NWU19 (FC Groningen19)-Bethany U19 5-6 (3-2)

Super Coach Seitz had all players available tonight. A well played game with a couple (or three) unlucky breaks. The half time score was 3-2 ahead with a nice right side diagonal shot from Connor that took the dust off the nets, a goal from Roman after a long throw from Kyle to Noodle who passed to Josh, Josh's shot came back in front of Roman's feet who executed perfectly and the third one coming off of Josh's boots. The second half saw the Bruins come back time and time again on deflected shots (three times mind you) despite the fact that Josh put in two more for his hat trick. Final score 5-6 so a little disappointing result because the way we played and scored deserved more. Check the Elkhart Sports Center's website later this week for next week's game times.

NWU16 (FC Groningen)- NorthridgeU16 (Elite Eight) 6-6

The indoor season started tonight. Lindy Seitz's U16 FC Groningen tied Elie Eight from Middlebury 6-6. After falling behind 4-2, the WaNee reps came back to go ahead 6-5, only to give up a goal in the last 4 minutes to conclude game one with a 6-6 tie. A nice result however in a very entertaining game. Goals came from Taylor (3), Eusebio (2) and Carter Beebe. The goal of the game came off a Kyle Dijkstra kick out of the box to Tim Escota on the right side who in turn passed it to Taylor who shot on goal and hit the ropes. Three touches total on the ball from one goal into the other!.Fortunately our game ended in shaking hands instead of exchanging punches like the game before ours. Our U19 (FC Groningen19) plays its first game tomorrow (Sunday) at 8 pm. Good Luck to his Lindy and his U19 squad tomorrow night.

Week of November 1st starts and finishes seasons

This coming Monday will be the first Open Gym at the AC. We will start at 7pm and will finish up around 8:30 pm. The State Finals take place this coming weekend which means that Open Gyms can start up again after that. So Open Gym is the off season start for the 2011 season. As we have stated before, "Succes stays in the record books and having fun passes with time". So fortunately we were able to add another Sectional Championship into the record books as well as some other records (wins & shutouts)but we had fun as well this past season. On Tuesday November 2nd at 6:30 pm we would like to have ALL players (Varsity and JV) come to the Fall Awards. We will discuss the expectations for the off season as well.

Here is the deal.........

The Fall Awards will be held on November 2nd at the High School. After the MVP awards have been given out, we will meet together as a team. During that time, players and parents can purchase 2 CD's and a DVD. On the black CD, Lindy Seitz has a compilation of pictures from the regular season, sectionals and regional game. The red CD has pictures of the Varsity, seniors and individual pictures in the new red jerseys. The DVD is a Sectional/Regional slideshow with the music from the 2010 warm up CD as background music. The price for one CD is $5, two CD's or one CD & one DVD is $9 and the set of three is $12.

U19 team registered as well

Mr. Seitz has also registered a NorthWood U19 team for the first session at the Elkhart Sports Center. The indoor season (8 weeks)starts next weekend (weekend of October 20).

Watching a former teammate.....

The closest Seth will play to NorthWood is this coming Saturday at and against Grace College in Winona Lake (literally in Lakeland Christian's backyard). The game starts at 3 pm. Coach Duerksen and Dijkstra as well as some players are planning on attending.

You know the season is over when...........

THE NETS ARE DOWN....
AND WHEN THE SIGN NEEDS TO COME DOWN TO BE UPDATED TO REFLECT THE LAST TWO CHAMPIONSHIPS

From the NWHS website, October Newsletter..pay attention to November 2nd

OCTOBER (continued)
Fall Choral Preview ............................ Oct. 18 7:00 pm
Area Spell Bowl ................................. Oct. 18
Donkey Basketball ............................. Oct. 19
Fall Break—No School ...................... Oct. 28-29
NOVEMBER
Athletic Awards Night ......................... Nov. 2 6:30 pm
Fall Play ............................................. Nov. 11 7:00 pm
End of 2nd Grading Period .................. Nov. 12
Fall Play ............................................. Nov. 13 7:00 pm
Fall Play ............................................. Nov. 14 2:30 pm
Thanksgiving Holiday ......................... Nov. 25-26

First U16 team registered with Elkhart Sports Center

Coach Seitz will coach the U16 team (registered as "FC Groningen") to the Elkhart Sports Center for the session beginning at the end of the month.We are hoping to get a U19 team together for the same session and are hoping to also have a second U16 for the second session. Thanks to coach Seitz for helping out, again!

from Monday's NWHS announcements

All JV & Varsity soccer players must meet tomorrow (Tuesday) after school at the practice field to hand in uniforms.

