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Oshawa Kicks Raiders '94 Girls: Latest News
INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the “Latest News” portion of our website. In this section are the general updates on the teams' on going progress. We dedicate these pages to our loyal fans & followers' and we like to THANK YOU all again for joining us on our quest, as we strive for EXCELLENCE and try to place EITHER FIRST OR WITH THE FIRST!

This section will also have some colorful commentary & insightful game synopsis from none other than "The Scribe" (our very own official game reporter)... a special treat for all of our loyal readers.






Thursday, September 21
RAIDERS CONCLUDE SUCCESSFUL 2006 CGSL SEASON

The Oshawa Kicks Raiders 94G team ventured to North York Thursday on the final day of the outdoor 2006 CGSL Premiere season. It was the first and only regular season match that the Raiders would play on artificial turf, which is what constitutes the playing surface at Esther Shiner Stadium. The opposition was the North York Hearts Azzurri, a team which had defeated the Raiders in their previous encounter in Oshawa.

This match was a pivotal one for North York, as it required a victory to ensure it would not be relegated for the 2007 outdoor campaign. The Raiders, while already guaranteed of a 3rd place finish in the CGSL standings, wanted to go out on a high note before the winter training season commenced. That said, it was a fairly evenly played contest, much of it in the neutral zone with a relatively low number of shots on goal. In part, this may have been due to the quick pace on most balls played on the artificial turf; in many cases the ball outpaced the girls on both teams.   In the end, after a glorious scoring chance in the dying seconds by the Hearts, the score would remain 0-0, thus sending both teams home with a point.

The Raiders 3rd place finish marks another very successful season, as the girls achieved the goal they set for themselves at the beginning of the season. There was strong continued development, great sportsmanship, intense competition and, most of all - great fun. In the end, not much else matters.

The girls and their families wish to thank Coaches John Djokoto and Lance Hart for a great year and for their continued patience, great guidance and sheer passion for what we all know and love as The Beautiful Game. We look forward to the road ahead, and eagerly await the great challenges it will bring. Along with John and Lance, the great supporting cast of Manager Kathy Grammenopoulos and Treasurer Carla Carmichael provided tremendous support throughout the season, for which we are truly grateful. And the many other helpful hands - you know who you are - all make the season flow as well as it does; we collectively thank you all for everything that you do.

Here's to a great 2006 season for the Oshawa Kicks Raiders, and to even greater things ahead as we prepare for 2007!

The Scribe

Monday, September 11
RAIDERS CLOSE OUT HOME SCHEDULE WITH LOSS

The Oshawa Kick Raiders 94G made their final regular season appearance at Alexandra Park on Monday and wound up on the wrong end of a 1-0 match. The victors were the visiting Etobicoke Titans.   The home field advantage hasn't been much of a factor for the Raiders in 2006, and this contest was further evidence of this. The Titans were playing their final match of the 2006 CGSL regular season, and as such put out a more spirited effort, at least until they notched the opening goal. At that point Etobicoke seemed content to nurse its lead, without much in the way of offensive prowess. The Raiders, for their part had two glorious chances in the first half, only to graze the bar on both occasions.

In the second half the Titans did whatever was necessary to hold onto the lead, and the Raiders waited until the darkness set in before they mounted any type of sustained attack. It was too little, too late for the Oshawa girls as the final whistle sounded, allowing the Titans to conclude their season on a winning note.

The Raiders have an opportunity to do the same when they travel to North York next week to close out their CGSL regular season. A victory will allow the Raiders to finish above the .500, which would put a very nice cap on a successful 2006 CGSL season.

The Scribe



      

Wednesday, September 6
RAIDERS BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN

It was back to school week for the girls and back to basics on the soccer pitch as the Kicks Raiders faced the Barrie Spirit at Alexandra Park. The Raiders needed a win to solidify their fortunes in the CGSL Premier Division, which had tightened up considerably in recent weeks.

The Barrie girls are a plucky bunch, and indeed play with much spirit, as their name suggests. They had not only the back-to-school factor to deal with, but also the lengthy drive to Oshawa. They gave the Raiders a tough battle, and should be commended for their never-say-die approach to the game. The Raiders, as stated above, kept things relatively simple and seemed to return to the form that they opened the season with. They took a 2-0 lead into the half, and managed another marker in the second half to conclude matters at 3-0. They had opportunities to add to this total, but did not convert on these chances.

