Monday, October 26, 2015

Season Wrap-up

Whew...

Ok, boys, once again: thanks for a great season, thanks for the memories (especially from this past week), and thanks for being you's! :)

Was a PLEASURE to experience a bit of Hamilton history with you this past week. Hope you all had as much of a blast as I did!

Two important dates to keep in mind at this point:

**Tuesday (tomorrow): team meeting in my classroom from 3-4 PM. Bring ALL clean uniform items...warm-ups, both sets of jerseys, captain bands, backpacks, etc. Dylan and Christian, see you promptly right after your driver's ed. training.

**Tuesday, Nov. 3: Program-wide Dessert Banquet...6:30 PM in the high school cafeteria. Please dress nicely, bring a dessert to pass, and provide beverages/table settings for your family. Hope to see you all there, so that we can end this season in a fitting way heading into the off-season!

Let's keep this thing rollin' in a positive way, everyone!

Thanks again for all the hard work this season!

Thursday, October 22, 2015

4-1 Win vs. Wayland

Couldn't be much more proud of you guys! As mentioned already....

BUT...as also mentioned already: there's certainly room for me to be MORE proud when we win the District championship on Saturday. RIGHT?!!

Stay tuned for Plainwell video footage...

Let's keep striving and moving forward....     No complacency!

Practice tomorrow from 3-445ish.

Great job, guys! But we're not done...  :)

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

3-1 Win @ T.K.

Guys!

Survive and advance...and we move on!

Congrats on a job well done overall today in enemy territory.

This is only the beginning though, right?! RIGHT??

Back to work tomorrow to continue this thing on a positive path...

BEAT WAYLAND!

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Upcoming Week

Greetings, everyone! Hope the weekend has already been a great one.

HUGE week coming up this week on the soccer field for obvious reasons. Let's do some positive damage! We CAN do it!

See below for the schedule (some of it tentative):

**Monday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black.
**Tuesday: DISTRICT game at T.K. (7 PM)...what to wear in school = TBD...gray warm-up shirts...team meeting at 3:30 PM in my room (be fully dressed as we will quickly head out to the game field for a photo-shoot of sorts with Bryce's sister, Morgan)...pre-game meal in my room at 4:15 PM...bus leaves at 5 PM.

T.K. prep (based on hudl footage as well as...turf field (like Holland)...4-4-2...sub-par GK...back line shaky...defender takes goal kicks...decent central midfield players and forwards...forward attacking tandem a bit disjointed but creative with the ball...even with backs to the net. WE CAN WIN THIS GAME!

**Wednesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black (tentative)
**Thursday: DISTRICT game at Plainwell (field turf) vs. Wayland (7 PM)...more details to come, but I would imagine a similar after-school schedule as Monday (tentative).
**Friday: 3-5 PM practice (tentative)
**Saturday: DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP AT PLAINWELL VS. ?? (7 PM)...(tentative)

Note: Congrats to Andrew Caswell for having been selected by his peers last week as this week's alternative captain. Well done, sir!

Also players, in addition to re-sent T.K. hudl footage, stay tuned for an individual email from yours truly regarding sincere thoughts on ways that YOU, yourself, can help the winning cause this coming week.

Take care, all, and let's keep fighting!

Friday, October 16, 2015

7-0 Loss to H.C.

All,

All eyes on T.K.! The past is the past, and the great thing about post-season play is that every team in the state, NO MATTER THE PAST, is 0-0 currently. That should be invigorating for us from here on out!

What a great opportunity we have starting next Tuesday to leave positive marks on the season. Visualize, believe it, and make it happen!


Tuesday, October 13, 2015

4-1 Loss to Byron Center

Boys,

Mental toughness is extra key for us from here on out! I thought that may have been the biggest difference between us an our opponent last night. We're going to need a huge dosage of that tomorrow in our last home game of the season. And we can do it!

See you all for practice: another chance to get better.

