The Week In Review  from Coach Barbe

5/4/09

FINAL FOUR!            LAKESIDE vs. MARIST          NEED WE SAY MORE!

CONGRATULATIONS to the Varsity Boys Soccer Team for their quarterfinal win,  3 - 1 over Statesboro on Saturday.  Manuel Mehrer had a pair of first half goals and Jack Abbott scored the third goal just after the “spirit bus” arrived.  Martin Gonzalez had the assist on three goals.  The defense, led by Jacob Newcomer, Ben Feldman and Jared Britt, controlled the back and frustrated Statesboro in the air and on the ground.

 As a result, the team earned the right to return to Marist for the semifinals. 

The game is scheduled  for Wednesday, May 6 at 6pm in the Marist Stadium

(not the “Cube” where we played in March.)

 The team would like to extend our thanks to everyone, parents, students and fans, who made the long drive down south on Saturday.  Special thanks to Ms. Moton, Henri DeVastey and Ella Smith for helping bring a “spirit bus” full of students to support us!

We need for everyone to come out on Wednesday in even bigger numbers to cheer on the Vikings!

 The team will be practicing at Silverback’s Park on Monday and Tuesday.

A team Pasta Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday after practice.  Contact Marti Yura for details.

 GO VIKINGS!!

4/29/09

ON TO THE ELITE EIGHT!!!

 Playing one of their most dominating games of the season, and with the support of a spirited home crowd…

Lakeside’s Boys Varsity Soccer team has advanced to the Elite Eight of the State Soccer Playoffs!  5 different players scored goals in the first half, including Ben Feldman, Ramon Lawrence, Martin Gonzalez, Manuel Mehrer and Taylor Cardwell and Yonathan Arroqui and Connor Naughton combined in goal for the win!

 As a result, they earned the right to travel to Statesboro for their third round game against Statesboro High School who defeated Dutchtown Wednesday night.

The next game will be played on Saturday, May 2, at 6pm at Statesboro High School

 The team will practice on Thursday and Friday afternoons at Silverback’s Park

 The team will leave Lakeside Saturday morning at 11:30am for the approx. 4 hour trip to Statesboro.  We will be travelling by transit school bus.  ALL PLAYERS MUST RIDE THE TEAM BUS TO THE GAME!  However, players will be permitted to ride home with parents with a signed note from the parents stating that they accept responsibility for travel back to Lakeside.  (For players to ride home with other players’ parents, the note must have the signatures of both sets of parents, those giving responsibility for their child’s travel and those accepting responsibility for travel, No exceptions)

 Players should pack for travel, including pillows and comfortable travel clothes and shoes.  Players should also pack a lunch to be eaten on the way to the game.  Sports drinks will be provided for the trip to Statesboro.  We will stop at least once on the way (probably at the rest area on I-16 near Dublin GA).  We may also stop, for a quick bite, on the way back for players riding the bus home.  We will not be returning until around 12 midnight, so appropriate arrangements should be made for players to be picked up from Lakeside Saturday night.

 Additional details will be sent as they become available or necessary.  Questions or concerns should be communicated to Coach Barbe asap so that they might be addressed in a timely manner.

Week 2 - Ending 2/21/09

After winning the championship of the Longhorn Tournament, sponsored by North Gwinnett High School, the varsity boys team started their region and regular season schedule this past week.

 The team opened up its region schedule against an improving team from Stone Mountain.  The boys not only had an organized Pirate team to contend with, but also battled the weather!  With local tornado sirens wailing in the distance and dark clouds looming overhead, the team battled Stone Mountain’s packed defense with little success.

Finally, (maybe even fortunately) the weather required a 20 minute delay with just 11 minutes remaining in the first half.  Returning when the warning had been lifted, the Vikings scored two quick goals, by Manuel Mehrer and Kevin Doran to go into halftime ahead 2 – 0.

But the weather returned and this time lightning ended play after only a couple of minutes of the second half.  The game will be finished on Monday, March 2 at Adams stadium at 5:30p.m.

 Friday, the team took on the Pythons of Paidea, ranked #8 in AA/A.  The team got a sneak peek at their opponents at practice at Silverback’s Park, and knew that the Pythons were looking to knock off #1!

The Vikings scored early on a long throw-in from Adam Yura, flicked on by Mark Talgo and nodded into the net by Kevin Doran.  The team went into the locker room at halftime up 1 – 0.

The second half was a back and forth battle, as the coaches on the sideline did their best to get an organized lineup up front. Finally, with a little more than 20 minutes remaining

Ramon Lawrence scored on the far post, and the floodgates opened!  Manuel Mehrer scored from the left side with a beautiful volley shot to open things up.  Martin Gonzalez scored the first of three goals on a PK and added two “highlight reel” shots against an aggressive Paidea defense. 

The team bus ride home was full of excitement as this year’s team is starting to believe in the dream!!

 The team takes on another region rival in Lithonia on Tuesday at 7:30 at Avondale Stadium and then Alumni Night is Friday against Druid Hills

Week 1  - Ending 2/13/09

The rosters are set! After nearly two weeks of rigorous training, the final cuts were made as tryouts concluded January 29.  The Varsity squad is a strong mix of returning players from our championship team and new players from the JV and those new to Lakeside.  Both the Varsity and JV teams were introduced at Viking Night on February 2d. 

The team has returned to Silverbacks Park for training and appreciate the support of the Booster Club in making this possible.  We are also arranging practice time for the JV team at this facility beginning Wednesday, Feb. 18. 

A “Cookie Dough” fundraiser is being held, for both boys and girls varsity players, in order to help defer some of the costs of field rental.  The players will turn in their monies on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at practice.  I t is hoped that every player will support this effort!

The season opened with a scrimmage against Woodward Academy on Saturday.  The boys looked strong in their 3 – 1 opening win.  New team members, Jared Britt, Manuel Mehrer and Nikos Papanikolopoulos made big contributions to the team in the victory.

The Longhorn Invitational began Monday with a season opener against host North Gwinnett High School.  The team again showed its potential as they worked hard for a 4 -1 victory.  Martin Gonzalez led the offense and captains Ben Feldman, Jacob Newcomer and goalie Yonathan Arroqui secured the defensive end.

Against Newnan Thursday night the team was again able to put every player on the field as we were able to take advantage of the youth and inexperience of our opponent in a 7 -0 victory.

We would like to thank North Gwinnett High School and their coach, Mark Karen for their hospitality in organizing a terrific tournament!

So far the team is coming together well.  10 different players have already scored so far this season and the defense remains our strength!

The first home game of the season is this Wednesday, Feb. 18 against region rival Stone Mountain at Adams Stadium with kickoff at 5:30pm.

Of special note, our principal, Ms. Moton, has arranged with Rep. Kevin Levitas to recognize last season’s state championship team with a resolution before the Georgia General Assembly on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 10am.

See you at the Game!