FC Groningen - SC Heerenveen 1-0

In 4th, behind Ajax, Twente and PSV!

Bethel Game Wednesday

We have made arrangements with the Bethel coach for Wednesday's game vs. Saint Francis for all NW soccer players to watch the game for free. We will discuss the specifics (transportation etc.) Tuesday when the uniforms will be handed in after school. So let us know tomorrow if you are interested in going.

U16 & U19 Indoor Information

Lindy Seitz will put together the U16 & U19 teams. All players interested will have to give us their birthdate information on Tuesday when the uniforms will be handed in. On the U16 teams, 8th graders don't count as part of the 6 maximum players each team can have from one High School. On the U19 team, seniors do not count towards the total of 6 player from one school. Mr. Seitz will also be the Coach for the two teams. All information on the teams will be posted here after Tuesday. If you have any questions, let us know Tuesday.

End of season information

On Tuesday October 19, all players will meet at the High School practice field to hand in their -clean- uniforms and warm ups. After we have done that, the Varsity will go to the game field and remove the nets from the goals.

All players interested in playing indoors on a U16 or U19 team, please see Coach Duerksen today or tomorrow. He will need your date of birth. Rosters with the Sports Center are due Saturday.

On Saturday October 23, Indiana Wesleyan and Seth will play at Grace College. If anyone is interested in going to that game, let me or coach know.

Let me or coach also know if you are interested in going to a Bethel home game and we can see what game to go to. Tickets for the Bethel game will be free.

Fall Awards are Tuesday November 2nd at 6:30 pm.

2010 Soccer Stats

NorthWood Panthers 11-5-2 (NLC) 2-4-1

Name/Goals/Assists/NLC/PTS
Taylor Wegmiller 7/1/1g/15
Ryan Lincoln 7/6/2a/20
Eddie Salinas 4/10/1g1a/18
Jason Callejas 3/6/1g/12
Connor Beckwith 5/2/2g/12
Josh Ailes 5/1/-/11
Trent Jacobs 4/2/1g/10
Roman Ortiz-Prather 4/1/1g/9
Eusebio Pantoja 1/1/-/3
Justen Hochstetler 1/-/-/2
Tyler Kronk -/2/-/2
Collin Tucker -/2/1a/2

SHUTOUTS
Kyle Dijkstra -9 * G.A.A- 1.22

Goals For: 42
Goals Against: 22

Career Record 110=110-32

* School Record

Thanks......for a great season!

The Goal........

Regionals....pics are up

Regionals-Elkhart Central-NorthWood 2-0 (0-0)

The Panthers' season ended on a cool night at Newton Park with a 2-0 loss against Elkhart Central. Despite the fact that the Panthers controlled the game the majority of the first half, it was the Blue Blazers who drew first blood. The first goal came 17 minutes into the second half after NorthWood played on its heels for about a five minute span. Central's Morales scored not only the first but also the second goal about a minute later even though it was obvious it was scored in an off side position. But the Panthers got no help from any of the three referees (a rarity that all of them would screw up this bad during the same game). With a little less then five minutes left on the clock, Ryan Lincoln was at the end line(!) and crossed a ball in the box. The ensuing header from Eddie went in for what looked to be the 2-1 (and if the off side Central goal would have been disallowed, this goal should have tied it up)but the referee on the fans side put up her flag for off side. Now, when a ball is crossed from the end line and the receiving player is behind the ball you can NOT be offside (even if there are no other Central players in front of him. So another bad call from the goobers in yellow. It is too bad that referees have this much impact on important games.
Except for a 15 minute span in the second half, the Panthers played a good game and despite the loss, had a great season. The seniors will be sorely missed. It is always a sad moment to pull into the school parking lot for the final time of the season and having to huddle up for the last time with these seniors. This years seniors were Cameron "Coo" Williams, Trent "Michelin Man" Jacobs, Ryan Lincoln, Tyler "Cramp" Kronk, Jason "the Magician" Callejas and Jiovanni Andriano. Thanks for a great season, seniors! The 11 wins tie the school record wins. The 11-5-2 record is the highest winning percentage in school history. The 9 shut outs are a new school record. The 2010 Sectional Championship is the school's 4th.
I will post leading scorers, assists and other records later.
After this succesful season, where we set goals for double digit wins, finishing near the top in the NLC and winning a Sectional Championship, it is now time to get ready for the 2011 season. We will have teams competing at the Elkhart Sports Center in indoor soccer (starts Oct 30th I believe) and the Open Gyms at the AC will start Monday November 1st at 7 pm and will run until 8:30 pm or so.
The coaches also want to thank all the parents for their support this season. From getting your kids and our players to the indoor games, the 7v7 games in Elkhart, supporting the team in the pre-season at the Soccer Showcase tournament to team dinners, the food and drinks after the games and even driving the bus. So thanks to all the parents in general and Sherry Beckwith for all her time organizing the food and drinks and doing the t-shirts etc. and Lindy Seitz for doing the pictures and everyone else who helped in one way or another. Thanks so much, it was truly appreciated by the players and the coaches.

