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Post by rivers2 on Feb 27, 2005 9:56:28 GMT -6
Now that the current soccer season has concluded and the season is over what are the wish lists for next season. Does your team graduate a high scoring senior? Do you need help at Keeper. What is stopping your team from postseason honors? Are there new players to fill the voids? Perhaps you need a new coach? What do you need to reach the next level?
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Post by enigma on Feb 27, 2005 16:04:59 GMT -6
This is a "wish list", but not for any players, but something soccer needs in this state.
Well, I guess we should send this wish list to Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny because LHSAA probably won't listen. But it is getting to be springtime, where hope is eternal....
Last year in the D1 boy's state final, they put a crew in from Alexandria. This year, the D1 girls get a crew from Lake Charles. In both instances, the talent on the field left the refs repeatedly out of position, hence repeatedly making bad calls BOTH ways, and indirectly and unintentionally, sometimes leaving players at risk to injury. It is a sad commentary when a PLAYER has to request a ref out of the way on a set play (done at least twice in the girl's match yesterday) in a state final match. This is no more than "political correctness" on the part of LHSAA to include all sections of the state. Put the best darn crew you can get LHSAA out there as long as they refs have no blood or financial ties to the schools involved. The PLAYERS deserve it. The LHSAA knows who is a strong ref/associations and who is not. Like it or not, some areas of the state has stronger refs than others simply because of the level of play they are exposed to.
And while I'm at it, I just loved that supposed netural field in New Orleans. Let's see... LHS was supposedly the "home" team in the girl's match, but since when is the home team introduced before the visitors... ballboys (or girls) were recruited just before the match... the restrooms, well, were, well let's say about just as disgusting as you could expect from a public park, but hey, cleaning a toilet or two costs money. What a class operation.
I am sure LHS would of loved to send their band (like Jesuit) or cheerleaders (like Jesuit), but it's a little pricey to run a 250+ member band to New Orleans. Our parents would of loved to set up a few hours before the match and tailgate (like MCA) and have our players loose before the game in a family setting in our home town and field our kids play on... but yeah it's a netural site...
And LHSAA, you got your $$ from Nokia and State Farm, that's what is important, isn't it, AND most of you didn't have to leave YOUR home town. Riding a few hours on a bus or sleeping away from your own bed does put one team at a slight disadvantage. Put the kids and the game first ahead of YOUR personal comfort. Try going to Nokia or State Farm and tell them you want to put the games on a field not used by any HS teams (ie: LSU BR or the new UL Lafayette complex) next year. Let their local reps show up for Nokia or State Farm. What would be wrong with that? Or is it more important "Mr. I M Somebody" from Nokia or State Farm get thier picture taken? Go ahead and ask them, and than we will see which is more important, their picture opportunity or the players... but then again, some of YOU would, God forbid, have to travel.
Have a nice day! ;D
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Post by Mung on Feb 27, 2005 20:22:43 GMT -6
ASH girls desperately need a keeper(Annie McNeal graduates), and some more girls to play on the Crossroads SA United team. They have about 5-6 girls playing rec, while the others let their skills lapse. We have a gorgeous new park up here, so come on up and give us a match.
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Post by rivers2 on Feb 28, 2005 7:40:06 GMT -6
Mung, with all the disgruntlement over the recent title games not really using a neutral site..... your new soccer park could be a good site? Your location in Alexandria would certainly be centrally located and no one could argue that it is the home of so many schools (New Orleans). Could it accomodate the thousands who would watch a championship game? I guess it's one thing to have a nice park but can it seat a lot? I realize you were probably just talking about AHS hosting some games but there seems a need for a really neutral site and your area is the states most central. This comment is off topic in terms of a WISH LIST in a true sense but as ENIGMA pointed out it certainly was on her list.
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Post by Mung on Feb 28, 2005 8:27:18 GMT -6
Unfortunately, while the new fields and complex are very nice, the fan capacity is minimal. It's not a stadium, and not set up to host a giant game where tons of fans show up to root for their teams. However, it will be a great tourney site, and a good location for our teams to train.
Back to my goalie desire: it is very difficult to get any of these girls who are lifelong soccer players to go into the goal. Our last goalie was a softball star, who never played soccer as a youth, but went out for high school. Do other teams have this problem, and do you search the ranks of other sports athletes to solve it?
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Post by applesandpears on Feb 28, 2005 8:40:17 GMT -6
The new Complex in alexandria have future plans for a stadium. I am not sure when it will be completed or the total capacity. I could make a quick call and find out how many it will seat, but Alexandria would be a very neutral as well as central site for play-offs. I do know the field is already there and the lights, just need the seating etc.
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Post by observer on Feb 28, 2005 8:54:33 GMT -6
The key question to be answered about any alternate site would be field drainage and turf. As much as I dislike the idea of going to New Orleans each year, the field has proven over the years to be very playable even in the worst conditions. Until someone can guarantee the same type of field, I don't believe any changes will be made.
