Tso long TSammi

Wrap up

Champions play like champions and walk away with the shirts

Sunday night brought crowds (relatively speaking) to Grand Avenue Park to watch Tsunami defend its title against a 909 squad augmented by speed and height.

Both teams got going early. Suzanne delivered for Tsunami, then 909's giant launched a stunning shot from the half line that caught Sammi by surprise and made the score 1-1 where it stuck for many minutes. The teams were not quite evenly matched--Tsunami had the edge on possession, but both teams had strong defenders that thwarted shots and kept the score stuck through halftime.

Early in the second half 909 exploited a breakaway, and one of their players was on a tear towards our goal and ahead of our defense. Sammi challenged, coming out with an expert slide into the ball. Unfortunately it popped up and our defenders did not win in the ensuing scrum: 2-1 909 United. The score was stuck again. Lindsey arrived soon after, and added just the right pizzazz to Tsunami's offense. We were energized, and took many great runs at the 909 goal. Lots of runs down the side followed by crosses and shots....but not goals.

Tsunami persisted, and finally Rachel completed one of these sequences to bring the score back to a tie. Very soon thereafter, Suzanne made a text book shot into the upper left corner of the goal, elevating us to a winning position. Tenacious defense protected our lead and brought the title home to Tsunami once again.

We like winning, but this one was especially sweet as a sendoff to Sammi, who we are going to miss so much. She has kept the balls out of our net:

A net is but string on a pole

'Til balls enter in for a goal

But Sammi--she stops 'em

She flies, dives and blocks them.

Without Sammi the team has a hole.

With Sammi we sat so prettily;

We cast off our basic humility.

Now we'll be humbled

With her off to Humboldt .

Our net just may lose its virginity.

Semi final wrap up

I did some research, and suspect that it was the chilly air that made those Blackhearts so disorderly Sunday night.* Shoving Staci, leg wrestling Cara, whining to extreme--one player "threatened" to stop playing if the officials kept calling her for infractions. After the last, the ref on the line turned to the spectators, lifted his palms and mouthed "so stop playing."

In contrast, Tsunami displayed order. Passing to feet, lofting lovely crossed balls in front of the goal, talking to each other.... It was a beautiful game to watch. Tsunami had a full team plus a sub to Blackhearts ten, but the numerical advantage looked to be much greater. Tsunami had possession at least 80 percent of the game. When a Blackheart did get the ball, she most often just kicked towards our goal, but with little awareness of where her teammates stood in relation to the goal or the ball.

Early in the first half Suzanne crossed a ball in front of the net, finding Diane in perfect position to tap it in. A few minutes later there was a near repeat, with Suzanne crossing a ball to Diane's head. That one went high, unfortunately. Shortly before the end of the half, Suzanne launched a classic arrow from about 30 yards out into the upper left corner of the net.

Blackheart whining reached its peak as the half drew to a close. They came out for the second half a little less disorderly and a bit more dejected. Whereas Sammi had a chance to show off at least one great stop during the first half in the goal, Leslie had to be content with dancing and prancing to stay warm in the goal during the second half. Blackhearts focused on defense during the second half--while making no serious offensive threats, they did manage to thwart Tsunami attacks. Most of the time. Amy got by their defenders to score once in the second half.

Onward to the finals! Tsunami!

*Here's some scientific trivia for you: "Internal blackening, or 'blackheart' is an important physiological disorder of pineapples that arises as a result of storage at chilling temperatures."

*http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/905832/discoloration_in_raw_and_processed_fruits_and_vegetables/index.html

PX90 or P90X Taking on those young Corona Strikers.

We won 3 to 1 and we were the only teams playing at 8:15 p.m. the ground was hard and dusty. Had a lot of players falling and sliding on the dirt. Pam hope you are okay. Thanks for those who showed up we had on sub and it was great! Thanks to our fans that watched us play.

We start playoffs in 2 weeks at 8:15 (vs. the 4th place Blackhearts). As Laura put it; can't wait to hear about the PX90 from Leslie.

Go Tsunami! BTW--The new Red jersey's are really flashy and cool we've been receiving a lot of great compliments.

Thanks again to JOEY MONACO -Owner of Red Devil Pizza in La Verne Calif for sponsoring our team. Check out the bottom of the page to see his logo.

Also, thank you to Brian at Soccer Garage for getting our jerseys to us so fast he did a great job designing them.

teenagers in black

Tender green shoots of grass carpet the Chino hills. Sheep and cattle feast. Meanwhile, on the patched-up turf of Grand Avenue Park, a team of tender teens in black jerseys emerge from AYSO to play in the adult league. Tsunami enjoys age diversity, but even our youngsters in their 20s and 30 might fear the youth of the Corona Strikers. Not to worry—the newest team in our division may also be the second nicest team (Tsunami being the nicest). The girls from Corona had skills and showed no interest in throwing elbows, hip checking or ankle thrashing. They were surprisingly short on stamina for 18 year olds; that may have evened out the game for Tsunami, which dominated possession during the second half.

The first half saw Corona Strikers living up to their name, and keeping the defense and Sammi very busy. The had many shots; we had many close calls. Between Sammi’s keeping prowess and one or two miracles, we limited them to a single goal midway through the first half. They earned that goal: after several blocked shots and a flurry of activity, one of their players finally found the net with a rebound.

