ASL 2014 Annual Review

Well soccer fans, another year in the Abell Soccer league has come to a close.  The time has therefore come when we recap this seasons highlights.

This being her 8th year in the ASL, Rachael has once again demonstrated her reliability  on the rearguard of her team.  Although the Durkees coaching staff saw in her the flexibility to serve in various roles on the field, it was her firm and reliable skill as a defender which kept her as the final line between the the net, and opposing strikers.  It was her part of this stone wall that kept the team undefeated in tournament play.

There were no surprises as Jerry, the youngest Abell took the field for this 2014 under 9 season.  Solid between the posts as usual, so steady in fact, that his team posted a league best .58 goals against average, Jerry put up 6 shutouts for the season.  Also producing offensively for his team with 5 goals and five assists, he helped his team to handily capture first place for their level.

With twice as many Abell's on the team, Peloquin Promotional Printing was the team to watch.  Starting off the year with three straight losses, and only 1 win in their first six games, it looked as though the year would amount to one of pain, suffering and defeat.  Through hard work, persistence and determination, the season ended very differently from how it began, placing second overall.

Part of the team's resurgence was due to the reliability of their starting net minder, the strapping Marlow Abell.  Although statistically average, with one shut out during the regular season, and one in tournament play, game after game he provided consistently secure coverage as keeper.  It was this security at their back which provided the team with the drive forward, knowing the net was looked after.  

With two competent net minders, and a solid defender, Ned provided the bulk of Team Abell's offence.   Having scored a total of zero goals in his last three seasons, he took East Elgin Youth Soccer by complete surprise, leading his team both in goals and assists.  When asked why he went three full years without so much as even one goal, Ned gave this response,

"I was saving up, waiting to really deliver the wow factor."

Deliver he did, his training, speed and endurance allowing him to tally 13 goals.   Not being a very intimidating presence to look at, his line was often referred to as "the little people". And with an impressive 18 assists, he was obviously not a ball hog. 

Now with a fist and second place finish for team Abell, the question we now ask is this, how can they possibly improve next year?  Time will tell.