PSC97Girls News
Friendlies
The Portage Lightning U-12G played in the MSYSA State Cup Friendlies in Canton, Michigan October 18th & 19th.
Three strong team performances against very good competition showed the girls that they really belong among the elite level teams in their age bracket across the state. Similar to the Grand Valley Elite competition the girls experienced during the fall season, the three teams we faced at the Friendlies were solid, disciplined, well coached and possessed a feature player or two which the girls had to contend with. For more on the game, click here.
Lindsay Tarpley: Former PSC player and two time Olympic Gold medalist returns to her roots!
Lindsay Tarpley, two time US Women’s Soccer Gold medalist returned to Portage today (10/10/08). Lindsay started her career playing for the PSC. Once in high school she started for the Mustangs and also played Premier for the Michigan Hawks. She attended the University of North Carolina and captained the team in both her Junior and Senior years. She scored one of the biggest goals in U.S. Women’s National Team history when she tallied in sudden death overtime of the 2002 U-19 Women’s World Championship Final against Canada to give the USA a 1-0 victory and the title at the first-ever FIFA world championship for youth women. For more photos click here.
Tounament Champions
(August 31, 2008) The girls played in the local Soccer Zone Fall Classic tournament this weekend. It was actually a marathon Sunday as all the games were played in one day. The girls came away with another championship sweeping the competition 4-0. They handled themselves well dominating the play, especially in the final championship game against a tough Red Arrow team. Our girls moved the ball brilliantly and played just as impresivly on defense. This was a great warmup for the upcoming Elite Season!
August 2008
Layla Harkey has joined the team this year. She guest played for us in tournaments last year. She has great footskills and will really help us control the ball and make things happen.
Alyson Katje has also joined the team this year. She has great speed and will really help open the game up for us.
MI Girls 2009 ODP Pool
Michaela was excited to make the Girls 2009 Michigan State Olympic Development Program (ODP) with some of her friends from the East side of the state. They will be practicing together this Fall, Winter and Spring.
Summer Camp - Notre Dame
Wow - What an awesome experience! Layla and Jen went to the residential girls soccer camp at Notre Dame. They got to work with the coaches and players fine tuning their game. Dorm life was a lot of fun - maybe this is a glimpse of things to come...
Summer Camp - Sauk Valley
Summer time is for making new friends and renewing old acquaintances. In July, Katherine, Sylvia and Michaela attended the Andy Wagstaff Residential Soccer Camp in Brooklyn, Michigan.
This was a jammed/fun pack 5 day, 4 night soccer camp. Watching them partiipate in the Sunday Showcase it was obvious that they have "Stepped up their game".
The "Lightning Girls" were the center of attention..at least their cabin was. Several girls asked to move in because of all the fun they were having. They ended up with 9 girls in their room while other rooms had 5 or 6.
Sauk Valley Award Ceremony
Katherine Wu won an Award for Most Valuable Camper. This was awarded to the camper who was outgoing and helpful. Thats right... our "Aggressive Chipmunk" isn't so bashfull afterall....
May 24, 2008
Joining the team this weekend from marshall was Layla Harkey. The girls played well this weekend in their first "Premier" level tournament play. In game # 1 they came out strong scoring “5” 1st half goals against the tough West Michigan Fire Jr. team. Kirsten and Lesley accounted for all the goals that game. Kirsten and Lesley used their speed and broke through the lines for 4 quick striking goals. The other goal came from a corner kick by Michaela to Lesley who finished it with another header goal!
In game 2, they took on LOBOS. This was an evenly played game where the only scoring in the 1st half came on a quick break out with Lesley scoring with her left foot. The 2nd half goal came from a corner kick by Michaela with Lesley converting on a half volley.
Unfortunately; on Sunday they were outplayed by the Chicago Fire team who beat us by a score of 5 to 2. Both Kirsten and Lesley scoring the only goals for our team. Overall the girls played solid going 2 and 1 in the competition. This was a great introduction into premier level play for our girls!
April 24, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Melgar family at this time of loss. Austin passed away after a very long and hard fought battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family at his home when he passed on. He is at peace now and this long journey has touched many of our lives. He was a couragous child and I know that his experience will someday help other children who suffer from the same form of cancer. Austin's sister Sarah was one of the original PSC97Girls who played with Jen, Michaela and Anna when they were nine. His spirit will live on not only in his family, but in everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him.
April 20, 2008
As coach Al said. "Are you kidding me?!" In her very first travel game Kirsten came up huge scoring 3 goals leading the team to a 5 to 1 victory over U12 Kalamazoo. Way to go Kirsten!
Feb 2008
We would like to welcome Kirsten Taylor and the rest of her family to the team. She is a versatile player who will really help strengthen the depth of our team. We are looking forward to watching her out on the field with the rest of the team!
Nov. 2007
Way to go Michaela! She is the first to reach the 100 Plus Club. While attending
Andy Wagstaff's TTA she broke her record and is now up to 181 juggles.
Sept. 2007
Down 1-0 late in the second half, Lesley dropped her head on the ball for a perfect Goal!
The team had been practicing this corner kick play for a while and it finally paid off. The perfect
header at the perfect time!
Aug. 2007
Follow thru on the shots - how many times have you heard Coach Al say that?
Way to go Carrie!A big goal at the right time.