EYS Turbos - Winter 2018 Soccer Centers U9/U10 League Recap

Post date: Mar 5, 2018 5:03:57 PM

The EYS Turbos finished off their Winter indoor season this past weekend playing in the Winter 2018 Soccer Centers U9/U10 League in Somerset...and they finished it in style as their hard work and determination paid off...and they walked away LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!!

It was an up and down indoor season for the EYS Turbos. They were placed in a bracket with some teams older than them, but they are used to that at this point when it comes to winter leagues. Going into the indoor season, the Turbos had not played a league game in over 6 weeks, and the rust showed early on.

Week 1: Turbos were downed by the NJE Bergkamp squad 5-0. It was the Turbos first game in action in a long while, and it showed. They gave their all, but passing and communication was a bit off early on. They started to get back to form as the game went along, but it was too late to pull back a result.

Week 2: The Turbos faced a familiar opponent in the EBSC Wolves. The Turbos had played them previously during the outdoor seasons, and had success against them both times. This time would be no different as the Turbos would pick up their first win of the indoor season with a 5-3 victory.

Week 3: The Turbos would be downed in Week 3 by the only team to go undefeated through the indoor season. They battled hard and held a 1-0 lead at the half, but the bigger Nuipis team took control of the game in the second half and wore the Turbos down. The Turbos would fall 5-1.

Week 4: The Turbos wouldn't fare much better the following week as they faced the BH Rovers. It was a competitive back and forth game most of the way, but the Rovers pulled away late with 2 quick goals as the game was winding down and would eventually down the Turbos by a score of 6-3.

Week 5: In the final week of play before the playoffs, the Turbos were sitting in 5th place and playing for a possible move up to 4th place finish heading into the playoffs. It wasn't to be however as the much bigger Elite Plainfield Dragons caught a few lucky breaks on goals off deflections and would pull the victory out in the end by a final of 4-2 over the Turbos.

So that was that for the regular season. The Turbos went 1-4 in league play, which placed them in 5th place overall at the end of the season and heading into the playoffs. The top two teams in the league, 1. Nuipis (5-0) and 2. NJE Bergkamp (4-1) would get first round byes and have a friendly playoff the following week. 3. Elite Plainfield Dragons would face 6. EBSC Wolves in the first round...and 5. EYS Turbos would match up against 4. BH Rovers in the Quarter Finals.

QUARTER FINALS vs. BH Rovers

Coming into their quarter final match up with the BH Rovers...the Turbos knew they had a lot of work to do. Having just lost to the Rovers 2 weeks earlier, the Turbos had to come with their A game to pull out a victory. The Turbos came out on fire and jumped on the Rovers early taking a 1-0 lead in the first few minutes of the game. They held tight on defense and limited the Rovers chances, but the Rovers pulled on back just before half time and the two teams went into the second half tied at 1. The Turbos were in this game, and controlling most of the play. It looked like the game might be headed for PKs, but the Turbos turned it on late and popped 2 more quick ones in the back of the net to seal the victory at 3-1!! They were onto the semi-finals!!!

SEMI FINALS vs. NJE Bergkamp

The following week would be no easy task as the EYS Turbos would face the #2 overall team, NJE Bergkamp. The first time the two teams played in week 1, NJE Bergkamp dominated the ball possession. They lived on the Turbos side of the field for most of the game, and were able to pass around with ease. The Turbos knew they would have to make adjustments to change that if they were to get a different result this time around. Instead of their traditional 2-3-1 formation, the EYS Turbos came out in a 2-1-3 formation with no true forward. They practiced hard all week in this formation, and it showed early when they put into practice on game day.

The Turbos took most of the possession away from the NJE Bergkamp team early on. The backline of N. Henriques, D. Lyons and L. Henriques thwarted off every rush the NJE Bergkamp team threw at them. In the middle, CDMs C. Henao and D. Zokner pinched in on defense to make sure the defense could roam and lock down the wings. In the midfield, I. Nieves and O. Rico battled hard on the right to limit space, likewise, N. Osorto and M. Shamy did the same on the left. Playing double duty as midfielder and forward, I. Contreras pulled back deep into the midfield to make sure there were no passing lanes open for the opponents. Meanwhile, in goal, G. Falcon stood tall parrying away shot after shot thrown at him.

