News for the Week of January 2, 2017

Program Notes for the Week of 1/2/2017:

Happy New Year:
Hope everyone had a great holiday season and now we are ready to embark on the 25th year of girls soccer at Avon Lake.  We have a strong core of returning players to combine with a record setting JV team, so we expect big things from this year's team - let's enjoy the journey!!


College Prep Guide:
We are working on this year's edition of the College Prep Guide currently and watch for it in your e-mails in a few weeks.


More Awards:
Olivia Siko was named to the 2016 National Soccer Coaches Assoc. of America (NSCAA) Fall Girls High School All-Central Region Team in December.  Congrats to Olivia on another prestigious award earned this past season!!


Sports Illustrated Articles on Top Level Soccer:
Another article in a Sports Illustrated series on world class level players and their approach to the game.  This time the article is on goalkeeping with German national team goalie Manuel Neuer.  Be sure to watch the videos attached to the article to see him in action.

http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/06/07/manuel-neuer-germany-bayern-munich-sweeper-keeper


Shorty Sez:
We continue with our collection of motivational sayings coming from the Twitter sites called Women Love Sports and Coach K which may be found at:

https://twitter.com/Women_Sports
https://twitter.com/CoachKWisdom

Once there, here are some selected examples of tweets over the past week. Hope you find something that inspires you here:

As you lead you must always stay open to learn. Because as you learn you become an even better leader.

We're either winning or learning. It's not winning or losing, it's winning or learning. – John Calipari - Univ. of Kentucky basketball coach

There are always those times when you're going to be down, it's how you step through it that makes you the person you are. – Mike Krzyzewski - Duke basketball coach

If you think you are one of your teams top leaders/players you have to be receptive to being pushed & coached harder than others.

Nothing will work unless you do. – John Wooden - legendary UCLA bball coach

News for the Week of December 12, 2016

Program Notes for the Week of 12/12/2016:

2016 Postseason Awards:

We have been listing the many awards that were earned by the girls this past season.  This week we will present some awards from the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (OSSCA):

Assistant Coach of the Year: Caleb Reutter

All OSSCA All-Academic Team Award: 2016 Varsity Roster

Team Sportsmanship, Ethics & Integrity Award 2016 Varsity Roster

2017 Season Schedule:

Pre-Season Scrimmages:
Sat 08/05/17      Brecksville HS                        5/7:00 p.m.    Home

Tues 08/08/17    Mayfield High School           5/7:00 p.m.    Home

Thurs 08/10/17  Rocky River HS                     5/7:00 p.m.    Away

Wed  08/16/17   Bay High School                    5/7:00 p.m.   Home


Regular Season:
Fri 08/18/17       Oregon Clay HS                     5/7:00 p.m.    Home

Wed 08/23/17    North Olmsted HS                  5/7:00 p.m.     Home

Sat 08/26/17     Avon High School                   5/7:00 p.m.     Home

Mon 08/28/17   Elyria High School                 5/7:00 p.m.     Home

Wed  08/30/17  Westlake High School             5/7:00 p.m.      Away

Wed 09/06/17   Lakewood High School          5/7:00 p.m.      Home

Sat. 09/09/17    Twinsburg High School          5/7:00 p.m.     Home

Wed 09/13/17   North Ridgeville HS               5/7:00 p.m.     Home

Mon 09/18/17   Magnificat HS                        5/7:00 p.m.     Home

Wed 09/20/17   Amherst Steele HS                 5/7:00 p.m.     Away

Mon 09/25/17   Shaker Heights HS                4:30/6:30 p.m.  Away

Wed 09/27/17   Berea-Midpark HS                 5/7:00 p.m.      Home

Mon 10/02/17   Aurora High School               5/7:00 p.m.      Away

Wed 10/04/17   Olmsted Falls HS                   5/7:00 p.m.      Away

Mon 10/09/17   St. Joseph Academy               5/7:00 p.m.     Home

Wed 10/11/17    Midview High School           5/7:00 p.m.      Away

Mon 10/16/17 @ Start of OHSAA Sectionals TBA

Mon 10/23/17 @ Start of OHSAA Districts TBA

Tue 10/31/17 @ Start of OHSAA Regionals TBA

Tue 11/07/17 @ Start of OHSAA State Tournament TBA


MLS Cup:
The Seattle Sounders beat Toronto FC on penalty kicks on Saturday for their first MLS championship.  We know that Coach Daegen is probably very, very happy right now.....


