Directions to Elkhart Central

For the GPS you can use 1 Blazer Blvd, Elkhart. The soccer complex is situated to the east of the rail road tracks and west of the High School. The drive to the field will run north off of Division/Blazer Blvd and will be between the tracks and the river. There are two parking lots by the two soccer fields.

Lovin' the Dug Out

NorthWood Panthers-Whitko Wildcats pics

2012 - First home game; Whitko and NW line up in front of the home the crowd.

First Walk Out 2012

NorthWood - Whitko 8-0 (3-0)

After the field was set up, it was time to turn on the 2012 Warm Up CD and start getting ready for the matchup with Whitko. But somehow (Clay & Taylor were the last to "mess" with the sound system the day before)the CD would eject constantly. Fortunately WaNee's IT Director showed up and proved to all of us why he carries that title. He fixed the sound system so part of the Warm Up CD and all of the National Anthemn could be heard by all.

FIRST HALF With plenty of sun and temps in the 70's, it was time for the crowd to sit back and take in the season opener. Within seconds, the ball landed in the Whitko box where dropkick Murphy booted it back in the field of play. A Clayton Seitz pass found its way to Taylor Wegmiller in the third, who had no trouble finding the net, 1-0.

The next great opportunity came at minute 15 when Taylor went around the keeper but missed to the left. Eight minutes later, "crafty" Bennet Parker pushed the ball to Wegmiller who made no mistake this time and changed the scoreboard to 2-0. Kyle Dijkstra finally touched the ball for the first time in the 24th minute of the half. In the 29th minute, Taylor returned an earlier favor to Clay who, in turn, did not disappoint and finalized the half time score at 3-0.

HALF TIME Despite a somewhat decent first half at times, there was enough to be adjusted and corrected but simply put; NW needed to make runs off the ball, work harder and speed up the game because the first half looked like it was played in slow motion. Several players came off the bench including freshmen Brayton Taylor and David Eshelman who both played well. By the end of the night all players got time on the field and contributed. Senior Travis Fleetwood played well as did Craven, Connor and Alex.

SECOND HALF By the time we kicked off for the second half the crowd had grown to over 100 which is pretty good considering the opponent and the fact that school is not in session yet. It did not take long for the Panthers to get back on track. Clay punished a bad pass out of the back with an unassisted goal and signed for the 4-0 (43"). Two minutes later a Taylor Wegmiller shot bounced off dropkick Murphy (who by now probably had about 7 bruises on his chest from all the shots at him from Taylor). Bennet Parker was at the right spot at the right time and passed the ball simply over the goal line, 5-0. In the 50th, a rebound out of the box lands in front of Clayton Seitz who punished this defensive gaffe with a sharp shot to increase the score to 6-0. In the 60th, Eshelman decides he wants on the stat sheet as well and delivers a nice pass to Barahona 1.0 (=Brandon)who has no problem signing for the 7-0! Another freshman gets involved in an attack in the 69th minute. Connor Miller handles the ball and places it into Clay's feet who with a nice shot decides the final score; 8-0. Kyle has to perform his duty for the night in the 85th minute when a Whitko defender (!) comes up the left flank and battles with Tad. The Whitko player does get a shot off which is saved by Kyle with his right foot to preserve the shutout. The defense turned in a pretty good performance with Dyksen, Beebe, Chamberlain and Barahona 2.0 (=Dennyz). Eusebio and Tim got plenty of playing time in the midfield. It will help Tim who has been dealing with a leg injury. Eusebio turned 18 yesterday and celebrated by keeping the ball at his feet a lot. He promised to do less of that Thursday.

NOTES The Varsity will travel to Elkhart to face Elkhart Central. It will be the first time NorthWood will play at Elkhart Central. Central is 0-0-1 after a 1-1 draw Monday against LaPorte. Our JV did not play because Whitko does not field a JV. NorthWood's record is 1-0, Whitko is 0-1 for the season. The JV will play Elkhart Central at 5 pm Thursday, The Varsity will start around 6:45. REMINDER FOR ALL PLAYERS: Make sure to raise the $40 for the Car Wash Saturday (10 am -2 pm @ LJ Wagner's parking lot 8/18/12). Today's practice will be at the High School from 3:30-5:30.

