WAGS U13 Division 3
June 3, 2007

Intensity Red extended their unbeaten run to 6 games in WAGS with a 2-2 draw with FASA Spiders in a driving rainstorm at Greenbrier Park.  This pushed the Red points total to 14 and a 4th place position in the final standings.  The Red probably deserved at least 15 were it not for that idiot from LOUD Eclipse...he'll do his screaming in Division 4 next season.  After captains Leah and Emily led the team out, the Red stormed ahead in the first 10 minutes when Susan made the best of a wonderful service from Leyly.  Where she planned for an outrageous diving header, she merely ran through the perfect service and registered the opener all the same.  Jess, Grace, Leah, and Mallory only just missed chances to double the lead.  With the Wall of Death led admirably by Paula, Sam, Caitlyn, Emma, and Winny keep the house clean, Dana walked off at the break with a potential shutout.  In the second, with Leah having been felled in the area, Susan stepped up to dispatch the spot kick with aplomb.  Two nil up...lots of time left.  With Raleigh, Adrianna, and Emilia mixing it up on the wings, Intensity looked poised to find the third, but instead it was the visitors whose speculative balls forward resulted in an uncontested shot and a dent in the Intensity armor.  Within minutes the lead was gone and, in spite of some courageous surges forward in hopes of a winner, the match and the season too were gone - into the records books.  Division 3 beckons again in the fall with old friends LMVSA and Freestate as well as new friends Annadale and Crofton joining the party. 

Intensity Red is also officially seeking a new beat writer...maybe the best job you'll ever have!  After 3 1/2 years of wonder, this is CC - signing off.  Run for your mates!

***************************   

WAGS U13 Division 3
May 20, 2007

While Intensity Red could not extent their shutout streak, they did extend their WAGS winning streak to 4 games on Sunday by netting four against the former Division 1 contenders - PWSI Courage Red.  The visitors were clinical in their first as disciplined ball movement saw Susan whip in a final pass that Emilia dispatched with aplomb.  Leah doubled the lead with a slippery shot that the PWSI keeper couldn’t keep out.  PWSI then scored the first goal that Intensity had conceded in WAGS since April 22, but Intensity came right back with a clinical PK from Raleigh and a trademark missile from Leyly.  In spite of a late monster of a direct kick from PWSI from nearly midfield, Intensity collected 3 more points to best their D3 tally from the fall and hold firm in 4th position with 1 match to play.  AIR take a break from WAGS competition to try to get one win further than they did at last year’s Virginian in the Premier Silver division.

***************************  

 

 

WAGS U13 Division 3
May 13, 2007

Intensity Red continued their WAGS shutout streak to 4 games on Sunday highlighted by a penalty kick save from Dana where she pushed the goal-bound spot kick up onto the bar.  The home side held their nerve and created several chances which the visiting Dragons were able to keep out.  Intensity finally took command when a flighted service was head-flicked into space by Leah.  Leyly was the first player there and took a smart touch to created space before smashing the ball into the back of the net.  The 3 points push Arlington up to 4th in the WAGS table with 2 matches remaining.  Next weekend Red will travel to PWSI to face the Courage Red.

***************************  

 

 

WAGS U13 Division 3
May 6, 2007

It is a huge credit to an Intensity side to have not returned until almost 11 pm from a tumultuous state cup match on a Saturday night and be ready to play at Chantilly against a quality Wildcats side in the league the next morning.  But this is exactly what Intensity did.  After an early exchange of pleasantries, Arlington got into a groove and began to ask questions of the talented Wildcat keeper - particularly Leah looking to mark her birthday with a tally and Adrianna whose long distance swerving effort must have stung the keeper’s hands.  Coming in 0-0 at the half for some adjustments, Arlington returned with even more motivation.  They were rewarded midway through the half as Adri was felled in the area.  Paula stepped up to blast the penalty into the roof of the net.  That plus a 3rd consecutive clean sheet from Dana vaulted Intensity Red up to 5th in the D3 table.  Intensity Red face DSC Dragons next weekend at home.

