Game 1: We lost 1 to 2 in our season opener.  Our team traveled to West Orange to face the Rebels.  They are a tough opponent in that not only they have a couple of BIG players, but a few very athletic and skillful players.  Their #3 player, mis-identified by some of our boys as a girl (actually he is a boy with long blond hair) is arguably the best player for both teams.  Our young players were a little timid in the beginning, but picked up the game later on, and maintained a more balanced game in the 2nd half.  Jack scored the 1st goal of the season for the team.  Good job for the opener facing a touch team!

 

Game 2: We lost 0 to 6 in our 2nd of the season and the first home game.  Unlike the 1st opponent, the visitors from our neighbor, Monroe township, were not as big or physical, but they are a much better overall team in terms of the balance in their skills (no noticeable "weak" players) and positioning / court vision (they were more spread out and kept their positions).  Despite of the one-sided game, our players did their best, and created three or four good chances to score.  All players were as sweaty as taking a shower after the game.  The two goalies, David and Daniel, did very well in defending the goal.  The defense players need to get custom to the idea of "kicking the ball out to the side", instead of kicking the ball into the middle, which often got intercepted and resulted in some of the opponent’s goals.

 

Game 3: United-99 celebrated their first success of the season with a hard fought 1-0 victory over a gritty team from Branchburg.   The team played solid defense all day in front of the goalies Tom and Jack, who each played a half in the shut out. Lessons from last week were learned well, all the boys were tenacious defending in front of the goal and cleared it repeatedly out to the wings.  With five minutes to go in the final quarter, United-99 scored their first goal of the season on a breakaway with Andrew driving a shot into the left side of the net past a diving goalie.  Despite of a tough lost for the host team, who displayed equally good if not better individual skills, they exhibited good composure and great attitude at the end of the game.

 

Game 4: United-99 won a solid game at home by defeating the visiting Woodbridge Lightenings 3 to 1.