A LOT TO PLAY FOR STILL!

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Last Regular Season Week!

Greetings, all! What a beautiful weekend. Hope you're enjoying it with you and yours.

Please see below regarding our upcoming week's slate...our last regular season week! Time flies:

**Monday: game at B.Center (jv = 5 PM)...WEAR BLACK JERSEYS TO SCHOOL...meet on bus by 3:30 PM...will dine when we arrive at venue...Seth = meal/vid...wear gray practice t's.

B.C. prep reminders...3-5-2...weaker outside backs (attack 1 v.1 when applicable)...exploit space on the flanks...central midfield and forwards relatively strong...win the physical battles...win the "dead ball/set play" battles...WIN THE GAME!

**Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black...5:30 PM Team Dinner at Team Caswell! Check previous emails from Mr. Caswell for home address.

**Wednesday: last home game/PARENT NIGHT vs. H.C. (jv = 3:45 start)...what to wear in school = TBD...meet in my room by 3 PM...Andrew/Logan S. = ball boys...Bryce = meal (NO VID.)...wear gray practice t's...Parents, please meet no later than 5:15 PM by the scoreboard in preparation to walk out onto the game field and be announced over loudspeakers with your son(s). We will line up freshman players first to senior players last...# order within each grade level. Face the crowd in a line extended from the nearest goalpost to the fan sideline.

**Thursday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black.

**Friday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray.

**Saturday: Cheer on MSU as they battle with UM in football at their place...GO GREEN! :)

Note: Congrats to Seth Hukill for having (again) been voted by his peers last Thursday as our upcoming alternate team captain for our last regular season week. Nice! 

Take care of yourselves this weekend, get your minds and bodies right for this upcoming (BIG) week, review our updated team goals, and continue to enjoy life!


Wednesday, October 7, 2015

3-0 Loss to Holland

Boys,

As mentioned after the game, "steps in the right direction"....repeat, repeat, repeat in your head.

Byron Center is next: big game, and we all know it.

See you tomorrow for a "get better and better" session (i.e. practice). :)

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

4-0 Loss to Unity

Boys,

Way to bounce back with increased resolve and toughness in the second half last night vs. a talented Unity squad. As mentioned after the game, I thought yesterday was a small step in the right direction. Keep that up with only a handful of guaranteed games left!

Now comes another talented team (Holland) tomorrow. Let's take care of business and finish with a performance we can be proud of!

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Upcoming Week

Hello, all! Hope the weekend has been fun and productive?

Speaking of "productive", please review the below as we prepare for another full, fun (Homecoming!) week of student-athlete life:

**Monday: game @Unity (jv = 5 PM)..."'Merica Day" in school for Homecoming...wear black warm-up t's for game...bus leaves at 3:40 PM...MEET ON BUS...EAT UPON ARRIVAL AT VENUE...Logan H. = meal/vid.

Unity prep...big, fast, athletic, physical...good on set plays (beware of long throw play! Must "sandwich" target!)...4-4-2 that morphs into 3-5-2 at times (we will counter with 4-4-2 to begin). WE HUNG TOUGH WITH THIS TEAM THE FIRST TIME. WIN THE BATTLE IN YOUR MINDS FIRST AND FOREMOST! Note: let me know asap if you want hudl footage of first game shared again.

**Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray..."Camo Day/Hat Day" in school. 
**Wednesday: home game vs. Holland..."Western/Hat Day" in school...meet in my room by 3 PM...Dylan/Christian = ball boys...Ross = meal/vid....wear black t's.
**Thursday: 3-5 PM practice..."Mismatch Day" in school...wear gray.
**Friday: no practice...HOMECOMING DAY..."Black/Gold day" in school...meet at team float location (TBD) by 3:30 PM (required). Wear black as well as team warm-ups on float.

GRADES: ANOTHER "GRADE CHECK" IN THE NEAR FUTURE. GET 'ER DONE!

