Stafford Rockets: Team History
Monday, May 27WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
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| Click here for SOCCERFEST on the web |
Despite out playing their opponent for most of the game, the Rockets dropped their opening match to the Pantera Soccer team from Queens, NY by a score of 2-1. However, the persistent Rocket scoring drought, which has plagued them of late, ended in a flood as the Rockets rebounded with a 10-0 blowout over the Bay River Piranhas. The semi-final matched our Rockets against a very good CSSC Revolution team, which had won both their opening round games. Despite being down 3-1 at the half, the Rockets fought back brilliantly and scored 4 unanswered goals to take the match 5-3 and advance to the championship game. The finals pitted the Rockets against the same New York team that they had lost to the day before. In a heroic struggle by both teams, the score was tied 0-0 at the end of regulation. After what seemed like a very short break in the hot sun, the teams took the field for the sudden death overtime period. The opponents took the kick off and were stopped by the impressive Rockets defense. Then the Rockets went on the attack. A poor clearance put the ball on the foot of the Rocket's Alex Hale about 24 yards out. His powerful shot just cleared the out stretched arms of the very good Pantera goalkeeper and slammed strongly into the back of the net for the victory.
The win helped to validate what has been a trying spring season for the Rockets. It also marks the 4th championship in their last 6 tournament appearances.
Monday, March 18
Rockets Finish Tournament With 2 Wins
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| Click on logo to visit tourney website |
Coach Alex can feel good knowing that the boys played very well together and out hustled all three of their opponents. Once again the Rocket defense proved solid, posting 2 shutouts in 3 games. The Tournament’s 4 Rocket goals were scored by Lucas Hatcher(2), Nick Tierney and an own goal was awarded to a Reston defender.
Because of deteriorating field conditions on Sunday, the tournament championship was decided on penalty kicks. The Hotshots hit all 5 shots with the runner-up Bethesda Wolverines missing on only one. The Rockets would like to thank all the teams, coaches, referees and volunteers that helped to make this a successful event despite the unpredictable March weather. Special kudos to Belinda Tierney and her group of dedicated and committed (our should they be committed?) Rockets’ parents and siblings. Get some rest; we only have 365 days till the next one!
Click on "Schedules" or "Stats" for individual game scores, stats and reports.
Saturday, November 10
Rockets end their Fall 2001 season.
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| Great Season Rockets! |
And, WHAT A SEASON! 10-2-4 overall.
Good for 2 Tournament CHAMPIONSHIPS and 4th place in a very competitive NCSL division. Hats off to division champs TSC Thunder and runners up, SAC Blue Devils and BRYC Explosion.
For a recap of the season, click on the "Schedules" section. A summary is available for every game.
GREAT JOB ROCKETS!
All Stafford is very proud of you.
Sunday, October 7
ROCKETS WIN CHAMPIONSHIP - EARN TREBLE
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The Rockets went 4 for 4 this weekend enroute to the Pocoshock Columbus Day Invitational Championship in Richmond, VA. This victory combined with the Whitewater Cup and St. Patrick's Day Tournament wins means that our Rockets have captured a TREBLE (three championships) for 2001.
Tournament recap:
In a steady, cold rain Saturday the Rockets beat the Bay River Pirahas in a lopsided 5-0 game. With the wind picking up and conditions deteriorating, the Rockets fought both the elements and a very good Richmond Kickers-Eastern team to a 1-0 victory.
The sun came out the next day and so did the Rockets. The Rockets scored a nail-biter victory over the Richmond Kickers-Midlothian in the semi-finals by a score of 4-1. A match in which the Rockets scored 3 unanswered goals late in the second half to finally put the game out of reach. The championship game was against a tough Alexandria squad with the Rockets taking a well deserved 3-1 victory. The Rockets will meet this same Alexandria Arsenal team in league play later this season.
Stats from the tournament show 13 goals for, with only 2 goals against (one on a PK). Six different Rockets scored goals, most on assisted plays. The Rocket defense was outstanding issuing 2 shutouts and holding opponents to a half goal per game average for the tournament.
