From Coach Tom Hill:

Maroon made it out of bracket in first place with wins against Newport FC and Seattle United NE along with a tie vs EFC White. MIFC hosted Crossfire Yakima in the quarterfinal match; a team Maroon had beaten both in the Winter Classic and in RCL league. As in previous games Crossfire played a high press anchored by a

sweeper keeper who easily gathered balls played too strongly through their back line. With a 1-0 lead at halftime Crossfire started the second half attempting to stall the final 45 minutes. Less than 10 minutes in Maroon’s lone

forward scored on a 1v1 shot that nutmegged the keeper and then went up 2-1 shortly thereafter on another 1v1 as Maroon’s attacker slid her shot just inside the left post. Yakima scored shortly thereafter tying the score 2-2. Maroon went ahead for good when our forward was taken down in the box and

the resulting PK was easily converted for the 3-2 win.

 

The semifinal was a replay of last year’s final versus WPFC. The game had a late Friday evening

kickoff at Starfire and was a fast paced no holds barred contest from the start. Maroon got the better of the first half scoring in the 21st and 39th minutes taking a 2-0 lead into halftime after WPFC had a goal disallowed due to offside. The second half was both fast paced and frenetic as WPFC committed more numbers forward sending more and more hopeful balls into the box. It paid off with 10 minutes left when WPFC scored on a well struck shot off of a corner. Maroon’s defense held tough to the end with several

blocks and saves in the final minutes to earn their spot in the final with the 2-1 win.

 

The final set MIFC Maroon vs PacNW Blue.  Our previous meeting ended in a 3-3 draw. Out of the

gate Maroon was the more aggressive team in transition though the score was 0-0 at halftime. Not to be denied Maroon scored in the scramble from a cross after the Pac keeper parried away two point blank shots and then Maroon’s right attacking mid smashed the ball home squeezing it between the keeper and the right post.  Maroon scored their second goal a few minutes later when a holding mid intercepted a pass near midfield, quickly transitioned into the attack, and found the forward with a one touch pass. The forward turned the corner on the central defending and then beat the keeper with a shot low to the

far left post. Pac pressed and made it 2-1 on their own quick transition, however, Maroon kept PacNW away from the net through the final minutes to win the cup.

 

The past 7 years has been quite a ride and to finish our time together by winning the Presidents Cup is more than anybody could ask for. The players, parents, and coaches have formed a tight bond

that has carried us through some tough times and created several tremendous wins against very good teams. Fourteen of Maroon’s players were a part of all three State Cup Tournament championships. Before heading onto the field for their final 45 minutes together and the score still 0-0 the girls circled up on the field and went through, on their own, what needed to happen in the second half to win. It did not surprise me when we went up 2-0 in the first 20 minutes of that final half of soccer.

 

Most important has been the relationships formed between the players, coaches, and parents. The

strong bonds, confidence, toughness, and resilience saw Maroon through some tight spots and made all the difference.

 

During our time together Maroon played nearly 190 games, scored close to 500 goals, won 108+ games, won 6 summer tournaments, and 3 State Cups: 2015 GU15 Founders Cup; 2018 GU17 Presidents Cup D2; 2019 GU18/19 Presidents Cup D2.

Congratulations to Coaches Tom Hill and Steve Gest, along with players Abby Berman, Annelise Rorem,

Catherine Yoshida, Claire Molina, Ella Hensey, Ella Veljovich, Ellie Sulla, Hannah Derakshani, Hannah Wainwright, Katelyn Orndorff, Keathley Pinney Brown, Elaina Martin, Lexi Shurygailo, Mari Hanan, Naomi Lewis, Robin Henry, Sarah Gest and Stella Goffman

SoundersFC Youth Camp at IMS (July 15-19):  Full and half day options for ages 3-5 (9:30-11:30am, $190); ages 5-15 (9-12pm, $200) or ages 5-15 (9am-3pm, $285). Curriculum suited for the recreational to intermediate player. $15 off with Discount Code IMS 2019. 20% proceeds donated to MIFC. Register  here

  

MIHS Girls Soccer Camp at MIHS Stadium (July 15-19):   Half day   camp for female players ages 9-12) (10am-12pm, $120), Run by MIHS girls team coaches and players. Register  here

 

O'Neill Soccer Academy at IMS (Aug 12-19):  Half day camp for ages 6-12 (9am -12pm, $175 w/sibling discount). Follows MIFC development curriculum. Register  here

Summer Fun Camp at various MI fields:  Nine weekly camps, run by Elliot Fauske. Camp meets M-Th, 9am-12pm. Each week geared to a different age group (pre-K to 6th grade). $165 (or $150 early bird discount). Focus is on FUN, with Jack the Funky Donkey. Register  here   

 

Some parents wonder whether their child should “play up” to a higher age group after a season where the child seems to run circles around teammates and the competition. In some cases, the answer might be yes. But there are certain circumstances where the professional recommendations run solidly to the contrary. In all but the most exceptional cases, it does not make sense to have a child play up to an older age group where the field size expands beyond that recommended for the age of the child. Roster and field size expands at the following junctions -- from age 9-10 (5v5 to 7v7); from age 10-11 (7v7 to 9v9), and from age 11-12 (9v9 to 11v11).  Research shows that the best skill development occurs when players are constrained to operate within small spaces. It helps players to make quicker, better decisions to retain or distribute the ball. On a larger field, the challenge to operate deftly within a small space is removed. At young ages, some players dominate only because they might be faster or bigger than other children, not necessarily because of superior skill. Elevating them to an older age group is more likely to retard their development than enhance it. For this reason, MIFC does not allow play-ups in recreational soccer, but does allow limited play-ups on its Select teams where field size remains constant and the developmental progress of the child warrants it. MIFC has instituted a presumptive restriction against play-ups in a year when the field size expands, with exceptions if the MIFC Board grants approval based on recommendation from professional evaluators.  For advice from the experts, check out these articles:

Six Reasons to Use Small Sided Games

Five Things To Know: How Small Sided Standards Will Change Youth Soccer