Note: Congrats to Jared Zdzinicki for having been voted by his peers on Friday as the alternative team captain for this coming week. Well done!

Note #2: Please always keep in mind our updated "TEAM GOALS" to the left!

Finally, look for T.K. (our first District opponent) footage on hudl in the very near future. T.K. is wearing black on that footage. Study up when you can!

Take care, all, and very much looking forward to another full week together.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

2-1 Loss to Otsego

Boys,

Not our best performance tonight...by a long shot. Let it sting TEMPORARILY. Know that your coach STILL enjoys each and every day working with you (remember pre-game Wayland talk?). Yes, I'm a bit disappointed. But, yes, I KNOW we'll continue to get better...and better...and better!

See you tomorrow at 3 PM wearing gray. We have a date...to get better. :)

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

4-1 Win at Zeeland West

Feels good, don't it?! :) Proud of all of you!

Enjoy the evening, boys, BUT we have a LOT more to play for...continuing tomorrow vs. Otsego.

See below for a quick Otsego review/prep:

**Very physical play....
**Direct play offensively...through balls...will try to take outside backs 1 v. 1...
**Rotates two GK's...
**Back 4 plays high...attempts offside traps...through balls will be effective if we are aware of traps...
**We can have possession/overall success!

Keep this thing rollin', boys. See you tomorrow in my room by 3 PM. Take care!


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

5-0 Loss to H.C.

Boys,

Keep the faith...especially since last night was a positive overall step for us a group vs. a talented, state-ranked team. As I mentioned after the game, I was impressed with physical and mental contributions from the 16 available guys throughout the contest...and at a typically tough venue.

Now it's revenge time tomorrow at Zeeland West! Let's get 'em.....

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Upcoming Week

Hello, everyone! Enjoying our first, beautiful fall weekend, I'm hoping?? Boys, preparing for school on Monday as well as a big game at H.C.?!!

Here goes with the upcoming week, all:

**Monday: game at H.C. (jv = 5:30 PM)...wear black jerseys to school...bus leaves at 4:30 PM...meet directly on bus...will eat team meal upon arrival at H.C....Ryan = meal/vid....gray warm-up t's.

Holland Christian prep...big, tall, fast, talented...Eggers = very strong up front...very good in the air (must challenge everything, Hamilton, including the second balls!)...possession team...good with set plays...adequate GK with mid-range goal kicks (let's test him!)....very bouncy, fast turf...

**Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black.
**Wednesday: game at Z.W. (jv = 5 PM)...REVENGE TIME!...what to wear in school = TBD...meet in my classroom at 3:30...bus at 4:15 PM...Caden= meal/vid...wear gray practice t's. DISTRICT DRAW TODAY.
**Thursday: home game vs.  non-conference Otsego...what to wear in school = TBD...meet in my classroom by 3 PM...Brady/Henry = ball boys...Jack = meal/vid...wear black practice t's.
**Friday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray.

Note: Congrats to Brady Gilbert for having been named by his peers late this past week as next week's alternate team captain. Nice job!

That's it for now, everyone. As you can imagine, a HUGE week of game experience as well as continued improvement in training sessions.

Let's get 'er back goin'! 

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

2-0 Loss to Byron Center

Gents!

As mentioned after the game today: NO LOVE LOST! You are STILL and ALWAYS valued...no matter what. Believe it!

Much better effort today compared to our last game...and WE KEEP GETTING BETTER STARTING TOMORROW IN PRACTICE!

See you soon...wearing gray :)

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

8-0 Loss to Holland

Hang in there, boys! All a part of the overall learning process...

Beat B.C. tomorrow!! 

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Upcoming Week

Hello, everyone! Hope the last summer weekend (on the calendar) has been a great one for you and yours!

Let's get ready for another productive, full week of student-athlete life:

**Monday: game @ Holland (jv = 5 PM)...wear black uniform in school...black warm-up top otherwise...meet in my classroom at 3:30 P.M....Andrew = meal/vid...bus leaves at 4 PM...see Alicia if needed before then!

