RANKIN SCORES SIX

SSL BACK IN 2ND

After briefly dropping into a tie for 3rd place following the 9-5 loss to Maddox last week, the SSL side rebounded with a vengence, led by top striker, Steve (The Chief) Rankin, who led the SSL side with an incredible six goals in the contest. That eclipsed his total number of goals for the entire session by one.

Vetta Blue entered the game with a 2-0 record and an impressive 10-3 win over Lampert the previous week. But this evening, they were no match for the SSL side, or should I say, they were no match for Mr. Rankin. The SSL side was targeting Rankin all night & he responded with the six goals, but what was even as impressive was the Vetta Blue teams inability to strip Rankin of the ball, even when he was double & triple teamed. He maintained possession, created opportunities & obviously, finished on those opportunities.

On the other end of the floor was keeper John Koszuzek. In spite of the lone goal he gave up, he faced several quality opportunities by the Vetta Blue side, only to turn those back & turned in another stellar performance. As it was, it was very late in the contest that the Vetta Blue side struck paydirt for their only goal of the match. Everyone on the SSL side was thinking shutout, but it was not to be. However, the win was good enough as it catapulted the SSL boys back into 2nd place.

Next game, following the holidays, will be on 1/6 vs The Shamrocks, a new team to the league that sports a 1-2 record. That match will be at 8:30. Hope to see you all there.

SSL OVER 40

ENTERS MITRE

After much thought & consideration, SSL will send a 2nd team to the Mitre with the addition of the Over 40 team. Already in the mix is the SSL over 30 team.

The initial concerns were regarding manpower. As most of you know, the Mitre is a fast-paced, physical & demanding tourney, pitting some of the finest players in the midwest against one another. By sending two teams you may in fact be weakening both sides. But, by adding several players, dividing them appropriately, SSL will send both the O-30 &O-40 sides to the tourney, which will be played on Friday, 1/23, Saturday, 1/24 & Sunday, 1/25.

I'll be posting the schedules in this space as soon as I receive them. Hopefully you'll be able to join us, not just for the SSL games, but the other games as well. It is truly one of the most entertaining tournaments you'll see. The area's best players compete against one another in open, O 30 & O 40, in both men's & women's divisions. The quarter-finals, semi-finals & finals in all divisions are some of the best soccer you'll see.

So join us, not only for the SSL contests but also those other matches that will be tremendously entertaining & see what the St. Louis area has to offer. Hope to see you there, &, thanks for reading.

Standings & stats follow:

SOCCER ST. LOUIS STATS O-40
	NAME			GOALS	ASSISTS	POINTS
	STEVE RANKIN			11	4	26
	JOHNNY PENS			3	4	10
	TODD LORETTA			2	2	6
	TIM KELLEY			2	2	6
	JOE BERRA			2	0	4
	STEVE SCHLICHTIG			2	0	4
	WALLY STOKES			1	1	3
	BOB JANKO			0	3	3
	MARTY ISSA			1	0	2
	JOHN BOKERN			1	0	2

Date			Location
Tue 12/9 9:25 PM	W 9-0	at Vetta 40+ RED TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 12/16 7:35 PM	L 5-10	at Maddox 40+	Concord, Field 3
Tue 12/23 8:30 PM	W 10-1	at Vetta 40+ BLUE TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/6 8:30 PM	55 minutes	Shamrocks 40+	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/13 7:35 PM	55 minutes	Lampert 40+	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/20 9:25 PM	55 minutes	Vetta 40+ RED TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/27 8:30 PM	55 minutes	Maddox 40+	Concord, Field 3

THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS MORNING

PHONE CALL

This might be an unbelievable story to many of you, but, unbelievable or not, it is true. Xmas morning my phone rings. Of course, I'm still in bed due to some Xmas eve festivities & the call goes directly to my voice mail. In the ensueing message is the melodious voice of a player from our Missouri State Games Over 50 team, telling me that, in an article I wrote IN AUGUST about our tournament performance, I had incorrectly attributed an unassisted goal to Jack Coleman.