Christmas Break:
The blog is going to take a little Christmas break over the next three weeks or so.  We wish all of our soccer families a joyous holiday season and we will be back in January with more soccer info.


Shorty Sez:
We continue with our collection of motivational sayings coming from the Twitter sites called Women Love Sports and Coach K which may be found at:

https://twitter.com/Women_Sports
https://twitter.com/CoachKWisdom

Once there, here are some selected examples of tweets over the past week. Hope you find something that inspires you here:

Don't Talk; →Act
Don't Say; →Show
Don't Promise; →Prove

Champions behave like champions before they’re champions; they have a winning standard of performance before they are winners. –

Winning doesn't make you a better person, but being a better person will make you a winner.

To reach your own goals and dreams, you must learn how to assist others in reaching theirs.

Play the right way’ means play unselfishly, respect each others achievements, play hard, fulfill your role. – Gregg Popovich

News for the Week of December 5, 2016

Program Notes for the Week of 12/5/2016:

2016 Postseason Awards:
We have been listing the many awards that were earned by the girls this past season.  This week we will present the Avon Lake team awards:

Girls Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year: Olivia Siko

Iron Gal Awards:  
(Most halves played during the season; Lauren Anthony
 these three girls played every half of Kellie Norris
every game this season) Danielle DelGuidice

Golden Boot: Olivia Siko
(Most goals scored during the season;
Siko had 13 goals)

Attacking Player of the Year: Amber Achladis

Defending Player of the Year:            Kellie Norris

Team MVP:                                     Olivia Siko

 John Kenny Leadership Award Winner: Izzy Caputo

Goal of the Year:                               Amber Achladis
(With 37 seconds remaining on the clock vs. Midview, Achladis weaved her way  through 3 defenders to score the tying goal completing a four goal comeback in  a 4 to 4 tie.)

JV Team Awards:
The JV team finished with a 14-1-1 mark which set a school record for victories in a season for the JV team which was coached by Caleb Reutter.

Individual awards are as follows:

Defender of the Year: Liz Murdock

Attacker of the Year: Erica Wetzler

JV Team MVP:          Liz Murdock

Shorty Sez:
We continue with our collection of motivational sayings coming from the Twitter sites called Women Love Sports and Coach K which may be found at:

https://twitter.com/Women_Sports
https://twitter.com/CoachKWisdom

Once there, here are some selected examples of tweets over the past week. Hope you find something that inspires you here:

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you. – John Wooden, legendary basketball coach

When you watch the game, be a student of the game.

There are a thousand excuses for failure, but never a good reason. – Mark Twain

In order to be a winner, you have to look for ways of getting things done and not for reasons why things can’t be done.

Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision, a goal.


Coming next week - the 2017 season schedule......

News for the Week of November 28, 2016

Program Notes for the Week of 11/28/2016:

2016 Postseason Awards:
We have been listing the many awards that were earned by the girls this past season.  This week we will present the awards for the Southwestern Conference:

1st Team All Conference: Olivia Siko
1st Team All Conference: Kellie Norris

2nd Team All Conference: Kelly Spitz
2nd Team All Conference: Amber Achladis

Honorable Mention All Conference: Paige Hood
Honorable Mention All Conference: Allie Heschel

Sports Illustrated article on Playing the Midfield:
This article is about an international level midfielder whose name is Xabi Alonso and his thoughts on playing the midfield.  Notice his comments on keeping his head on a swivel and planning where he is going to play the ball even before he receives it.  These are essential characteristics that a midfielder must have to keep the ball flowing in a possession style offense.

http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/06/29/xabi-alonso-bayern-munich-midfielder



Shorty Sez:
We continue with our collection of motivational sayings coming from the Twitter sites called Women Love Sports and Coach K which may be found at:

https://twitter.com/Women_Sports
https://twitter.com/CoachKWisdom

Once there, here are some selected examples of tweets over the past week. Hope you find something that inspires you here:

Push yourself to keep improving or you’ll stay as close to the bottom as you are to the top. – John Wooden, legendary basketball coach

You must accept the fact that you have flaws and will need to work every day to become a better player than you were yesterday.

