Teams & Coaches

Back Row:  Coach Marc, Megan S., Linden, Rachael S., Rachel B., Erin, Lauren, Lexi, Hanna, Jessie, Assistant Coach Mike.  Front Row:  Kaylin, Krista, Victoria, Katelyn, Megan C., Molly, Mia

Westside Panthers 2009 Fall Season Highlights

  One word can describe this U12G3 team and that is heart. This group of girls played a very competitive season.  Their 2-8-1 record did not indicate how well they played. Two words can sum up the season, tough luck! We were given the most difficult schedule in our 9-team division. We had to face the top four teams in 7 of our 12 games that included 3 road games against arch-rival and third place team, Agawam.  Then half way through the season we got hit hard with the plague which left us short players. The girls played hard and were competitive in each game. With three 1-goal and three 2-goal losses, we were literally a bad bounce from being 8-2-1 and being a playoff team. One very positive note is this team reduced their goals against by 75% from last season. All we needed to do was finish the play in the attack zone and get the ball in the net. Field goals do not count in soccer. I contribute that to the big improvement in the girls shooting and kicking strength.

  We had 8 returning players from last year and 8 newcomers.  Led by third year girls Rachael  S, & Victoria who combined for 11 goals and led the offense. Second year girls Mia, Hanna & Krista chipped in with a goal each while playing solid defense. Other second year girls Megan S., Jessie, Rachel B. & Lauren all contributed on the field while increasing their level of play. Linden played a terrific goal making many nice saves. Newcomers Katelyn & Lexi also chipped in with their first PV goals as well. Rounding out the team are other first years girls Erin, Kaylin, Megan C. & Molly who all improved each game and provided important roles on the team while adding depth.

   The Panthers ended the season at the 1^st Annual Agawam Frostbite Tournament in early November. Here the girls played very well which included another tie against our rival Agawam Attack to finish the four game season series at 1-1-2. Here we played against teams not only in a division higher, but also an age group older. We played a U-13 playoff team to a scoreless first half and only going down in defeat 2-0. Now with a season of experience under their belts, the division better be ready as this team is poised for a playoff position. I feel this team can play with any team in our division and I look forward to the future with this great bunch of girls.

Coach Marc.