He went on to point out that, in the finals, HE collected a ball out on the wing, & sent a perfectly bent ball across the field, behind the defender, to Coleman, where he collected it, had a breakaway & deposited it nicely in the back of the net. So, he's calling me early on Christmas morning to point out my oversight from a game that was played FIVE MONTHS AGO!!!

You know folks, this blog is the gift that just keeps on giving. The name of that player??? Nick Vitale!Merry Christmas, Nick. Your assist from five months ago has been duly noted & corrected.

Here's hoping that you & yours all have a great Christmas & a terrific New Year. I know Nick will.

Thanks for reading.

SSL STRETCHES UNBEATEN STREAK TO 5

WIN "COME FROM BEHIND" THRILLER

Down 1-0 at the half versus old rival Imo's, the SSL side dominated the 2nd half to pull from behind & close out a 5-1 win that further secured their hold on 1st place. But it was not without much struggle. Falling behind early, the SSL side pressured thruout the first half with nothing to show for it. They created multiple opportunities, setting up teammates, taking shots, but the Imo's keeper, one of the best in the league, continued to blank the SSL side.

The second half started much like the first half played out. A lot of offensive opportunities for SSL & still, nothing to show for it. At that point, it was still anybodys game. Until, that is, Edin Coralic got the SSL motor runnin'. On another of his patented 1 on 1 moves, Coralic buried the ball in the back of the net from the top of the box with a right footed bomb, after stepping around a startled defender. That tied the score at 1-1, & it seemed to spark the rest of the team out of their slumber. The goals just started coming.

On a beautiful one touch play, after making a long run out of the back, Casey Walsh finished a lazerbeam of a cross from Jayson Adelsberger, upping the lead to 2-1. On that play, Walsh slipped in behind the Imo's defenders into the corner of the box where Adelsberger found him for the put-away. It was just like they drew it up on the chalk board. Or not!

Then, Ronnie Rowden, doing what he does best, increased the SSL lead to 3-1 on a rocket from outside the box. He had been denied all night to that point by the Imo's keeper, who saved some point-blank shots from Rowden. But not this time. Hitting it low to the left-hand corner of the goal, the keeper had no chance. The SSL side was on a roll. You could feel the momentum shift. They just appeared to turn it up a notch. And they kept coming.

Next to jump on the scoring bandwagon, & notching his first goal of the session, was Sladan Kurtovic. Also having been denied a goal all night, he still continued to be a presence down low, much of the time playing with his back to the goal, collecting the ball, laying the ball off & shooting when the opportunity presented itself. But again, the tough Imo's goalie had denied him as well. Then, late in the second half, again down low, collected the ball, worked his way into the box, past the defenders, & pushed the ball into the back of the net for SSL 4th straight unanswered goal, and a 4-1 lead.

Michael Poropat finished off the scoring frenzy for SSL with his 4th goal of the session, upping the score to 5-1, the 5th straight unanswered goal of the game, & SSL cruised the rest of the way for the win. But it was a thrilling game to watch. In spite of continuing offensive pressure by SSL thruout the game, they just could not put a ball past the Imo's keeper. Those are frustrating games to play, when your team is outplaying your opponent, but yet losing the game. The SSL side never lost focus, or intensity, & it eventually paid off, with a string to 5 straight unanswered goals, each from a different player, & they never looked back.

This game was an exciting game to watch. The Imo's side were stacked, including a new player or two, &, as they say, came to play. After Imo's early goal, neither team scored until the 2nd half. That's a long time indoor without a goal & both teams were going "hell-bent for leather". (for those of you young pups that don't know what that means, e mail me & I'll explain it) It was one of those white-knuckle, who's gonna blink first, kind of games in which whoever scores the next goal, whether it's Imo's making it 2-0 or as it turned out, SSL making it 1-1, that next goal would turn the tide of the game. And it did. It was fun to watch & a terrific win against a very difficult opponent for the SSL side.