(Quick Holland team reminders: solid play throughout the lineup...will shoot from distance...good possession team...big Hispanic front-runner attacker with pace and skills...young overall team...up and down season for them...can be beaten...let's win the battle in our minds before we even step on the field!)

**Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray
**Wednesday: home game vs. B.Center...what to wear to school = TBD...Henry/Ryan = ball boys...Mikah = meal/vid...meet in my classroom by 3 PM...black t's for warm-up.
**Thursday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray
**Friday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black
**Near future: grade check! Take care of business in the classroom, gents! 

**Sundays: early PM skill training with Adam Mena on the practice field if interested?? See Brady for details/"sign-up".

Note: Congrats to Logan Hilldore for having been voted on Friday by his peers as the alternate captain coming up this week for his positive play as of late. Nice job!

Reminder: Will check in with you regarding "Purple Game" t-shirts ($10) if interested on Monday! Please ask permission, etc. No pressure though! This is optional. "Purple Game" football game is Friday, Oct. 2.

Let's get back to winning ways this week, guys! We have one half of the season remaining! And please get mentally and physically ready for a big day tomorrow in the classroom and on the soccer field...

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

5-0 Loss to Unity

Boys,

Time to get tougher....mostly physically...against every and all of our remaining opponents. I thought today we were mostly pups as opposed to sharks when it came to physical battles...especially on dead balls/set plays. We will get better with this! It's the difference between winning and losing in a lot of cases. Concerted effort on all our parts from here on out!

See you tomorrow for another chance to get better in practice. Wear black.

Take care!

Monday, September 14, 2015

1-0 OT Loss to Z.West

Gents,

Hang in there. All in the learning process, right? Next time (IF there is a next time), we stay composed in OT, continue to play our possession game, bury chances on net, and go home happy(ier).

See you tomorrow for 3-5 practice and the team dinner to follow at the Robinson household (52 W. 18th st. in Holland)! 

Take care and keep collective heads up.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Upcoming Week

Hi, boys soccer fam!

Hope all is well and that this very autumn-like weekend is treating you well. Go Green tonight...(MSU "green", that is)! :)

Please see below for the lineup for our first conference week of the season...an important one:

**Monday: home game vs. Z.West (minus Caden due to band performance...good luck, Caden!)...WEAR WHITE JERSEYS TO SCHOOL...meet in my classroom by 3 PM...Christian = meal/vid...SETH/DYLAN = BALL BOYS...gray practice t's for warm-ups.
**Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black...TEAM DINNER @ ROBINSON'S (530-645 PM).
**Wednesday: home game vs. Unity Christian...Ray = meal/vid...Jared/Ross = ball boys...meet in my room by 3 PM...what to wear in school = TBD...gray practice t's for the game.
**Thursday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black.
**Friday: 3-430 PM practice (with 7th/8th grade teams)...wear gray.

Note: Congratulations to Andrew Caswell for having been voted by his peers this past Friday as an alternate team captain for the coming week. He joins Ryan VanOss as the other alternate. Well done!!

Stay tuned for a separate email re: scouting report for Z.West (repeat of practice on Friday)! Boys, please remember the post-practice talk about Monday games and being mature/on point during the weekend in those cases.

Take care, all!

Thursday, September 10, 2015

3-0 Win vs. Fennville

Boys,

Well done today in taking care of business vs. visiting regional rival Fennville. Loved that multiple players got in on the offensive action. Loved that the defense (with GK) cleaned house with a shutout. Loved that we continue our daily progress to bigger and better things.

And we keep moving forward! And forward! And forward!

See you tomorrow for 3 to 430 practice. Wear black. Take care!

