Gael Force!
By Graham Mayle (Head Coach U12 Girls)
09.13.09
After starting their league season in impressive fashion by beating SAC Wildcats on Saturday, the Benicia Arsenal under 12 girls had a team day out at St. Mary's College on Sunday. In an entertaining game of women's soccer for the excited spectators, St. Mary's Gaels ran out 2-1 winners against a stubborn Portland State team. After enjoying the game, the girls told their coaches what they had learnt about positional play and team play from watching the ladies. The incoming rain held off just long enough for the girls to get autographs from the St. Mary's team, who graciously signed posters, t-shirts and even shoes!!! It was a hugely fun weekend for the Arsenal team, who gained 3 points and some new role models in the shape of the St. Mary's team.
8.21.09
BENICIA ARSENAL F.C DUBLIN UP ON SUCCESS! - Story by: Alex Lobban / BYSL Director of Coaching
Benicia Arsenal F.C came away from the Dublin Shamrock Invitation with a Championship Cup Double as the U10 Girls team and U14 Girls team went undefeated in what proved to be a strong showing from the four teams that took the trip down to Dublin.
It was the U12 Girls team led by coach Graham Mayle that took to the field first going down 5-1 in their opening game in what proved to be a springboard for improvement as the team went on to win 4 - 2 in their next game and tying 0-0 in their final group game only to narrowly miss out on goal differential to make the 4th game. The girls showed great team spirit and learnt more about tournament play whilst having smiles on their faces all weekend long!
Our youngest Arsenal team the U10G had a fantastic weekend in their first ever tournament as a group together. Their energy and enthusiasm for soccer in the searing heat would not be diminished as they went on to record back to back wins 3-2 , 6-0 , 3-1 and 2-1 in the final game with goals from Jisel Diaz and an outstanding team effort sealing a thoroughly deserved championship for the girls. The passionate coaching team of Peter French, Michael Jacobs and Steve Saari expended almost as much energy as the girls on the field organizing substitutes , half time fruit snacks and team tactics!
Our older girls teams started a little later on in the morning and as the U16G team found there opening game to be a bench mark for the tough opposition they we re to face for the rest of the weekend the U14 Girls got off to a flying start with a 3-1 win against one of the Dublin United host teams. Their winning streak did not finish there as goals from Autumn Bradley, Gianna Nardone , Baylee Rowley , Dominique Calloway and Jillian Hirschler - Fields saw them complete 2-0 and 5-0 score lines respectively to take them to the championship final.
The championship final saw our girls up against local rivals Solano Strikers who as former association cup winners looked tough opposition in the opening few minutes. The players however stuck to their defensive duties and played with outstanding team spirit which in the end created one magical opening 14 minutes into the second half as the outstanding performer from the weekend Teresa Gaines with two goals from 3 games already, chased onto a ball down the right wing to strike the ball crisply into the top corner to seal what would become a 1-0 victory in normal time to win Benicia Arsenal F.C our second championship of the weekend!
Congratulations to Coaching team Steve Rodekohr and Lochlin Caffey who led their team in a truly exemplary way showing great sportsmanship and respect towards opposing players and officials alike, which in turn paid off as the girls followed suit to cap a superb weekend for all those players, parents and coaches associated with Benicia Arsenal F.C.
Coming up next the Benicia Old Capitol Classic August 22/23rd please come to Community Park to support your local teams from Benicia Arsenal F.C!
8.13.09
- Story by: Alex Lobban / BYSL Director of Coaching
Last weekend saw the Benicia Arsenal Boys hit the road again, this time across to the Elk Grove Sunstroke Classic in which we had both U12 and U14 boy’s teams in action.
The U12 boys buoyant from a 2nd place finish from the previous weekend started with great energy and enthusiasm which saw them get off to a fantastic start with a 3- 2 win against the Elk Grove Ambush. The second game in the 'Sunstroke' heat took its toll on the players as they played out a tiring 1-0 loss.
Going into the final game Greg Coan and his team knew they needed a win to progress to that elusive 4th game and they did not disappoint as a 2-0 win against FC Lincoln Strikers saw them through to the Championship final for the second week in a row!
However the final paired them with an extremely talented group of players who got off to a great start firing up a 3-0 lead in quick succession, despite a spirited showing from the players in the second half they finished up on the loosing side 6-1.
Highlights from the weekend brought goals from the Herd brothers Ryan and Jason , Justin Coan and David Archer alongside some outstanding defensive displays from the entire team.
| This weekend saw a total of three Benicia Arsenal Teams travel up to Roseville together to take part in the Junction City Silver Cup. It was a fantastic showing from Arsenal F.C. both on and off the soccer field with players , parents and coaches all working and socializing together to make it a very special weekend of soccer. |
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The U12 Girls got us off to a flying start with a victory in the 8 a.m. kick off with an outstanding team effort. Team head Coach Graham Mayle managed to contain the excitement at the final whistle reminding the girls they had two more games to go! The girls found the opposition a little tougher in the following two games but saved their best performance for the first half of the final game. |
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| The U14 Boys had a tough opening game loosing to the eventual winners of the tournament but went on to recover impressively with two wins culminating in a 5-0 victory to cap off a good weekends work. Head coach Doug Duhow was happy to see how the players responded from the opening game. |
It was however the U12 Boys team who stole the show, reaching the championship final in their first ever tournament as a group. They managed two excellent wins on their way to the final only to loose in the final in an outstanding game that stayed level until two set-pieces decided the game 0-2 at the final whistle. 2nd place overall was an outstanding achievement for Greg Coan and his team. |
 The tournament was a great success and it was fantastic to see the players with smiles on their faces and Benicia families all playing their part in what was a very positive experience being part of Benicia Arsenal F.C. Special Thank you to our coaches who conducted themselves and their teams in a very professional manner. |
Alex Lobban
Director of Coaching Benicia Youth Soccer League
The Benicia Arsenal Boys U10 and Girls U16 teams attended the San jose Earthquakes v Los Angeles Galaxy game at the Oakland coliseum in a great game that saw the Earthquakes run out 2-1 winners. The boys team were made to feel extra special by being allowed to carry out the centre circle flag before kick off and have their picture taken on field. It was a great day out for all those involved with Benicia Arsenal and we look forward to seeing more games together as a club in the future.
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