Now, with the Holidays upon us, soccer takes a break. After the Holidays, the first scheduled game for the league is 1/8, but, as luck would have it, the SSL side has a bye, & doesn't play till 1/15, giving all the players a chance for all those little bumps, bruises & pulls to heal. But, once they return to play, it will be play, & play & play.

After they play their first of two remaining league games on the 15th, they'll play the final league game on the 22nd & then starts the Mitre tourney, with games on the 23rd, 24th & 25th. So, hopefully the SSL side will take advantage of the time off, recuperate, enjoy the Holidays & get ready to play.....a lot.

Hope you all have a great Christmas Holiday, enjoy the family & friends & be safe. See you next year. Thanks for reading.

Following are the standings & stats:

	SOCCER ST. LOUIS STATS O-30
	NAME			GOALS	ASSISTS	POINTS
	JAYSON ADELSBERGER			5	3	13
	EDIN CORALIC			5	2	12
	DAVID HIPPERSON			4	2	10
	RONNIE ROWDEN			3	4	10
	MICHAEL POROPAT			4	1	9
	JOHNNY PENS			2	2	6
	CASEY WALSH			1	4	6
	SLADAN KURTOVIC			1	3	5
	WILL SUK			2	0	4
	TONY MEADOWS			1	0	2

Date			Location
Thu 11/13 6:50 PM	T 4-4	at PLS Zoom Motors	Concord, Field 1
Thu 11/20 10:00 PM	W 4-3	at CD Cobras(BLUE)	Concord, Field 2
Thu 12/4 7:45 PM	W 9-4	at Soco Utd (thurs Men C)	Concord, Field 1
Thu 12/11 8:40 PM	W 6-4	at Buckshots(ORANGE)	Concord, Field 1
Thu 12/18 7:45 PM	W 5-1	at Imos Men(RED)	Concord, Field 1
Thu 1/15 9:50 PM	55 minutes	Sinclair & Rush	Concord, Field 3
Thu 1/22 8:55 PM	55 minutes	The Brew(PURPLE)	Concord, Field 3

SSL GETS BOUNCED IN RE-MATCH

CAN'T RECOVER FROM EARLY DEFICIT

SSL O-40 were missing some key players in this re-match from the previous sessions championship match two weeks earlier. But to be fair, Maddox was short a couple as well. But, even at that, the SSL side fell behind early by a bunch, in spite of a yeomans effort by the SSL keeper John Kozuszek who turned back 35 of 44 shots. At the half, SSL was down 4-1 & could never recover.

In the 2nd half SSL had a much better effort scoring 4 to Maddox's 5, but it was too little, too late. The Maddox players constantly had space & they always found their teammates occupying that space, resulting in many scoring opportunities of which they finished on nine. It could have been much more had it not been for Kozuszek.

As the game progressed, the SSL side found their missing offense, but just never had an answer for the Maddox offense. It seemed that Kozuszek was constantly seeing 3 on 2 or 2 on 1, & in a few cases, 1 on the keeper in which he came up with some spectacular saves.

With that game out of the way, they now turn their sights on yet another difficult match. Next week, on Christmas Eve Eve, SSL plays the Vetta Blue team, that sits directly in front of them by 3 points, sporting an undeteated record at 2-0 & tied for the league lead with Maddox. That 8:30 match could well determinethe future  playoff picture.

The Vetta Blue team is an excellent team having won their first two matches, 3-2 over the Shamrocks & 9-3 vs Lampert. So, the outcome of this upcoming match will be a great barometer to use to measure these two sides for the remainder of this session & their final position in the standings. It'll be fun. Hope to see you Tuesday. Thanks for reading.

