September 21, 1999

Santos Withstand Arsenal Attack

Rome, Georgia. -- It was a battle last Saturday, as the outnumbered Roswell U-15 Santos White women's soccer team faced a seasoned and hungry Arsenal squad. When the smoke cleared, both sides had defended their goal perfectly, but it was the Santos team that walked away with a decisive mental victory.

The Santos entered the game with only 10 people. Three of their key players were missing -- Erin Davis - sick; Katherine Lantz - out-of-town; and newcomer Meghan Sweet who had to sit out due to faulty clerical work at the rec. department. Faced with playing one minus full strength, the coaches chose to play with a 4-3-2 lineup that focussed on a defensive game. The loss of their teammates may have hindered the Santos' scoring efforts, but not the Santos' teamwork, hustle, and determination to do their best.

The game started similar to last week, with the opposing team controlling the ball through much of the first half. The second half again saw the stamina and talent of the outnumbered Santos come into play, as the ball was kept more to the center and the opposing half of the field. Hats off to the Rome Arsenal for a good game.

For those that played last Saturday -- Sonja Aberle, Christina Adams, Lauren Bouton, Lauren English, Alex Fuchs, Stephanie Love, Rachel Melano, Darcy Racoff, Michelle Rzepka, and Mallory Thomas -- Thank you for the great effort.

September 13, 1999

Victorious First Outing

Stone Mountain, Georgia. -- Roswell U-15 Santos White women's soccer program led by the defensive efforts of Christina Adams, Erin Davis, Lauren English, Alex Fuchs, and Darcy Racoff held a rising Gwinett team scoreless in the Santos' first victory of the season. Keeper, Sonja Aberle, sarcastically indicated after the game how difficult it was for her, who is credited with only a handful of touches.

The game started with the GSA Phoenix Black on the offensive for the first 15 minutes of the half, but were unable to get past the Santos' "D". On her first breakaway of the season, Lauren Bouton was able to make her way past all defenders and place the ball in the back of the net as the opposing keeper just looked on.

The remainder of the first half saw much of the play around half field or on the Santos' side of the field. Tough defensive stands kept the Phoenix at bay. The first half ended with the Santos 1, Phoenix 0.

The second half was more of an offensive and passing game for the Santos. The defense would get the ball to the halfs, where Ms. Bouton, Michelle Rzepka, Mallory Thomas, and Rachel Melano would take it and dish the ball to wings Katherine Lantz and Stephanie Love. Both teams had a number of opportunities to score in the second half, but it was Ms. Love who, after a successful team-offensive surge, scored an insurance goal within the first 15 minutes. Later in the game, Stephanie scored a second goal, but it was called off due to an off-sides penalty.

The game ended with the score Santos 2, Phoenix 0. With a sub ratio of 1:5, the Santos pulled off an amazing victory - a clear testimony to the players' stamina.

After the game, the coach and some of the players contributed the victory to the training they've received from Ali Ouattara. At the first practice, only one person was able to keep up with Ali for 10 minutes of non-stop jogging. Today, nearly 3/4 the team can maintain a steady pace for almost 15 minutes. Ali will likely reward the players with extra laps over the next few practices.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Santos Roster

Santos Game Schedule