FINAL DAY OF SMSA SOCCER: "BEAT THE PARENTS" GAME + PIZZA

Hi again everyone!

Tonight is the parent/kid soccer game at Murray Street.  The game starts as soon as possible after the lip-sync concert rehearsal...which, according to Mr. Luce, means we should be able to start at around 4:30.  Try to get there earlier if possible.

I hope to have some good fun tonight on the field.  Team, please take it easy on us!

We will head back over to SMSA around 5:30 to have a little pizza and reminisce about our fantastic season!  Things should wrap up around 7:00.

Team members please wear your full uniforms one last time!

I look forward to seeing you all tonight.

Coach Ford

WEDNESDAY GAME WITH TICONDEROGA CANCELLED

I regret to announce that I was just contacted by the Ticonderoga Athletic Director who informed me that their field is "under water" and they are forced to cancel today's game.  I offered our Murray Street field, however the 7/8 graders at St. Mary's in Ti have a field trip and will not be returning back to the school until 3:30, making it impossible for them to regroup and drive to us in time to complete a game before dark.

Sorry Team!!!  We have been very fortunate with the weather this season, so I suppose one cancellation due to field conditions isn't that bad a deal.

We will have a great time tomorrow at Murray Street with the "Beat the Parents" game, and I look forward to seeing you all then.  Please wear your jersey to school again one last time, and wear full uniforms for tomorrow's game!!  Pizza afterwards in the SMSA cafeteria!

Coach Ford

CTK RUTLAND 1-1 DRAW: GREAT GAME!!!

Congratulations on a well played game, team!  It was our toughest match of the season, and you made me so incredibly proud.  The opposing team's coach made a point to pull me aside after the match to say what great attitude and skills you all have!   On behalf of your team, your school, your family and fans I say well done!

Coach Ford

Mouthguards Mandatory for Monday's Game

I just heard from the Rutland coach. She told me that all players must wear mouthguards! Sorry for the short notice, but apparently they are very strict about this and I'm afraid that anyone without a guard will not be allowed to play.

Thanks,
Coach

Game #5 Victory! Directions for Monday's Away Game

Great game against Glens Falls.  I'm very proud of the team for so many reasons!!

Next week is a travel week...two away games with considerable drive times.  Please let me know if there are any problems with rides, etc.

Don't forget WARM CLOTHES and MOUTH GUARDS!






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DIRECTIONS TO MONSIGNOR PARK, MEADOW ST, RUTLAND VT.

1.	Head south on Church St toward Civic Center Plaza		0.1 mi
2.	Turn right at Ridge St		449 ft
3.	Stay on Ridge St		6.7 mi
4.	Turn right at NY-149 E		7.3 mi
5.	Turn left at US-4 E Continue to follow US-4 E		10.6 mi

6.	Take the exit toward US-4 BUS E		0.2 mi
7.	Turn left at US-4 BUS E		0.4 mi
8.	Take the 1st right onto US-4 BUS E/Main St Continue to follow US-4 BUS E		3.1 mi
9.	Turn right at Meadow St		0.3 mi

Monsignor Park
Meadow Street
Rutland, VT 05701-4106

No Practice Today!

No school, so no practice!  I will be posting directions for the Rutland Game by Sunday night.

Have a great weekend Team!!!

Coach Ford

Congratulations Team! Game #4 Victory!

They came to win, and as you said in our huddle...so did we!  Great job team.  I am proud of all of you and the way you rose to the occasion against a well trained squad.  I think Rutland was the best passing team we have played, and yet we were able to hold them by playing good positional soccer with lots of strength and hustle and tremendous teamwork!

See you today at practice.  And, as if you didn't realize it last night, we are into late season soccer and the weather is getting COLD...everyone needs to make sure they bring warm layers (sweat pants, sweat shirts, jackets, hats) from now on!

Coach Ford

Game #3 Pics posted at the SMSA Soccer Facebook page

Thanks again to Mr. Jim Markwood for taking some great new shots of our latest game!  Personally, I think he missed his calling as a professional sports photographer!