SOCCER ST. LOUIS STATS O-40
	NAME			GOALS	ASSISTS	POINTS
	STEVE RANKIN			5	4	14
	JOHNNY PENS			2	1	5
	TODD LORETTA			2	0	4
	JOE BERRA			2	0	4
	MARTY ISSA			1	0	2
	JOHN BOKERN			1	0	2
	TIM KELLEY			1	1	3
	BOB JANKO			0	1	1

Date			Location
Tue 12/9 9:25 PM	W 9-0	at Vetta 40+ RED TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 12/16 7:35 PM	L 5-10	at Maddox 40+	Concord, Field 3
Tue 12/23 8:30 PM	55 minutes	at Vetta 40+ BLUE TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/6 8:30 PM	55 minutes	Shamrocks 40+	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/13 7:35 PM	55 minutes	Lampert 40+	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/20 9:25 PM	55 minutes	Vetta 40+ RED TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/27 8:30 PM	55 minutes	Maddox 40+	Concord, Field 3

UNBEATEN STRETCH REACHES FOUR

POST WIN IN SEE-SAW BATTLE

Things started quickly for SSL on a full field run by Ronnie Rowden, who hit a bomb that the keeper couldn't catch up to, buried it in the back of the net & they took an early 1-0 lead. Then they continued to move the ball smartly, making runs, creating opportunities, but just couldn't tuck away another quick goal. Given that opportunity, the very talented Buckshot side capitalized by knotting the score 1 all just a few minutes after the SSL tally. It was a new game, & game on.

But again, the SSL side continued to press the attack & create a multitude of scoring opportunities, only to come up short, on a combination of near misses and excellent goalie play by the Buckshot keeper. This trend continued, which caused the frustration level on the SSL side to rise, due to all the unrewarded chances. Finally, late in the half the SSL cashed in on an opportunity as a result of an excellent individual effort by Michael Poropat, to take a 2-1 lead & they looked to be in control for the remainder of the half, by still creating more chances, but again, not capitalizing.

Then, with 30 seconds to go in the first half, SSL pushed the ball forward, had some great ball movement that resulted in a golden opportunity, but was pushed aside yet again by the Buckshot goalie. The Buckshots gathered the ball & turned it back upfield. The SSL side, thinking the half was over with only about 10 seconds left, didn't pursue the counter. The Buckshot forward pushed the ball forward quickly, stepped around a startled SSL defender & unleashed a right-footed bomb that goalie Dave Shelton had no chance on, & found the bottom right corner of the goal to tie the game at 2-2 as time ran out. Those kind of scores, as time runs out, can be devastating & dramatically change momentum. It would prove to be an indicator of what the 2nd half would bring. The Buckshots were back in the game.

Although the final score of 6-4 would indicate that SSL outscored the Buckshots 4-2 in the 2nd half, it does not correctly reflect the style & pace of the game. SSL scored the first 2nd half goal to take a 3-2 lead on a very nice,heads-up play by Poropat & Will Suk. After stripping a Buckshot player of the ball, Poropat carried it into the offensive zone towards the penalty-box, forcing the Buckshot defender to take him on. At the last moment he laid a beautiful ball off to his left where an unmarked Will Suk one-touched it past the beaten Buckshot keeper.

By squandering many chances to double their lead, as any team can tell you, can allow your opponent to continue to "hang around" & stay in the game. If they do, bad things will happen. And happen they did.

The Buckshots, taking advantage of one of their few opportunities, scored again to tie the score at 3-3. Again, a frustrated SSL side found themselves letting this game get away from them. But, credit to them, they continued to play hard, pressure the Buckshots & continued to get scoring opportunities. But goals were hard to comeby. Then, shortly after the Buckshots tied the game, SSL regained the lead to take back a 1 goal edge when Tony Meadows, making a run out of the back, received the ball deep in the left corner of the offensive end & bent a beautiful, curving ball just around the outstretched arms of the Buckshot keeper for a 4-3 lead. But, yet again, the Buckshots, not easily put away, scrambled back into the game with another come-from-behind goal to knot the game for a fourth time at 4-4.

After more up & down action by both sides, with SSL getting the better of the attack, but little to show for it, they finally cashed  in again to, for the 5th time in this game, retake the lead at 5-4, on what many considered the play of the game. Edin Coralic stripped a Buckshot midfielder of the ball at about midfield & carried the ball quickly towards the opponents goal. With one defender to beat, he smartly stepped around him to his right just at the edge of the penalty box & unleashed a rocket that found the bottom right hand corner of the goal. It was a beauty.