Next up is a match with Etobicoke, and this presents another opportunity for the Raiders to demonstrate their renewed growth as a team. It should be a very interesting contest, with both teams striving to peak as the outdoor season draws to a close.

The Scribe


         

Thursday, August 24
RAIDERS CONCLUDE CGSL CUP PLAY

The Raiders most recent trip to Pickering saw the girls both commence and conclude their quest for the U12 Premier CGSL Cup - all on the same day. In what has been a busy month of play for the Raiders, the latest match pitted the girls up against the Pickering Power Pythons, a proven force in the Premier loop, if not the entire province.

The match opened up fairly evenly, but the with the initial Python goal and some ensuing injury trouble for the Raiders, the Pythons quickly took hold of the match. The Pythons control of the game was such that the Raiders appeared either unable or unwilling to stand up and counter the pressure, leaving the Pythons to mount their attacks on a regular basis. In the end the Pythons walked off with a well-deserved 5-0 victory.   

The Raiders will need to lick their wounds, regroup and press for a strong finish in the CGSL Premier standings, which have become very tight in the middle tier. It will make for an interesting conclusion to the CGSL season, and the Raiders will take advantage of their bye this week to rest, renew and reload for the upcoming home stretch in September.

The Scribe


   

Tuesday, August 22
RAIDERS DRAW BLANKS UNDER THE LIGHTS

The Kicks Raiders made the trek to Woodbridge to take on the Strikers in the only 9:00 p.m. game on the Raiders schedule this summer. Woodbridge has a great pitch, and the weather conditions couldn't have been better. The game opened up with much of the play taking place in the neutral zone, and this carried on for the bulk of the first half. In the second half things opened up considerably, and both teams tested the opposing keeper frequently. However, the ball stayed out of both nets, leaving a 0-0 result and a single point for each side. The Woodbridge girls worked very hard and proved to be a difficult squad for the Raiders to deal with. For their part, the Raiders seemed to have a tough time generating consistent offence in this contest and did not appear to have the overall intensity as witnessed a few days earlier in Newmarket. The road is never easy in the Premier Division.

Up next is a CGSL Cup match against the Pickering Pythons. As always, this will be a good test for the Raiders as the summer winds down and the nights continue to get shorter. Good luck in Pickering girls...

The Scribe

Friday, August 18
RAIDERS GO DOWN FIGHTING IN NEWMARKET

The Kicks Raiders travelled to Newmarket on Thursday night to take on the CGSL's undefeated York United Lasers, in a rematch of the Ontario Cup quarter-final won by the Lasers just 5 days earlier. The conditions were great and the field, though surprisingly small, had just been groomed (or was that roto-tilled?) in time for the match.

Unlike the Ontario Cup tilt on the weekend, the Raiders brought some desire and resolve to this match, and went stride for stride with Newmarket, despite this being the fourth game in six days for the Raiders. Both teams had chances, but the half ended 1-0 for Newmarket. In the second half it was more of the same with perhaps the Lasers carrying a slight edge in territorial play. Another goal would be put up by the home side, and the final would be 2-0 Lasers.

This was a more spirited, physical match than the one from five days before, and probably the best outing seen from the Raiders since their Ontario Cup tournament games in Ottawa. The smaller field likely brought about some of the more physical brand of play, and the Raiders desire to keep pace with the Lasers could account for the rest. These two teams battled hard all night and fought to the finish. It was an entertaining game and we will in all probability see many more like this in the years to come.

The Scribe

Monday, August 14
RAIDERS UNABLE TO WEATHER THE STORM

The Kicks Raiders came in search of victory today at Alexandra Park, and left without finding it. The opposition was the West Rouge Storm, and the conditions, while less than favourable were not a major factor in the outcome. The field was slick, but the rains had all but stopped midway through the first half.

The opening portion of the match was an artful display by the Raiders, as they moved the ball seemingly at will. However, the game is ultimately decided by who scores the most goals, not by who maintains possession of the ball the longest. The Raiders had some opportunities early to make a dent in the scoresheet, but failed to do so. The Raiders did manage to strike first, courtesy of a penalty that was converted by newcomer Monie, but the Storm cashed in on a converted corner kick just prior to half-time to square things at 1-1.