Semi Final Games - Regionals, today

At 5 pm South Bend St. Joe will face off against Mishawaka Marian. The Elkhart Central - NorthWood matchup will follow with a projected kick off of 7 pm. All Regional games will take place at Newton Park.

Kronk's surprise

Tyler shows up at practice to find out he brought his sisters shorts.

Perfect square

Unfortunately this one square foot of pure dirt topped off with a dead piece of crab grass square in the middle is situated where? If you guessed that it can be found on our bumpy rock hard game field, you were correct.

Dinner at Coo's

Coo makes the blog again! Not only did we get to enjoy great food at the Coo Homestead but we also got to enjoy Coo starting FIFA 11 for 56 and a half straight minutes. If you have never experienced it you are missing out!

Coo succesful in restraining Coach Mattern

COO WAS ABLE TO RESTRAIN COACH MATTERN LATE IN THE GAME BUT IT TOOK ALL HE HAD. COACH MATTERN DISAGREED WITH A DIRK THE SMIRK DECISION. THIS PICTURE IS A RE-ENACTMENT OF THE INCIDENT.

Your 2010 Sectional Champions

The game report is posted below the picture blogs.

The Sectional Championship game pics are up, almost 200 of them!

1-0!

9 Shut Outs on the Season

Kyle has the school record for 9 shutouts but we are still playing so we have a chance to improve the record. Of course the defense deserves a lot of credit as well. With the defensive midfielders and defenders and keeper, the Panthers have kept the "Goals Against" to a minimum this season.

2010 Sectional Championship LaVille-NorthWood 0-1 (0-1)

Family, friends, the girls soccer team, teachers and other coaches and former players, all had found their way to Newton Park on what felt like a summer night in October. The stands were full and many more fans had brought their own chairs to watch the game from the sideline. An estimated 500 plus crowd would witness a physical soccer battle.
The controversial referee from the semi final was on the sideline which we hoped would mean he could not influence the game too much. I guess we were wrong since Dirk with the smirk would rear his ugly head late in the game....it is all about you, isn't it Dirk?

FIRST HALF
Larry Doan was the center ref, which pleased the coaches. Too many times in the past have we had to deal with incompetent performances from that position and a Sectional Championship is not the time to have to deal with that. The unfortunate thing is that the IHSAA changed the set up for refereeing years ago from a center ref with linesmen to a center ref with two AR's (assistant referees) who have more say about fouls on and off the field.