Then, late in the game, with less than a minute on the clock & SSL protecting that important one goal lead by knocking the ball around, as a result of some very aggressive play by Sladan Kurtovic & Johnny Pens applying pressure to the Buckshot defenders, Pens scored an important window-dressing goal to up the lead to 6-4, & lock up the win for the SSL side.

But, throughout the contest, SSL could not put away a resilient, bend but don't break Buckshots team that just kept coming. As mentioned earlier, the more opportunities one has that is not capitalized on, the longer you keep your opponent in the game, & bad things will usually happen. In this case, the SSL side dodged a bullet & hung on for a rewarding, hard-fought win against a very tough & talented Buckshot side.

But, there's no rest for the weary. Next week another old nemisis will be the opponent for SSL when Imo's takes the floor on field #1 @ 7:45. So, if any lesson was learned this evening that can be applied to next weeks game, it's that, when you get opportunites you have to finish. If you don't, Imo's will make you pay. It'll be fun & entertaining. Hope to see you next week. Thanks for reading.

SSL ENTERS VETTA O-30 TOURNEY

On Friday, January 23rd, SSL will start their participation in the Vetta St. Charles (the old Mitre Tourney), Over 30 Division Tournament. Almost the entire SSL O-30 squad will participate. This will be an excellent warm-up for the up-coming quickly Louisville Tourney.

If you've never witnessed this tourney, you're missing some of the finest amatuer men's & women's soccer to be had in these parts. Typically you'll find the "creme de la creme" of St. Louis soccer. Many high profile former college & professional players compete, &, as you might imagine, the caliber of play is top flight. So, if you're not a player but still enjoy the game, come out & check out some of the great games that will be played. Fast paced & highly skilled, I'm sure you'll be entertained.

Once we get the schedule, we'll post it in this space. Hope to see all of you out there.

	SOCCER ST. LOUIS STATS O-30
	NAME			GOALS	ASSISTS	POINTS
	JAYSON ADELSBERGER			5	1	11
	DAVID HIPPERSON			4	2	10
	EDIN CORALIC			4	2	10
	MICHAEL POROPAT			3	1	7
	RONNIE ROWDEN			2	3	7
	JOHNNY PENS			2	2	6
	WILL SUK			2	0	4
	CASEY WALSH			0	3	3
	SLADAN KURTOVIC			0	3	3
	TONY MEADOWS			1	0	2

Date			Location
Thu 11/13 6:50 PM	T 4-4	at PLS Zoom Motors	Concord, Field 1
Thu 11/20 10:00 PM	W 4-3	at CD Cobras(BLUE)	Concord, Field 2
Thu 12/4 7:45 PM	W 9-4	at Soco Utd (thurs Men C)	Concord, Field 1
Thu 12/11 8:40 PM	W 6-4	at Buckshots(ORANGE)	Concord, Field 1
Thu 12/18 7:45 PM	55 minutes	at Imos Men(RED)	Concord, Field 1
Thu 1/15 9:50 PM	55 minutes	Sinclair & Rush	Concord, Field 3
Thu 1/22 8:55 PM	55 minutes	The Brew(PURPLE)	Concord, Field 3

NEW NAME, NEW SEASON

OFF TO A STRONG START

Following last weeks disappointing loss in the finals, after going 7-0 in the O-40 inaugural session, it was important to get off to a good start in this, the new session. Additionally, sporting a new name, albeit a familiar one in Soccer St. Louis, was additional motivation to get this side off on the right foot. Looking at the final score one would've thought it was a blow-out from the start. Nothing was further from the truth.

On this small field, which encourages high-scoring games, this one got off to a sluggish start from the outset for both sides. Cashing in on a couple early chances, the SSL side scored 2 first half goals, & combined with continuing stingey defense lead by goalie John Koszuzek, made that lead hold up for a halftime lead of 2-0. The 2nd half was far different.

