October 21st

The Phoenix still on a roll.  The Phoenix played the Jefferson Jr. Falcons with a score of 2-0.  Poor Jimmy didn't get to touch the ball very much in this game.  I think it was maybe twice.  The whole team played great.   The first goal was put in by Trevor with an assist by Sebastian.  The second goal was a beautiful shot by Mohamed.  I think it curved into the upper right hand corner of the goal, and it was virtually impossible for the other team to touch it.  

October 20th

The Phoenix continue their undefeated season.  We played against Lenape Valley and the final score was 2-1.  Both goals were made by Sebastian.  One of the goals was shot from outside the 18 yard line and sailed in up and over the goalies head.  It was beautiful.  This was another tough team, but we held our own. 

October 14^th

The Phoenix still haven’t lost.  With a tie against West Morris, we are still going strong.  The boys started off a little sluggish, but shifted into gear after West Morris scored two goals.  After the first goal was scored against us, Sebastian retaliated with a goal of our own putting in a beautiful kick over the goalie on a direct kick penalty from just outside the box.  We went into the second half losing 2-1.  We allowed one more goal from West Morris and then kicked it up a notch.  Sebastian made another goal with an assist by Trevor.  The last goal tying up the game was also made by Sebastian with an assist by Matt Hastings.  Matt placed the ball right in the bottom corner of the goal and Sebastian closed the deal.  Our boys are tough, built strong.  Nicky took a kick in the shin, from behind, for the team (no penalty called for the other team), was carried off the field, and returned to the game later on.  Alex also took one for the team.  He was taken out of the game and then returned shortly thereafter.  Michael Weiss took an elbow into the ribs and proceeded to hold his side for the majority of the game (Of course the ref. didn’t see this).  These boys refuse to give up.

Pride Tournament (Oct. 5 & 6)

Flight Championship Game

If this game wasn’t exciting, I don’t know what is.  Hanover was first to score a goal in the first half.  Mohammed tied the game by putting a goal in himself.  This all happened within the first 15 minutes of the game.  No further scoring happened in the remaining game time.  The game went into overtime.  Two 7 ½ minute periods.  Still no scoring.  It came down to the final shootout and even that went down to the last kick.  Hanover got up, Jimmy blocked it.  Nick Gaudio got up, Hanover blocked it.  Hanover got up, they scored.  Nick Muniz got up, we scored.  Hanover got up, Jimmy blocked it.  Trevor got up, Hanover blocked it.  Hanover got up, they scored.  Sebastian got up, we scored.  Hanover got up, Jimmy blocked it.  Michael Weiss got up, we scored.  Final shootout, Phoenix 3, Hanover 2.  Phoenix won the game.  It was as exciting as winning the World Cup, and by the way the boys celebrated after the final shot, you would have thought that was what it was.  We went back to Smith to be presented with our First Place Trophy (the only one obtained by a Parsippany team this year).  Pictures were taken for at least half an hour.  The parents were just as excited as our boys.

Phoenix vs. Chatham

The game plan for this game was to maintain a strong defense and to keep the other team from entering our side of the field.  The defense did a great job at keeping the other team off of our turf.  If I remember correctly, the other team only made it to our side of the field only three times.  Only one of those times did they make it all the way down the field.  I don’t believe they had even one shot on goal.  The goals on our team were made by Mody, Trevor, Trevor and Trevor.   About 10 minutes before the end of the game, Coach John gave the boys the go ahead to score more goals, but Chatham seemed to come to life.  Despite numerous shots on goal, not one found the back of the net.

Once this game was over,  the whole team went back to the score boards to await the final outcome of the game of Springfield vs. NJR Chelsea.  If Springfield won, it would come down to goals against, if NJR Chelsea won, we were in the finals.  The 10 minutes we had to wait seemed like forever.  Finally the score was in NJR Chelsea beat Springfield 1-0.  The Phoenix were in the finals.