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

5-0 Win at Hopkins

Gents,

As I mentioned after the game today, I'm impressed with your mental toughness in dealing with the first day of school (and all the stress that comes with that) and the weather issues while taking care of business vs. Hopkins.

I really thought that offensively, we looked like a cohesive unit overall today. And to come out defensively with a shutout--playing mostly safe and smart out of the back--is always a good thing.

Nice job...and let's keep building!

See you tomorrow for an important pre-game practice...wear black. :)

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Upcoming Week

Happy holiday weekend, all! Hope it's an all-around great one for you and yours.

Please see below regarding the upcoming weekly schedule..."Back to School Week!"

**Monday (Labor Day): required practice 5-6:45 PM...wear black.
**Tuesday (first day of school!): varsity-only game @ Hopkins (4:30 PM)...meet in my room by 2:45 for team meal/meeting...bus leaves at 3:15...Riley = food/beverage...wear gray practice t's. What to wear in school = TBD.
**Wednesday: practice 3-5 PM...wear black.
**Thursday: home game vs. Fennville...meet in my room by 3 PM...Jack/Logan H. = ball boys...Dylan = food/beverage/vid....wear gray. What to wear in school = TBD.
**Friday: practice 3-5 PM...wear black

**Looking ahead to NEXT Tuesday: Varsity team dinner hosted by the Robinsons at 5:30 P.M. after practice that day! Just bring your hungry, thirsty selves, and we've got the rest!

Note: Congrats to Seth Hukill for having been voted by his peers this past Friday as "mentally tough". He will be our alternate captain this week. Well deserved!

That's it for now, guys! Please keep in mind: starting on Tuesday, you are true STUDENT-athletes. Take care of the classroom from the outset as that is always your first priority!

Thursday, September 3, 2015

4-2 Loss at Wayland

Gents,

As always, keep your collective heads up! This is all a learning process, and trust that we ARE getting better...despite what the scoreboard says at times.

As mentioned after the game: training/practice is EQUALLY important to actual games/matches, so get ready to get better tomorrow in 10-noon practice (wear gray) and get as HEALTHY as possible! We need all hands on deck!

See ya'll soon. Alicia available from 7:30 to 11:30 tomorrow AM!

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

5-3 Loss vs. Hudsonville

Proud of you, boys!!

But please keep in mind what I mentioned after the game: I fully plan on being MORE proud of you for future results this season, and "moral victories" are NOT in our vocabulary.  But all things considering today, it was a quality result against a quality opponent.

And, of course, we CAN and WILL get better!

See you all tomorrow for 3 to 5 PM practice. Wear gray. Take care!

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Upcoming Week

Greetings, everyone! Hope you've been able to enjoy the weekend thus far despite the clouds and rain!!

Please see below regarding our full week's schedule coming up here:

**Monday: practice 10-12...wear gray...online apparel orders DUE by midnight.
**Tuesday: home game vs. Hudsonville (545 PM)...meet in my room by 315 PM...wear black practice t's...Seth/Caden = ball boys...Brady = food/vid.
**Wednesday: practice 3-5 PM (due to teacher in-service meetings all day)...wear gray.
**Thursday: game at Wayland (445 PM)...wear black...bus leaves at 115 PM...meet on the bus by then...Henry = food (on the bus upon arrival to Wayland)/vid...all players required to ride the bus home.
**Friday: practice 10-12...watch MSU beat WMU in football later in the evening. Go Green! :)

Note: In addition to Jack Gilbert being honored as the team's first alternate captain this past week (communication skills), congrats also to Ryan VanOss and Mikah Sengmany being chosen by their peers this past Friday as current alternate captains for consistently displaying physical toughness. Nice job, all around, gentlemen!

That's it for now, all. Have a great, therapeutic remainder of the weekend!

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

8-0 Win at Saugatuck

Overall, well done today, boys, in taking care of business vs. a lesser opponent (at least in terms of soccer technique/ability). That's a team we SHOULD have taken care of, and after a lull to start the game, we certainly DID in the end. Should be a bit of a confidence booster, yes?!

