Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Alamo Heights vs. Boerne


A Stab from the Past

Kathy and I attended a Tuesday night high school soccer game at Harry B. Orem stadium, a venue where we had spent many hours in years past. The eighth-ranked Mules were hosting Boerne, the top-ranked team in the San Antonio area, in an important district match.

Guess who? The Heights keeper and a teammate clear the ball from a Boerne corner kick.





















A clearing header as an attacker crashes the party.
















Sandwiched by two defenders.










But ref, I got all ball!




Well, some of the fans were enthusiastic.



























Change of direction.





















Strong defending in the air.


































The Heights' keeper sacrifices his body to punch the ball clear.






























Solid defending results in a Heights' throw-in.












































Not a contact sport?













Sprinting for the ball.




The Boerne keeper is put under pressure.































Heading the ball towards goal - several Heights' attacks in the last five minutes almost broke the scoreless draw.










A helping hand as the game ends.


















The 0-0 tie leaves Alamo Heights in first place, a half game ahead of Boerne, after the first complete round of district competition.















Sunday, February 22, 2009

Diablos vs. Blades


Note: Left click on any image to enlarge.

Most of the Diablos were able to attend the game against the Blades. We even picked up a new goalkeeper, Roly, who is from Bolivia. Unfortunately, despite his fine efforts, the team did not play well, and was held scoreless. I lost track of the number of goals scored by the Blades. And Aries apparently forgot how to put on a jersey.











Javier waiting for the ball.













Rob giving chase.















Juan collects the ball.




Peter making a throw-in while Rob faces the ball and Aries makes a run into space.
























Amir passes the ball as Juan looks on.



Mehran elevates for an acrobatic header.











Pedro in action.





















Aries in a 1-v-1 duel.





























Rob inflicts pain.





Roly releases the ball.








Javier looks for an opening.













Roly in action.




Art about to make a long pass.










Aries on the attack.




Sunday, February 8, 2009

Diablos vs. Atletico Medina


The Diablos dropped a 2-0 decision to a superior Atletico Medina team at the Schertz Soccer Complex. Battling against a strong wind in the first half, the Diablos gave up an early goal on a curving corner kick that found the top corner of the net just inside the far post. The second goal came with less than a minute left in the opening period in an unusual fashion, as chronicled below.

Jose (Spiderman boxers and all) catches some air.











Peter tries his hand at fullback.

















Javier on a Sunday stroll.
















Aries bends low to scoop up the ball, ...












carefully surveys the field, ...















... and then places the ball into play.
















Art doing his thing, whatever that is.


























Mehran displays the technique studied by him at Radio City Music Hall.













Chris ready to make his move.





Art in the middle of the action, as usual.













Mark battles for position as Javier arrives in support.


Mehran races to stop the attack.


































Rob copies Mehran's stylish kick, then pressures the ball.













Nicky and Chris give chase.





















Aries and Peter both go for the ball as it is centered towards an attacker.

Unfortunately, the communication was less than stellar.









The ball deflected to the attacker, who sent it into the goal.














Brian on the run.





Mehran's tenacious defense.
















Aries makes a sliding save as Juan, Mehran, and Brian hustle back to assist.











Javier directing traffic.





Looking for an open teammate.
















Post-game frivolity.

















With Aries' help, the Diablos did not allow a second half goal.