Everything was clicking...however in the 11th minute they would give up the first goal of the game on a corner kick and would go down 1-0. They were able to hold that score for the rest of the first half. The Turbos had plenty of chances of their own as they pelted shots towards the opponents goal, but they just couldn't find the back of the net. The first half would end with the Turbos down 1-0, but their spirits were up as they were playing THEIR game and felt like it was only a matter of time before they broke through.

The second half remained scoreless for the first 13 minutes...but then the opponents would strike again. In the 33rd minute, they would take a shot from far outside the penalty area that deflected off a Turbo defender and into the back of the net. There was nothing goalie G. Falcon could do about it as he was diving toward the right side of the net when the ball deflected back to the left and into the net..

The Turbos didn't seem discouraged though...and they responded QUICKLY. Seconds later, off a kick in, O. Rico delivered a ball from the right sideline into the penalty box. Out of nowhere, I. Contreras came flying in and plucked the ball out of the air and one timed it into the back of the net!! Turbos down 2-1.

Feeling like things were starting to go their way, the Turbos took it to another level. On the ensuing opening kick off, the rushed in and stole the ball quickly. N. Osorto blasted a shot that was blocked. The rebound bounced out to I. Contreras who wasted no time in ripping another shot off...again it was blocked and sent a huge rebound back out to the midfield where D. Zokner was perfectly positioned in his CDM position. Wasting no time, he pulled the ball down, and blasted a shot towards the goal. The ball went through a bunch of players and found itself to the net...where the goalie was helpless to do anything as the ball was on him before he knew it...and into the back of the net! Turbos tied 2-2!!!

The game would end in a tie...and we were off to PKs. The PK format would consist of 3 kicks per team...and if still tied after that, we would continue until there was a winner.

ROUND 1

The opponents would shoot first. G. Falcon stood on the goal line waiting for the first kick to be taken. The NJE Bergkamp player ran up and blasted a laser beam of a shot towards the net. G. Falcon guessed correctly to his left, but didn't need to make the save as the ball flew over the goal.

The Turbos would shoot next. C. Henao would take the first shot. He looked the goalie in the face...looked down at the ball..and started his run. He ripped a screamer at the net. The goalie guessed right and jumped to make the save. He got his right hand on the ball, but it wasn't enough as the shot had too much power behind it and dropped into the back of the net! Turbos lead PKs 1-0.

ROUND 2

NJE Bergkamp lined up for their second shot. Again, they blasted a laser of a shot towards the net..and like the last one...it flew over the net!!

The EYS Turbos were up for their second shot. If this one went in..it was over..and the Turbos would advance to the Finals. A miss or a save, and we keep going.

I. Nieves would line up to take the second shot. He looked at the ref for the OK to begin his run towards the ball. The ref nodded. I. Nieves looked down at the ball...took a few short steps forward..and as cool as the other side of the pillow, struck the ball with his right foot. It was a low line drive shot to the goalies left. The goalie dove left...but the ball had too much pace and the location was perfect as it went just inside the post and into the back of the net!! TURBOS WIN ON PKs 2-0!!!

..and just like that, a complete team effort pushed them into the finals the following week!

FINALS vs. NUIPIS

...and just like that...game day was upon us. The EYS Turbos found themselves in the Finals, against all odds, after making a remarkable run through the playoffs against teams that were, in most cases, bigger and older than them..and had beaten them previously. The Turbos showed up when it counted..and today would have to be no different.

They would face the undefeated Nuipis squad. The Turbos fell to Nuipis in Week 3 by the score of 5-1. Nuipis hadn't lost a game all season. They went a perfect 5-0, with 25 Goals For..and had only allowed 4 goals throughout the season. They were a powerhouse. They were a true U10 team...a whole year older than the Turbos.