The Storm displayed great patience in this match, not unlike the boxer who allows his opponent to use up his best arsenal, then goes on the offensive once the opponent has run out of steam. And this was the case in the second half, as the Storm notched the only goal in the half to come away with a 2-1 victory. The Raiders came close to tying the game when a late penalty was rattled off the side post, but this was as close as the Raiders would come.

This was yet another lesson for the girls in what is required to win; and further evidence of the relative parity that exists in the 2006 Premier Division.

The Scribe


   

Saturday, August 12
RAIDERS OUSTED FROM ONTARIO CUP

On a sunny Saturday at Oshawa Civic Fields, it was Ontario Cup Quarter Final day as the Oshawa Kicks Raiders faced the Newmarket York United Lasers. No strangers to one another, this would be the day to determine who the lone CGSL representative would be in the Final Four pairings for the inaugural Provincial crown for 94G soccer.

The game opened with some fine play by both teams, and before long the Lasers would take the play to Oshawa on a consistent basis. The Raiders would need to rely on the rapid counter-attack if it were to succeed on this day. Not only would the wider Civic field dimensions make for a slightly less physical match, it would also allow the Lasers to exploit one its already-proven strengths of utilizing the entire pitch to execute its game plan. Evidently the Lasers took to the wider dimensions much like the European skaters do when moving from NHL ice surfaces to the wider European surfaces. Indeed, speed can be even more dangerous on a bigger race track.

At the half it was 2-0 for the Lasers, as they managed to score what seems to be a patented Lasers pinball-like goal that ricochets off of whatever it needs to before finding the back of the net (this would happen once again in the 2nd half). All-in all the Lasers were full value for the win, which came in the form of a 4-1 final score. The Lasers work hard, work fast, and have a tremendous sense of purpose.

The Raiders wish much success to the Lasers as they carry the CGSL banner forward into the Ontario Cup Semi-Finals. We are sure the Lasers will represent the CGSL very well, and we look forward to congratulating them as Ontario Cup champions in the weeks to come.

The Scribe

Friday, August 11
RAIDERS 2nd CONSECUTIVE DRAW

The Raiders travelled to picturesque Miller Creek field in Ajax on Friday to face the Ajax S.C. Lightning at what appears to be one top fields seen thus far in the CGSL 94G Premier loop. As expected, the Lightning always make their opponents work very hard for anything they can get, and Friday was no different. The Lightning aren't always flashy but rarely will they be outsmarted or outworked. An assertive and intuitive keeper helps solidify the back end, making this an even more resilient 'blue collar' squad to contend with.

The Lightning held the territorial advantage during the first half, which ended without any goals by either side. In the second half, the play was more evenly balanced. The Lightning drew first blood midway into the 2nd half, as a lone attacker was somehow sprung behind the Raiders defence. The Raiders would match that goal a short time later, and the score would remain 1-1.

Another hard-fought point for both teams, as the dog days of summer continue.

The Scribe

Monday, July 31
RAIDERS vs RAIDERS ENDS IN A DRAW

The battle of the CGSL Raiders (Act III) took place in Oshawa tonight on a very hot and humid evening at Alexandra Park. Credit should go to both teams for gutting it out on a night with such little wind and such extreme heat. In the third contest between these teams this summer, the Oshawa girls encountered what appeared to be a more assertive and physically challenging version of the Richmond Hill team as compared to that of previous matches.

Whether it was the result of some new faces or simply a new playing style, the Richmond Hill team was out to establish its physical prowess in this match, and were somewhat successful in doing just that. The referee was kept fairly busy and there were plenty of free kicks, but the nets at either end weren't really necessary this evening, as the two Raider teams would battle to another scoreless draw, as was the case when these teams met in the Oshawa Kicks Spring Classic in May. Of note - it was the first tie of the CGSL season for the Kicks Raiders.   

Today's game was yet another indication of the fine line that exists in the CGSL Premiere Division, where on most nights it can be the slimmest of margins that will be the difference in a given match. Today there was no such margin, and neither side should feel as though it was cheated by taking home their single point.

Good work ladies, best of luck next week.

The Scribe

Monday, July 24
RAIDERS DEFEATED BY PYTHONS

On the heels of their successful Ontario Cup trip to Ottawa, the Kicks Raiders found themselves right back into the heat of the CGSL Premiere loop, up against the Pickering Power Pythons. This game began the second pass for the Raiders against the teams in the CGSL Premiere loop, and thus the second half of the CGSL season.

