Although there is no chance of Cantu Group FC overtaking their division rivals, there is little need for additional motivation as these 2 clubs have a contentious history over the last 5 seasons, with the last game ending in a red card, (later revoked, and downgraded to a yellow following the end of the match), being given to CGFC’s Paul Cantu who was protesting what he felt was an exceptionally rough and dirty play by Boogie Night’s keeper.

Here is the link to the standings: http://co-recsoccer.com/Sp%2710/Page11.htm

Summer season will also bring about big roster changes as Cantu Group FC will be without the services of starting center midfielder Carly King, and starting right midfielder Beth Feuer. The men’s side of the roster remains unchanged and will include 5 season veteran members Jonathan Diaz, Brent Stocking, Paul Cantu, Danny Clautice, Cody Todd, Daniel Cantu, and Gerry Sison, as well as 2 great new players who began with the club spring season, Steve Rhoades and Michael Williams. The summer women’s roster will include Kelly Boskee, Sarah Richardson, Jacquie Calendar, Jackie Miller, Hudad Asfaw, Gillian Smee, and Mary Sison. Carly and Beth will substitute play in summer games and will rejoin the club full time for fall season.

The last game of the season will be Saturday, June 12th at 2:45 pm at Twin Ponds in Shoreline. See you there!

CGFC continued a pattern of lethargic starts yesterday and allowed a short handed Squirrels squad to take an early lead in a game in which they should have been put away early and easily. Cantu Group FC managed a goal in the first half and allowed a second Squirrels goal in the first half as well.

The second half began with Cantu Group down 2-1, and the team began the second half with a palpable sense of greater resolve. Despite keeping possession on their opponents side of the pitch a great majority of the first 20+ minutes it still did not result in a goal.

With 18 minutes left, for whatever reason, CGFC seemed as though they flipped a switch and decided to actually play up to their ability. They rattled off 3 goals in just under 7 minutes and went on to win 4-2. Cantu Group FC now stands at 5-4 in spring play with 1 game left.

Jonathan Diaz scored 2 goals, and Michael Williams and Kelly Boskee each scored 1.

Cantu Group FC’s final game of spring season is Saturday, June 12 at 2:45 pm at Twin Ponds field.

It was announced this week that 3 of Cantu Group FC’s full time players, Paul Cantu, Danny Claustice, and Daniel Cantu will be doing double duty this summer playing with a new start up all-men’s squad, 206 All-Stars FC.

Yesterday also marked the second start of founding CGFC member, and left defender Mary Sison, who had been sidelined for over a year with an ACL tear.

Goals list, Spring 2010 after 9 games:
Jonathan Diaz: 8.
Michael Williams: 6.
Danny Claustice: 4.
Kelly Boskee: 2.
Brent Stocking: 1.
Paul Cantu: 1.

With one game to go there is just one question on fans’ minds…Who will be CGFC’s leading goalscorer for spring 2010?…Will Diaz hold on, or will Mike pull off a hat trick in the final game of spring season? Stay tuned.

Cantu Group FC suffered a devastating loss Sunday, May 23rd at the hands of Blue Team. CGFC lead going into the last 30 minutes of the match 2-0. But a confluence of mental errors and fatigue ultimately lead to a 4-2 loss. The loss sealed the team’s fate for the season as they will not advance to division 5 for summer, and instead are again relegated to division 6.

Going into the final 2 weeks of spring season CGFC sits in 4th place in their 6 team division with no possibility of moving up in the standings even should they win their final 2 games of spring. Following is the standings link: http://co-recsoccer.com/Sp%2710/Page11.htm

In retrospect, Cantu Group FC was bound to face a period of adjustment this spring as some players left the club, and new players were brought in. Although there have been flashes of brilliant play, it has taken time for this team to gel.

Summer will bring big changes for CGFC as they will be losing their starting center midfielder, Carly, for the entirety of the summer season, as well as starting right midfielder Beth, for all but 3 games. These will be big boots to fill indeed. The club captain has been scouting for new talent, but as of yet, no new player acquisitions have been announced.

Cantu Group FC’s next game will be played Saturday, June 5 at 1 pm at Twin Ponds Park in Shoreline. Come and show your support!

Cantu Group was made aware prior to the game that their opponents had brought in a couple of ringers from Division 1, a striker and a sweeper. Suddenly we realized this team was not going to be a typical first season co-rec team.

It seemed that no sooner had the whistle been blown, than Cantu Group FC had already scored with a beautiful 30 yard goal from midfielder Ashley. Beer Bellies & Cupcakes were formidable with the addition of the D1 striker, and they made countless runs. Each and every time they were held back. Cantu Group’s midfield and defense worked beautifully together with outstanding play by all.

The referee was not one that we had met before, he was very young, very timid, and really not present. BB & CC’s sweeper was a whale of a man, easily 6’3, at least 275lbs, and pretty much a complete and total jerk. He purposely took out 3 of our players, and called one of our female players a ‘b***ch. The ref did not give him so much as a yellow card.

The game remained 1-0 until half time. Cantu Group FC had many opportunities to score, but just could not find the back of the net. The second half was hard fought, but ultimately CGFC scored twice more, a nice shot off the dribble by Kelly and then another goal by forward Jonathan. CGFC relinquished a single, meaningless goal late in the game. Final score 3-1 in favor of Cantu Group FC.

Cantu Group FC plays next on Sunday, January 17, at Miller play field at 2:45 pm against another new team that they have yet to face, “Old School”. CGFC will be without mid defender Danny, and right defender Brent for this game.

We hope to see you there, thank you for your support!