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Post by rivers2 on Feb 28, 2005 10:31:52 GMT -6
In response to Mung's question about goalkeepers. I have observed that at a early age most girls avoid playing Keeper. The prevailing sentiment has always been that they didn't want the pressure of being the one that allowed the goal. I'm sure there are other reasons but by high school you'd think someone had enough experience at the job to want to do it. Last year my daughter's team #1 need was a Goalie.... we were lucky we picked up an All District Div. II goalie who transfered to us and went on to become an All District Div. I species. We lucked out. Unless AHS can luck out and have one fall from the sky you best either look within or find one in another sport like you did your last one...... good luck. If PUMAS FS reads this thread perhaps he can shed some light as he is renowned for his knowledge of keepers and how to develop one.
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Post by enigma on Feb 28, 2005 17:20:57 GMT -6
Heck, if they want a field, Indy is fine as any up in Shreveport... oh wait... they would have to pay major $$ for meal money and mileage...
Cajun Field would be fine too except for the turtleback is very pronounced. Has field pumps and plenty of seats.. and only need to pay mileage...lol
Bleachers could be brought in at the LSU complex, but that might cost money.
We got a better chance of pigs flying before LHSAA puts fairness and the players of a minor sport ahead of the dollar.
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Post by AICWildcat on Feb 28, 2005 21:27:20 GMT -6
The LSU complex is plenty good enough. LSU plays their games there and the stands are quite nice. We played University High there and it's a nice set-up.
I'd sure like the championships to come to BR. It would be nice to make the short ride and watch some quality soccer.
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Post by PutMeInCoach2 on Feb 28, 2005 22:23:11 GMT -6
i believe they should alternate fields from... Tad Gomley to LSU women's field to indy, and then to a field in the lafayette/lake charles area....
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Post by AICWildcat on Mar 1, 2005 7:35:05 GMT -6
i believe they should alternate fields from... Tad Gomley to LSU women's field to Indy, and then to a field in the lafayette/lake charles area.... Let's not forget North Louisiana. We played Loyola two years ago at Independence Stadium. I couldn't make it due to work but from the pictures and comments I believe it to be a fine facility as well.
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Post by rivers2 on Mar 1, 2005 8:18:51 GMT -6
There are a handful of acceptable places to play the games but to avoid the extremes of either playing in Shreveport or New Orleans, I'm of the opinion that a permanent central location be found. Alexandria comes to mind but as of yet they do not have a facility that provides all the necessary components. It would seem to me that the LSU women's facility provides it all. They have the seating, the parking, a good field and a good soccer infrastructure. Nearby Burbank complex could provide pre game practice fields. And yes, they offer an alternative to the geographical extremes.
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Post by AICWildcat on Mar 1, 2005 8:51:28 GMT -6
Let's look at it another way. As a means to promote high school soccer and instate recruiting, the championships could go to the various colleges around the state having the games at the respective schools stadium. No one could say they were left out geographically as there are college soccer stadiums in all corners of the state.
The kids could experience playing of on a college level pitch, something the vast majority will never experience. And we solve the problem of "home field" advantage.
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mfg17
Bench Warmer
Posts: 34
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Post by mfg17 on Mar 1, 2005 9:38:56 GMT -6
My wish is that all the girls who play soccer could have the same heart and desire as that exemplified by Rachel Schultz, a backup goal keeper for Mt. Carmel varsity. If you have the time, read the Times-Picayune artice "Heart of a Champion" on the nola.com website, under "Sports", "Girls Soccer". Best wishes and good luck, Rachel. www.nola.com/girlssoccer/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1109489237171640.xmlEdited to add link. AICWildcat
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Post by applesandpears on Mar 2, 2005 10:08:25 GMT -6
I have information that the Crossroads Complex will have a 5,000 seat stadium.
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Post by rivers2 on Mar 2, 2005 10:33:24 GMT -6
That sounds great for all CENLA soccer fans. With your central location and a stadium that seats 5,000 how could the powers ignore such a set up. Others on this thread suggest moving the championships around and while that has merit having a facility that is centrally located with everything necessary and no real abundance of teams like New Orleans and to a lesser extent Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Shreveport. The Alexandria area seems to me the perfect compromise area
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Post by PumasFC on Mar 2, 2005 14:40:22 GMT -6
My wish would be for more of the girls that want to play HS soccer get involved in the summer and fall programs that are available to them. BR had a summer league (7 v. 7) last year (and I'm sure it will be offered again this year that was pressure free . They showed up on Sunday or Saturday afternoon with their jerseys on, the coach might set the lineup and make the substitutions but that was it. NO COACHING was done (not even sure it was allowed) from the sidelines. The Referee kept things in check and since most of the girls knew each other from either HS or having played together before, it was mostly good comraderie, and lots of joking amoung themselves. I don't recall anyone leaving the fields grumbling about poor sportsmanship, or dirty play of any kind. Just a chance to play for the fun of the game without any pressure. This would certainly improve the quality of play for those heading into their fall seasons, and at least give those wishing only to play HS ball a few touches during the off season.
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Post by observer on Mar 2, 2005 17:05:07 GMT -6
Same thing is and has been offered in Lafayette. Excellent chance to play with no pressure and just for fun.
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Barron
All-District
Posts: 120
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Post by Barron on Mar 2, 2005 18:39:56 GMT -6
I highly recommend summer play of some sort, as well as spring and fall play. You cannot, not touch a soccer ball until next high school season and expect to compete with those who have. Summer soccer camps are a very good idea, too.
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