A Kick in the Grass - Fall soccer season ends in style for local teams

Strikers U13 boys

The Strikers U13 Boys ended the season in high gear in their game against the Lakeland Nighthawks. The game began with extreme pressure and a flurry of through balls from Lakeland, but their efforts were frustrated by tenacious defenders Mahonri Hunsaker, Roan Allen, Gavin Klein and Haines Johnson. The Strikers maintained their composure during the first half while midfielders Nick Rappoport, Kyle Stanley, Cory Diel and Lucas Chapman gradually took control of the middle third of the pitch. 

Five minutes before the end of the half right outside midfielder Jered Meyer missed a point-blank shot, but redeemed himself a minute later with a perfectly placed 20 yard bending ball, which dropped over the outstretched hands of the Lakeland keeper into the far corner of the net.

In the second half, the Strikers took charge from the kickoff, peppering the opposing goalie until Kyle Hertel beat his defender and blew a high one from the goal-line between the keeper and the near post. Defenders Tucker Dirks and Bradley Russel helped prevent any easy shots on goal, while forwards Jake Tremble and Jackson Diercks gave a clinic on passing combinations in the box until Jake received a wall pass in close, faked his defender and buried the third and last goal of the game. Keeper Julian Nizzoli had a brilliant game with a perfect shutout. 

With dominating possession and the best team defense of the season, the team had a strong finish to the fall season and far-sighted optimism for the upcoming spring season.   

n Rec League U7 Wasps

Coach Andrew would like to congratulate the Wasps on a great season. Good job, team. The Wasps: Breanna Benedict, Carson Mavity, Colton Ackerman, Ethan Butler, Ethan Guy, Kayla Dearmin, Lydia Nelsen, Malaki Freeman and Wyatt Shepherd.

A Kick in the grass is a coach-submitted column that runs every Thursday during soccer season in the Daily Bee.