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| 3 Championships in 2001- The Treble |
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| Whitewater Cup - it's ours! |
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WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
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| A proud coach! |
Click "Champions" headline above for the Whitewater Cup photo album.
Team History
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NCSL Spring 2001
The Rockets had a good season. They finished with a 4-3-2 record and will stay in division 4 for the fall season.
GREEN DIVISION CHAMPS!
The Rockets participated and went undefeated in the Stafford County 8th Annual Saint Patrick's Day Tournament on March 17-18, 2001.
The Rockets participated in The 2001 Atlantic Memorial Day Soccerfest and finished 4th overall. They finished with a 2-1 record. The game the Rockets lost the boys were only able to play a shortened half due to a storm that rolled onto the pitch. The Rockets definately made a strong showing at the tournament and played very well as a team.
Tidewater Soccer Camp - August 2001
The Rockets returned from a hard week of intense team training at the William & Mary sponsored Tidewater Soccer Camp at Christchurch School in southeastern Virginia. Besides the regular schedule of drills and games, the boys were allowed free time to go swimming, get in trouble and be boys in general. Each night several of the team members joined in the indoor Futsal competition. Reports indicate that the fine dining selection of spaghetti, spaghetti and spaghetti was enjoyed by all attendees.
Honors were given to the following boys:
Dribbling Drill Competition
Chris Garcia
Michael D'Amico
Juggling Competition
Matt Loew
Nick Tierney
Penalty Shot Competition
Stephen Bacheller - Group Champion!
Nick Liedel
The Rockets also came in second in their round robin grouping.
Whitewater Cup Champs!
Despite the tough competition of teams from Pennsylvania and New York, the Rockets took the Championship of the gold division at the 2001 Labor Day Whitewater Cup in Hazleton, PA. The Rockets were undefeated with a record of 2-0-1.
Rockets win the PVYSL Columbus Day Invitational - capture 2001 Treble!
The Rockets won their 3rd tournament championship in 2001 by going undefeated in the PVYSL Columbus Day Invitational in Richmond, VA. Desipte cold, wind, rain and very tough competition, the Rockets won all 4 of their games by a combined 13 goals for and only 2 (1 on a PK) against.
Jamming by Bob Marley
Tetra-Brazil Soccer Camp
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After a brutal Monday, the weather turned delightful with lower temps and humidity. Both of the Tetra-Brazil coaches were wonderful and each boy gained a greater appreciation for "the beautiful game."
A big THANK YOU to Tracy Marino for helping to organize the camp and Pat Trujillo for housing and looking after the Brazilian trainers.
Sunday, September 1
Rockets win tournament championship!
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The Rockets ended the tournament with 3 wins and 1 loss, including their victory in the championship game. The Rocket defense was once again very impressive, dishing out 2 shutouts in the 4 games. Of special note was the outstanding play by the Rockets midfield, which supported both ways and won many 50/50 opportunities.
Three Rockets; Lucas Hatcher, Michael Berry and Alex Hale, led the team with 2 goals scored, while Lucas added 2 assists making him the tournament scoring leader. With one goal each were Ben Trujillo and Bennett Whitlock. Gideon Townsend, Nick Tierney and Nick Liedel each assisted on goals.
For game recaps, scores and stats click on SCHEDULES and then the individual games.
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| Click here for tournament site |
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TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
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| Click here for tournament site |
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The Rockets played some of their best soccer ever and took home the CHAMPIONSHIP trophy at the Stafford Soccer Club's St. Patrick's Day Tournament on March 15th and 16th. A BIG THANK YOU to Belinda Tierney and all the parent volunteers that helped to make the tournament a great success.
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In an unpresidented move, The Virginian soccer tournament was cancelled for the first time in it's 28 year history. Blamed on lack of field availability because of the rainy weather, the tournament commitee announced Thursday that there would be no games this weekend.
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| Click here for tournament site |