The Nighthawks were awarded a berth in the final after having defeated the Gators Thursday evening. Having had to play the extra game Thursday night apparently took its toll on the Nighthawks. They came out flat Saturday in what quickly became a lopsided 1-way affair as Arsenal manhandled them from start to finish.

Star midfielder Ben scored in the first 2 minutes, and mid defender Jack, quickly followed with a goal of his own. It was 2-nil by the 10th minute and although the game stayed at 2-nil until halftime, The game was clearly controlled throughout by Arsenal, possession time was massively in their favor.

Arsenal had no intention of letting off the gas, coming out strong in the second half. Alan, (pronounced “Elan”), quickly scored and Arsenal went up 3-0. Later in the second half Alan also scored a beautiful goal off of a penalty kick. Ben got the 5th goal late in the game.

A fantastic end to what was a hugely successful season.

Congratulations to all of the boys and to Coach Keith!

GO ARSENAL!

The penalty kick shootout was drama-filled. Arsenal went first, but both teams missed their first 3 attempts. In the 4th round Arsenal mid defender Michael  placed a beauty in the far right corner to put Arsenal up 1-0. The very next attempt by the Nighthawks also went in. Both Arsenal and the Nighthawks missed the ensuing 3 penalty kicks. Arsenal defender, Matthew buried the winning kick in the eighth round of the penalty kick shootout, and the Nighthawks missed their last attempt. Arsenal’s goal keeper Cameron made no fewer than 4 fantastic saves. With this 4th consecutive tournament win Arsenal clinch a berth in the City Tournament championship, having defeated the Nighthawks 2-1 after a 1-1 draw.

In the first half Arsenal came out strong and and definitely controlled the tempo of the game for the first 15 minutes. There were some missed opportunities on corner kicks that should have went it, and then it seemed as though Arsenal let the game get away a bit and ceded momentum to the Nighthawks. Fortunately for Arsenal, left midfielder, Alex scored a very sweet goal in the 19th minute of play.

The second half was hard fought by both teams. There were many fouls committed, more than a few of which went uncalled. The Nighthawks played extremely tough and did manage a goal in the 48th minute of play to tie the game at 1-1, where it stayed until the end of regulation.

The Nighthawks will play again Thursday night and should they win they would advance for a rematch against Arsenal for the championship in what will most certainly be a fantastic match.

Congratulations to all of the boys on LC Arsenal and to Coach Keith, and a VERY SPECIAL Shout Out to CAMMY! Way to go buddy!!!

Arsenal play next for the Championship on Sat. Dec. 19th at Nathan Hale at 10:30 am.

GO ARSENAL!

The game was played against Celtic, a team that Arsenal had defeated in the regular season 5-1. Today’s match was much closer, the final score being 1-0.

The goal was a beauty, set up initially with a touch pass from midfielder Ben to Elan who then delivered a perfect cross. Quinn was positioned perfectly and headed it into the back of the net. The game was played at Interbay Stadium, the same location where Quinn scored 2 goals in last year’s city tournament.

In the final minute of play Celtic was given a corner kick. The corner was taken, a well placed ball, but a perfect save by Arsenal goal keeper Cameron saved the game from being tied and going to penalty kicks.

Outstanding play throughout, Arsenal now plays on Tuesday, December 15 at 5:30 at Interbay. Should they win Tuesday, they will play for the championship on Saturday December 19th.
GO ARSENAL!

While Arsenal’s star midfielder, Elan did score the first goal, allowing Arsenal to take a 1-nil lead, a defensive breakdown in the 21st minute allowed the Thunderbolts to tie the game. Late in the first half left defender Ryan took a hard shot that went off the top bar. 2 minutes later the same opportunity presented itself and Ryan put the ball solidly  in the back of the net, a beautiful power shot from the far left side.

The second half brought 2 more goals, a stunning goal from near midfield by mid defender Matthew and another nice goal by center midfielder,  Ben.

A well played game throughout, Arsenal now advances to the next round and plays Celtic this coming Saturday, Dec. 12, at 9:30 am at Interbay.

If you want to see a very entertaining game, come out and join us!

Congrats Arsenal, very well played!

LC Arsenal won its first match of the City Tournament this evening beating a tough team, The Jaguars. The final score was 3-0. This means that LC Arsenal moves to the second round with the next game being Monday, December 7th at Lower Woodland.

Every player on LC Arsenal contributed to this victory and all played hard. The goals were scored by the following players in this order: Bafade, in the first half, Alex in the first half, and Matthew in the second half.

Congratulations to LC Arsenal and Coach Keith-Way to go!

Well Fall season was a real roller coaster for CGFC. We started out strong with a win in our first game, proceeded to lose our next 4, and finished our last half of the season 3-1-1. In the 3 game “playoffs”, we were relegated to the lower tier of 4 teams, and finished out the season in a rather underwhelming fashion, going 1-1-1. Absolutely average, not good, not bad, just BLAH!

Looking back, I think that with the addition of new players and the moving around of some player’s positions, I think we were just sort of gelling as a team. I think that we have most things figured out and it should be a great and highly successful winter season.

Lake City Arsenal, my nephew Ryan’s team that consists of 9-11 year old boys, played in the annual “Turkey Shoot” tournament last weekend. They played 4 games, 2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. The scores of their games in the order that they played them, were as follows, (with their score being the first number in each), 7-0, 1-4, 7-0, 5-0. As you can see they won 3 games very convincingly and lost just 1 game. They placed in first overall for the tournament.

Lake City Arsenal plays in the City Tournament beginning next week. Their first game is Wednesday, December 2nd at 7 pm at Lower Woodland. Anyone who wants to see a very competitive and very good game, should come out and watch. Let me know if you are interested!

Ok, that is it for today…talk to you all soon!