NorthWood got to defend the west side of the field by choice and LaVille got to kick off. The first few minutes went back and forth as both teams tried to establish their game. The Panthers were well aware that LaVille likes to go thru #10 and #23and had prepared the defense accordingly.
In the 8th minute a Ryan Lincoln shot was initially saved by #00 (??) keeper Vest but he was unable to hold on to the pig bladder. The ball rolled to the right of the goal where Eddie Salinas had come over to crash the goal. Eddie controlled the ball, took a couple of touches at the goal and put the ball away for the 1-0 early lead!
NorthWood played well on defense even though an early Lancer attack saw a duel between a LaVille striker and Jason. Jason's elbow made contact with the LaVille striker's nose resulting in a bloody schnazola.
In the 15th, LaVille was awarded a direct free kick from about 29 out almost straight on the goal. LaVille's #23 Highland (one of their leading scorers)took a hard and high upper right shot that was punched over by Kyle for his first -but not last- good save of the day.
In the 21st and 25th, Taylor used his speed to go at goal, in the first effort he was caught from behind resulting in a corner, in the second effort the LV keeper made a save. In the 28th minute, LV #23 went into the box which seemed to be the biggest threat in the first half but an amazing timely Clay Seitz sliding cleared the ball off the forward's feet. The 1-0 half time score was a pretty good reflection of the game.

HALF TIME
The one way discussion at the half centered on a couple of strategic adjustments and trying to put one or more goals in to deflate the opponent. Much emphasis was put on coming out with energy because the expectation was that LaVille would come out with much pressure in the first 10 minutes of the second half. If the lead would stand, the players were told to keep their composure because our experience was that LaVille would "loose it" when frustration would set in.

SECOND HALF
Only 2 minutes in, the second half would present LaVille with their first opportunity. Jake, who played a really solid game, slipped and a LaVille midfielder took the ball at goal but Kyle came up with a big save to preserve the lead. Three minutes later it was the Panther's turn to try their luck at the other side of the field. Eddie's corner landed in the perfect spot in the box. Lincoln headed the ball but it went just over the crossbar. In the 57th minute Eddie came up on the right side of the field and crossed a ball in the box to Ryan Lincoln. Ryan headed the low cross but the LaVille goalie got to the ball. A beautiful Noodle pass from the circle right thru the LaVille defense gave Taylor a chance to run on to the ball. Once inside the 18, Taylor took a perfect shot at goal. The keeper made an unbelievable save to keep LaVille in the game. LaVille tried to create opportunities in the remaining minutes of the game. Kyle made another 4 fabulous saves to keep the lead for the Panthers. Our defense did an outstanding job all night long. Clay and Kronk controlled the outside flanks. Clay's clearing passes were dead on all night. Kronk did what he has been doing for four years, being the biggest pest to the opponent to the point that it drives you nuts because you can't get around him. This night it would result in some scuffles in front of the grand stand and every time the coaches thought Kronk was hurt, he would wave them off and stay in the game. Jason was his own composed self and played a fantastic game. Jake cleared the ball all night long and kept his depth. No changes were made to the defense at all. Connor and Josh defended the central part of the midfield well with great performances by Collin and Trent as well. The midfielders Ryan, Noodle and Eddie worked hard all night on both sides of the ball. Taylor was aggressive and got unlucky on a few occassions but not not only played well but was very dangerous keeping the LV defense playing on their heels. In the 67th, LaVille keeper Vest had to make another save to prevent the Panthers from scoring on a perfect around the wall free kick from Connor Beckwith.

GAME ALMOST OVER......
With less then 30 ticks left on the clock, Trent went for a pass up top and could not completely get to it. In the tussle, he brought down a LaVille defender. In my mind one of the smartest moves all night. A foul on that side of the field with 19 seconds left, would all but guarantee us a Sectional Championship. A double LaVille overreaction on Trent's foul turned into a situation where some guys in white and blue were trying to confront Trent resulting in a LaVille red card. Two years ago, the Panthers beat the Lancers in the Sectional as well and LaVille lost their cool then as well resulting in red cards so we were used to this...we had read this book before. Eddie was standing in the substituion area clapping when all this was going on. But now Dirk with the Smurk, who apparently got another pass to leave the nursing home for a day, thought it was time for his moment in the sun. Dirk advised the center ref that he had witnessed Eddie clapping and that he deserved a red, as a matter of fact he insisted on a red! The strange thing was that he had missed so many calls (LV sliding into Kyle with cleats up and other fouls)that I was thinking he was in need of an optometrist as quickly as possible. I was worried he would be unable to find the nursing home bus after the game, I mean, I was sure he was blind but a miracle of biblical proportions made him see again just in time to witness Eddie's "violation". With 19 seconds left in the game, a championship game at that, it shows a true lack of understanding of the game.
After the dust had settled (some exchanges between the coaches and refs) we were able to restart the game and play out the remaining seconds for another Panther Sectional Championship!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOTES
This is the 4th Sectional Championship in 5 seasons (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010)for the Panthers.

