DEFENSE ERUPTS WITH VIDIC TO THE RESCUE

Sunday, March 25th, 2012
Metuchen, NJ

After winning the U7 Boys 3v3 Soccer tournament in Morris Plains, the Kicker Crew made their way to Metuchen to conquer an even greater challenge- a 4V4 U8 tournament.  Despite the competition, and filling in for another team with missing players, the Kicker Crew held their own.

Due to Walter Zawacki's speed and strength, the Crew was able to lead the first game by seven goals.  Chase Reardon lended great support in midfield, with an assuring determination to win.  But it was Alex Brandon, a known midfielder with great technical skill, who surprised the team and audience by leading the back line with strong defense.  By the end of the tournament, he was headering shots out-of-goal and doing everything in his power to protect the goal- much like Nemanja Vidic.  In a highly defensive final game against a team that beat them earlier, the Crew retaliated, defeating them for the championship.

The Crew, on this day, consisted of many superstars- Stevan Patino, Chase Reardon, Cam Reardon, Ted Rosenfeld, Ryan Berman, Walter Zawacki, and Alex Brandon.  All worked hard, with pink in their cheeks, and smiles when victory was claimed.

CREW PLAYS IT EASY LIKE BARCELONA

Boys Soccer NJ

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

Morris Plains, NJ

Short Sided Soccer's final Winter 3v3 tournament took place yesterday, with the returning Branchburg, Kicker Crew, and Morristown U7 Boys teams.  The four teams (two from Branchburg) battled it out to take the final championship title home... and to the website.  The Kicker Crew- the underdog throughout the Winter, picked up the pace, and proved that practice makes perfect by defeating the three other teams, and making it into the finals.

Playing up in almost every tournament for the past three months aided in their victory, and their polished foot skills wowed the audience.  Players, Nicholas Andrinopolous, Alex Brandon, Nicholas Connors, and Stevan Patino fed off each other's want to win.  Their unforgettable play at one of the kick-offs and their nice-and-easy, Barcelona-style passing helped them claim a deserving first place in the tournament, winning the final game, 5-3.

A note from Pre K Kickers:

If it weren't for teams from STA, NJSA, Kinnelon, Jefferson, Randolph, Roxbury, Mount Olive, Montville, Marlboro, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Morristown, Morris Plains, Holmdel, Brick, and Madison, the Kicker Crew would not have been able to attain such valuable playing experience.  Thanks to all of the towns mentioned (any any others missed) for getting together, and making our children better at soccer.  This Winter was a blast, and we anticipate an even better Summer season.

Yellow- Color of the Day

Sunday, March 11th, 2012
Morris Plains, NJ

The U9 Girls 3V3 soccer tournament started off with a nail-biting game between Montville and Roxbury Yellow, ending in a close 4-5.  Next, the Kicker Crew (U7 Boys) took on Roxbury Purple, defeating them 4-1, followed by another confident game against the Montville girls, winning 5-0.  Roxbury Yellow and Kicker Crew, both wearing yellow, earned their places in the Final game, which entertained the crowd with the high level of defense. Matthew O'Flynn played an awesome defensive game, allowing Stevan Patino and Alex Brandon to play the ball down to Ted Rosenfeld, the new-found striker, who scored more than half of the team's total goals.  Great variation was apparent in the game, allowing all the players to take turns in different positions, which seemed to have worked to their benefit.
 Although the effort was there, the Crew fell two goals too short in the finals to the Roxbury Yellow, who were almost twice their size.  The Kicker Crew surely impressed the crowd by playing two levels up, and making it as far as they did.

KICKER CREW KICKS IT UP A NOTCH

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Morris Plains, NJ

Last weekend's Boys U8 six-team tournament brought many talented travel soccer teams together to battle for the U8 title.  The Randolph Raptors brought two teams, Marlboro brought the Mutiny back, Madison introduced the Mavericks, and NJSA and the Kicker Crew made a surprising comeback since their last tournament in February.

The Kicker Crew, made up of Aidan Paola, Alex Brandon, Stevan Patino, and Ted Rosenfeld, turned up the heat in a very competitive match among the six teams.  Winning their first two games (2-1, 6-2) and tying their third, they proudly made the playoffs, to battle the Randolph Raptors a second time.  The Raptors seeked redemption by winning the play-offs game 3-1 against the Kicker Crew.  The Raptors later battled NJSA in the finals, who ended up taking first place in the tournament.

Each and every team worked very hard, and their skill and heart were recognized by the other teams and parents, for sure.