FC Twente-FC Groningen 4-1

Help wanted

The Team is looking for volunteers to help with the video taping of Varsity Home/Away matches for use by the Coaching Staff. Would require your time during one-half of the match, no experience necessary. No pay, no benefits but you will be the recipient of much gratitude of this Webmaster and the Coaching Staff. If interested, here are the best ways to let us know you're available: •E-mail northwoodsoccer2010@gmail.com •Call Linden Seitz at (574)400-5189

•At Home Matches tell the nice lady in the Ticket Booth and she will point you in the direction of Mr. Seitz Thank you!

This week in NW Soccer

Obviously, today will be the season's first game at 5 pm at our home field (@ Nappanee Elementary) against Whitko.This is a Varsity only contest. Tonight also is the order deadline for t-shirt etc.. The orders (with checks/cash) will need to be turned in to Lindy Seitz. Mr. Seitz by the way, also doubles as the teams videographer/photographer.

On Thursday, both teams (V & JV) will travel to Elkhart Central. The JV game starts at 5 pm and the Varsity match will kick off at 6:45. Both Wednesday and Friday, practices will be held at the High School practice field (3:30-5:30). First day of school will be Friday as well. Saturday is the Annual NW Soccer Car Wash fundraiser. The Car Wash will be at LJ Wagner's on US Hwy 6 across from Burger King. Players will have to work the entire time. Each player needs to raise $ 40 in order to get the free NW soccer performance shirt ($ 20 value)

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Game Day

The 2012 season will kick off this afternoon at 5 pm with the home game against the Whitko Wildcats. Hopefully the field will be mowed and lined (and maybe even rolled). The Varsity will meet at the field at 4 pm to set up the field and prepare for the afternoon contest. Last year's result was 13-2 and the focus today will be on preventing the opponent from scoring. Yesterday's practice was a good one in many aspects. The rain made the possession game a bit more challenging but the team worked hard and looked good.Some time was dedicated to corners and free kicks and hopefully we will be able to execute the free kick sometime during today's game. NOTES:

The JV was able to boost its numbers when Grant and Antonio made it to practice. The JV will not practice today but instead will watch the Varsity contest. Tim Escoto is the only Varsity player dealing with injuries but seems to feel better every day and was able to practice with the team .

Done!

NEXT GAME (Game #1) vs Whitko Wildcats

The season starts tomorrow with a home game against Whitko at 5 pm. It will be the first game for both schools. The field is looking good, the nets are up and the new dug outs are finished. This will be a Varsity game only since Whitko does not field a JV.

Field #2 wasn't forgotten

Field #2 received a face lift as well with new dugouts and an improved pitch (natural).

New equipment and fields for VV Grijpskerk

Field #1 is now artificial turf with lights and new dugouts.

VV Grijpskerk installs new field

The new artificial turf has taken the place of the natural grass field on field #1 at the VV Grijpskerk sportscomplex "De Enk". Nice, who wouldn't like to play there and it has even been painted correctly.

Donation from Builders Association of Elkhart County

Over the summer, NorthWood Boy's Soccer sponsored a home in the Builders' Association of Elkhart County's 2012 Parade of Homes. Volunteers from last year's and this year's team worked over a 9-day time period manning a ticket booth and greeting visitors as they came to view the new home that was being displayed. In return for their hard work, they were able to earn $500 to benefit the Boy's Soccer Program. Thanks to Sherry Beckwith in allowing us to be involved in this fundraiser! In addition to Sherry volunteering her time at the house, thanks go out to Rita Tucker and Linden & Stacey Seitz as well. Pictured here are this year's Team Captains presenting the $500 check to Coach Duerksen and Coach Dijkstra.

2012 NorthWood Fall Sports Media Day

2012 NorthWood Men's Soccer - Varsity

2012 NorthWood Men's Soccer - Seniors

2012 NorthWood Men's Soccer - Captains

2012 RED-BLACK SCRIMMAGE

Is this a sign of things to come? We have played 4 pre-season games and now we have concluded the Red-Black scrimmage. Despite a dry summer, we managed to schedule 3 of the 5 games in the rain. Too bad only one dugout was done and not sitting in the right place so no one could take advantage of the structure. The field was in fair condition although the grass was too tall for soccer. But hopefully everything will be in place for the season opener this coming Tuesday.

2012 Alumni Game images

AUGUST 9 2012, NORTHWOOD ALUMNI GAME

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!!!!!"