The team celebrated with a bon fire at the Beckwith estate. The three coaches met after the game to get ready for wednesday's game.

Eddie's red card will be appealed by Athletic Director Sellers on Monday morning. A similar situation happened last year to Warsaw and the red for their player was changed to a yellow caution. We have high hopes that we will get the same result.

There will be more posts today, including the re-enactment picture of Coo trying to control Coach Mattern.

The 11th win of the season ties a school record. Our record improved to 11-4-2!

Next up is Elkhart Central on Wednesday at Newton Park for the Regional Semi Finals. Central beat Elkhart Memorial 1-0 in a PK shootout (we beat Memorial 4-1 during the regular season).

Hope to see all the fans back again on Wednesday, what a turnout!

Steps closer to Finals kick off

Coach Dijkstra's back yard during the team meal today.

The team got a light work out in this afternoon, followed by a spaghetti/fettucini/macaroni meal at Coach Dijkstra's house (luckily not prepared by Coach Dijkstra). Thanks to Coach Mattern's wife Angie, Jennifer and Jillian Wegmiller and Julie Dijkstra for putting this team meal together. The bus leaves at 5:45 pm. Kick off is set for 7 pm.

Everyone is LOVIN' THE LINCOLN!

Semi Final Pics are up

1-0!

Lindy Seitz specials

IT TOOK 3 AND A HALF MINUTES TO PULL THE YELLOW OUT OF HIS PAJAMAS


CELEBRATION TIME!

Bremen-NorthWood 3-4 (3-1!) Sectional Semi Final

THE STORY OF THE COMEBACK KIDS

The Panthers had shifted their focus to Bremen minutes after the Angola game. Much preparation had been spend on defense and not giving up opportunities in the box. But now it was time to see if we could execute. The weather conditions were perfect, the field was in good condition which was a rarity since we have been used to playing on wet and slippery Newton Park fields in years past. The team was ready as was the crowd. A nice contingent was present from both schools. Time for kick off. Our boys were ready to go.

FIRST HALF
The first five minutes of the game went as expected; two teams feeling each other out with NW having the majority of the possession. Just as we seemed to settle down, Bremen kicked the ball to their forward who found himself even with the NW defense. The foot race to goal was won by Bremen and Kyle had to come off his line. He covered the goal, only a perfect shot would go in. The Bremen shot hit the inside of the left post and disappeared into the net, 0-1. In the ensuing minutes, the Panthers took control of the game again, In the 10th and 11th, Lincoln (you will see this name mentioned again later on once or twice or thrice)and Taylor got decent shots off at the Bremen goal. In the 13th, Lincoln scores from the left side on a Eddie Salinas assist to tie the game at 1-1. In the 28th minute of play, Eddie makes the Lions keep make a save off a well placed free kick. The wheels seem to come off in the 30th minute. The escapee from the nursing home (yesterday must have been free sunglasses day)points to the dot for a Bremen PK after Collin Tucker heads a ball out of the box. No foul was committed and Collin actually did a great defensive job getting the ball out of the box. But, nonetheless, it's a penalty kick. Bremen puts the ball in the net for the 2-1. And just when the Panthers started to get control of the game again, another Bremen attack near the box results in a shot in traffic that finds its way to the net for a disheartening 3-1 half time score.

HALF TIME
Coach Duerksen emphasized the fact that we can not let any goals in in the second half and that we will just have to put in two or three and that "we will win this game!".