Individual success is a myth. No one succeeds all by herself. – Pat Summitt

One thing about opportunities: it is much better to prepare for them than it is to wait for them.

News for the Week of November 21, 2016

Program Notes for the Week of 11/21/2016:

Fall Sports Awards Meeting:
Our Fall Sports Award Assembly is scheduled for Monday, November 21st at Avon Lake High School.  The initial portion of the meeting begins in the PAC at 6:30PM.  We will then move to a private room for our program award ceremony.


2016 Postseason Awards:
We are going to start over the next several weeks listing the many awards that were earned by the girls this past season.  This week we will present awards for the Greater Cleveland Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association:

1st Team All-Greater Cleveland
Olivia Siko
Kellie Norris

2nd Team All-Greater Cleveland
Kelly Spitz

Honorable Mention All-Greater Cleveland
Amber Achladis
Paige Hood
Allie Heschel

Academic All-Ohio (Seniors w/ 3.7 GPA or above)
Lauren Anthony
Izzy Caputo
Olivia Hall
Lucy Lemanowicz
Kelly Norris
Olivia Siko
Mila Zunich


25th Anniversary of Shoregal Soccer:
The 2017 season will be the 25th year of Shoregal soccer which started with the 1993 season.  Watch for special events in the upcoming year and also special Shoregal wear to commemorate this season.  We want to give you a preview of the logo that we will be using throughout the upcoming year:

Shorty Sez:
We continue with our collection of motivational sayings coming from the Twitter sites called Women Love Sports and Coach K which may be found at:

https://twitter.com/Women_Sports
https://twitter.com/CoachKWisdom

Once there, here are some selected examples of tweets over the past week. Hope you find something that inspires you here:

Unwillingness to sacrifice for the greater good of the team only makes individual goals more difficult to achieve. – Michael Jordan

If you don't want to be coached, then you don't want to be great.

It's not just about working hard, it's about working together. You have to care more about the team than you do about yourself. – John Calipari

Culture is what we believe, how we behave and the experience that our behavior produces for each other. – Urban Meyer

Want some playing time? Ask yourself, ‘What does this team need me to do?’

News for the Week of November 14, 2016

Program Notes for the Week of 11/14/2016:

2016 All-Ohio:
History was made on Sunday evening as Olivia Siko and Kellie Norris were both named Division I All-Ohio for this past season.  This is the first time in the 24 year history of Avon Lake girls soccer that the team has had two players in the same year named All-Ohio.  Additional firsts were achieved as Olivia Siko became the first Shoregal player named First Team All-Ohio as well as she was the first Shoregal to be named All-Ohio twice – she was Second Team All-Ohio in 2015.  Kellie Norris earned a place as Second Team All-Ohio.  No other team in the SWC had two players named as All-Ohio and only 4 other schools in Division I had two players named All-Ohio.   Siko and Norris became the 11th and 12th players in Avon Lake girls soccer history named as All-Ohio.   Just a tremendous accomplishment for these players, the coaches, and the program in general as this shows the amount of respect the girls have earned from other coaches from their play on the field.

To see all the All-Ohio selections go to:

http://www.ossca.info/

Then click on the All State Honors hypelink



2016 Postseason Awards:
We are going to start over the next several weeks listing the many awards that were earned by the girls this past season.  This week we will start off with the awards for the Lorain County Soccer Coaches Association:

Lorain County MVP D1 Girls Soccer                  Olivia Siko

1st Team All-Lorain County                                 Olivia Siko
1st Team All-Lorain County                                 Kellie Norris
                            
2nd Team All-Lorain County                                Kelly Spitz
2nd Team All-Lorain County:                               Amber Achladis

Honorable mention:                                               Allie Heschel
Honorable mention:                                               Paige Hood 

Assistant coach of the year:                                   Caleb Reutter

Lorain County Senior All-Star Game:                   Olivia Siko
                                                                         Kellie Norris
                                                                         Lauren Anthony

The game is scheduled for Saturday, November 19th at 12PM at Midview High School in Grafton, Ohio.