Always a tough opponent for anyone to face, the Pythons came out hungry in this match, taking the play to the Raiders from the get-go. An early Python goal was followed by another midway through the half, and one more prior to halftime. The Raiders were hopeful that the tailwind would be a catalyst for them in the second half, but it was not to be. The second half would be a scoreless frame, leaving the final score to remain at 3-0 and a well-deserved victory for the Pythons. Aussie and T-Bone delivered admirable performances in this match.   

The Kicks Raiders will use the remainder of the week to prepare for their upcoming match against the green Raiders from Richmond Hill.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the Pickering Pythons game;
"The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it as long as you really believe 100 percent."
by Arnold Palmer

Sunday, July 23
RAIDERS ADVANCE IN ONTARIO CUP

The Kicks Raiders travelled to Ottawa on the weekend for their first glimpse of the provincial playdowns known as Ontario Cup. Drawn randomly into a group with the Aurora Stingers, Mississauga Clarkson Comets, Ottawa South United Force and the Ottawa Capital United Blue Angels, the Raiders would need to battle it out to determine which of these five teams would advance to the next round of the prestigious Ontario Cup tournament.

The Raiders opened on Saturday with a 4-1 victory over the Clarkson Comets, and followed up with a 1-1 draw with the Blue Angels from Ottawa. On Sunday, the Raiders faced the Aurora Stingers and came away with a 5-1 victory. The final match on Sunday would be against the host Ottawa South United Force, a team that the Raiders had faced previously in May at the Kicks Spring Classic in Oshawa. The Raiders would need a victory to advance, and the girls delivered with a 2-0 win to earn their way into the next stage of the Ontario Cup.

The tournament victory in Ottawa marks the third consecutive outdoor tournament victory for the Raiders, and positions the team among the final eight teams left in the province to challenge for the first Ontario Cup title available to the '94 girls group. A worthy accomplishment for a team in only its second year together.

Congratulations go to the girls on their accomplishment in Ottawa, and a special note of thanks to Coaches John Djokoto and Lance Hart, for steering the ship so well for this group of young ladies.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the Ontario Cup 1st Ronud Tournament;
"Perseverance is not a long race, it is many short races one after another."
by Walter Elliot

Monday, July 17
RAIDERS FALL TO NEWMARKET LASERS

The home field advantage for the Oshawa Kicks Raiders 94G has been anything but kind to the team recently, and this was true again on Monday as the Raiders were the latest to fall victim to the York United Lasers from Newmarket.   On a warm and muggy night in Oshawa, the Raiders jumped out to an early lead, but the lead was short-lived as the Lasers quickly took control of the half, reeling off three straight goals to take a 3-1 lead into the second half. Once again, the Raiders pounced on the Lasers for a quick strike in the opening minutes of the second half, only to see the Lasers surge back with a pair of their own to close out the match. Final score was 5-2 Lasers - a well earned victory by a fine squad. Raider goals came from Razor and Roadrunner, while Stitch and MareBare delivered solid outings against their former teammates.

It is easy to see why the Lasers are at the head of the class in the CGSL Premiere loop. This team has skill, speed, strength, depth and a very confident sense of purpose. It comes at their opponent with the equivalent of a 'full court press' that seems to flood the offensive zone and leaves the opponent wondering what hit them.   

The Raiders will now turn their attention to the upcoming Ontario Cup elimination round, which takes the girls to Ottawa on the weekend. This is another first for the girls, and it will be an exciting weekend away with many new opponents to face. Good luck Raiders, it promises to be an exciting experience...

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the Newmarket Lasers game;
"You have no control over what the other guy does. You only have control over what you do."
by A.J. Kitt

Monday, July 10
RAIDERS WIN IN ETOBICOKE

The Oshawa Kicks Raiders and Etobicoke Titans 94G teams dodged the weatherman's bullets on Monday and thereby took billing as the "only game in town", as all other U12G CGSL matches on Monday were washed out.

At the outset it seemed as though the electrical storms throughout the day had also short-circuited the attacking style of both teams, as neither side was able to make much of an impression in the scoreless first half. In the second half the Raiders, perhaps catching a second wind after a weekend tournament in New York State, came out to play and notched three goals to claim the match 3-0. Raider goals came courtesy of Razor (2) and T-Bone. Another shutout for Mac, while Rocky and Stitch turned in solid matches on the backline.