Scoring 7 unanswered 2nd half goals sealed this one away early for the SSL side. On cruise-control at the end, they brought home a 9-0 winner to notch their 1st win on the new session.

But next week will prove to be far different. They play current O 40 champs Maddox, whom they lost to 6-2 in last weeks finals. It's early, to be sure, but I'm sure the SSL will have something to prove when they meet next Tuesday @ 7:35. It should be fun & entertaining. Hope you can join us. Thanks for reading.

Standings & stats follow:

 

SOCCER ST. LOUIS STATS O-40
	NAME			GOALS	ASSISTS	POINTS
	STEVE RANKIN			2	2	6
	TODD LORETTA			2	0	4
	JOE BERRA			2	0	4
	JOHNNY PENS			1	0	2
	MARTY ISSA			1	0	2
	JOHN BOKERN			1	0	2
	TIM KELLEY			0	1	1

Date			Location
Tue 12/9 9:25 PM	W 9-0	at Vetta 40+ RED TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 12/16 7:35 PM	55 minutes	at Maddox 40+	Concord, Field 3
Tue 12/23 8:30 PM	55 minutes	at Vetta 40+ BLUE TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/6 8:30 PM	55 minutes	Shamrocks 40+	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/13 7:35 PM	55 minutes	Lampert 40+	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/20 9:25 PM	55 minutes	Vetta 40+ RED TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 1/27 8:30 PM	55 minutes	Maddox 40+	Concord, Field 3

SSL UNVEILS NEW LINE-UP

EARLY RESULTS ARE IMPRESSIVE

After discussions with several different players & their desires to move into a different position, the decision was made to make some line-up changes for a half, & if things didn't go well, change back at the half. Well, as it turned out, no half-time changes were necessary. The first half performance was proof positive that the changes made at the outset of the game, were the right ones.

Moving Ronnie Rowden & Jayson Adelsberger to defense might seem crazy to some, but, with their speed, ball control, ability to read the field & strong shot, it only made sense to have them have the field in front of them to either shoot, pass or carry, all in space, whereas previously, while playing up top, they oftentimes had no space within which to work.

On the other end, Sladan Kurtovic, formerly a premier defenseman, was moved up top & immediately bore positive results. Sladan is a big body & used it to his advantage. Playing often with his back to the goal, he would receive the ball, hold it & either lay it off or shoot it. Although not scoring himself, he was able to rack up two helpers on goals by teammates.

The position changes created immediate positive returns. The SSL side seemed to play with more intensity, aggressiveness, speed & movement. They created multiple looks which resulted in many offensive opportunities. Defensively, they were quick to recover on any opponent counter, limiting their opportunities.

SSL jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead, only to have SoCo come right back to tie 1-1. But, that was about the extent of the SoCo scoring, except for a few late window dressing goals, which, at that point, the SSL side had built  formidible 6-1, 7-2 & 8-3 leads. Leading the scoring for SSL was David Hipperson with 3 goals & a helper; Jayson Adelsberger, 3 goals; Johnny Pens, a goal & 2 helpers; Edin Coralic, 1 & 1; Sladan Kurtovic, 2 helpers & Casey Walsh & Ronnie Rowden, 1 helper each.

Next week will be a formidible test for this new SSL line-up. They play the Buckshots @ 8:40 on field #1. The Buckshots are coming off an impressive 8-7 shootout win over a veteran Imo's side, & will provide a stiff test for the "new look" SSL. The Buckshots are fast, mark well & can score. So, stay tuned. This session is turning into quite an interesting battle of old versus new, with a bevy of new teams & nw-look lineups. As a singer once said, " the times, they are a-changing". See you all next week. Thanks for reading.