2016 State Championships:
This past weekend the Girls State Championship soccer games were played with the following results:

Division I     Walsh Jesuit 2             Springboro 0
Division II    Kettering Alter 3        Chagrin Falls 0
Division III   Gilmour Academy 2  Cincinnati Country Day 1 OT

The Cleveland area was represented in every championship game with two local teams taking home the trophy.  This just shows at what a high level that girls soccer in Northeast Ohio is played at.


Shoregals in College:
Now that the college soccer regular season has ended, let's take a look at how some of our Shoregal alumni did with their respective college teams:

Rada Zunich is a sophomore defender with the College of Wooster - she played in 16 games and started 11 for the Scots who finished their season at 6-9-4.

Bri Carlin is a freshman midfielder with St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.  She played in 15 games and started 6 and recorded 1 assist for the Bearcats who finished their season as 3-8-6.

Shorty Sez:

We continue with our collection of motivational sayings coming from the Twitter sites called Women Love Sports and Coach K which may be found at:

https://twitter.com/Women_Sports
https://twitter.com/CoachKWisdom

Once there, here are some selected examples of tweets over the past week. Hope you find something that inspires you here:

When I lost all of my excuses, I found all my results.... 

Failure will never stand in the way of success if you learn from it.

Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it & staying with that plan.

Champions play as they practice. Create a consistency of excellence in all your habits.

One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.

News for the Week of Nov. 7, 2016

Program Notes for the Week of 11/7/2016:

25th Anniversary of Shoregal Soccer:
The 2017 season will be the 25th year of Shoregal soccer which started with the 1993 season.  Watch for special events in the upcoming year and also special Shoregal wear to commemorate this season.


Academic All-American Award:
The Shoregals were once again awarded Team Academic All-America status for the 2015-2016 school year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).   This is the highest academic honor that high school soccer teams may receive in the country.   Avon Lake was one of only 251 teams nationwide (about 5 per state) to receive this prestigious award and the team GPA was an excellent 3.25!

Also, Avon Lake was the only Lorain County school to be awarded Team Academic All-America status.  To qualify for the award, a team must have a minimum grade point average of 3.25 for the entire academic year.   The way that this award is figured is based on the fact that a number of states play Spring soccer only and in order to include all states the NSCAA waits until after the Spring season is completed to determine the award winners.  That is why the award for last year was just announced in late October of 2016.  

This year's team is also on track to receive Academic All-America status again for the current academic year in October of 2017.  That would mark the 8th year in row that the Shoregals have received this award as they have now earned it in 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, & 2008.

Regional Soccer Update:
In Regional soccer action, District champion Avon was beaten by Brunswick by a score of 1-0 on a corner kick.  Also Mayfield, a team that we beat 1-0 during the regular season, reached a Regional Final ultimately losing to powerhouse Walsh Jesuit.

Shorty Sez:
We continue with our collection of motivational sayings coming from the Twitter sites called Women Love Sports and Coach K which may be found at:

https://twitter.com/Women_Sports
https://twitter.com/CoachKWisdom

Once there, here are some selected examples of tweets over the past week. Hope you find something that inspires you here:

STRENGTH doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from OVERCOMING the things you COULDN'T

Most important ingredient to winning: no personal agendas. The commitment has to be 'us' driven not 'me' driven.

Leadership must be demonstrated, not announced. – Fran Tarkenton - retired NFL quarterback

The enemy of the best is the good. If you're always settling with what's good, you'll never be the best. – Jerry Rice

When you are through trying to improve, you are through. – Vince Lombardi - Hall of Fame NFL football coach