Magic versus Sherano Epic...

Field reporter: Kylie

Check out some video of the game on youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc6sD8auyvY

On Sunday, April 22 2007 the Loudoun Magic played the Sherano Epic. Before we started to play we paused for a minute of silence for Virgina Tech. After that, we started the game.When they were up 3-0 we started to play aggressively.Just then, Dakota scored a goal.Then, Megan Kyte scored a goal.We ended up playing a great game, but we lost 3-2. I even got yelled at by the referee because I was playing aggressively.We all played hard and we'll get them the next time.

Thoughts on being a captain...

By: Jessica W.

This past week I have really enjoyed being co-captain with Megan Kyte. It is like being the assistant coach and helping the team at practices and at games. As, captain, you have more responsibilities. Some include leading in drills and stretches, making sure everyone is attentive to both coaches, and reflecting on the games and how we played.While being captain your teammates look up to you for leadership and help when it is needed. Being new on the team and having the role of being captain was a great way for me to get to know my teammates better! This week being captain was an honor. I knew I had to play my hardest and be a good role model for my teammates to look up too. This past weekend being captain was a great experience for me and a lot of fun!

Spring Break Game

Field reporter Maddie B

Hi Everybody!

Sorry I'm late on the right-up. But I think everyone did a great job, but there is a few things we need to work on. I think our most major problem was getting open. On throw-ins and goalkicks, we need to check more and give support. Also, we need to get in front of our opponents quicker so we can receive the ball and run less hills! Some of the players on our team had to play different positions because we didn't have all our players. Those people did a really great job at different positions. Keep it up! Also, congrats to Megan W. and Cate for earning the captian spot. See you at practice on Monday.

Being captain...

I know Erin and I have had a great experience being Magic’s captains. Here are a few words about what we learned, and what it was like being a captain.

Being captain gives you a chance to see through the coaches eyes (in a way). It takes A LOT of patience and hard work to make the other girls on the team listen and respect you. Although captains have a lot of control, THEY need to respect their team mates too. Leading the team means that we have to make sure the other girls don’t goof around, and stay on task. We have to be good role models by showing our skills, respecting the coaches, demonstrating good behavior, and participating in all the drills. Now, for the positive things about being a captain. It gives you a chance to get to know your team mates better than you already do. When you get picked to be a captain, you know that you played well in a game or a practice. It gives you honor and dignity when you’re picked to lead the team. I’m glad that I was picked for captain, and when you get your chance, I bet you’ll love it too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

By Elizabeth E.

March Madness Soccer Tournament, 24/25 March 2007

By Erin Windland

The Loudoun Magic traveled to our first soccer tournament in Maryland. We just switched from indoor soccer to outdoor soccer. We had one outdoor practice before our tournament. We did a couple things well in this tournament. We we didn't drive into the defender; we passed the ball to get past the defender. Also we talked to each other during the game, and we used our back pass a lot. A couple things we need to work on are getting to the ball and getting in front of it. Also we need to make sure we play our best defense when the ball is down by our goal, so our goalie doesn't get hurt, and we need to go to the ball first and win loose balls. We need to take balls out of our penalty box faster. We also need to take more shots.

The teams we played were the Cleveland Blues, the MSC Shamrocks, and the Arlington Flame.

Jessie H. scored our only goal of the tournament with an assist from Elizabeth. I think we had an okay tournament, but we can do better. Looking at the bright side ,we improved from last season

Sponsors

Many thanks to our many generous and supportive Sponsors. We encourage you to visit our Business Sponsors and thank them for their support; just click on the business logo or link to connect to their website / information page.

For more information on sponsoring the Loudoun Magic, or if you are a team parent and would like to recruit additional sponsors, please visit our Sponsor Letter page. This is our third year and we'd really like to thank those that made it possible last year. You can see them all here. As for this years sponsors, here they are!

Platinum Sponsors

we need some!

Gold Sponsors

Trowbridge Steel Co, Inc.

44886 Old Ox RoadSterling, VA 20166

703-4771-5321Fax 703-471-9527

Silver Sponsors

Achievence

Bronze Sponsors

Geico

John Stegmeier, CPA

Individual Sponsors

we need some!

Season Wrap-Up

Congratulations to Loudoun Magic, Champions of ODSL Division I for the Fall 2006 Season! The team’s 6-1-1 season record is a tribute to their work ethic, competitiveness, and swanky play that began way back during the hot summer months. The girls gelled quickly despite a 50% roster turnover from last season. We had a great bunch of kids who worked hard, played their butts off, and somehow found a way to win. GREAT JOB!

November 18-19, Magic participated in the Hunt Country Classic. Although the team finished 0-2-1, we played three very close, competitive games. Thanks to Nikki and Gracie for joining us as guests. We also got a chance to use players in unfamiliar positions to make the tournament a learning experience, so all in all, I’d say we had a successful event.

