Alumni Game 2012

The 2012 Alumni Game was played under cloudy and rainy skies but it did not dampen the spirits of these -former?- great athletes. Some of the players actually worked on their form (Coo) and improved during the game. The coaches' team played with pressure and was on the opponents half most of the second half but was facing counter attack after counter attack. It was really good to see all of these former players! And even though this is a fun game, it was pretty clear these are still all very competitive athletes.

BACK ROW from left to right, Josh Ailes, Roman Ortiz-Prather (Noodle), Connor Beckwith, Seth Douwsma, Ryan Lincoln, Cameron "Coo" Hartman, Coach Dijkstra (of course), Micah Shaw, Josh Stump, Brody Morningstar and Michael "holy" Schmitt. FRONT ROW from left to right, Levi Miller, Coach Duerksen, Jacob Smith, Tyler Slagle, Nate Davidhizar, Eddie Salinas, Robbie Burns, Dustin SHaw, Bobby "Ricky Bobbie" Delafuente and Chris Roelandts.

Announcer Mattern commits for another year

SOME OF ANNOUNCER MATTERN'S HANDYWORK (WORKING THE SCOREBOARD) The Voice of NorthWood Soccer has agreed to once again be the informational announcer during home games. Former NW soccer player (Defender, #4), former JV Soccer Coach and current WaNee Community Schools Director of IT and NorthWood Head Softball Coach is already used to wearing numerous hats but will once again don the agitator hat (for NW opponents)during NW soccer contests. "And now, get on your feet for yyooouuuurrr NNNNNNOOOOORRRTTTHHHWWWOOOOOOOODDD PPPAAANNTTHHHEEERRRSSS!!!!!"

JV Game Cancelled

The August 21 JV contest with Lakeland Christian has been cancelled by Lakeland Christian. LCA does not have enough players to field a JV this year.

Thank You, Seth

Coaches Duerksen and Dijkstra want to thank Seth Douwsma from Indiana Wesleyan University (and former NW soccer player) for helping out this summer. Seth assisted the coaching staff during Soccer Camp 2012, the 7v7 competition, 2 a days and some of the pre-season matches. Seth will play in the alumni game tonight and will return to IWU on Sunday to prepare for the upcoming season which promises to be a good one for IWU. Thanks again Seth and Good Luck this season!

Alumni Game/Red-Black scrimmage and Parent Meeting tonight

It will be a busy night at the game field tonight which kicks off at 6 pm with the annual Alumni Game. Around 20 or so former players have committed to showing up and giving it their once a year try at beating former teammates. After the alumni game (which should be around 7 pm), it will be time for the Red-Black scrimmage. The team has been split up in a Red and a Black (actually Red and White) squad that should be evenly matched. After the scrimmage, parents will get some information from the Captain's Club reps that will deal with a variety of issues for the upcoming season DON'T FORGET TO BRING THE CLOTHING ORDER FORM PLUS CHECK. REMINDER: RAISE THE $40 FOR THE AUGUST 18 CAR WASH FUNDRAISER (AT LJ WAGNER 10 AM - 2 PM)

Program week 2

On the track 9-10 am Mon/Tue/Thu. Afternoon practices 3:30 - 5:30 pm (Mon-Wed & Fri). Wednesday 3 pm team pictures (Media Day). Thu - 6 pm alumni game to be followed by Red-Black scrimmage. At the conclusion of the Red-Black game, there will be a short meeting with the parents to discuss the upcoming season (info from the Captain Club's representatives and some comments from Head Coach Duerksen). REMINDER: Start working on your car wash fundraiser pledges!

First week of season 2012-2013

Game kits are separated and ready to be handed out on Friday 8/3/12. The JV/Varsity split took place after the Seniors took the rest of the team on a slow paced 48 minute jog thru town. With the total number of players at only 25, quite a few players ended up on both squads for this fall season.

The 2012 shirt

The 2012 NW Soccer shirt. Mr. Seitz will be in today to hand out the order forms.

Important Dates

PRACTICES This week: 9-11 and 1-3 Next week: Mon/Tue/Thu 9-10 (on the track/bring tennis shoes) Mon-Fri 3:30-5:30 (except Thursday) Wednesday August 8: Team pics 3 pm (before practice) Thursday August 9, 6 pm Alumni Game followed by Red/Black scrimmage. Parents meeting after Red/Black scrimmage Saturday August 18: Car Wash at LJ Wagner (fundraiser) 9:30-2:30

Two-a-days under way/ Athletic Meeting

Two-a-days started this past Monday. The weather has cooperated so far so conditioning and ball touches have been the focus all week. All players received a hand out with important dates for the first couple of weeks of the season. All parents have hopeully been informed about the mandatory athletic meeting tomorrow night at the High School. The player and a parent need to be present. We will remind the players again during both practices tomorrow. There will not be a soccer meeting after the atheltic meeting. The soccer meeting will be held after the red/black game on August 9th.