***************************  

 

 

VA State Cup
May 5, 2007

With 14 of its 16 players, Intensity Red made the long ride to VA Beach for the second time in two years to accomodate a first round State Cup match.  Although Arlington came out slowly, the VA Rush Pennisula Tides could not take advantage.  After the Red found their rhythm, the Tides had seemingly lost their chance.  The visitors from Arlington dominated play for the rest of the match, and save for some speculative long balls over the top - dealt with in fine form by Caitlyn, Emma, Sam, and Dana in the goal, the Rush threat had been all but extinguished.  When Intensity could not make the best of several scoring chances to hit the target, the match went into overtime.  When Leah slapped home Leyly’s fine cross to take the lead for Intensity Red, it came as no surprise.  What was a suprise, though, was when an Arlington defender was shielding the ball inside her own area and called for a penalty as an ambitous striker when over as she fouled and tried to stretch for the ball.  It was by all counts a dubious decision as the incident on the edge of the area at the goalline was neither a scoring opportunity, nor a direct kick offense.  It then came as little surprise when the home side stole a winner after the Arlington goalkeeper had been trampled to open the goal for the Tides to knee over the line.  Just shocking...

***************************

 

 

WAGS U13 Division 3
April 29, 2007

Less than 24 hours after picking up their first point, Intensity Red wanted more at home against Bethesda Force.  In yet another match against the direct, long-ball style, Intensity Red dominated the middle of the park where Winny, Mallory, and Jess patrolled looking for tackles.  However, the Bethesda bunker was tough to break down and several Intensity possessions inside the visitor’s area were snuffed out by courageous defending and a disciplined goalkeeper.  In the second half, Intensity managed to generate even more pressure and consistently looked the side to break the deadlock.  It wasn’t until the penultimate minute where some crafty work from Emilia foudn Jess who took a touch and blasted the ball into far corner for the sure winner.  Dana collected her second straight shutout and all of the players in front of her take their own bit of credit for that as each one battled to claim all three points and the resulting jump to the middle of the table.

***************************

WAGS U13 Division 3
April 28, 2007

Looking for a chance to crack back up the table, Intensity Red battled hard against a tough DCST Force side at Chesterfield on Saturday.  In a balanced match, both sides could have done better with chances, though the edge might have gone to the home side who mistook 3 early chances from around the DCST goalbox.  The home side did well to defuse the direct balls over the top and earned Dana her first shutout of the WAGS season.  Unfortunately, the DCST keeper also collected a shutout and thus the points were shared.  The first point of the campaign was enough to climb out of the D3 basement with hopes of more for Sunday against Bethesda Force. 

 

***************************

 

 

WAGS U13 Division 3
April 22, 2007

After a 3 week hiatus, Intensity Red traveled to Reston to face the first-placed Strikers.  In a match where Arlington seemed to have taken control early, the visitors were not able to capitalize on a handful of opportunities.  Playing a direct, simple style Reston continued to pump the ball over the top in the hope of a breakaway.  They were rewarded when a miscommunication between the official and the assistant could not clarify that an initial thru pass had been offside even though that pass resulted in a backpass which was then sent over the top to an onside player.  The gave Reston a 1-0 lead, which they would hold before taking advantage of some sloppy defending on a free kick to double their lead and claim all 3 points.  Intensity Red drop to 0-3 and fall to the bottom of Division 3 with the result. 

***************************

 

 

 

WAGS U13 Division 3
April 1, 2007

Intensity Red faced Loudoun again in their home opener, this time in the shape of the same Impact side whom they’d only just faced in the championship game of the ASIST.  Like that final, the Impact used their strength, pace, and direct approach to take a deserved 1-0 lead into the break.  Unlike that final, Intensity Red did not come back to play in the second half.  Despite carrying only a single substitute, Impact scored 4 goals unanswered to hand Intensity Red a devastating 0-5 defeat – its second worst in its WAGS history.  The Impact have the ability to get behind a defense in a big hurry if that defense lacks the discipline and conviction to deal with them properly.  Intensity Red has 3 weeks to consider those shortcomings as they look up from the bottom of the table to prepare for a visit to Reston to take on the first-placed Strikers on April 22.