The Turbos didn't seem to care what resume the Nuipis team brought with them to this game. The Turbos came into this game riding a high of their own. They were 7-0 in their last 7 games, dating back to the NJ Indoor Cup, playoffs and EYS tournament. Their confidence was high, and they were ready to go.

The game would start with both teams really feeling each other out. There was a lot of midfield play early on, and very few chances at goal for either side. The Turbos came out in their 2-1-3 formation again. G. Faclon would man the goal. N. Henriques, L. Henriques and D. Lyons patrolled the backline. O. Rico, I. Nieves, C. Henao, D. Zokner, M. Shamy, N. Osorto and I. Contreras were in charge of the midfield. Playing with no true forward in the formation, L. Henriques and I. Contreras would take turns pushing up when the opportunity arose. (Unable to play, but with us in spirit: D. Quishpi)

The game was scoreless with a few minutes left before halftime when the first real chance of the game presented itself. The Nuipis team got behind the defense with a long ball that went just over the defenders. G. Falcon was one on one with the attacking Nuipis forward. He ran off his line quickly and dove feet first at the ball and made himself big for a shot. The Nuipis forward took a shot that can still be heard somewhere in outer space. It was loud and hard...and G. Falcon somehow made the save!!

That would end the first half...with the game tied at 0.

The second half was a little different. The Nuipis team came out flying and ripped shot after shot at the net. They didn't all make it through as D. Lyons and N. Henriques on defense were able to block a good amount of them...but the opponents were pressing hard. The Turbos withstood the initial pressure, and turned around and put some pressure on of their own. N. Osorto and I. Nieves both had shots that just missed the goal after some great build up play from the back to the midfield. This was a nail biter for sure.

In the 36th minute, the opponents broke through. The would find the back of the net with just 4 minutes left to play. The Nuipis crowd erupted...but the Turbo crowd was just as lowed urging the team on. The Turbos quickly grabbed the ball out of the net and ran it to midfield to restart play. There wasn't much time left, and they knew it. They kicked off and got to work. Knowing they had to pull one back to draw the game even, they threw everything at the net. But the Nuipis goalie was equal to the task. The Turbos earned corner kick after corner kick in the final minutes, but the ball just wasn't going in.

With 1 minute left to play, the Turbos pushed up hard. Everyone moved up going for the tie. Defenders moved up higher into the midfield. Midfielder pushed up to the top of the penalty box..and forwards crowded the goalie. As the Nuipis team tried to play out from the back, N. Osorto pressed the right back and forced a bad pass up the middle. C. Henao jumped on the loose ball and quickly sent the ball to his right to a wide open I. Nieves. The ball was bouncing, but I. Nieves managed to pull it down and ripped a shot off towards the net. The ball seemed like it took forever to get there, but when it did, it rang off the post to the goalkeepers right and into the net!!! TURBOS TIED 1-1!!!

There was less than a minute left to play in the game. The referee came over to the sideline to tell the coaches to prepare for PKs in the event there was no more scoring. The Nuipis team would take the opening kickoff and charge up the field, and they would earn a corner kick. There was no time left on the clock, but it wasn't over yet. The referee would have to let them take the corner kick. The kick came into the box, the Turbos cleared it out quickly...and the ref blew the final whistle. For the second week in a row, the Turbos were headed to PKs...this time to decide the FINAL!

Both teams had to provide the referee with their penalty kick takers. Only player who were on the field at the end would be allowed to take penalties. The Turbos won the coin toss and chose to kick first.

ROUND 1

I. Nieves would take the first PK for the Turbos. He ran up ripped a line drive shot on goal. The ball left his feet and went toward the net at lightening speed....unfortunately the Nuipis goalie guessed correctly and made the save.

Nuipis would kick next. They took a hard shot G. Falcons left. He dove in that direction, got his hands on the ball, but it had just too much on it for him to keep it out.