Enjoy,
Coach Ford

FRIDAY PRACTICE CANCELLED

Between lip-sync rehearsal and the rain I have decided not to have practice this afternoon.  Please enjoy a great weekend, and I will see you all on the field at 3:45 Monday for our home game against Rutland.

DON'T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR TEAM JERSEY TO SCHOOL MONDAY!

Please remember what we practiced this week!

• Trapping
• Passing
• Field Positions
• Quiet, respect, and organization on the field

See you all Monday...let's have a great game!!!!

Coach Ford

TIE-CONDEROGA 2-2

Congrats, Team, on a hard fought tie game against St. Mary's Ticonderoga.  Everyone contributed and played with spirit.

See you at practice today!

Coach Ford

Game #2 Pictures Posted on Facebook!

A big huge thanks to Mr. Markwood (also known as "Nathan's Dad") for his time and talents taking and editing some great shots from the game in Amsterdam!

Facebook page is under  SMSA SOCCER

Enjoy!

Coach Ford

"ROMP IN THE SWAMP"

"BEAT THE PARENTS" GAME POSTED!

Our end of the season celebration will be on Thursday, October 28th at 4:30 at the Murray Street Field.  It will feature the SMSA team against the parents in what promises to be the most fun match of the season, followed by a pizza party!  For those of you in the lip-sync concert, it will be immediately after your rehearsal that afternoon, so no worries about schedule conflicts...I've already confirmed it with Mr. Luce.

Please make a note of it in your calendars...it will be a fun way to end our season together!

Thanks,
Coach Ford

PRIDE/TEAMWORK/VICTORY

I cannot accurately express just how proud I am of all of you.  Today was a hard fought battle on a wet and muddy field, and you came together and emerged as the winners yet again.   I witnessed so much heart and personal effort, so much spirit and teamwork, that I just can't stop smiling.

Congratulations to all.

Sincerely,
Coach Ford

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SMSA SOCCER FACEBOOK PAGE

WEDNESDAY PRACTICE CANCELLED

Please sign up for our twitter feed for instant updates...really helps when cancellations like this occur late in the day.
smsa soccer twitter feed!

Thanks,
Coach Ford

THURSDAY AWAY GAME DETAILS!

Coach's note:  Contrary to popular rumors, we are actually NOT playing in the Netherlands on Thursday, but rather in Amsterdam, NY. 

HERE:

NOT HERE:

DRIVERS NEEDED: Any parents with room in their vehicle please contact Coach Ford at 307-1589 so that we can organize car pools for the team members without transportation.  We will meet at the school at 2:30 and leave from there.  We will depart from SMSA no later that 2:45, with all team members dressed and ready to play.  Please don't forget:

• water
• shoes
• shinguards
• white socks
• blue shorts
• smsa team jersey
• warm outerwear (rainwear if weather looks iffy)

Directions to St. Mary's Institute are below:   Please note* We are taking route 29 because the St. Mary's coach says there are significant delays on Route 67 out of Ballston Spa.

1.	Head south on I-87 S		14.3 mi
2.	Take exit 15 for NY-50 toward NY-29/Schuylerville/Saratoga Springs		0.2 mi
3.	Keep right at the fork to continue towardNY-29 Truck W/NY-50 S and merge ontoNY-29 Truck W/NY-50 S Continue to follow NY-50 S		2.2 mi
4.	Turn right at NY-29 W/Washington St Continue to follow NY-29 W		23.2 mi
5.	Turn left at NY-30 S		7.7 mi
6.	Turn left at Prospect St		0.2 mi
7.	Turn left at Church St		0.4 mi
8.	Turn left to stay on Church St		0.3 mi
9.	Turn left at Chopin Pkwy		0.2 mi

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Congratulations Team!

I am so proud of you all! Our first game of the season and you did a tremendous job! Every single player on our squad saw field time, played skillfully, showed excellent effort and character, and really worked together on everything that we have been practicing in these past few days. I hope you realize that you represented your school and teammates perfectly, and that the image you put forth to those of us watching you from the sidelines was simply awesome.