Tsunami never surrendered the half, but kept striving to get the ball into striking range. Suzanne’s range extends nearly to the half line, and she had several strong shots from a variety of spots on the field. Most were on goal, but were caught by their goalie. Very late in the half we had a chaotic rally and their goalie’s mitts seemed suddenly less sticky. Pattie managed to head a swatted ball over the goalie’s hands. It rebounded off the crossbar and Leslie speared it with her head and zoomed it into the net. Leslie in front of their net? WTF? She was sweeping! Cara and Leslie communicated superbly, allowing Leslie to have several foray’s into offense with no lack of defensive coverage.

The first half ended in a 1-1 tie, and Tsunami dominated possession during the scoreless second half as exhaustion seeped into legs on both teams. Tsunami never let up. Our newest player, Samantha, fit in like she’d played with us for a Corona Striker’s lifetime (some of us have been on this team almost that long!). And all that with only 10 players!! I’m sure we’ll have subs next week.

One cold and foggy night ~

As usual it was windy and cold. Thanks to our fans that showed up Steve, Mary, Suzanne's husband, Staci's soon to be husband & sorry I forget what is your doggie's name, and Patti's daughter, did I miss anyone? Liked to always recognize our trusty Tsunami fans.

Yes it was freaky playing in the fog, hey what was the final score? It is nice to have sub's it was a nice win.

And lastly, thank you to Cara for joining our team welcome. Very excited to have few newbie's go Tsunami!

The twelve days of Chritsunamimas

The twelve days of Chritsunamimas

1 On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Laura’s sweater with the goose family three.

2 On the second day of Christmas, Tsunami sent to me, Noel and bell and more on Amy [‘s sweater, that is.] and that sweater with the goose baby.

3 On the third day of Christmas, my goalie kicked to me, three Santa sweaters, Amy’s noel and holly and that sweater with the goose baby.

4 On the fourth day of Christmas, Kris & Sheri showed to me, two reds with nuts, three Santa sweaters, Amy’s noel and holly and that sweater with the goose baby.

5 On the fifth day of Christmas, Diane bestowed on me, one u-g-l-y top!, four rutting reds, three Santa dolls, Amy’s noel and holly and that sweater with the goose baby.

6 On the sixth day of Christmas Courtney said to me “ugly is the new black!” five u-g-l-y tops!, four rutting reds, three Santa dolls, Amy’s noel and holly and that sweater with the goose baby.

7 On the seventh day of Christmas Sammi said to me “my white is also ugly” six bulky black ones, five u-g-l-y tops!, four rutting reds, three Santa dolls, Amy’s noel and holly and that sweater with the goose baby.

8 On the eighth day of Christmas Steph lit up just like a tree—sparkles on her corsage, seven also ugly, six bulky black ones, five u-g-l-y tops!, four rutting reds, three Santa dolls, Amy’s noel and holly and that sweater with the goose baby.

9 On the ninth day of Christmas Leslie sent to me—a keg for tsunami, eight floozie’s flowers, seven also ugly, six bulky black ones, five u-g-l-y tops!, four rutting reds, three Santa dolls, Amy’s noel and holly and that sweater with the goose baby.

10 On the tenth day of Christmas a sausage came to be, on the plate of one devoted veggie!, nine players drinking, eight floozie’s flowers, seven also ugly, six bulky black ones, five u-g-l-y tops!, four rutting reds, three Santa dolls, Amy’s noel and holly and that sweater with the goose baby.

11 On the eleventh day of Christmas, Miss B stepped out with me--eleven ladies dancing, ten foods verboten, eight floozie’s flowers, seven also ugly, six bulky black ones, five u-g-l-y tops!, four rutting reds, three Santa dolls, Amy’s noel and holly and that sweater with the goose baby.

12 On the twelfth day of Christmas, lo! beneath tsunami's tree--eleven ladies dancing, ten foods verboten, eight floozie’s flowers, seven also ugly, six bulky black ones, five u-g-l-y tops!, four rutting reds, three Santa dolls, Amy’s noel and holly and that sweater with the goose baby.

Notes:

1. apres-tsunami fun continued by the fire circle with a chorus of kumbya captured by Stephanie.
   
2. Stephanie's recipe:
   

CONFETTI CRISP

2 sticks of butter (NOT margarine)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup M&Ms **
1/2 cup peanuts **
1/2 cup broken pretzels (twists work) **
Saltine crackers

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange Saltine crackers on a foil-lined cookie sheet in a single layer side by side.

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until mixture comes to a full boil. Continue boiling for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and immediately pour evenly over crackers.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Allow chocolate to soften, then spread evenly over baked crackers.
Sprinkle pretzels, peanuts and M&Ms over the melted chocolate.
Lightly press down into chocolate so it will stay.
Refrigerate until it is firm. Break into pieces and serve.

**You can add other toppings or take some out. It is up to you.

Tsunami 2000 Ugly Xmas Sweater Party

Extra, extra... read all about it. Tsunami 2000 first ugly xmas sweater party. Take a look at all the ugly sweaters. We missed you teammates who were not able to attend.

Enjoy the pictures.