Lander Strikers

Futbolito:  Major League Soccer hosts 4 v 4 tournaments (small goals, no goalies) in all cities that have a franchise pro team.  http://www.mlsfutbolito.com/ has all the details.  Salt Lake will be hosting their tournament on August 2^nd.  Denver on August 9^th.  We took a U10 team last year, and they provided us with free tickets to the pro game that night…a great weekend.  Good for back-to-school shopping as well.  We’ll start practices for this in late July.  Let Coach Fabian know if you form a team and want to learn more about how the game is played.

3v3 Tournament in Casper on July 19^th.  Similar to 3v3 basketball tournament format that we have in Lander…except with your feet.  Offered for U6 through adult.  Each team can have a roster of between 3 and 6 players.  We’ll start practice for these in late June for anyone interested.  If you form a team, call Coach Fabian (970.297.8955) for details on practices.  We’ll try to get you ready for this fun–but different–format.  http://www.cyslonline.com/ has all the details for format and registration.

Strikers will have pick up soccer games Tuesdays and Thursdays at the high school from 6:00 pm to ~8:00 pm.  It’s available to Strikers and Striker candidates…U10 – U14, both boys and girls.

A condensed U12 boys squad travelled to Cody to capture the Cody 6 Shooter tourney in grand style.  Winning all four games (vs. Red Lodge, Sheridan (x2) and Cody) keepers Jaxon, Adam and Kyle Le. allowed no goals during the tournament.  Netting goals for Lander were Eli (4), Kyle La. (1) - aka: “Thunder”, Kyle Le. (4) - aka: “Lightning” and Daniel L. (1).  Team Captain Daniel B. lead the squad vocally, with his command of mid-field and his precision passes.  “The goals always help, but it’s the defensive play that won this tournament,” commented Strikers coaches.  “Without the heart of players like Adam, Caleb and Kyle La. in the defensive ranks, this could have been very different.”

I’ve posted some photos on my Shutterfly account. They are mostly of the U10 green team, but there are a few of U14 girls and boys from the Lion’s Roar Tournament.

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Drew

The boys capped a strong season with second place in the Gold Division at the Lion’s Roar Tournament over Memorial Day Weekend. The soggy weather didn’t slow them down as we went 3 & 1 on the weekend. The championship game was an incredibly tough battle with Sheridan that was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time and 3-3 after two overtime periods. The shoot out proved to be our downfall and we lost 4-2. We had many chances to put the game away, but the ball just didn’t bounce our way.

Our final record for the season was 15 wins, 3 losses, & 3 ties. We were undefeated in Wyoming League play! Our offense scored a total of 79 goals by 11 different players! Plus we had 4 own goals in our favor for a total of 83 goals for us. Our defense only allowed 20 goals using five different goalkeepers! We did give away one own goal for a total of 21 goals against us. Our goal differential then was a whopping 62 goals! That’s incredible. There was so much improvement in every player’s skill over the course of the season that it was amazing. They all worked and played hard, had fun and everyone contributed in great ways to the teams’ success.

Congratulations girls! The U-12 girls placed third at the Wyoming State Cup, playing an amazing 6 games in the rain, sleet and snow. In the first game the girls beat Buffalo 3-1. In the Second game on Saturday, the girls found themselves down 5-1 to Casper at the half. During the second half the Striker Warrior girls battled back with 3 goals, losing 5-4. If the girls would have had 2 more minutes, there is no doubt in my mind that they would have tied the score if not pulled ahead by one. In the third game, Sunday at 8am, the girls beat Gillette 1-0, at 11:30 they beat Cody 1-0 and at 6:30 they played Jackson to a 1-1 tie in regulation. In overtime the girls let one weak misplaced ball roll by and lost to Jackson 2-1 in a hard fought well played game. This was the girls third game of the day and Jackson’s first. The girls showed an unbelievable amount of character playing their third game against guest players from Utah and Idaho playing more agressively than the hometown Jackson girls. The loss to Jackson moved the Striker girls into the consolation finals where they would meet the Casper team, yet again. During regulation the score was tied 1-1. During overtime, Keisha scored one goal and Taylor scored two, pushing the Strikers to a 4-1 victory over Casper. Overall the girls were 4-2 on the weekend, beating Casper who had previously beaten them. Great season girls. Next Fall will find, Ashlyn, Alicia, Taylor, Emily and Kaitlyn playing on the Girls U-14 team. The U-12 girls, Audrey, Keisha, Morgan, Ella, Makayla, Mickell, Anna, Codi will welcome Jenna, Alyssa and Rachael back into their ranks. Good season Girls,  you played 18 games in the Fall and 22 games in the Spring for a total of 40 games during the season. Your growth and love for the “great game” is evident by the increased level of play you have exhibited.  Have a great summer and we will see you at the MLS team camp the first week of August.

Six Striker teams (77 players) braved wind, rain, sleet and hail to earn 3rd place in U12 Girls Gold Division, 2nd place in U12 Boys Gold Division and 4th place in U10 Boys Gold Division.  Every team ahead of those teams comes from 4A school towns in Wyoming.  For our humble town to produce that level of effort and achievement is astounding.  Striker pride was evident in every player on the water-soaked Casper fields.  However, just as  impressive is the indiviual growth in skills, physical ability and confidence that we have seen this season.  Across the program we see players “hooked on soccer” and playing more pick-up games, juggling a ball, and even watching more soccer on television (or Youtube).  These are some of the true measures of a growing program.

As another Spring season closes, we wish the many players graduating to the next age-group all the best.  With the nucleus of talented players staying at each age group and the new ones coming through, Strikers looks to continue its run as one of the Wyoming soccer programs to keep an eye on.

Keep checking this site for updates through the Spring and Summer for announcements on soccer camps, summer events and Fall season updates.

Pictured (left to right): front row: Jim, Jedediah, Daniel, Tony.  Back row: Buell, Jason, Nesto, Reid and Ethan.

U10 Green Team graduates 5 of their 9 players to the U12 ranks this Fall.  They are (with Striker seasons played in parenthesis), Ethan Colovich (4), Reid Leemon (3), Daniel Lobera (5), Nesto Lowham (3) and Buell Robinson (2).

Strikers made their presence known at the State Cup by capturing 4th place in the Gold division.  Tough opponents included Sheridan (Steel), Worland (White), and Gillette 10.  A big thank you to our goalies for fighting through the elements and frozen fingers to mind our nets on stormy Saturday:  Buell and Jason.  Goals during this tournament came off the feet of Ethan (5), Daniel (3) and Tony (2).  Special honor was noted for our tournament MVP:  Nesto Lowham, for his outstanding hustle and courageous play at the midfield and fullback postions.

All practices cancelled for tonight, however, the BBQ is still on.  It’s moving in location and time:  It’s now at the Holy Rosary Church at 5:30 pm instead of 7:00 pm.  Strikers is providing the meat, drinks and table service.  Each family is bringing one of the following:  Side salad, chips or dessert (Coach Fabian likes OREOs!!!).

Please call Lisa Lowham (349-2289) or Sabrina Thoren (349-4821) with questions.

See you there!