The long and winding road trip brings the girls back to Oshawa on Monday, where a stiff test awaits in the form of the York United Lasers from Newmarket. Let's all enjoy this contest as two of the leading teams in the CGSL Premier loop square off.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the Etobicoke Titans game;
"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."
by Lou Holtz

Sunday, July 9
RAIDERS CAPTURE ANOTHER TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP

The Oshawa Kicks Raiders 94G team made its initial foray into stateside tournament play on the weekend and came away with the U12G Championship at the 2006 edition of the Niagara Pioneer International Tournament. This marks the second consecutive outdoor tournament that the Raiders have entered and emerged as champions. Winning a tournament is no small feat, and this must be remembered as we move forward together.   

The tournament was an interesting event, at times quite physical and also at times under significant heat and humidity. But the Raiders came prepared and delivered the goods when it mattered, particularly in their Sunday morning match when elimination from the tournament loomed in the event of a tie or loss. This tournament will sever as a useful springboard for Raiders as they prepare for the forthcoming Ontario Cup playdowns later this month in the Ottawa Region.

There is little time to savour this tournament victory however, as the Raiders travel to Etobicoke on Monday to resume the ever-competitive CGSL Premier Division schedule. Nice work ladies - the New York State hosts are now aware of another fine squad from their northern neighbours in Ontario.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the Niagara Pioneer International Tournament;
"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives."
by Willa Foster

Wednesday, July 5
RAIDERS HAVE SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO BARRIE

The Kicks Raiders motored up Highway 400 to take on Barrie on Wednesday, and while the news of Cristiano Ronaldo's fate with Portugal seemed to be a pre-game blow to many of the girls, there was still a soccer game to be contested in Barrie. The Raiders were coming off two recent losses and relished the opportunity to address this matter in their match with Barrie.

The Barrie match was delayed and at one point appeared to be in jeopardy of even starting but fortunately, access to the locked field was eventually obtained and the game was able to kick off. The waiting seemed to take a toll on both teams, who played a tenuous style at the beginning. The Raiders managed to strike first, and netted another to take a 2-0 lead into the second half. In the second, they pressed further and wound up with 3 more goals to walk off with a 5-0 victory. To their credit, the Barrie girls fought to the finish, and gave a very good account of themselves.

Raider goals came from Speedy (3), Cruyff and Razor, while the backline was manned admirably by a cast of strong defenders, fronted by a solid performance from Nugget and anchored by the steady netminding of Mac. As always, Roadrunner was an ever-present force with her tireless work along the flanks.

The Raiders now move onto New York State as the lone U12G Canadian representative in the Niagara Pioneer event. As well, it will be the first international tournament for the Raiders since the team's inception in 2005. Good luck girls, it promises to be a very interesting weekend.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the Barrie Spirit game;
"The best inspiration is not to outdo others, but to outdo ourselves."
by Author Unknown

Monday, June 26
RAIDERS DEFEATED FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE WEEK

The Oshawa Kicks Raiders 94G team will be glad to head out on a road trip, as the past two weeks while playing at home have not been met with success. For the second consecutive week, the Raiders opened the scoring, only to have their opponent take over from there. This week saw the North York Hearts Azzurri come to play for a full 70 minutes and leave with three points.   

After opening the season with four straight victories, the Raiders are quickly learning that it takes a concerted effort against all teams, every night. The level of intensity in the Premiere Division requires more than what the Raiders have delivered in the past two weeks. Just as in the FIFA World Cup, missed opportunities can be significant, and the Raiders experienced this first hand against the Azzurri. Meaningful learning opportunities always tend to present themselves, and the girls now have the chance to apply what they've learned to the tasks that lie ahead.

The Raiders goal in this game came from Zigzag. The girls will rally around each other and regroup as they take their act outside of Durham Region for their next series of matches. They travel to Barrie and then to their first tournament outside of Canada.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the North York Hearts Azzurri game;
"Most games are lost, not won."
by Casey Stengel

Monday, June 19
WOODBRIDGE PREVAILS OVER RAIDERS

The Oshawa Kicks Raiders 94G team welcomed a new CGSL Premiere opponent to Oshawa this week and in the process registered its first loss of the young season. The Woodbridge Strikers were the victors in this match, by a score of 2-1. From the outset it seemed as though Oshawa failed to bring its "A" game to the pitch and even though The Raiders scored the opening goal, the "A" game never really materialized for Oshawa.

