On June 27, Matrix Jamul girls travelled to Los Angeles to watch the best women soccer players in the world compete in the WPS at Home Depot Center. The Los Angeles Sol played the Chicago Red Stars, and the game featured Marta, Christiane, Carli Lloyd and Camille Abily to name of a few. The Sol won going away 4-0 with some amazing goals, including two from co-league scoring leader, Marta.

The 2009 Matrix Jamul Girls Under 15 soccer team got off to a fantastic start winning the Championship game in their bracket at the Chula Vista Rangers Memorial Day Tournament. The team made it to the final game when another team could not attend, but the technicality meant nothing as the players battled and beat a strong opponent that had taken a game from the Matrix girls earlier in the weekend. With only 11 available players - no substitutes – the girls gave everything they had to pull off an exciting 2-1 victory and start their second season in style. The venue - the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista – made the result that much more rewarding. To play and win on the same fields as our nation's premier soccer athletes was something the girls won't soon forget.

"This is the kind of game that you would like to end your season on, but to have this accomplishment early really gives the girls something to build on," said Coach Loren Kramer. "It's going to be a great season."

Forward Katherine Day scored the first goal when she turned on a defender in the penalty area and powered a shot into the back of the net. The second goal came late in the game when Jordan Norberg headed in a beautiful Emily Cervantes corner kick.

The 2009 Matrix Jamul season is already shaping up to be even better than last year's.

Specialized Training

We have already begun to put together this year's training specialized training sessions. Specialized training sessions  involve bringing in expert trainers in the soccer and sports industry to work the teams and provide the players with tools and activities that they can use throughout the season to improve their game and stay healthy. Alex Laws, Core Fitness Trainer from iCoreSports.com, will be working with the players to help them develop proper stretching and strengthening techniques to improve core fitness and minimize injury. Paul Wright of Speed to Burn, former SD Socker, will conduct a half-day training speed and agility training session. Who says you can't coach speed!

We're also looking at bringing Jen Lawlor Nielsen, former Womens National Team player for technique training sessions. Her trademark was her foot skills and ball control. Players need every opportunity to develop confidence with the ball to  enjoy and prosper in the beautiful game.

Speaking of skill with the ball... have you heard of Futsal? Check out our Futsal video page. This game of soccer played on a hard surface (like a basketball court) teaches skills with the ball like no other activity. In 2009 Futsal will be a regular of the Matrix Jamul summer training program. Our version of "street soccer" will be player-driven. The activity is a tough otest of fitness and will develop player speed, movement and passing skills like no other activity. Former professional soccer player and trainer Diego Terry – a player favorite – played with the Argentine National Futsol team. He is developing a program to introduce our players to the game. Sessions start in May.

We're a small club, but we've got big plans!

Yours,
Coach Loren Kramer

Matrix Soccer is proud to announce that in 2009 the club gear will change to adidas. Players will don the new Tiro jersey in Matrix club colors – Royal and White. Adidas is the world's most renowned soccer gear manufacturer. We're all looking forward to wearing the 3 stripes.

Jamul's first competitive soccer team completed regular season play this weekend. The last game was a tough loss to the Pumas, 1-3, but it didn't take the team's eyes off of the progress that they have made in 2008.

"It's a new team, with many players new to this level of competition. We accomplished a lot this season. The team has amazing chemistry," said the coach. " After almost 100 practice sessions since March, we still have 14 or 15 girls coming to every practice. The energy level is very high."

Matrix Jamul Girls U14 finished the season 8-5-1, and placed in the top 4 of their bracket. Other stats include 40 Goals Scored and 14 Goals Allowed.

The team now moves on to the post-season, playing tournaments in November and December. The team is very focused on the Presidio Cup. "It's a great opportunity for us to see how we stack up against teams across the county," said one player. "We'll keep training and play a tournament on Thanksgiving weekend."

The team's not only focused on this season, but next season where it hopes to advance to the next bracket. In addition, some of the players have established personal goals for playing soccer at the high school level and beyond. "Setting personal goals is the first step to self-training. Goal-setting is also a skill that the girls can use in school and life in whatever they do."

Presidio League Standings

The Matrix Jamul girls won their first tournament on Sunday, August 17 beating FC San Diego 1-0 in the Final with a goal in the last minute of regulation play. Congratulations for an outstanding effort. The players are beginning to work well as a team and are ready for their season opener next week. Over the weekend, the team was undefeated and scored 10 goals, only giving 5.

Check out standings and stats from the tournament.