***************************

WAGS U13 Division 3
March 31, 2007

Intensity Red opened their spring season in Loudoun against the Eclipse.  It was a gorgeous day for football, and Intensity Red was pinging the ball to and fro on the field as they dominated the match.  Intensity were rewarded mid-way through the second as an Arlington player was felled in the area.  As Raleigh approached the ensuing penalty kick, a technique which she had completed successfully with textbook discipline twice already this season, an idiot parent from the Eclipse sideline showed everyone a glimpse at what can be wrong with youth sports when he screamed during the Arlington midfielder’s swing towards her penalty kick.  The startled player snapped her head towards the voice and skied the kick.  Hard to believe this embarrassment of a man must actually have brought his own twelve-year-old daughter to play in this match.  With a suspicious lack of judgment on the matter from the referee, the match continued with Intensity taking the game to the home side, but it was the Eclipse against the run of play who poached an unlikely goal, jarring the ball loose from the Arlington keeper to bundle it over the line.  In the second half, Intensity Red offered a clinic in possession and attacking football, but alas finishing was not on the agenda.  With several balls off of the posts and cleared by defenders off of the goal line, Intensity Red left a most unjust defeat. 

***************************

Arlington Spring Invitational Soccer Tournament
March 16-18, 2007

To the casual bystander, the opening match of the ASIST on the synthetic turf at Gunston MS must have evoked images of the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.  To the Intensity Red, the feeling was more of playing in La Bombonera during a big derby match; with glistening confetti raining down from the sky carried on by chants of “ole” as each next pass found its intended target.  So while that last bit might have been somewhat speculative, the fact that Intensity Red could overcome the elements to possess and distribute the ball consistently for sixty minutes is spot on.  The Red took an early lead when Emilia worked some magic in the corner before serving to Leah who flicked on for Susan to finish with class into the far side netting.  Leah nearly doubled the lead moments later as her finish came crashing back off of the near post.  Nevertheless, Red took an advantage into the break, and with Paula, Emma, Sam, Mallory, and Winny stifling the Reston Strikers attack, the second half looked promising.  In the second, Red continued to work to break down the disciplined Reston rearguard, and were rewarded again as Leah made no mistake with Leyly’s through ball to curl the ball around the goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead.  Congrats to Dana for her first shutout of the season!  On Saturday, with Reston sharing points in their second match with Sterling Avalanche, Intensity Red were assured of a place in the semifinals.  The match with Sterling on Saturday would decide who won the group, and in a low-scoring affair, Intensity Red made that decision when Leyly executed a masterclass feint and then hammered an inspired drive past the Avalanche goalkeeper.  Another shutout ensured Dana and the Red the group and a match with sister side, Intensity Blue, while holding Red to the single tally earned Sterling a semifinal match with high-flying Loudoun Impact.  The semifinal offered the first ever contested match between the Intensitys - Red vs. Blue.  In a match that pitted friend against friend, neighbor against neighbor, teammate against teammate, and classmate against classmate, the two sides both played very well.  In a match that demonstrated the defensive toughness and organization of both sides, Intensity Red opened the scoring through of all means, the penalty spot.  Having spotted a defensive handball inside the Blue area that might well have been only an effort to defend a face from an onrushing shot, the referee pointed to the spot.  Raleigh clinically dispatched a low drive into the far corner to give her side the lead.  Later in the half, the Red doubled that lead again with a set piece as Gracie drove her direct free kick high into the roof of the Blue net from 20 meters out.  Though there were some exciting chances for both sides, the scoring was complete, and Arlington would be represented by a home side in the final for the U13G Classic division.  In that final, Intensity Red faced the strong Loudoun Impact side, who had dropped Sterling out of contention with a 4-0 victory in the semifinal.  The Championship game started in the favor of the Impact who made good use of their size and strength to ride the wind to an early goal on a speculative drive from about 25 meters.  Loudoun would continue to knock on the door, but the halftime whistle left the visitors with only a slim margin.  In the second, Intensity Red were the side that did most of the threatening, and yet 34 minutes and 55 seconds with the wind left nothing to show for the advantage.  It was then that Red struck - working tirelessly to attack the Louddoun goal, Leah found her way to a ball behind the Impact defense and charged towards the goal.  With Jess by her side, the two fought their way past the rushing goalkeeper and then Jess outmuscled the last defender to force the ball over the goal line for the equalizer.  With no time left, the teams would see overtime.  Ten minutes later, the teams would line up for penalty kicks.  After an exhausting weekend, Intensity Red came up just a few kicks short to claim a well-deserved Finalist place.  The Red start their season undefeated in four matches against quality opponents, with only 1 goal conceded.  With no trophies up for grabs next time, the Red will have another crack at Loudoun Impact in two weeks time in WAGS Division 3.