SECOND HALF
Ryan Lincoln took Coach Duerksen's words to heart and apparently did not feel like waiting to long to change the scoreboard. In a left flank attack, Ryan took a great shot only one minute and 43 seconds into the second half to close the gap to 3-2. The next 22 minutes seemed like an eternity. NW had the majority of the possession, played nice combination soccer and gave Bremen few opportunities but we needed something. Coach Dijkstra, in his infinite wisdom, must have thought that a discussion with the president of retiree association would get him somewhere but all it got him was a yellow card (#2 on the season if you are counting, not too bad actually). After he got thrown under the bus by coach Duerksen to get his first yellow earlier this season it was now Coach Mattern's turn to get the referee all excited. Coach Mattern then settles down, coach Dijkstra asked the ref if he would pay attention to Bremen's #2 in the box and voila, he whips out the freaking yellow. Just so you know, I carry cards in my backpack and I was tempted to give a red one in return but back to the match.
In the 60th minute, a Eddie free kick gets redirected in the box by way of a header from Trent towards Lincoln, who, in the middle of the box, takes a controlled and composed shot that gets saved by the Lions keeper. A couple of minutes later, Bremen has a break away on the left and Kyle has to come out to prevent another goal. He slides in front of the Bremen midfielder in the 1v1 and takes the ball off his laces. In the 69th minute, a NW attack in the box gets stopped by the referees whistle but he points to the 12 for a NorthWood PK. Not sure what the call was (maybe it was one of those famous make up calls) but Mr. Connor "automatic" Beckwith knows what to do.....score. It is now 3-3 with 14 minutes left to play. The Panthers keep plugging away knowing at this point that a draw will at least get us into overtime and maybe PK's but also knowing that Bremen is now playing on their heels just hoping to hang on for dear life. In the 71st minute, Ryan Lincoln takes the ball near and then inside the box and crushes the shot against the right inside netting to put the Panthers ahead 3-4! The crowd went nuts, the players went nuts, the bench goes nuts and the coaches are nuts! What a comeback for the Panthers. And there could have been more goals. A very determined Josh Ailes had 3 great takes that all could have gone in. The entire defense with Jake, Collin, Kronk, Clay, Trent, Connor, Kyle and the midfield with Josh, Noodle and Eddie, Ryan (hat trick/game of a lifetime) and Taylor, all of them did a great job in the second half coming back with determination and composure. I think we are ready for LaVille!

NOTES
With SAT's saturday, the usual saturday morning practice on sectional finals day has been moved to 12:30 pm. A lupper for the team and coaches will follow the light practice at coach Dijkstra's house. Fortunately for the team, coach Dijkstra will not prepare the carbohydrate laden meal.

The bus for the sectional game will depart at 5:45 pm. Anyone who needs attention from the trainer will need to make arrangements with Paul today because he will be out of town tomorrow.

The Panthers were back in black....it worked....more of the same Saturday.

We had a nice crowd last night and with temperatures expected to be near 80, we are hoping for another nice crowd tomorrow. What better thing to do on a Saturday then come out and support your Panthers!

NW season results

WWLWWWLLWWWLDDW.............LET'S ADD SOME W'S!

Sectionals start tonight

PANTHERS HOPING FOR SUPPORT FROM FANS

NorthWood starts off the LaVille Sectional with semi final action against Bremen. NW defeated the Lions during the regular season 3-2 on a Connor Beckwith PK late in the second half. The two teams have four common opponents. Bremen lost to Riley and Glenn, won against Mishawaka and Glenn (played them 2x) and drew against Plymouth. The Panthers beat Riley, Glenn and Mishawaka and tied Plymouth. The winner of the 5 pm matchup will face the winner of the Glenn-LaVille game (7 pm) on Saturday. The team bus will leave around 3:45 pm. If NorthWood wins, they will stay to watch part or all of the second game. All Sectional contests take place at Newton Park in Lakeville.

FINAL NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE STANDINGS

2010 BOYS’ VARSITY SOCCER NLC STANDINGS

1. WARSAW 7-0-0 21 points - Champion
2. CONCORD 5-1-1 16 points
2. NORTHRIDGE 5-1-1 16 points
4. NORTHWOOD 2-4-1 7 points
4. MEMORIAL 2-4-1 7 points
6. GOSHEN 2-5-0 6 points
7. WAWASEE 1-4-2 5 points
8. PLYMOUTH 0-5-2 2 points

Great time, great food

The team meal was provided by the Jacobs family. The food was great and it seemed everyone had a great time. In FIFA 11 action in the basement, I believe it was Holland destroying Spain 12-1 for the World Cup. Anyway, thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Jacobs as well as Brad and Trent!

FC TWente-FC Groningen 4-2

Sportsmanship?

NorthWood-Angola...pics are up

2-0

NorthWood-Angola JV pics