Polaris KC : My Site News

Polaris KC matched up with EFC Evolution in its penultimate league game on Saturday, October 30, at Heritage Soccer Park.

In its final game Polaris KC was matched against Metro Elite on Sunday, October 31, 2010.

Final Scores: Polaris KC 1 – 5 EFC Evolution

                        Polaris KC 0 – 1 Metro Elite           

Coach Kelly’s comments: “This was a tale of two games. We were not in sinc for much of the EFC game. We showed flashes of good soccer, but could not deal with the ball movement of EFC.

On the other hand, we looked very good for the majority of the Metro Elite match. Especially in the second half we placed Metro under pressure.

We sorted out our marking and kept Metro under pressure, allowing them very few good shooting opportunities. We moved the ball around well, getting it out wide and also working it down the middle. We did have our chances, and it was disappointing to not come away with a goal and a tie.

Now we look forward to carrying our good play into the HIT tournament.”

In its second event of the 2010-2011 season Polaris KC competed in the GSi Summer Showcase, played at the Overland Park Soccer Complex, July 31 and August 1. Polaris KC played its full schedule of three matches.

This event, in its first year, was opportunity for the team to gain more exposure to college coaches, and to build on the performance at the SLYSA Showcase.

Polaris KC was scheduled to play KC Athletico; West Side Alliance, OK, and Fire SC, MN. [Fire SC was semi-finalists in the Minnesota State Cup.]

Results:

Polaris KC 1 – 3 KC Athletico

Polaris KC 2 – 0 WSA

Polaris KC 1 – 1 Fire SC

Coach Kelly’s comments: “The first game again showed that we are still learning to play together. We were disorganized at times and KC Athletico took advantage. That said we made some errors that we cleaned up in the second half and the other games. It was also a very hot and humid day and took something out of us.

The second and third games demonstrated how good we can be. We were fairly dominated in the WSA game. They put us under pressure, and were overly rough at times, but we kept our composure, played the ball quickly, and scored two good goals. Though we played with only two forwards, we were the more dangerous team. It was very disappointing to have two players go down in this match.

The final match was excellent. The Fire SC was a high quality opponent, who played a very patient style, moving the ball around. We coped with this very well, kept our organization, kept our shape and for periods of the game, created better chances. The goal came early, Lauren Sharp sending in an excellent ball, which Elaina Parker handled exceptionally and finished great self-control. We continued to battle and were a bit disappointed to concede a late equalizer.

The turn out of college coaches was good, for a 1^st time event. The players responded well to the environment.

We must also express our thanks to the guest players who gave us great help in this event: Cydney Robertson, Mariss Delgado, Lauren Sharp and Lexi Pommer. We truly could not have competed in this event without them."

Polaris KC kicked off the 2010-2011 season with the SLYSA Showcase, played at the SLYSA complex in St. Charles, MO, July 17 and 18. Polaris KC was scheduled for three matches, but the Sunday match was cancelled due to rain.

This event, in its first year, was opportunity for the team to gain more exposure to college coaches, and to evaluate the team’s early season form.

Polaris KC was scheduled to play Olympique PFK St. L.; SLSG Red 93/94, and Mid-Rivers - Berra. [Each team, coincidentally, finished 2^nd in their respective division in the SLYSA League.]

Results:

Polaris KC 1 – 2 Olympique PFK St. L.

Polaris KC 1 – 1 SLSG Red 94

Polaris KC vs. Mid-Rivers – Berra ~ cancelled

Coach Kelly’s comments: “Many factors could have made this a difficult start to the season. The players overcame a number of these and put in two good performances. Any time you play against St. Louis teams you will get a match that will test the team.

Despite having only one complete practice, the new players blended into the team and quickly acclimated to the team. In each game a different formation was used, and all the players adjusted and made it work. The players played different positions and in different situations. We can now look over things and work on making the improvements necessary.

The team spirit was excellent. We played two good games, in very difficult conditions.

Though the event was not a large showcase, players were again exposed to college coaches, and to other players who have the same aspirations of playing at the next level.

The first game was very even. In the end I thought it was a match we came away from with good, positive feelings. In the second game, we had to grind out a tie. In both games, I thought we were the stronger team in the last 10 minutes of the game.”

To kick off the 2010 season, Polaris KC will host Head Women’s Coach Molly Grisham, of Wayne State College.

Coach Grisham will conduct four (4) training session for Polaris KC, over the June 11-13 weekend.

Wayne State College is a NCAA Division II institution. The Wildcats compete in the Northern Sun conference. The Wildcats made dramatic improvement in Coach Grisham’s first year, going 4-15-1; doubling the team's goal production in one season (11 in 2008 to 22 in 2009).

Coach Grisham was an assistant coach at Ottawa University, a NAIA school.

Coach Kelly’s comments: “We continue to attract quality coaches to work with the team. Coach Grisham has a good perspective, having coached both at the NAIA level and now at the Division II level.

This is an important year for returning senior players. I think these training sessions will give them a good start on the season to come.”

Polaris KC traveled to Ottawa University to play a friendly match, prior to the OU vs. Benedictine women’s game. On Saturday, September 19, Polaris KC took on BV Stars Barcelona at the Peoples Bank Park on the campus of Ottawa University.

After the game, Polaris KC was treated to a quality college match game between the highly ranked Ravens of BU and the OU Braves. The Ravens prevailed 4-2.

Coach Kelly’s comments: “What a great experience we all (players, parents, fans and coaches) had at Ottawa. Coach Craig Shaw invited us down and matched us up with one of his former players, the coach of the BV Stars Barcelona, U18 team. We had the opportunity to play on the OU game field, Peoples Bank Field, against a quality opponent (Heartland U18, Division 1), and on a beautiful day. We competed well with Barcelona, and gave a good account of ourselves. The players had a chance to see the soccer facilities, the college, and get a feel for the atmosphere at a small college. We got an extra game in, allowing us to try some things we might not usually test in a league game. Hannah MacMachen played a solid game in goal, on a weekend she was not scheduled to play.