 Phoenix vs. Springfield Roadrunners

 This game was uneventful.  The final score was 0-0.  Both sides had a few opportunities, but neither was able to capitalize.  The boys played hard and hung in there. 

Phoenix vs. NJR Chelsea

 It was early in the morning, it was foggy, the field was small (field hockey) but the Phoenix prevailed.  The game was won 3-2.  Sebastian scored the first goal.  The second goal was scored on a throw in by Nick Muniz with a little help from a NJR Chelsea player.  The third and winning goal was scored by Mody and it still wasn’t even 9:00 am.  Our boys did more work by 9:00 am then most kids do all day.

Sunday, September 30th

Another victory, way to go!  Score was Phoenix 2 and Hopatcong Spiders 1.  After much confusion, it was confirmed that George scored both goals in this game.  The first one was with some help from Peter and Sebastian, the other one was all by himself.   This just shows that all of our boys are capable of scoring and are trying really hard.  The boys started out a little sluggish, probably due to having the week off.  After 3 of our boys got injured in the second half of the game (if anyone is curious what I sprayed on the boys to ease the pain, it was Dermoplast, a topical anesthetic) the passion exploded from the Phoenix side.   Michael Homeijer has been voted by the parents as the "Header King".  The coaches however nominated him "Player most likely to get red carded", but in a good way.  Hopefully he took some aspirin after the game.  Not just for the headache, but the full body aches from the falls he took after heading the ball and just tackling the other players.  Some of Michael’s football skills were showing on the soccer field today.   Coach Khaled and I enjoyed seeing it very much.  Sebastian was such a threat to the other team today that the coach had 2-3 kids marking him at all times which only seemed to slow Sebastian down a little bit which was another source of amusement for Khaled and I.  Mody also had a nice moment where he fought past two defenders on the right wing (using his whole body) and was able to center the ball.  It brought a cheer from Khaled, myself, and especially Julio.  Just so everyone knows, Nicky was kicked in the shin very hard, but it wasn’t his knee which looks to be OK now.  Michael Weiss took a kick in the chest and has the cleat scrapes as his badge of honor.  I’m sure his girldfriend will find it very sexy (Just kidding).  All of the boys played great and It was a very good, exciting game.  Wish us luck at the Pride Tournament next weekend.

Wednesday, September 20th

I just wanted to congratulate 6 of our boys for making the Brooklawn Soccer team.  Trevor Dickson, Nicholas Gaudio, Sebastian Grajales, Michael Homeijer, Nicholas Muniz, and Michael Weiss.  I also want to congratulate Peter for trying out as well.  Don’t give up, I’m positive you’ll make it next year.  Two of our boys also tried out for Central Middle School, Mody Marrano and Matt Contaldi.  Unfortunately they didn’t make it.  I am proud of both of them for trying.  There’s always next year.

Sunday, September 16th

The Phoenix brought in their second victory against the West Milford Raptors with a score of 4-2.  The first goal (a rocket) was made by Peter, the second goal was made by Trevor during a penalty kick, the third goal was made by Sebastian with an assist by Trevor, and the fourth and final goal (a beautiful header) was made by Nicholas G. off a corner kick made by Sebastian.  The other team was tough and never gave up, but I was confident our boys tenacity would prevail.  I can’t even express how proud I am of how this team has truly come together.  I look forward to seeing what happens in the weeks to come.  The passing is tremendous, keep it up!!

Sunday, September 9th

The Phoenix started out the season with a victory of 3-1 against the Long Valley Timberwolves.  The first goal was made by Sebastian with an assist by Peter, the second goal was made by Sebastian, and the third goal was made by Trevor.  The boys played with a lot of heart and their love of the game and drive to win showed through.  Michael Weiss was named team captain, and presented with the team captain armband.  He has shown so much improvement over the years and his love of the game always shines through. I chose Michael becuase he has given 110% at every practice. Now I will be looking for him to show leadership on the field, and for his team mates to support and help him.  Way to go boys!  Great start!