See you all tomorrow for 9-noon practice. Meet outside and wear gray!

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

5-1 Loss to Allegan

Hey, guys!

Please keep your collective heads up as we proceed through this early, learning-oriented portion of the season. We ran into a pretty good team today while we're still putting together some positive pieces. We are not a polished product yet but continuing down that path!

Keep the faith.

See you tomorrow for immediate redemption vs. Saugatuck--our first away game of the season.

Take care!

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Upcoming Week

Hi, all!

Please see below regarding this upcoming week's lineup-- week #2 of the season:

**Monday: practice 9-noon...meet in my room by 9 AM...wear black.
**Tuesday: home game vs. Allegan...meet in my room by 3:15 PM...wear gray. Riley/Mikah = ball boys...Jared = food/vid.
**Wednesday: game @ Saugatuck (1 PM...no JV)...meet in my room at 11:15 AM...Bryce = food...bus leaves at noon...wear black...must ride the bus home for all away games!
**Thursday: practice 9-noon...wear gray
**Friday: practice 9-noon...wear black

Note: check out hudl game footage when you can...study up on teammate info...review team goals!

Let's keep up this positive start, gentlemen! Looking forward to seeing you all again tomorrow AM.

Friday, August 21, 2015

2-2 Tie vs. Black River

Hey, all!

Positive first effort today vs. Black River in our first contest of the season. Keep your collective heads up! Obviously, a win is better than a tie, but we had a lot of good things happening today on the field. And we keep building!

Check out "game recaps" below and to the left for game highlights/specifics if you so choose.

Stay tuned later this weekend for next week's lineup.

Looking forward to seeing you all again!

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Welcome to Hamilton Varsity Boys Soccer!

Greetings, all!

Can't wait to get started now that we're officially a "team" for the 2015 season!

See below for the first official week of the season:

**Monday, Aug. 17: training/meetings from 9-noon (meet on the field at 9)…concussion testing from noon to 1-ish inside the HS. Parent meeting at 6 PM in my classroom.
**Tuesday, Aug. 18: training from 9-noon…wear black training tops.
**Wednesday, Aug. 19: training from 9-noon…wear gray training tops...team pics (home uniforms) directly after practice...required volunteer work from 3 to 6 PM (meet at the HS by 3 PM).
**Thursday, Aug. 20: training from 9-noon…wear black training tops...team dinner @ 6 PM (Johnny Carino's in north Holland...meet there...$15 per person to be paid on the spot)
**Friday, Aug. 21: home game vs. Black River (5:45 PM)…meeting in my classroom at 3:15 PM…wear gray training tops for warm-ups...ball boys for JV = Ray, Andrew…pre-game food/video for JV = Logan S.

That's it for now, guys! Obviously, much more to come :)

Let's get the party started, yeah?

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Summer (and Beyond) Info

Greetings, all!

Great to see those that could make it face-to-face today for the boys soccer meeting. As stated, we are sincerely excited to work with you guys!

If you know of any others who may be interested in boys soccer, please forward along and/or let us know!

Important Dates:
**Monday, June 1: HEAT registration DUE
**Tuesday, June 9: first scrimmage @ Holland vs. Zeeland East (530 PM...arrive by 5 PM for a warm-up)
**Wednesday, June 10: first day of HEAT (6:30 AM)
**Thursday, June 11: first 9-11 AM training session on the practice field.
**Tuesday, June 30: Coach L. and T. Robinson return from Germany
**Monday-Thursday, July 20-23: Hamilton Soccer Camp. Please either attend or help out with the young kids...or better yet, both! See main office for camp registration.
**Wednesday, Aug. 12: First official day of the boys soccer season! Have physical, insurance $$, and athletic code taken care of by then!

Thanks, and please keep the questions coming if you have them!! Can't wait to get this thing rolling this summer and beyond!