The girls are taking some time off over the holidays. 2007 gets kicked off with a dose of speed & agility training, plus our winter training and indoor league. Coaches and trainers are busily preparing for player evaluations. Meetings with parents/players will be held in conjunction with our indoor training and game schedule. Look for training information, plus information on the big team party shortly.

Happy Holidays to everyone in the Magic family.    

Ed Fleming
Head Coach, Loudoun Magic

A Magical Bake Sale...

The weather - record breaking (warmest on record at Dulles).  A perfect day for a Magical Bake Sale.

The idea of making it donations instead of fixed prices on the baked goods worked well beyond anyone's expectation - a little over $400 for the team was raised in 4 hours! 

Thanks to everyone that participated.  It was a fun and profitable event.  A good day in the sunshine.

Magic Alive Despite Loss...

 

Put the VSA Heat on your holiday card lists this year. Thanks to their 3-2 defeat of Annandale, Magic still have a shot at the ODSL Division 1 crown, despite yesterday’s 2-0 loss to EPIC Hammers in Stephens City.

Magic had been unbeaten in ODSL play, relying on strong goalkeeping and tenacious defense to mask a few goal scoring issues. Last week, the girls fought back from a 2-0 deficit to forge a 2-2 tie at Vienna. This week, the offense could not dig out of another 2-0 halftime hole, despite the players’ tremendous effort. Here’s my take on what it’s going to take to get things fixed for the long haul. A loss makes a good opportunity to take stock a little bit.

 

 

Technically. We need to improve our technical speed. There were times that we dominate play territorially, but struggle to get quality shots. It’s taking too long for players to receive, turn, prepare & shoot. We also need to improve the quality of our ball striking. When we are getting shots, they’re often wasted opportunities because we can’t get the ball on frame with pace. We still have a tendency to mentally target the goalkeeper’s chest as opposed to targeting the far post. This all comes down to more and more touches this fall and during winter training. We’ve improved though, and we’ll continue to improve.

 

 

Tactically. We’re not seeing open spaces well. A few examples: We had a 4v1 yesterday which resulted in a shot from an angle that went well wide of goal. The player that shot was the player that was being defended. Even an average centering pass likely would’ve resulted in a breakaway. We had a similar situation on Saturday when we have a 3v1 that resulted in nothing because we didn’t see the open space and pass to an open player. From a coaching standpoint, the most frustrating practice we had all year was trying to work 2v1 give-and-go passes, not because we can’t pass and receive, but because we didn’t see the open spaces and move accordingly. Finally, we still have players out of position. A few examples: After spending 20 minutes warming up in our positions, our left/right forwards lined up on the wrong side of the field at the start of the game. Our midfielders push very far forward, leaving a large gap between the other teams’ defenders and ours. That means we don’t have any support for our forwards, and makes it much easier for the defense to clear the offensive zone.

 

Physically. Our level of physical play has improved, and I’m pleased that our players don’t back down from anyone. The last two weeks I felt like Vienna and EPIC had a bit more team speed than we do. Jeff’s looking into offseason speed/conditioning training to help that aspect. Mostly, we need to be more aggressive. We stopped taking loose ball statistics, which was probably a mistake on my part. When we had the stats, we were showing improvement, but we only won the loose ball battle in one game. I think if we added a statistic that showed who touched the ball first on restarts (corners/throw-ins/goal kicks, etc.) we’d be losing the battle by a wide margin. Winning the ball is where we have to start. Without the ball, it doesn’t matter how good our skills are.

 

Psychologically. This team impresses me psychologically. The never quit, and they don’t get down on themselves. I sort of expected a few tears after the game, especially with the notion that we’d lost our shot at first place, but it didn’t happen. I think we had a wakeup call, and I bet the kids are going to come to practice ready to work. On the other hand, we need to be more focused, and a little hungrier at the beginning of our games. We need to treat 0-0 like we’ve treated 0-2 the last few games and put that level of intensity on display from the first whistle.

I know that’s all wordy, but it gives me a good chance to reflect on where we are and need to go. If we go out next week and play like we’re capable of playing, we’ll knock a few into the goal.

Magic vs VYS Lightning

Field Reporter: Dakota

The Magic was falling behind in the first half because we were not playing aggressive, it was 2 to 0 and we were getting worried.  In the second half we kicked it up a couple notches and we scored 2 goals to tie the game!  Everyone came out strong and wanting to win.  YAY MAGIC!!  To improve, I think we needed to talk more and stay in our positions and not drop back so much.  We also need to work on our moves to get around their players.  Other then that we had a great comeback!  Oh, one more thing.  Thank you Allie Hardesty and Danielle Stephens for being our line refs.

See all of the pictures here!