Give credit to the Woodbridge girls - this team won the vast majority of loose balls, kept the Raiders off-balance all night and were fully deserving of the win. This was a great illustration of the overall parity that exists in Premiere Division soccer. The Raider girls were taught a very important lesson by their Woodbridge opponents in this game - that nothing comes easy and that whoever gets the prize has probably paid a price to get it.   

The Beautiful Game continues to be so because it generally requires a balanced combination of talent, desire, preparation and good fortune. Oftentimes, the lack of one of these ingredients can make for a somewhat flawed recipe. But tomorrow always brings another day, and with it the opportunity to enhance that recipe...

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the Woodbridge Strikers game;
"Before you can win a game, you have to not lose it."
by Chuck Noll

Monday, June 12
RAIDERS VICTORIOUS IN WEEK FOUR

Riding their recent string of good preparation, good luck, good skill and good results, the Oshawa Kicks Raiders 94G paid a visit on Monday to scenic and spacious L'Amoreaux Park, to do battle with a familiar opponent from its CESL years and most recently from indoor friendlies, the West Rouge Storm 94G.

The two sides opened up the match with a cautious approach, with much of the play centered around midfield in the opening half. There was no clear territorial edge in this half, though the Raiders did manage to put up a single marker before halftime. It seemed that whenever field position was an issue, the Raiders could rely on Thumper's Throw-in's to reverse the tide.

The turning point in this match may have come early in the second half when the Storm all but scored the equalizer, only to have Stitch reverse the direction of the ball just as it was about to cross the goal line. Bolstered by this turn of events and perhaps a strong tailwind in the second half, the Raiders proceeded to take control of the contest and emerged with its fourth consecutive CGSL victory.

When the dust settled, Razor had a natural hat-trick to show for her efforts while Speedy counted a single to close out the scoring. Once again the Raiders backline was solid in guarding its defensive third, as Foxey, Chombie, T-Bone and Rocky all joined Thumper to ensure that Mac had friends nearby whenever necessary...

Next up is a new visitor to Oshawa as Woodbridge is scheduled to come to town on the 19th.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the West Rouge Storm game;
"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives."
by Willa Foster

Monday, June 5
RAIDERS RACK UP ANOTHER VICTORY

A day after capturing the Peterborough Challenge Cup, the Oshawa Kicks Raiders 94G found themselves in the middle of another CGSL tussle, this time with their old foe from the Indoor DISC league and the CESL days, the Ajax S.C. Lightning. As is often the case when these teams meet, it was a very evenly contested match on a beautiful night for soccer at Alexandra Park.

By no means a masterpiece, the game exhibited many of the physical elements of the game that seem to be a 'condition of doing business' in the Premiere loop. At times both teams showed very skilled and tactical elements of the game, but neither side was able to sustain any prolonged dominance on this night. The de facto grinders for the Raiders in this match were led by MareBare, Roadrunner and Nugget. And once again, the defenders and keeper were there whenever called upon.

While the match volleyed back and forth like a see-saw affair, the Raiders did manage to sink a goal just prior to the half, fittingly scored on the eve of the 2006 World Cup by the Raiders player who goes by the nickname of Cruyff (a personal fave of The Scribe). In the second half the Raiders primarily laboured through and played well enough to preserve the match. Given the weekend matches in Peterborough, the Raiders will graciously take this win and begin to focus on the week ahead, when it visits another CESL alumnus, the West Rouge Storm.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the Ajax Lightning game;
"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."
by Thomas Jefferson

Sunday, June 4
RAIDERS CAPTURE PETERBOROUGH CHALLENGE CUP

Looking to improve on a number of Silver Medal performances at past tournaments, the Oshawa Kicks Raiders 94G set their sights on the 2006 Peterborough Challenge Cup as the ideal opportunity to come away with Gold. And that's exactly what they did, by virtue of 4 consecutive victories and thus the first tournament championship in its relatively brief history.