***********************

CASL Raleigh Shootout
November 4-5, 2006

Intensity Red collected a well-deserved medal in their second visit to the Raleigh Shootout.  Though the Red could not overcome local WAGS division rival CSA Courage in the final, their road to the championship match was a memorable one - with lots of goals to show for their efforts.  After cancelling a 1-3 deficit against the CASL Spartan United White for a point with a 3-3 draw, Intensity Red staged the biggest comeback in their history in recovering from 0-3 in the first to tie the match 3-3 at the half and win 4-3 when Leah flicked the ball in at the far post in the second.  After a convincing 4-0 with Mustangs of NC in the semifinal, they held the Courage at 0-1 at the half.  Congrats Intensity Red - Shootout Elite Division Finalist, and congrats also to our own Raleigh , who now quite literally holds a medal with her name on it.

********************************

WAGS U13 Division 3
October 29, 2006

Intensity Red closed out their WAGS Fall division campaign at the SoccerPlex having been undone by swirling winds and a bustling set-piece from DCST Force. On a fantastic day for football, the brilliant SoccerPlex pitch was rendered nearly useless as driving winds and flying balls all but excluded any sort of possession from either side. After exchanging hustle goals inside of each others penalty area on either side of halftime, DCST were awarded a free kick from about 40 yards after the legs of two competitors were innocuously tangled. The resulting masterpiece was flighted just perfectly towards the Arlington goal such that subtle kisses from the goalkeepers fingertips and the underside of the crossbar were all that could affect the ball as it tallied the winner for the Force. In spite of an advantage in scoring chances, the defeat leaves the Red with 10 points, in a campaign where 5 additional points were given away earlier in the season as a draw and a defeat were snatched from the jaws of victory in the waning moments of two matches. Whereas 15 points could have put Intensity into a promotion picture, the deserved 10 put them no better than 6th. In spite of a division bottom 24 goals conceded, Intensity can also do no worse than 7th thanks in part to a division runner-up 19 goals scored. This likely means that the Red will take to the fields of WAGS Division 3 again next spring, where hopefully with a certain defensive stinginess in the shape of a wall of death will make its highly-anticipated return. Intensity Red will end their campaign on the road in North Carolina at the CASL Shootout.

***************************

WAGS U13 Division 3
October 22, 2006

With Coach Emeritus Melissa at the helm, Intensity Red sought to pick up 3 more points in their last home match of the WAGS season against LOUD Eclipse. Despite conceding an early lead to the visitors, Intensity Red offered both a composed and gritty performance to take from the match what they needed to succeed. The Loudoun side came out with guns blazing and caught Intensity Red with an early score and a near second, which Dana palmed onto the post. As the Red found their form, the match changed. On the back of two assists from Emilia, Leyly scored with another long-range strike and Leah scored her third and fourth goals in two games. Leyly was also responsible for the service on Leah’s second on which the Red took a 3-1 lead. Loudoun pegged one back during a late flourish which saw Dana pull several rabbits from her magic hat, but could do no more against an Intensity side that now climbs to 5th in the table and away from the peril of the drop. The Arlington side is brimming with confidence ahead of their final league match at the SoccerPlex with DCST and a season-ending trip to Raleigh for the Shootout.

