Reminder...

On Monday, we'll "dress up" for school, wear black shirts to warm-ups, and meet in Coach Robinson's room at 3:30 P.M.

Ball boys for the week: Scholten and Cam for Z.E....Pando and Jake for B.C.

Photos...

Check out the new additions (Rescue Mission day, Camp Geneva day, team dinner at the Robinson's) to the team photos page! Thanks, Coach Ayres!

"Soccer Cleats" WINNER

Congrats to Matt Rouwhorst for being voted by the team as the player MOST ATTUNED to DETAILS...on and off the field. Keep up the good work, Matt! Let's ALL keep striving for improvement in this area.

It's got to be a 100% buy-in by the players regarding this theme in order for us to have success...we are still lacking a bit in that area!

Unity...

Gentlemen, we need to strive for our BEST EFFORT EVERY TIME we step on the field...for practice, for warm-ups, for matches. Last night, simply put, was an effort that NO ONE should be proud of...not in the least. It's time to move forward!

Zeeland West match

Gentlemen, it was a solid overall effort last night vs. Z.W. We probably deserved a better fate but keep in mind that the attention to DETAILS (every 50/50 ball, every tackle, every run, every pass) needs to be more consistent for us to have ultimate success.

We did a lot of that last night but obviously not enough. Nonetheless, it was an effort to build upon!

Theme and Quotation of the upcoming week:

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS!

We HAVE to become a team more in tune with "little things" on the soccer field and off. I can ASSURE you that doing so and developing those good habits will lead to good things on the soccer field (and off). After all, soccer (like many other sports) is a game of inches and without that attention to detail--finishing that through ball run IN PRACTICE or IN WARM-UPS, running through the ball during a tackle IN PRACTICE or IN WARM-UPS, showing up to play and learn EARLY and EAGER for PRACTICE, MEETINGS, etc.--negative consequences are (and have been thus far this season) the result.

In honor of this theme, I want you to respond with your own thoughts or as a reaction to a teammate's sentiments to this quotation from Michigan's very own Henry Ford by Wednesday morning of this week at 7:30:

"Paying attention to simple little things that most men neglect makes a few men rich."


Reminders: We are "dressing up" in school for tomorrow's game vs. Zeeland West. That means NO JEANS. Also, WEAR YOUR WHITE SHIRTS FOR WARM-UPS. The bus leaves at 4 P.M.

TEAM Dinner...

...at Dylan's on Tuesday, Sept. 15 (7 P.M.)

**Sophomores (plus R.J. and Scholten): main course
**Juniors: beverages and bread
**Seniors: fruits and veggies

Note: Dylan's house is across the street from Pando's

Hudsonville AFTERMATH

Guys, all we can do is look to bounce back with two important conference contests this next week...at Zeeland West and at Unity. But first, we need to get in a brisk, spirited practice tomorrow (Friday) and get rid of the bad aftertaste of today.

Rest up and do your homework!

News Items...

1.) Our bus on Monday, Sept. 14 to Zeeland West leaves at 4 P.M.

2.) Our bus on Wednesday, Sept. 16 to Unity leaves at 3:45 P.M.

3.) "Parent night" (where parents of ALL players will be introduced along with players) will be held on the night of our last home game vs. Byron Center: Wednesday, Sept. 23. Please share this with your parents!

Holland Christian RECAP

Gentlemen, there certainly were some positive signs tonight despite the loss. I thought we moved the ball around relatively well, stayed composed, and didn't quit as a team.

Was it a performance we (myself included) could all be proud of at the end of the day? That's the question we all need to answer for ourselves.

Time for Hudsonville! Let's gear back up.

CONCENTRATION Quotation...theme of the week:

"99% concentration = 100% failure."

Gentlemen, please respond ASAP (no later than Friday morning at 7:30 A.M.) to the above words. We're interested in how you can apply these thoughts to any or all of the above: the team, the season, the games this week, school, your life, etc.

All you need to do is sign in below and to the left as a "follower" and leave a comment. The comment will be sent to my email address first, and then I will post it myself. If you have computer difficulties, simply handwrite your response, and i'll post it myself.

Let's take care of business tomorrow and TRULY play to our POTENTIAL! What a week this is to apply the stated theme.

Rec. Referees

To those who said they were interested in refereeing youth soccer games this fall on Saturdays, here's the latest info:

**Sat., Sept. 12 at 8 A.M. = one hour training near the "fire barn" off of M-40...Heath Township building just south of Hamilton Elementary. At 9 A.M. that same day, you will be given your personal refereeing schedule and games will begin. $$ will be provided. Wear a GOLD shirt, if you can.

Please let either myself or Mr. Mousel know if you have any questions and/or concerns. This is a great way to get out in the community and let the up and coming young kids see the "faces" of Hamilton High School Soccer!

PHOTOS

Check out the newly posted soccer photos by clicking on the link on the tool bar to the left. Thanks, Beyers!

Practice on Tuesday, Sept. 8

Reminder: We will practice at 3 PM next Tuesday and meet directly on the field. Please wear white t-shirts that day as well. Don't forget about the optional Labor Day practice at 6 PM. Enjoy the weekend, guys!

"Soccer Cleats" WINNER

Congratulations to Jake Swartz, voted by teammates as the best "communicator" thus far this season.

Keep talking in a constructive way, everyone!

Hopkins RECAP

Guys, nice job of putting an all around solid effort into the game today. The second half was easily the best half of soccer we've played all year and should really give us some confidence heading into a key game vs. Holland Christian next Wednesday. Playing fast, moving the ball around, making the simple passes, BUILDING, staying patient and disciplined on defense...

Let's keep building on this effort!

Otsego Aftermath...

Gentlemen, we all need to look deeply within ourselves to help come up with a solution at this point of the season. After another disappointing loss tonight, please don't get too discouraged but know that we've all got A LOT of work to do presently--physically and mentally--in order to right this ship.

Let's get back to work tomorrow vs. Hopkins! Keep your collected heads up, guys.

Labor Day Practice

Guys, if you can make it, we'll hold an optional practice on Monday evening (Labor Day) at the practice field AT 6 P.M. in order to prepare a bit more for our game vs. Holland Christian on that Wednesday (the first day of school).

We'll run around a bit and do a bunch of scrimmaging, just to work the kinks out and such.

Please make every effort to make it if you can!

Wednesday UPDATE

There WILL be a JV game on Wednesday now... at home vs. Black River at 4 P.M. That means the Varsity game will still be played at 5:30 P.M. and that Adam and Caleb should be ready to be ball boys.

"Soccer Cleats" WINNER

Congrats to Zach Beyer after the team elected him today as the player who has shown the most MENTAL TOUGHNESS over the course of the last week. Keep it up, Zach!

We can all improve in this category on a daily basis. Handle the constant soccer stresses!