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 Welcome |
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| Striker Memories
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Greetings from the Strikers
Welcome to the Home page of the DC Stoddert Strikers. We have played our last season in WAGS at U-19 Division 3 in the Spring of 2007.
We are an experienced, fun-loving crew. We have played championship seasons as well as tough seasons. We have enjoyed them all. No one has ever been cut. Some girls have moved on and up, Some have quit soccer for health and other reasons. Some of us are still playing in some capacity.
We are a stable, close team: seven of us went to the same elementery school in DC and eight of us were been on the team for the last twelve seasons. We have also played in MSI and ODSL. Willy Kabwasa who has trained the team for several seasons starts his third season as head coach. Our Manager-for-Life is Susan Connolly.
Thursday, September 20
Some Strikers Play On
While most of the Strikers have gone off to college, two players returned to the Soccerplex for another season playing for Stoddert. Naomi and Rachel continue playing for the Flame with Coach Evans Malvi. Rachel was one of the original Flame as was Bryana. Kelly remains a stalwart along with an old lDynamo player, Meme. Delaney has also returned. Good luck to the Flame.
Monday, May 14
Strikers End WAGS Run atop D-III
The Strikers played their last WAGS game with a chance at the Division III championship. Every player present and fit. There was a large turnout of Striker faithful including former defensive stalwarts Katie B and Anna. The Strikers scored early and led the whole second half as they secured an outright Division title. SAC United Premier challenged the Strikers, but they could not be denied this day.
Sara introduced herself early with a long run into the right corner. She crossed to Abby whose deflection found Bryana dead on goal. She popped it over the harried goalie for an early lead. Much later in the half SAC scored the equalizer. A minute later the Strikers were in SAC's corner again. Emma ran onto a perfect cross and left-footed the second goal.
Early in the second half Sara took the ball up high, Sprinted and bumped into the right corner, then cut back into the middle of the box where she blasted an insurance goal which the Strikers needed. SAC scored again and gave the happy parents some gasps of concern. But the Strikers finished strongly, despite baiting the official to a yellow card. At the whistle the girls greeted old friends and looked forward graduation and more.
Tuesday, May 8
Strikers Climb to First at Calverton, 1-0
The Strikers travelled to Calverton to meet their old nemesis, the Strikers, for their usual tight encounter. Although seriously outnumbered, the Strikers outfought the Calverton by controlling the ball and mounting frequent attacks.
The Strikers enjoyed the slope and the wind in the first half applying relentless pressure in the Calverton end. It appeared that Calverton would weather this storm when Tosin and Bryana scrambled around in the left corner and deflected a ball to Katie who drove goalward and launched a high shot over the goalie and into the net.
In the second half the Strikers endured against waves of subs as well as the wind and the slope. Lindsay scooped up many balls and Jazz and Carmon ran down everything. Sarah broke free for the goal several times but bad luck and desperate defense were fortunate to deny her and the Strikers another goal. Emma was also denied by a takedown from behind, flagged by the AR but ignored by the whistler.
The Strikers will win the Division with another victory. They are a skilled accomplished team that has been outnumbered but solid in controlling the ball and defense. It is their last season. There have been many absences and the girls are moving on after High School. They have played with assurance, heart and fun. The Strikers and their fans have learned much from this ultimate team game. For the lasting friends and dear memories it was worth it.
Thanks to all the players, parents, coaches and especially Susan who made this wonderful team possible.
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