LINKS UPDATE

The "Parents Page" and "NW Soccer Pics" links have been updated with 2012 season information and will be updated frequently by Lindy Seitz to keep parents and fans up to date on the news/issues etc. that deal with both the Varsity and JV Soccer programs. Both Links can be found under "LINKS" on the right side of the blog under the NW Panthers soccer logo.

Summer Soccer Showcase 2012

Why we get the short bus

After the game and on the bus

After the game, shirts were turned in and it was time to board the buses to head home. During a McD stop, Tim "interacted" with two girls in a blue bug who after that, followed/passed the bus until we came up to US 30 where, at the stoplight, the driver ran up to the bus to hand Tim her cell phone number. Now Tim will have something to do this weekend.

Anderson Summer Soccer Showcase 2012

Game 1 NorthWood - Tri-West 4-1 (2-1) The first NW goal came in the 17th minute, Taylor Wegmiller scores on an assist from Clayton Seitz (1-0) and only a minute later Taylor returns the favor with an assist to Clay (2-0). Tri West comes back in minute 20 with a shot in the box that does not get defended well, 2-1. In the 39th, Taylor takes a free kick from the left side of the box and puts it on the frame where the TW GK slaps at it but not hard enough to prevent the ball from kissing the net; 3-1. The 58th minute sees Kyle make a great save to stop a shot inside the box and in the last minute of the game, an inspired Clay shoots from close range to finalize the score at 4-1.

BUSES IN THE GAS STATION PARKING LOT TO GATORADE UP JUST OUTSIDE ANDERSON; TEAM GETTING READY BEFORE THE GAME Game 2 NorthWood - Hamilton SE 1 2-2 (1-1) Games at the tournament are split up in 35 minute halves. The friday afternoon game is a bit warmer then the chilly morning game. But the team wasn't exactly ready from the start. A pass from the middle third to our left side of the defense, reaches a weak side runner who enters the 18 to end up eye to eye with Kyle and a quick shot disappears in the goal, 0-1. Twelve minutes later Taylor reaches Tim who after controlling the ball, takes a shot in the corner to tie the game at 1-1. In the 52nd, HSE goes ahead again but Clay again decides to have the last word and with a desperration shot freezes the scoreboard at 2-2.

THE TEAM ON SATURDAY Game 3 NorthWood -Hamilton SE 2 2-2 (1-1) Game 2 was scheduled to be played between NW and Jay County and since JC was a no show, HSE put in another team (the school has more then 1,000 incoming freshmen, so finding players is probably not too tough). HSE starts out strong and we start flat which leads to a great opportunity for HSE but the nice shot meets up with a strong diving save by Kyle to keep the score at 0-0. With a nice short pass from Taylor to Clay, it is the latter who scores the first goal of the game.A bad touch in the back leads to the 1-1 in the 25th. Taylor has two 1v1 chances but both do not reach the net. In the 38th, HSE scores the go ahead goal so for the fourth time in the tournament, NW has to battle to come from behind. Taylor scores in the 58th on a Clay assist and Kyle makes a dive on the ground to keep the 2-2 on the board. The ensuing corner gets punched out by Kyle to avert disaster. NW finishes the tournament at 1-0-2 and the 2012 preseason at 2-0-2. It is good to not get beat in the preseason but it is obvious we have a lot to work on and we will start with that this coming week with three conditioning practices on the track and the two-a days which will start Monday July 30th (9-11 and 1-3).

Plymouth-NorthWood 1-4 (2012 pre season)

After losing one and winning one on the final night of the 7v7 competition it was time to shift the focus to the pre-season. Mrs. Eddybuster (or was it "our old bus driver" Clay?) was witness to the team pulling out for the away game at Plymouth. After a 20 minute lightning display/delay, the game started but was chopped into quarters. After a pretty good first performance with about five freshmen contributing adjustments could be drawn up for the upcoming tournament. With three Clay goals, three or four Taylor assists and another Jesus goal (actually two), NW walked off the field with a easy 4-1 win and was never really in danger. DON"T BE LATE FOR THE BUS!!!!!!!

Busy week ahead

It almost looks as if the season has started, looking at the calendar. Tonight is Open Field (6:30-8) and tomorrow will be the final two 7v7 games at the NIBCO soccer complex in Elkhart. On Wednesday (6 pm start) we will travel to Plymouth for the annual pre-season friendly against the Pilgrims. After one day off (Thursday) we will get an early start to the weekend with a 6:15 (AM!)departure from the AC. We will travel to Anderson for the Summer Soccer Showcase and will play a 10:30 am and a 3 pm game on Friday and a 9:30 AM game on Saturday. The games will be played at Davis Park in Anderson (4507 Nichol Ave, Anderson). On Friday 7/20 we will entertain Tri-West at 10:30 am and Jay County at 3 pm. Saturday's opponent will be Hamilton South East at 9:30 am.

Temps in the 100's and soccer; Kyle IU soccer camp

Kyle during 2012 IU Soccer Camp World Cup competition inside IU's football stadium.

JV 7v7 action