Back to State Cup

Our hearty and ferocious U14 Shockers are heading back to State Cup in Columbus. We had a great District round with a record of: 2W-0L-1D. Keeper Paige Mitchell extended our season-long unbeaten streak with her fifth, sixth and seventh shut-outs of the season. Here is the District Cup summary: Saturday Shockers 4 vs. Jackson Bulldogs [...]

Mars Twitchell

Shockers Nation: Mars Twitchell is out for the season with what appears to be an injured ACL. An MRI is pending. So, stay tuned. Mars went down Saturday fighting the ball towards the net against the GFC Badgers. I called Mars this evening to check in with her. The first thing she said to me [...]

U14 Shockers are Spring 2010 2A League Champions

Our U14 Shockers are the undisputed League Group 2A Spring champions for the second year in a row. The U14 Shockers were undefeated this regular season with a record of 8 – 0 – 1. We scored 28 goals and had only 7 against us. We had four clean-sheets (shut-outs). Hit this link for PDF [...]

the virtuous shockers Mom

The telling of the tale will be fodder, not doubt, for the robust legacy of our Shockers Nation. So… I’ll likely send out a more detailed email tomorrow morning summarizing the ferocious match schedule we have this weekend (five matches across both days between the two squads). But, in the mean time, I need to [...]

another Mary’s Call to action

Mary Guthrie is the Mother of two of my Shockers (Claire and Grace). She is also a reader of this Blog, and apparently found a form of stimulation in one of my recent posts: from whence our Inspiration, and, a co-worker. Divine afflatus /1 certainly abounds. Mary’s own story is rather moving – and, pretty great – [...]

little things with big impact

The great stories from the Athens Finale tournament are numerous. And, they will be chronicled, as best I am able here, over time – and, elsewhere. I’ve coached Michelle Higgins since she was eleven. She was on my first Shocker team and created a lot of learning opportunities for me as a coach. I think [...]

Tuesday’s Practice

Shockers Nation: Last nights practice was one of those times that makes being a coach extra fun and interesting. It was like a family reunion. The girls had not been together en masse for almost two weeks. And, they were clearly delighted to be together. There was a great deal of laughter, and catching up. The [...]

2009 ASA Cup Summary: Proving our fortitude and demonstrating our nerve

Much of this story, of course, began last Fall. Christy, Haley Anne, and Hannah E. were coming off an undefeated U12 season at ASA. Christy and Haley Anne were invited to play-up for the struggling U14 Blast in the ASA Cup. This gave Christy and Haley Anne an opportunity to rejoin Shockers alum AC with [...]

2009 U16 League Champions

The U16 Fusion Shockers are 2009 League Champions. Coach Brian

U16 Shockers Win 2009 ASA Cup

Our 16 Shockers are the 2009 ASA Cup Champions. Coach Brian

Fall 2009 U14 League Champions

With a decisive 3 to 1 victory over Fusion Lightning last night at Central Park, our U14 Shockers are the Fall 2009 league Champions. This match was one of the most measured and balanced displays of prowess that I have seen in this squad. Everyone contributed in a significant way. Hayla started our scoring right in [...]

The Plan: Action 32 – Exactly

It’s all coming together. Our girls are learning the difference between a strategy and philosophy. And, what happens when they come together with passion and team work. Coach Brian

2009 Fall Kohls Cup

Shockers Nation: I’ll consider this past weekends Kohls Cup tournament naught less than a worthy success. The U16 Shockers pulled through, demonstrating a lot of character, while up against some very mature and tough teams. We had our own destiny in our collective hands each and every match.  And, we were an odd ball bounce [...]

it really is a beautiful Game

We were certainly tested this past weekend. U16 Shockers Our U16 Shockers fell to AFU Angels Saturday 1 to 0. The Angels put the match away with a brilliant shot into the upper left corner of the net. There were no mistakes. It was a gorgeous twenty five meter shot. And, a terrific and well [...]

being pleased or being satisfied

Wednesday night at practice, with some ill-advised shenanigans afoot, I found myself relating a story to our Shockers about “being pleased or being satisfied”. I think most of them will remember the moment. If not the words, well, perhaps the catch in my voice – hopefully my heart, certainly. We have a lot of soccer [...]

leadership

Because the message clearly speaks for itself, I’ll add naught to this post but the original email from AC’s (our U14 Captain) Mom: “Coach Brian, I will not be at the game tomorrow because I am going to Alabama for a HUGE Event that we have in our hometown each year. I wanted you to [...]

Practice

to shocker Parents

Consider ourselves Shocker Nation. Some say this is not Georgia’s finest team. Bernards, each and every one, I say! They, yes, our Shockers, I tell you truly, put forward one or another pathetic rival.  I confound them with my praise!  Yes, let me go further!  Let me say that this is not only the best [...]

no kittens allowed

allright ladies… The season is afoot Saturday. Our new players may be mortified to hear me query, and with gusto I should add: “Shockers – are we silly little kittens, or mighty tigers?” The expected reponse of course should be: “Tigers!” And, as our Shockers rally one to the other, it won’t matter, not one [...]

not just words… or deeds

Emma, One of our players, hurt her arm during practice over a week ago. I think about her each day and look forward to when she can rejoin the team. I exchanged emails with her mother this afternoon and wrapped that up with something I believe we, as Shocker Nation, understand in terms of what [...]

our daughters our Shockers

What is it about our daughters? We look at them in all their varying shapes, sizes and attitudes – and, see princesses. Mixed with that is the uneasy realization that we have to prepare them for a world that will often hurt them while they work tirelessly (we expect) to help make it a better [...]

Fall 2009 Season

Time to start thinking about getting fit ladies. We are looking for a tournament in August. Who wants the ball? Coach Brian

Savannah

Today Shocker Nation descends on Savannah for the Shamrock Celtic Cup. We appear to have a very good draw for our match schedule. We need to rally to our Keeper more than ever. Let’s show everyone we Want The Ball! Coach Brian

National U14 Ranking

Congratulations Shocker Nation. We are now a ranked team. This is a major milestone, and quite an accomplishment. Nationally:       777 Regionally:      288 State:                  57 Our goal must now be to improve that ranking. This is a reasonable and productive objective, and can [...]

Shocker Nation Notes

Shocker Nation: Please consider showing the video below to your daughters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6MhAwQ64c0 I know the people at GrassHopper. They tell me that much of the video was inspired by many elements of my own background. I honestly think the future of this nation will be in the hands of entrepreneurs. This is how I want [...]