Following are the standings & stats:

SOCCER ST. LOUIS STATS
NAME			GOALS	ASSISTS	POINTS
JAYSON ADELSBERGER			5	1	11
DAVID HIPPERSON			4	1	9
EDIN CORALIC			3	1	7
MICHAEL POROPAT			2	1	5
RONNIE ROWDEN			1	3	5
JOHNNY PENS			1	2	4
CASEY WALSH			0	3	3
WILL SUK			1	0	2
SLADAN KURTOVIC			0	2	2

Date			Location
Thu 11/13 6:50 PM	T 4-4	at PLS Zoom Motors	Concord, Field 1
Thu 11/20 10:00 PM	W 4-3	at CD Cobras(BLUE)	Concord, Field 2
Thu 12/4 7:45 PM	W 9-4	at Soco Utd (thurs Men C)	Concord, Field 1
Thu 12/11 8:40 PM	55 minutes	at Buckshots(ORANGE)	Concord, Field 1
Thu 12/18 7:45 PM	55 minutes	at Imos Men(RED)	Concord, Field 1
Thu 1/15 9:50 PM	55 minutes	Sinclair & Rush	Concord, Field 3
Thu 1/22 8:55 PM	55 minutes	The Brew(PURPLE)	Concord, Field 3

TNG REACH FINALS

CLOSE OUT SUCCESSFUL FIRST SESSION

Although losing to a tough, talented, experienced Maddox side in the finals of the inaugural O-40 league, it was a successful session nontheless. With Tim Kelley recruiting players from a variety of sources & putting them all together for the first time, going 7-0 & reaching the finals right out of the box is rewarding in & of itself. The players have to be pleased with the overall performance of the team over this first session.

In the finals, the TNG side was overmatched. Shorthanded from the outset, with some players out for holiday vacations & the like, the experienced & savvy Maddox side was just too much for TNG to handle. Maddox moved the ball extremely well, defended with numbers & countered with numbers. Had it not been for a superhuman performance by goalie John Kozuszek, Maddox may well have scored several morel. In fact, for this first session, the team MVP has to be Kozuszek. Consistent, reliable & at the top of his game, he kept TNG in several of the games, allowing them enough time to create some offense & win those 7 straight games leading up to the finals.

Next session will see some significant changes to the TNG side, not the lease of which is a name change. The new session, which starts next Tuesday, will see the team playing under the Soccer St. Louis banner, as SSL increases its exposure in the soccer community by adding  their 2nd team to the Vetta Leagues, complementing the Thursday men's O 30 team, with this Tuesday version.

Additionally, both the Thursday & Tuesday teams will be getting a new set of team shirts somewhere around the middle of December. It'll be a nice Christmas present for the SSL community.

So, all you regular readers of this space will start seeing a couple blogs per week, reporting on the happenings of the Tuesday & Thursday teams, keeping everyone up to date on the latest stats, standings & of course, all importantly, when the Bar B Q's & Tournaments will be taking place.

Following are the abbreviated stats, & final standings for the Tuesday league. See you next week. Thanks for reading.

NAME			GOALS	ASSISTS	POINTS
STEVE RANKIN			6	1	13
TODD LORETTA			3	2	8
JOHNNY PENS			3	1	7
TIM KELLEY			1	2	4
DUCKY MAURER			1	1	3
STEVE SCHLITTIG			1	1	3
MARTY ISSA			0	2	2
JOHNNY HIP			1	0	2
ED DWYER			1	0	2
BOB JANKO			0	2	2

Date			Location
Tue 9/30 7:35 PM	W 7-1	at Vetta 40+ RED TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 10/7 7:35 PM	W 7-3	Vetta 40+ BLUE TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 10/14 8:30 PM	W 4-0	at Maddox 40+	Concord, Field 3
Tue 10/28 8:30 PM	W 8-4	Attev	Concord, Field 3
Tue 11/4 7:35 PM	W 4-3	Vetta 40+ RED TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 11/11 7:35 PM	W 7-6	Maddox 40+	Concord, Field 3
Tue 11/25 7:35 PM	W 8-3	at Vetta 40+ BLUE TEAM	Concord, Field 3
Tue 12/2 7:35 PM	L 2-6	at Maddox 40+	Concord, Field 3