***************************

WAGS U13 Division 3
October 15, 2006

Intensity Red traveled to Calverton, MD today in an effort to right the ship, and right it they did with a stylish performance to claim all three points. Coming out strong from the first whistle, AIR took an early lead as Susan & Emilia’s short corner was set for Gracie to smash home from the corner of the area. The visitors doubled their lead only minutes later as Emilia’s sublime diagonal layoff allowed Leah to clip past the keeper from the simplest of angles. By sixteen minutes AIR had a third and Lead a second as the diminutive striker netted a sensational flick from Adrianna’s long throw. However, Calverton would not quit and took advantage of an Arlington miscommunication to steal back a goal. After the break, the home side made things even more interesting by pegging back another after an uncalled foul unbalanced the Arlington side enough for a counterattack and breakaway goal. And yet a composed Arlington side played on, confident that their majority of chances would serve them well. Intensity’s reward would ultimately equal their effort when another Emilia thru-ball set Leyly clear to blast a rocket into the Calverton goal from about 25 meters. With about ten minutes to go, the Red took a deserved fifth after a brilliant set piece created an opportunity for Grace to shoot and for Winny to gobble up the rebound for her first of the season. Intensity Red look to build on this performance next weekend at home to Loudoun Eclipse.

***************************

WAGS U13 Division 3
October 14, 2006

Intensity Red played a frustrating match with Bethesda Quest this afternoon. Things started out quite well for Arlington , dominating possession and making the best of an Emilia through-ball for Melissa to score. But the Quest’s kickball style would unfortunately pay off about ten minutes later. Encouraged by their coaches constant bellowing of "big kick", the Quest continued to tee off on the ball and were rewarded when one got behind for a striker to finish. Arlington looked set to reclaim the lead when a Quest defender used her elbow to block an Intensity service inside her area. In spite of the referee’s acknowledgement of several innocuous handlings, this one was ignored. And within minutes, Bethesda capitalized on an AIR hesitation, and carried a lead into the break. In spite of an embarassing display of time-wasting techniques offered by the Bethesda coach in the second half, Intensity Red continued to play the more enterprising brand of football. From box to box AIR possessed and built, but were unlucky to be undone by the direct style of their opponent. As the match pressed forward, two outrageous offside decisions carried the second half - no need to explain other than the home side increased their goal tally while AIR did not. Both teams would claim a late goal, but Intensity Red left with no share of the spoils. AIR heads to Calverton tomorrow to try to right the ship.

***************************

WAGS U13 Division 3
September 30, 2006

CSA Courage came to Arlington on Saturday afternoon and left little doubt as to why they hold a commanding lead in the division. Consistenly winning the loose balls and putting the home side under pressure, the visitors built a two goal lead in the span of 90 seconds at the sixth minute of the first half, would not look back, and built on that lead to take a three goal advantage into the break. In the second, Intensity recovered to take control of certain parts of the game, but loose balls and 50/50s all belongs to the Courage. Intensity were unlucky to be undone by an own-goal, and also by a very dubious non-call on a clear offside tap in at the far post. Even without these two tallies, Courage scored another well-built goal before they were pegged back twice as Emilia made the best of services from Susan and Adrianna. Arlington have their work cut out for themselves in their final four matches and need to dig deep to display the personality needed to overcome this current slump. Intensity Red will play four matches next weekend in the Premier division of the Battlefield Classic.

***************************

WAGS U13 Division 3
September 24, 2006

Intensity Red started off well against the FREE Freedom by creating a couple of opportunities in the first few minutes. But, when Freestate counterattacked in the 4th minute, disaster struck as an ambitious shot came back off of the crossbar to ricochet off of the Arlington goalkeeper into the goal. The Intensity recovered well enough to regain balance in the match; however, Arlington ’s ability to be dangerous was inhibited by a general lack of creativity on the day. The home side were consistently pushed backward, but answered every question that the visitors could muster as the penalty area approached. Taking a 1-0 lead into the half, Freestate continued to drive the ball down the field, and were rewarded midway through the period again via ricochet as a well-intentioned cross deflected off of an Arlington defender to fall momentarily to the foot of a striker, who dispatched it with aplomb to double the lead. In spite of a late surge, Intenstity Red could not break through for a goal, and will do their best to climb back into the league with a home double next weekend to CSA Courage and BETH Quest at Chesterfield .

