Summer is Here

With the temps reaching up near the century mark it must be time to start training with some urgency. We have 3 weeks to get everyone ready for our first tournament, the Rush Cup. I would like for us to play back-to-back weekends following up the Rush Cup with the City of Enchantment tournament in Lake Jackson, then take off Labor Day weekend to rest and get ready to start our fall season. If you have not already done so, please get all your paperwork turned in to me at training this Tuesday or Thursday along with the down payment for the season. I will be tracking payments a little different this year by sending you an E-mail with all your payments. I hope this will make it easier for everyone to track and keep me from falling behind. I am looking forward to this season as most of our players have reached their senior year of high school and many of you are looking to play at the next level a short year from now. For some of you this will be your last season, so lets not waste it... play hard and have fun!

Off to a Soggy Start

With all the rain and wet weather we are finding it hard to get in a few practice sessions. I hope everyone has their tickets for the Man U vs MLS All-Star match tomorrow evening. We will try again on Thursday if the sun will come out for a little visit

Keep your eyes open for a goal keeper and I will see everyone soon.

Select Remain Unbeaten through Week 4

Week 4 of the 2010 President’s Cup would match the Quest girls against the Lamar Lady Lightning. Again numbers would be low and the fields at Zube would be very hard and dry as the dust kicked up with every step. However, this would not dampen the spirits of the Select girls as goal keeper Elyssabeth would record a clean-sheet while making several quality saves throughout the match. The Quest defense would keep the Lamar girls frustrated all afternoon led by Lizzy, Elyssa, Nikki and Jordan. However, it would be the central midfield play from Carlee, Haleigh, Brittney and Jordan that would turn the match. The first half of play was pushed onto the Lamar side of the field and in the 22nd minute the pressure would cause the first big mistake of the match. About 20 yards from the Lamar goal the foul was called for handling which would set up Jordan with the free kick and she would not disappoint, driving the ball over the head of the keeper and putting Quest up 1-0.

The match would remain 1-0 into the second half but it was the attack of the Quest girls that would prove to be the difference in this one. Strikers and outside midfielders Analise, Christina, Erin Y and Brittani would push the pace of the match for the entire second half creating several goal opportunities throughout the match. However, the game was put out of reach in the 34th min, when Christina would chest trap a crossed ball and drive it into the Lamar net from 19 yards out securing the 2-0 win and keeping the Select girls undefeated in the bracket.

President's Cup Week 3

Week 3 found the Quest girls taking on Houston Express in a very exciting match. We were a little low on numbers as we took the field with 13 players, but the low number did not reduce the amount of excitement. The match was back and forth until the 14th min when Jordan lined up a free-kick after a foul about 25 yards out. It was a very nice shot as the ball would sail over the Express keeper and into the back of the net. The Quest defense was solid, led by sweeper Lizzy, outside backs Elyssa and Nikki. The midfield would move the ball well as Quest would push the pace throughout the first half of play; holding mids Carlee, Jordan and Haleigh were there to destroy every attack before it would get started. While outside and attacking mids Christina, Erin Y, Brittney, Erin W and Brittani would control the ball and keep the Express defense on their toes. Striker Analise made so many attaching runs that the Express defense could not keep up with her, which led to a great through ball in the 45th min past the defenders and left Erin W wide open with the keeper. Erin would make a nice little touch sliding the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net just before the end of the first half.

The second half would open with Express finding some new life and a lot of pressure. In the 11th min, the Quest defense would concede their first goal during play for the tournament after a strong buildup by the Express attack. With the lead cut in half and Express pushing the pace Quest goalkeeper Elyssabeth would make several very nice saves to keep Quest in the lead. However, after a minimal contact foul in the 34th min Express would even the match on a 20 yard shot. The final 10 min of the match would not disappoint as both team would push for the tie-breaker but in the end the match would end in a 2-2 draw.

President's Cup Week 2

The Quest Select girls have started the 2010 President’s Cup right where they ended the fall season. In the opener after going down 2 goals in the first half, the Quest girls pushed their limits in dramatic fashion, scoring 3 unanswered goals in the second half and securing the opening win 3-2. After a little break for Easter, the girls took the field this past Sunday on a hot day in Katy Park.
The match would open with Quest taking early control of the ball and keeping possession for extended periods of time. After several good attempts Quest would strike first with a solid build up followed by a great shot from Analise from just over 20 yards out in the 16th minute. The ball was simply too well hit for the keep to get to it. Quest would continue to pressure the Sugar Land with outstanding play from their forwards Mika and Analise, as well as outstanding play in the midfield from Carlee, Haleigh, Christina, Brittani, Theresa, Erin, Brittney and Erin.
The second half would open with Sugar Land pushing a little harder, after winning a free-kick inches from the 18 yard line, Sugar Land would pull the match even at 1-1 on a deflection in the 11th min. After allowing this opportunity the Quest defense would lock down the Sugar Land attack lead by Elizabeth (Lizzy), Elyssa (EL), Nicki, Jordan and Quest goalkeeper Elyssabeth (E). These girls worked together as a unit closing down the field and every attack from Sugar Land for the rest of the match. With the defense leading the way the Quest midfield and strikers went back on the offensive, pulling back in front only 8 min later. This time after a great buildup out of the midfield it was Brittani with the strong shot from over 20 yards out deflecting the ball off the back post and into the Sugar Land net. The match would slow down a little as the hot Texas sun worked on the girls, but in the end Quest would close out the match to secure their second win of the President’s Cup.