The RAVENS was a newly established U-10Girls team for the Fall 03 season, playing in MCYSA Flight 3.  The team finished at 4-1-5 (W-T-L) in the fall for fourth place, and 7-1-2 in the spring, for a strong second place finish ... just missing the top spot by ONE goal.

 

The Fall 04 season began with a new blend of talent.  Returning from the Ravens' Spring 04 small-sided squad were Randy Pesci, Melissa Piccoli, Alexandra Seldin, Jordan Valori, Cynthia Abinader, Claudia Moreira, Julie Socolow, Carly Stagl, Alina Vitencz, and Shannon Wojcik.  Joining the team for the fall season were Krystal McLean, Amanda Fulton, Kaitlin Astrella, Jennifer Datri, Emily Muniz, Isabel Tan, and Stephanie Logan.  The roster was increased to 17 from 14, because of the move to full-sided competition.

 

The season had its share of thrills and disappointments.  The girls practiced and worked hard, and the development of all was very evident as the season rolled on.  But, goals were hard to come by ... "we didn't score much, but we didn't give up much as well."  So a lot of low scoring games was the result, and a league record of 1-3-6 (W-T-L) was how we ended up.  However, the girls did extremely well in tournament games and scrimmages against many flight 1 teams - giving most of them all they could handle.  There is a genuine level of excitement and promise as the Ravens get ready for the 2005 indoor season.

 

The indoor season was very exciting, with the team showing signs of working well together in all facets of the game.  The girls had a great time during the Soccer Palace season, and the Turf City games.  In addition, the team scrimmaged in the "big rink" at Turf City vs. U12 Montville (2x), and well as at Kozak in Randolph vs. the Rockaway Fusion.

 

(06/28/05) - The Spring 05 season turned out to be one of the strangest, exciting, fun and frustrating ones to date.  With a drop in flight (3), the team expected to place a few wins on the board, while concentrating on developing their individual skills and team tactics.  As it turned out, eight of the ten MCYSA League games were decided by one goal ... or less.  Truly, the record of 0-4-6 (w-t-l) does not reflect how competitive the team was in match play.  With just a little bit more luck, that record could be just the reverse.  However, the girls finished the season on the upswing with some good showings at the Randolph Memorial Day Tourney (1-1-2), and the Ocean Township Tournament of Champions (1-1-1).  The last game of the season is definitely a sign of things to come at U-12, with the girls in complete control, and finishing up with a dominating 4-0 win.

 

(08/19/05) - As the 2005 Fall Season approaches, the team has undergone some change.  We wish Isabel Tan and Jennifer Datri a lot of luck as they go on to other personal adventures, and thank them for their hard work and dedication.  We welcome to the Ravens U12 edition three (3) new players, all coming from the U11G Freedom; Erin Gavin, Sarah Lipinski and Kristen Randolph.  All three have played with the Ravens before, guesting at tournaments in the Fall 04 season.  The entire team welcomes them aboard, as we get ready to reach for the "next level."

 

(12/09/05) - The Fall 2005 season turned out to be a tremendous success.  While tournament play was limited due to wet weather, the MID NJ season was a 10 game "tourney" in itself.  The Ravens clearly dominated most of their games.  With a solid defensive core; an aggressive and challenging midfield; and an offense that displayed "finishing" talent, the Ravens were 7W 1T 0L heading into game 9 vs. another undefeated opponent.  Read all about how the Ravens accepted the challenge in week 9, and again vs. the same opponent in week 10, in the archived game recaps for Fall 05.  The bottom line - 9 Wins, 1 Draw, and 0 Losses .. with 30 Goals For and 2 Goals Against ... good enough for the Flight 5 Championship!  Additionally, our State Cup game in October found us up against the same opponent from last year.  It was  an exciting game, and again one that saw the team take a few steps up on the development ladder.  Check out the action in the State Cup Fall 05 link. 

 

We are now headed into the Winter 06 Indoor season with a lot of very positive anticipation.  The girls have developed technically, tactically, come together as strong team, learned more about sportsmanship and what it takes to compete at a high level.  Additionally, they have matured and grown as young ladies, and have developed a love for the game.  With our success this past season, we know that teams will be gunning for us.  We'll be ready!

 

(8/02/06) - The Spring 06 season found the Ravens promoted to Flight 3 in MID NJ.  The season started off very promising with two (2) quick wins.  However, the team quickly found out that things were going to be little tougher in the higher flight.  The team came out hard in every game, and competed well in every game.  But, the offense was no where in sight in a few games, and the Ravens endured a long scoreless streak that made them come up on the wrong side of the score in a number of very closely contested matches.  The team finished up in Mid NJ in 6th place, with a 3-4-3 (w-l-t) record.

 

The highlight of the season occurred at the Randolph Memorial Day tournament.  The team finished up with 3 wins and 1 loss ... good enough to come away with the Flight Championship.  The team also traveled down to the Ocean Tournament of Champions, where a good time was had by all, even though the team wound up 0-2-1 for the weekend.

 

So now we are off to U13Girls ... for some more thrills on the pitch. 

 

You can review all of the Spring 06 action by clicking on appropriate "Spring 06 .." link on left side of the Ravens homepage.