***************************

WAGS U13 Division 3
September 17, 2006

For the first 65 minutes of their match with the MSC Bulls, Intensity Red put on a possession football clinic in what seemed to be an opportunity to claim the points needed to move into a tie for first place in the division. Distinct among the several chances created by the Red was Jessica’s clinical finish to give the home side a well-deserved lead. However, much to their credit, the Bulls never gave up. They continued to move the ball briskly down the field, and were rewarded with not only an equalizer, but also a winner within the last 9 minutes of the match. It was a shocking defeat for Intensity, their first in WAGS play since April 8. The Red will look to bounce back in Maryland next weekend against the Freestate Freedom.

***************************

WAGS U13 Division 3
September 10, 2006

After a well-earned start to their season, Intensity had an opportunity to double their points on the road at DSC Dragons. And but for 5 minutes of madness late in the second half, they would have done so. Intensity spent most of the first half finding their feet, while exchanging chances with the Dragons. Proper credit must be given to the DSC goalkeeper who does a wonderful job plying her trade for the Dragons, as demonstrated by thwarting several efforts they might well have beaten lesser goaltenders throughout the course of the match. In all fairness, Arlington also brings to the table an exceedingly capable goalkeeper, with a penchant for the spectacular on her day. So with two such goalkeepers, it is no surprise to see this match into the break in a scoreless stalemate. But the second half was different. Arlington took a lead on a wonderful solo effort as Melissa took an errant clearance, beat a defender, and smashed a tailing shot into the back stanchion. And within minutes, Arlington were at it again as Emilia was rushing towards the Dragons goal, only to lay off a perfect pass at just the right moment for Raleigh to finish her enterprising 30 yard run with a very well-deserved tap in. Within five minutes, Intensity were very unfairly denied their chance to try for a third after a DSC defender swung, missed the ball, and cut Jessica down by the knees from behind in the box. And then within five minutes, DSC benefitted from a poor clearance and a suspect tackle to knot the score at 2-2. What looked to be a very tight grip on 3 points, turned out to be a generous donation of 2. Intensity Red will be back at it next weekend with a visit from the MSC Bulls.

***************************

WAGS U13 Division 3
September 9, 2006

After receivng their WAGS Division 4 Championship plaques on Thursday evening, Intensity Red opened their Division 3 campaign on Saturday morning. For a while, things looked somewhat familiar as Intensity Red rushed out to a quick lead. After some nice build-up in the midfield, Sam found herself in space and decided to have a go. When her shot was blocked, a quick thinking Leyly announced her Arlington debut by puncing on the rebound with aplomb to give her side a 1-0 advantage against fellow debutantes, CYA Wildcats. So excited were Intensity with their opening, that they quickly doubled their lead as Susan made the best of Leyly’s service to break through the visiting defense and blast into the far corner. It was at this point where things got a little dodgy. Chantilly was down, but clearly not out, and served notice of such by playing a plethora of direct balls into the heart of the Arlington defense. Arlington did well to defend itself until late in the half when the Red’s goalkeeper was literally run over leaving a gaping goal with which the Wildcats were able to halve their deficit. Such is football, but the referee’s decision left some uncertainly as to who’s football we were playing. After the break, Arlington looked more like a side trying to protect a 2-1 lead than trying to build on it. And the visitors took advantage when a moment of miscommunication coupled with a bout of uncertainty allowed Chantilly to bring the terms to level. Only this second goal sparked Intensity back into the form of the previous half, and their efforts were rewarded when Emma made the absolute best of Susan’s layoff by sending a rocket from 30 yards up and over the head of the CYA goalkeeper to claim all three points.