I look forward to the rest of our season together.

Sincerely,
Coach Ford

HOME GAME TODAY versus St. Mary's AMSTERDAM

Team meets at Murray Street field no later than 3:30 pm. Game time starts around 4 pm. We will be playing four 15 minute quarters this afternoon.

THE NEW GOALS ARE UP, and the FIELD IS FRESHLY MOWED AND READY FOR ACTION!

PLEASE DRESS WARMLY...it's cold and damp out there today! Don't forget your water!

Spectators are strongly advised to bring their own seats.

TEAM DRESS: Team soccer shirts will be handed out prior to game time, and the new uniforms are ready as of today!

KERRY SOCCER JERSEY
WHITE SOCKS
BLUE SHORTS

Good luck today Team!

Coach Ford

INSPIRATION

THURSDAY PRACTICE CANCELLED

Due to bad weather conditions, today's practice is cancelled.  Weather permitting, we will meet again at Murray Street Friday for another practice scrimmage in prep for Monday's home game against Amsterdam. Uniforms will be handed out tomorrow as well.

Monday's game:

• Team dressed and on Murray Street field by 3:45 pm
• Kickoff 4:30

Thanks...rest up, and I will see you all tomorrow!

Coach Ford

MURRAY STREET TOMORROW!

We will practice at the new field tomorrow, rain or shine.  Thunder and lightning will be our only cause for cancellation..so stay tuned for updates in the afternoon.  Our new field is big, so come knowing your positions and ready to run and put into practice what we reviewed today.

• FIELD POSITIONS AND STRATEGY
• CONTROLLING THE BALL
• PASSING AND STOPPING
• CORNER KICK STRATEGY REVIEW (near post)
• AGGRESSIVE SOCCER, CHALLENGES AND TACKLES
• WE ARE THE SMSA TEAM...we are not a club, we are not doing this just to pass the time...we are representing OUR SCHOOL, OUR TEAMMATES, OURSELVES.

See you tomorrow...LET'S GO KERRIES!

Coach Ford

Monday: Meet at School, NO FIELD PRACTICE DUE TO WEATHER

We will be meeting in room 1002 at SMSA immediately following school.  No soccer clothes necessary.  Team will be finished and ready to leave by 4 pm.

Thanks,
Coach Ford

Three New Games Confirmed!

October 18th: Home against Christ the King, Rutland, Vt.
October 21st: Home against Glens Falls modified girls
October 25th: Away against Christ the King, Rutland, Vt.

We now have a total of 7 games scheduled.

As always, please check the calendar above for the full schedule, updates, and details.

Thanks!
Coach Ford

Practice #3 FIELD POSITIONS

Great long practice today team!   Every player achieved a strong workout.  Most importantly,  today we got started on what I believe will be the key to a more solid understanding of the game: defense, and field position strategy.








The following is our current roster with field position assignments:

THOMAS AUSTIN -- GOALIE
NATHAN MARKWOOD -- Center Fullback/Alt Goalie
JENEE SMITH -- Left Defensive Halfback
JACKIE HOGAN -- Left Fullback
AMANDA MCCARTY -- Left Offensive Halfback
TIM DALEY -- Left Wing
BECCA CASTONGUAY -- Right Defensive Halfback
MIDGE LOISELLE -- Right Wing
MELODY ASHLINE -- Right Fullback
AUSTIN FORD -- Right Offensive Halfback
LIZ MIELE -- Striker
CATY BARTON -- Center Fullback
KERIENNE FITZGERALD -- Right Fullback
TJ HARROLD -- Left Defensive Halfback
GILLIAN HISCOX -- Left Defensive Halfback
JACOB TENNER -- Left Fullback
ALANNA BELANGER -- Left Fullback
VALIAN ENGLERT -- Left Offensive Halfback
KIT BRUEN -- Left Offensive Halfback
PJ FISHER -- Right Defensive Halfback
BRENDAN BETTE -- Right Defensive Halfback
DUNCAN PERSONS -- Center Fullback/Right Wing
OLIVIA CEFALU -- Right Fullback
ANDREW VALENZA -- Right Offensive Halfback
ANNA KAISER -- Right Offensive Halfback
CAMILLE VALENZA -- Right Offensive Halfback
ANTHONY FULTON -- N/A


No practice tomorrow, see you at Crandall on Friday for practice 3-4pm.

