Xtreme Finishes Season on High Note

The role of spoiler in sports is a time-honored one. From this weekend's Blame at The Breeders Cup to the 1986 New York Mets; from the 2004 Boston Red Sox to the 2007 New York Giants, the team (or horse) that comes into a contest seemingly outgunned, underestimated, and under-appreciated and shows everyone why we play the games is a great American tradition. On the last weekend of league play in the WAGS Fall 2010 season it would be Xtreme 98 Red who would play the spoiler.

McLean Spirit White had started the season strong, a 4-0-2 record enough for them to lead the division. But they had been slipping in the last half of the season, going 0-1-2, while rivals Stampede and Metros had been surging. McLean knew they would close the season at home against Xtreme – a rematch of a decisive McLean victory earlier in the season – and with a victory they would be able to slide back into first place and win the division. The fans and players were counting on that win to salvage their season.

But across the county, the scrappy little never-say-die Xtreme 98 Red squad had been surging as well. And the players had long ago circled November 7 on their calendar. They wanted to see McLean on the pitch, without their 9^th player – the dread "Madame Referee."

During pre-game warm-ups, McLean looked confident. Xtreme looked hungry. And with a stiff breeze and the smell of Revenge in the air, the game began, and Xtreme went to work.

The first four shots on goal in the game were all Annandale, and Red took up residence on McLean's half early. At the three minute mark a precision passing play began at midfield when California Aidan stole the ball from a would-be McLean attacker. She passed to Sunshine who fed the Taxman streaking down the right side. Taxman pounded the ball into the back of the net, but then looked over disappointed to see the STAR's flag whipping in the heavy wind. She was offsides – no goal.

But the early attack exposed a vital weakness in McLean's defense – they could stand Red attackers up on point, but with Xtreme's passing game on fire, McLean was caught off guard on the wings. And the home team was knocked back on their heels, ceding valuable territory at the midfield to Big Foot and CA Aidan, who kept Red on offense.

Just one minute later, The Professor stole the ball from McLean and delivered it to Sunshine, who fed First Aid. First Aid put on a ball handling clinic on the left side, and then lobbed her now signature ball high in the air, over the defense, over the keeper, and bouncing into the net.

With The Hammer and The Professor in the back shutting down occasional McLean attacks, Red stayed on offense for much of the first half, First Aid adding another goal at 19 minutes on a feed from Happy Feet, who herself was busy terrorizing the right side defenders.

McLean fans, thinking back to the 8-1 victory the last time these clubs met, were stunned, and the coaches made frequent substitutions in an effort to stem the Red onslaught. But like a nightmare, it kept getting worse and worse as Xtreme moved the ball well and the Xtreme offense piled on shot after shot and great scoring chances.

Sharky was rarely tested in goal, only being asked to make four saves, and the first half ended with Xtreme up 2-0.

The second half would see a different McLean team on the pitch. Energized by the possibility that their season could be slipping away to this rag tag group of Red technicians, McLean poured on the offense, sending twice as many shots at Happy Feet, now handicapped by the sun shining directly into her eyes. But Xtreme's save leader showed why she sits atop that board and turned away all eight shots.

Xtreme logged a few more exciting scoring chances courtesy of Space Ghost and the Sledgehammer - who mixes martial arts and soccer to great effectiveness. McLean threatened several times, but in the end, Xtreme prevailed, climbing up from the basement of the Division, and preventing McLean from winning the division, rather, finishing fourth.

The Xtreme girls head into the off-season excited and energized by their progress. They will gather for a team dinner and sleepover, and then take a few well-deserved weeks off, before resuming practice in December. Next week the blog will look at the individual and team statistics for the Fall season.

Tricks and Treats and Cosmic Justice

The tail end of the season sees some rematches from the first part of the season, and Xtreme took to the pitch on Halloween for a rematch of the season opener with division powerhouse SYC Stampede. Stampede got the upper hand the last time they met with a 4-0 win, including two unearned goals. Stampede has gone on to dominate the division and is in a tie for first place, but Xtreme was confident they could run with this juggernaut. And they did, providing an exciting game that was fun to watch.

Xtreme, with a crowded bench thanks to visiting White players Anna, Mariana, and Mel who had a bye this week, tested the Stampede keeper early. The teams traded quality scoring chances in the first half, with Red displaying their trademark passing creativity that would compliment strong individual skills. However, Stampede did a better job of picking up loose balls, aggressive tackling, and keeping their defense in position to stymie the Red offense.

The first half would end in a scoreless draw, but not for lack of trying from both teams. Mel, in the Red goal, would turn away six quality shots, while the Xtreme offense sent twice as many at the Stampede keeper, including a thrilling and perfectly timed corner that Anna sent into the box to a waiting Aidan G, who pounded the ball on target.

The second half began with both teams again trying to crack the code of the other's defense, but without much success. Less shots were taken in the second half by both teams - though again Red outshot their opponent. Sharky, in goal for Red, only had to turn away one shot in the first 15 minutes of the second half. But then, at 51 minutes, a fast-rising rocket from a bizarre angle on her left beat her to the far upper corner.

But as fans and opponent know by now, playing from behind is a Red specialty. Red poured on the offense, controlling the ball and staying on offense for most of the remainder of the game. And in a moment that can only be described as cosmic justice, in the 69^th minute, as the Stampede fans were starting to pack up and looked ahead to another three points in the standings and trick-or-treating, First Aid would pounce on a misplayed punt from the Stampede keeper, and lob a shot high in the air and over the keeper's head. The ball bounced behind her and up to the top of the goal for the tie.

Stampede and their fans were deflated – something that had happened earlier to an odd Xtreme fan pictured above. Xtreme pushed for a go-ahead goal from the stunned Stampede, but full time expired just after the kick-off and the game ended in a draw – Xtreme's second in as many games.

Xtreme keepers made seven saves and allowed one goal; Stampede keepers made 23 saves and allowed one goal. Xtreme's 31 total shots were spread amongst 12 players, with Taxman and First Aid each putting four on target. In addition to outshooting their opponent, Xtreme was also awarded more corner kicks – six to two, and was whistled for more fouls, four to one.

"SYC is a good team," said Coach Lance. "I hope the Xtreme girls realize they can play toe-to-toe with any team in this league. This was a great game to watch, and I'm looking forward to next week's game against McLean and playing with our regular roster and normal rotations."