Club Training, College Visit & Girls Night Out

Ladies,
first of all, well done last night in beating GT United 2-0. It wasn't the prettiest win and I was expecting a bit of a psychological letdown after the tournament win last weekend. But the letdown didn't happen. Once again, you showed great work ethic.

Some updates...
We finally have club training scheduled for you. It will be on Monday and Tuesday of next week (April 30th and May 1st) at 7 - 8:30 PM at Progress Park. Several female players from CBU's college team will lead the training, which will be a good time.

I also have tentatively scheduled a special event for the ladies next Friday, May 4th. Kieron Heblich, a Lobos coach and also head women's coach at CBU has offered to host a college tour to the entire team next Friday afternoon after school. The tour should take no more than 90 minutes but it should give the girls important insights into college life. I want to emphasize that this is not just for girls who want to play soccer in college - I want the ladies to start thinking about greater endeavors in life, whatever they may be, and that would start with college. I will work on the logistics of carting the ladies down to CBU and back.

After the college tour would be a good night for the ladies to have a victory dinner to celebrate a fantastic season. This would take place in Collierville after the college tour and may be combined with a movie or something the girls will concoct - I will leave that to them.

On another matter, I will send you hotel information for the State tournament very shortly. Tenn Soccer is still making arrangements for the Tournament itself and I will pass those details along when I get them.

Champions

Ladies,

absolutely fantastic job this weekend. You suffered through muscle fatigue, heat and sunburn and you became champions. I was so proud and honored to be with you this weekend. I hope the hours spent in the practice field are and were worthwhile. The only thing that would have made this better is if Lexie, Sam and Kelley could have been with us on the field - but their hard work made all this possible. Good work ladies - we're proud of you!!!

Update April 8th

Soccer This Week
We have a big game this week against MFC. We're second in the standings behind them. This is a game we have to win.

Monday, April 9th - practice 7-8:30 PM @ Progress
Tuesday, April 10th - game vs. MFC 8:00 PM @ MRSC 2, wear blue
Thursday, April 12 - practice 7 - 8:30 PM @ Johnson

Coach Sonny

State Tournament Update

You ladies had a good two days so I decided you could take an early Easter break. After our win on Monday, we played a U-19 rec team on Tuesday. We won 3-1 despite playing 2 men down after Julianna got hurt. Enjoy your Thursday and the rest of Easter. We need to have a sharp practice on Monday as we have a tough game on Tuesday against MFC.

I sent off our application for the State Tournament today. All players have committed to the State Tournament - only two have issues with the final weekend but will be available for the first. Caroline Higdon, a 92 Lobos player and goalkeeper, will play for us at State (I'll pay her way). Hopefully we'll know sometime next week who we'll be up against.

Of course, this means I have to collect money from you again, but this will be the last time! $35 from each family will cover the cost of the State tournament fees. As before, please make your checks out to "Jennifer Beyer" and give them either to me or Jennifer the next time you see us.

Coach Sonny

Team Picture

Check out the mugs on this lot!

State Tournament

All,
as I alluded to last week when I sent out the updated schedule, its time to organize for the Div. 2 State Tournament. I have to apply our team by Friday, April 6th.

There will tentatively be a regional qualifying tournament on May 5-6 somewhere near Nashville. This regional qualifier will only happen if enough teams apply for the tournament. We have to plan for playing that weekend. The State finals will be May 19-20, two weeks after the qualifier, this is also in Nashville. Again, we have to plan on this weekend. As I said before, normally teams this old go straight to the Finals but I can't be sure about this, nor will Tenn Soccer commit to anything, until the deadline of April 6th passes.

Now some background. Sam can't play in the 91 bracket because she is too old - and the U-16 bracket is the oldest bracket. Also, Julianna has been guest playing as a goalkeeper with the 91 Lady Lobos in their D1 qualifying after the Lobos lost their goalie this past January. The agreement I have with the Lobos coach is that she remains a Cougar for the regular season (and guest plays for the Lobos) and if the Lobos qualify for D1 State, she can play with them. But if they don't qualify, she plays with us at D2 State. Regardless, I have Caroline Higdon, a 92 Lobos goalie, in reserve in case Julianna does not go with us.

It is my intention to take the girls to State. The proviso is, we need to have enough players. I must freeze the roster by April 20th. Therefore, I'm asking you to give me a definite "yes" if your daughter can play both weekends in question. Due to the limits on rostering, I will need an affirmative response by at least 12 girls for both weekends to go forward. If you can play one weekend but not another one, tell me that too. So please respond by email at sonnyb@midsouth.rr.com by April 4th with your "yes or "no."

In case you're wondering, there are other options other than D2 State. D3 State is the weekend of May 12-13, which is Mother's Day weekend. We did this last year and I don't want to have to play again on Mother's Day. Besides, there was no D3 State for U-16 teams last year.

If we can't get enough players for D2 State for whatever reason, we can possibly play in a tournament the weekend of May 5-6. More to come.

Coach Sonny

JAWS Tournament Hotel Information

All,
I have set aside 15 rooms at the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Jackson, TN for the night of April 21st for the JAWS tournament. All rooms have two double beds, so they sleep four. The hotel also offers free continental breakfast in the morning. The plan is to stay just one night in the hotel as Jackson is just a 90 minute drive. I've requested a late morning game to start with on Saturday, and I'm guessing we'll play another game Saturday and at least one Sunday.

To reserve a room, you must call La Quinta 731-664-1800 and give your credit card information to the receptionist. The rooms are blocked under the group: Lady Cougars Soccer, with me (Sonny Beyer) as the contact. YOU MUST RESERVE YOUR ROOM BY MARCH 21st or the room will be released from hold.

I realize some of your parents may not travel with you and you will room with other girls, which is fine of course. Just make sure you talk to your families and teammates about your plans so you won't lose a hotel room. If you have any questions, please call at 412-4717 or email.

Coach Sonny