summer of longing that I welcome back...

#1 - Andrea: She is our dynamic lady striker with bright cleats and a brighter smile!
#4 - Heather: Our favorite librarian is back (with her handsome boyfriend Kevin to cheer us on)!
#15 - Scott: Our towering and newly married (sorry single ladies) wearer of many hats - whether he be our keeper or center mid or striker, this man has got the moves!
#19 - Todd: The traitor of summer got sick of getting his butt kicked on the company team and wisely returned to the black and maroon, bringing with him Mike as a peace offering
#20 - Ian: Our hungry hungry striker back with a ferocious appetite for a goal!

Okay enough with the mushy people loving section - onto the game recaps! Sorry ahead of time for that they are short and not very detailed, honestly I can't keep things in my brain for long.

Game 1 vs The Mighty Narwhals: 1 - 2
For some reason we always seem to play the Narwhals on the North Eugene and this time instead of torrential rains to mark the game we had the ominous and odd puke spot right in front of the goal box. Happy to report that as far as anyone was willing to admit no one stepped in it - hurray! First game back after between season break (and summer season break for some) went better than expected! It was wonderful to see familiar faces both on our own team and on the opposing team (Hi Laura, Sara and Marion!) It was a close game - hard fought but so much fun!

Game 2 vs. The Nutria 1-3
The lack of girl subs was really killing us this game with no Heather, Becky or Myeshia, but us ladies stuck to it and made it through. Also this game saw the return of Ian!

Game 3 vs. Dam United 1-2
Becky, Elizabeth and Sinah came to the rescue of our girls and for the first time since game 1 we had female subs! Woot! Highlights of the evening included Becky and Brandi breaking into some sort of odd sideline coordinated can-can/wiggle dance (it had a song too but i must have blocked it from my mind). Also David and Olivia came by to see us and show support with their adorable new family editions Diego and Max!

Game 4 vs. EnviroPros 7-2
Finally we break our drought and we not only win but we dominated! Robby scored his first goal ever! Way to go! Scott and Nate each also put one in, man those guys are good! But the crowning highlight of the evening goes to Ian - our lightening fast striker broke his own drought with a Hat Trick! 3 goals baby!

okay I think we are now caught up to the next game on 10/8 against PenFed Pirates - its time to get some revenge for Josh's knee!

Not quite sure what is up with Brandi's evil laser eyes here or what in the world is going on with Mye and Robby. 

Summer Season Game 1 vs The Nutria

We set this party off right!

First game of summer season was glorious and set the proper tone for games to come!

First let me welcome our new Grass Kickers who now have joined the Black and Maroon - introducing:

00  Big James - keeper extraordinaire whom I have dubbed "The Kraken" when he comes flying out of goal and onto the pitch. He is athletic, friendly and oh did I mention the man is a freaking GIANT. Watch him sometime during game stopping balls both in and out of goal and you will see why I call him The Kraken

09 Teresa - this lady is a gem that I was lucky enough to get to in my sifting of interested players provided by the city. In our first game out she has shown herself to be a great asset as our star female striker.

11  Phil - This man is solid, not only does deftly defend the goal when in keep, he also consistently manages to dribble right through the opposition despite all their foo-foo river dance fancy footwork

12 Taylor - While previously identified mainly as the dude with the beard - Taylor has surprised everyone with his clean shaven baby faced visage and the dexterity to match the youth unveiled.

13 Little James - newly recruited away from the Taz Devils James is quick, agile and from experience he has the 6th sense and sneaky ability to move amongst the enemy unnoticed and be at the right place at the right time.

17 Martin - after playing with me, Nate and Josh on the Legit Misfits as well as on my indoor team Martin has now officially joined the Black and Maroon. Not only does he have a good foot, he is a strategic player that has great touch.

27 Palmira - Josh's family continues to enmesh with his soccer one, as his lovely wife Palmira will be joining us on the pitch. I have great confidence in her skill as her father is Cesar from Legit Misfits, and her son Allejo has often given men twice his age and size a run for their money in many a pick up game.

28 Michael - I believe this will be Michael's first season playing soccer outdoors. He is fast, nimble, agile and also just an overall very nice guy! I have played with him on my indoor team this past season where his unflagging energy has been awe inspiring - lets see what he can do outdoors!

30 Wayne - Many of us remember the first time we met him, a complete novice who looked like he would be more at home in a Buddhist temple than on the soccer pitch. Wayne has come a long way from that 1st day and after 2 seasons of growth first in hat draw then on the Legit Misfits I am glad to welcome Wayne to the Grass Kickers

31 CJ - She's fierce, she's determined and she's a ginger! Though I have been an acquaintance for a few years outside of soccer it was not until the first time she took me up on my soccer invite that I got to see the fire behind the red hair! CJ is returning to the sport after a long hiatus but after a few pick ups and last season on the Legit Misfits it is obvious that she has not forgotten the skills she learned in high school!

32 Brandi - newly lured away with the promise of rum from Dam United Brandi and her amazing foot is now where she belongs - with the Grass Kickers! What can I say - her foot and ball placement has been commented on and envied by many, her tenacity at both offense and defense makes her an asset anywhere on the field and to top it off she bakes some killer Guinness cupcakes with Bailey's icing.