The girls put forth a steady performance in this tournament, taking on skilled opponents on Saturday from Ottawa and nearby Cumberland. On Sunday the Raiders faced a very resilient Oshawa Turul club and later, in the final, the always gritty Wexford Wolverines. As with the Kicks Spring Classic in May, all Raiders matches ended in shutouts - thanks in large part to the clutch netminding of Mac and the continuous improvement of the Raiders defence and midfielders.

At the other end of the pitch, it was the lethal blend of finesse and force that got the Raiders the offence it needed to secure victory. Leading the way in this department was Speedy, who delivered the game winning goals in both the semi-final and the championship matches.

With the top-notch guidance of Coach John and Coach Lance, the girls are quickly learning what is necessary to succeed in high tempo, full field soccer. Knowing that the lessons of elite soccer are being taught by these fine gentlemen means a great deal to the very grateful Raider members.

Congratulations Raiders, today you are the champions. Savour the moment and remember how it came about. The journey can be as much, if not more fun than the destination...

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the Peterborough City Cup Tournament;
"Perhaps the single most important element in mastering the techniques and tactics of racing is experience. But once you have the fundamentals, acquiring the experience is a matter of time."
by Greg LeMond

Monday, May 29
KICKS RAIDERS PUT UP A DEUCE

The Oshawa Kicks Raiders 94G team paid a visit to their namesake team, the Richmond Hill Raiders on Monday evening. From a weather standpoint, there was no resemblance Monday to the conditions that the girls played in during last Monday's season opener. The end result however, was quite similar to that of last Monday's season opener. The Kicks fought of the heat along with their tough opposition and emerged with a 2-0 victory, putting their CGSL record at a similar 2-0 count.

This was a physical match when compared to the previous encounter between these same two teams a few weeks earlier at the Kicks Spring Classic. The Richmond Hill girls came out very strong and carried the play for the opening 15 minutes, after which things levelled off somewhat. At halftime there were no goals to speak of, but that changed when Speedy drove in off the left flank and sailed a shot high over the outstretched arms of the Richmond Hill keeper. Later, with the Richmond Hill squad playing more of a high risk style to try and even the score, the Kicks ZigZag also found the net coming in from the left flank, making the score 2-0 and thereby sealing the victory.

The Kicks Raiders now look to their next tournament, this one in Peterborough as they hope to improve on their 2nd place finish in last year's Peterborough Challenge Cup.

Good luck Raiders!

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the Richmond Hill Raiders game;
"You have no control over what the other guy does. You only have control over what you do."
by A.J. Kitt

Monday, May 22
RAIDERS PREMIERE CGSL OUTING A SUCCESS

The Oshawa Kicks Raiders 94G soccer team kicked off the 2006 CGSL Premiere Division season on Monday evening in fine fashion, emerging with a 3-1 victory over the Pickering Power Pythons. It was the initial contest for the Raiders on their new home field at Alexandra Park and based on the outcome, the new pitch is to their liking. The outdoor brand of full-field soccer is now the main order of business, and from what we've seen so far, business is good.

It was a brisk evening in Oshawa, and the game got off to an equally brisk start. Two very solid teams displayed a potent blend of finesse and grit in the first half, with the Raiders out front 2-0 at halftime, perhaps taking advantage of an opponent who had just competed at the Mississauga International Tournament. In the second half however, the talented Pythons held a distinct territorial advantage, and managed to slice the Raider lead in half. Shortly thereafter the Raiders replied with the final goal of the evening, and thus the 3-1 end result. Raider goals came from Razor (2) and Speedy.

Next up for the Kicks Raiders is a road trip to take on the Raiders in green from Richmond Hill, in a re-match of the 0-0 semi-final participants at the recent Kicks Spring Classic tournament.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the Pickering Power Pythons game;
"A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."
by Walter Gagehot

Sunday, May 7
RAIDERS TACKLE THE KICKS SPRING CLASSIC

The Oshawa Kicks Raiders 94 Girls emerged on the weekend from a long and productive indoor training season to take on the competition at the 2006 Oshawa Kicks Spring Classic Tournament. In what is now Year Two under the guidance of Head Coach John Djokoto and Assistant Coach Lance Hart, the girls performance at the Spring Classic was further testimony to the continuing improvement of the Oshawa Kicks Raiders.