After Round 1: Turbos 0 - Nuipis 1

ROUND 2

D. Zokner was next in line for the Turbos. The ref blew the whistle...D. Zokner began his light jog toward the ball, and finessed a shot high to the keeper's right and into the back of the net!!

Nuipis up next. Again...it was a hard shot towards the net...but ran of the post and out!!

After Round 2: Turbos 1 - Nuipis 1

ROUND 3

C. Henao was next in line. On the referee's signal, he ran hard towards the ball and slammed one past the keeper and into the back of the net!

Nuipis up. It was another hard shot low and to G. Falcon's left. He dove and got his hands on the ball again, but like last time, it just rolled past him and into the net.

After Round 3: Turbos 2 - Nuipis 2

ROUND 4

We were past the first 3 kicks. From this point on, whoever won the round would win the game.

I. Contreras line up for the 4th PK. On the ref's signal, he took off at top speed for the kick. He put everything behind it and ripped a howler high and to the diving keeper's right. The goalie had no chance as the ball was behind him and into the back of the net before he knew it.

Nuipis up next. Not to be outdone, the Nuipis team stepped up to the ball and found the back of the net as well.

After 4 rounds: Turbos 3 - Nuipis 3

ROUND 5

L. Henriques was next in line for the Turbos. He stepped up confidently with a plan. He was going top corner to the goalies left all the way. He took a few short steps to the ball and ripped a shot off with his left foot...it looked like it was pegged for the top corner of the goal...but rang off the corner crossbar and out.

Nuipis was up next. Pressure was on. They sink this one, and it's over. A save or a miss..and we continue.

The Nuipis player ran up and wasted no time in blasting a shot on goal. It was a fast and hard shot. G. Falcon was in position as he jumped up to make the save, but the ball was just too high for him to reach...BUT..it was also too high to find the back of the net as it rang off the crossbar and straight down...and away from the net!!

After 5 rounds: Turbos 3 - Nuipis 3

ROUND 6

N. Osorto was the next Turbo in line. He placed the ball on the penalty spot and took a few steps back. Looked up at the ref...got the OK...and began a slow jog to the ball. It wasn't a hard shot, but it was a perfectly placed shot as he went high to the keeper's right giving him no chance at a save.

Nuipis up next. With this being sudden death...and the Turbos up 1...the pressure was all on the Nuipis player. If Nuipis scores...we go onto Round 7. If Nuipis misses or G. Falcon makes the save...the Turbos win.

The Nuipis player stepped up and placed the ball down on the penalty spot. G. Falcon stood on the goal line and ran from side to side tagging his goal posts before settling back on the line in the middle of the goal. The ref blew his whistle...and the tall Nuipis player began his run towards the ball. He struck it hard with his right foot and picked the left lower corner out. It was a low shot...hard shot...taking a bounce just as it reached the goal line. G. Falcon dove. He guessed correctly and laid out to his right. Just as the ball was about to cross the goal line, he threw his right hand out and parried the ball away!!! GAME OVER!! TURBOS WIN ON PKs 4-3!!!!

The EYS Turbos went wild!! As a team the ran and mobbed their goalie, and then celebrated together on the field. In the stands...the parents did the same as the DTS facility erupted when the Turbos won. As is the Turbo way, they cut their celebration short and lined up, some with tears of joy in their eyes, to congratulate the Nuipis team. Both teams shook hands and exchanged hugs. ...and the Turbos ran off the field to celebrate..as CHAMPIONS of the Winter Season!!!

It was a tremendous indoor season, full of ups and downs, ending in what was one of the best games the Turbos had ever played. It was a true team effort all the way through. The Turbos were down often, but never out. They played hard not matter what the score was, and played for each other at every turn. If nothing else, they learned one thing from this indoor season: Together, they can accomplish anything!!

HAVE FUN!

PLAY HARD!

SHOW RESPECT!

CONGRATULATIONS EYS TURBOS!!!

WINTER 2018 SOCCER CENTERS U9/U10 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!!