Coach Ford

Update!

Two newly scheduled games pending confirmation for 3rd week of October with Christ the King school in Rutland.  One home, one away.

This Monday 9/27 I will be lining the newly mowed field at Murray Street playground, and I am hopeful that we will practice and play on that field for the rest of the season beginning that afternoon!


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Practice #2

Another beautiful day on the field.  Today we talked less, ran more, and did some critically important drills.  I can already see the team developing in just two days, and I couldn't be happier.

Skills today:

• Team line laps with ball: work as a team, dribbling, conditioning
• "Dribble across the square": dribbling, control, eyes up, turning
• "Dribble around cone and pass": dribbling, control, turning, passing
•  Competition: all drills had winners, and tips were given to all

☆ Congratulations to our first chosen team co-captain Liz Miele.  The team will be voting on co-captain #2 on FRIDAY.

***Update: Two new games have been booked with St. Mary's school in Amsterdam NY...please check on the calendar for dates and times. 

See you tomorrow for the 90 minute Wednesday practice!

Coach Ford

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twitter account: smsasoccer

First Day of Practice

Great first day everyone!  There was a lot of prep stuff to cover, and a lot of listening, but it will all serve a great purpose as we move ahead with our season.  I was really impressed with everyone's attention, respect, and soccer abilities.  We have a fantastic group this year and I'm proud to be your coach.



As a reminder we covered the following:

• team philosophy and outlook for the season
• stretch 1st..then condition
• field positions
• dribbling skills (look up and around, keep ball close, low center of gravity)
• smart soccer (don't just run after the ball, play your position, pass to open space, anticipate)
• know your teammates
• each soccer match is made up of hundreds of "little matches" on the field...settle the ball and control the play

Tomorrow we will begin working on skills and drills that will start to get us organized and competitive with first touch, ball control, and passing.

***Congrats to today's merit badge winners...please remember to bring them back to practice tomorrow!

Also...remember these every day---> WWCBS (Water, Warm outerwear, Cleats, Ball, Shin guards)

See you tomorrow!

Coach Ford

Welcome to the 2010 Soccer Season!

Hi soccer stars. I was lucky enough to assistant coach many of you last year, and am looking forward to seeing you again! Additionally, I really look forward to meeting the new 7th graders!  We should have a great team.

A big reminder that physicals are due prior to practice, so if you are not up to date I will not be allowed to have you participate until I get the green light from Nurse Bachman.

Please keep an eye on this site. I will keep the calendar updated daily, and practice details will be included. I also plan to have news and pics and team roster info on here as well!

Regarding the upcoming season: Be prepared to work on basic skills, teamwork, conditioning, and having fun participating in the greatest team sport in the world. We will focus much more on strategy, positions, and ball skills using the entire field this year, so paying attention and truly focusing in practice will make it a much better experience for all. For my special goof balls, I have purchased a nifty little "reward prize" this year which I am sure will take the wind out of the most persistent soccer clown on the field ; > Go ahead, make my day.

Seriously, I hope to have a team with great depth, and greatly improved skills this year, with everyone getting time on the field during games. I also hope to have a decent amount of matches...which are still being booked at this moment.

Some great late-breaking news!!! Josh Milton from the Glens Falls Recreation Department has been working with me to secure the Murray Street field as our very own SMSA soccer home. We will be mowing, lining, and we even have Dr. Robert Hogan generously taking the time to build us brand new regulation soccer goals! Please make sure to give him a big thank you and a pat on the back when you see him!! By the end of the 1st practice week in Crandall Park, we should be ready to move over to our new field.

That's it for now. Let's Go Kerries!

Coach Ford