The girls performed very admirably in the tournament, coming away with three shutout victories and advancing to the Semi-Final against the Richmond Hill Raiders. The Semi-Final would see the girls register yet another shutout by virtue of a 0-0 match at the conclusion of extra time, leading to a shoot-out scenario. In the shootout, the Raiders from Richmond Hill prevailed, thus concluding the tournament for the Kicks. All in all, a very rewarding and productive tournament for the Kicks Raiders. Special congratulations from the Kicks go to the 94G Spring Classic Champions, the Brams United Bullets, who went on to defeat the Richmond Hill girls in yet another 0-0 shootout match.   

All of this bodes well for the Oshawa Kicks Raiders in the upcoming 2006 CGSL Premiere Division outdoor campaign. The Spring Classic tournament was a great opportunity for the team to experience full field, 11 v 11 game conditions in preparation for the upcoming CGSL season. Let's all prepare to enjoy a great 2006 season in the highly competitive CGSL Premiere loop - summer is beckoning and it is time to witness the Oshawa Kicks Raiders partake in the annual summer ritual known as The Beautiful Game.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding the 2006 Oshawa Kicks Spring Classic Tournament;
"The difference between the possible and the impossible lies in the man's determination."
by Tommy Lasorda

Sunday, April 23
2006 OSHAWA KICKS 5K RUN FOR CHARITY

"The Oshawa Kicks Raiders '94 Girls visited Durham College on Sunday, April 23rd to participate in the annual 5K run event, held each year in Oshawa in conjunction with the Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club and the Durham Region Epilepsy Foundation. While the sun didn't shine, the conditions were ideal for the run (grey skies and cool, damp temperatures), allowing the girls to run as a group in a controlled pace.   This year it was Coach John himself, along with Kevin who did a fine job "escorting" the girls through the road course. Well done, all!"



The Scribe

A notable quote regarding 2006 Oshawa Kicks 5k run;
"Perseverance is not a long race, it is many short races one after another."
by Walter Elliot

Tuesday, February 21
ANOTHER ALUMNI VISITOR FOR THE RAIDERS

The Oshawa Kicks Raiders welcomed another graduate of the revered '86 Oshawa Kicks Girls squad as this time it was Katherine Likuski who paid a visit to a recent Raiders workout. Katherine was among select company on this '86 squad as she was one of the "Original Six" who began at U10 with this great team and remained a key participant throughout. Today, Katherine (#19) continues to don the Red & White as a key member of the Royal Military College (RMC) national varsity squad. As with the Kicks '86 girls, Katherine is continuing to realize great soccer heights at RMC as a stalwart defender, while studying Honours Physics & Aerospace. She recalled many fine memories of her days in a Kicks uniform, in particular the time she stepped onto the field in Portland, Oregon to face a team from the People's Republic of China at the Nike World Cup. As with her former Kicks teammate Sylvia Forbes, Katherine mentioned that much of her success in soccer was made possible by the great mentoring provided by John Djokoto & Lance Hart. The Raiders are very grateful to the Likuski family and to their fine coaches for arranging for Katherine to visit their recent training session. We hope to see Katherine again and look forward to following her progress at RMC and beyond.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding Katherine's team visit;
"Think big, believe big, act big, and the results will be big."
by Unknown Author


   

Tuesday, January 4
KICKS ALUMNI VISITS RAIDERS

The Kicks Raiders received a pleasant surprise at a recent indoor workout when one of Coach Djokoto's previous players, Sylvia Forbes stopped by. Sylvia, who was a stellar performer on the venerable '86 Kicks Girls squad, is currently on a full scholarship at Indiana's Purdue University and is also a former member of the National Training Centre Ontario (NTCO) and National Women's Team Programs. At the recent Raiders indoor session, Sylvia spoke of her current soccer and academic regimen at Purdue, and answered many questions from the inquisitive group of Raider players. She also recalled the fine mentoring and preparation that Coach John and Coach Lance were able to provide her as she pursued her goals and dreams, and encouraged the current Raiders to pay careful attention to what their coaches have to say.   It was a real pleasure to visit with Sylvia, and the Raiders look forward to keeping in touch with her in the coming years as she progresses through her career at Purdue. The Raiders would like to thank Sylvia for taking the time to attend their recent session, and wish her much success in her career at Purdue and beyond.

The Scribe

A notable quote regarding Sylvia's team visit;
"To succeed...You need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you."
by Tony Dorsett




 
 
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