(March 17, 2006)

The Generals came away with mixed results in their first action of the spring 2006 season. Playing hosts in the first annual Arlington Spring Invitational Tournament, the Generals won their opener, but then dropped their next two and failed to move on to the championship match.

In their first match, the Generals faced a familiar foe, the LMVSA Patriots. The Generals had squeaked by the Patriots 1-0 in MCSA Fall Classic in November to secure the championship, and once again the Generals came out on top. This time the score was 3-0. Despite the margin, the Generals were far from dominant. As before, it was timely scoring, tight defense, and a little luck that ruled the day. In order to have a chance to advance in the tournament, the Generals would have to raise their level of play substantially the rest of the way.

The Generals faced the NCSL Division 1 Mclean Olympic in their second match, and responding to the challenge, the Generals began the game with their best stretch of play in the tournament. The score was 0-0 late in the first half. The Generals had thwarted the Olympic’s dangerous striker once, but the second time he got free he made no mistake. A rather harsh penalty call just before the half made the score 2-0 for McLean. After battling for 30 minutes the Generals had little to show for it, and their disappointment was evident. They struggled throughout the second half, and the final result was a convincing 4-0 win for McLean.

With their hopes of advancing gone, the Generals face off against the NCSL Division 2 Loudon Strikers on Sunday morning. For the first time in tournament the Generals came out flat. Their aimless play found them down 1-0 and under pressure before they had made any impression on the game. The eventually began to assert themselves, but only enough to generate a few decent chances, and the game ended 2-0 for the Strikers.

While not the results that the Generals were looking for, the two losses did serve notice that in order to progress over the coming seasons the boys must continue to improve all aspects of their game. With the PWSI Icebreaker Tournament a week away, and the NCSL season opener a week after that, the Generals will be looking to put their game into high gear.