33 Paolo - newly stolen from The Mighty Narwhals with the combined charms of Kenji, Phil, and Michael (this foursome anchors their men's indoor team MIBOW) Paolo is a powerful forward and striker that I am excited to unleash on our opponents.

and finally as some of you might know Josh - who was injured last season against the Pen Fed Pirates - will unfortunately not be able to join us for this season. However as in most situations there is a silver lining and I am happy to welcome back Micah who will be temporarilyy donning #19 in Todd's place for this season.

now without further ado...

Game 1 vs The Nutria Recap

I could not have asked for a better game 1. The weather was perfect - it was warm but not hot with a bit of a breeze to liven up this early summer evening of blue sky and glorious sun. Turn out was amazing (though I want to remind everyone to not get too comfortable with the amount of subs we had last night as it will be uncharacteristic of the rest of the season - summer travel, vacations etc) and as our players got their new jerseys (which i thought turned out awesome even if i do say so myself) they got to welcome back returning faces as well as meet some new ones.

This game saw the return of Jenny - who if you all remember was injured last season playing this same team and was out for the rest of Spring. She has not only returned in prime form but she also returned with a vengeance and scored a goal in the 1st half! Brandi made her debut on the grass kickers with goal right out of the gate. And Micah showed us that even though he has been away from the GK for 2 seasons he nonetheless retained his skills and also scored a goal.

Overall the team played very well together and I think this team has great promise to continue the winning streak!

After game a few of us went to High Street McMennimans' for some celebratory drinks and socializing.

Great game everyone!

Game 8 vs Slow Mo recap and season wrap up

Hey everyone sorry for the late posting! With Josh injured and not attending the games, and Olivia on vacation I have been too swamped to get a game recap going!

Lets see…

Game 8 vs. Slow Mo

This game was a close one. The game started off with the Grass Kickers playing down a man for the first ¾ of the 1^st half. We fought to hold it down but between the fact that they had their own “Nate” (an equally fast and skilled Asian of the same height) and the fact that we were playing down a man they managed to score 2 goals. It was only through the couragous saves made by David and the lightning speed of Nate that we weren't completely creamed in those first 30 minutes. When Morgan arrived we started to breathe the beginnings of a sigh of relief which was further helped with the appearance of Alex. Finally as half time neared in the far distance we saw the tall and distinctive silhouettes of Keaton and Ian making their way to the field and I believe I was not the only person who broke into a grin and screamed “Oh thank god!”

The second half saw Alex in goal and the dynamic duo on the field. It is with the solid ball handling skills and also amazing teamwork of our forwards and mids (Kenji, Tyler, Scott, Hannah, Ian, Keaton, Bree) that we allowed our superstar of the game to shine - our amazing Andrea scoring not 1 but 2 goals! As we closed in on the end of the second quarter we were tied up but heartbreakingly in the last 5 minutes the Slow Mo’s striker shot a rocket at Alex , despite his valiant effort to stop the ball and the presence of his shin, that had too much spin and spun off his leg and into the goal.

This game marked our last game on the pitch with Tyler and Bree. Tyler played with an energy and determination that was quite frankly awe inspiring, playing with unflagging enthusiasm and really showing us what the Grass Kickers is losing with his departure. His ever present smile which belies the ferocity of his attacks has always been embedded in my mind when I think of games past. In this last game Bree’s intelligent playing, skillful ball handling and on the pitch communications underlined to me how much she has been inspiring for me and the other ladies who were so new to soccer back when the team was formed. Her poise and strength really made her an important foundational member of the team and she will be missed.

Season re-cap

This season has been amazing for me personally and I think it has been a wonderful experience for our team. It was very satisfying to see how far we have come from last season (we won a game this time around!) both in terms of the skills of the individual players and also in terms of how we have grown together as a team. The time that all of us had spent in the previous seasons playing together and getting to know each other definitely paid off on the pitch. We communicate better, we trust each other’s skill, we know our teammates strengths and weaknesses – this all results in game play that was leaps and bounds beyond last season. I think it is fitting that our last game this season was against Slow Mo – a team we played for our first game in the fall season. Whereas at that first inaugural game of this brand new team I for one was confused and intimidated – this season we held our own. In every game we played this season we made our opponents fight for every single point – and fight hard too!

Though with every season we lose some players and we gain some players I am so happy that the core of what makes the Grass Kickers the best team ever remains intact. We might not be the most winning team but I honestly think we are the closest, happiest, and most social team. We are a team that even when we lose we are still having more fun and laughing more than the team that won. We are the team that when faced with heckling and bad sportsmanship from the opponents and their sidelines we respond by being louder with our cheers and support for our teammates and drown out the negativity. We are the team that even in freezing cold or torrential rain, with a stuffy nose or a bum ankle, when we are on the pitch together there is nowhere else I would rather be and no other group of people I would rather be with.

Summer season starts next week and as with each season we will lose some teammates and gain new ones. I cannot wait to start this next season in the company of our returning players and getting to know the new additions!

Tyler’s good bye blow out dance party bash

In order to send off Tyler right to his next adventure I invite the entire team (both current, past and future) to come out this Friday night, the 8^th of June to the Oak Street Speakeasy for a night filled with laughter, dancing and fond farewells. Our amazing and talented Myeshia will be performing with her band The Essentials this evening (if you haven’t made it out to one of her gigs what in the world are you thinking?!?!?) with the opening band going on at 9:30pm. Come early before she goes on so that the poor girl gets to socialize with you all before she has to be on! Then we will dance the night away with Tyler (if you haven’t been treated to his moves on a dance floor then you really don’t know the man) to the mesmerizing sound of Myeshia’s voice.  I hope to see you all there!