2-2 Tie @ Z. East

Boys, super proud of that overall gritty effort tonight...especially that last minute. Man, what an interesting finish!   Last home game of the season coming up...under the lights...honoring seniors...against Unity...can't get any better. Go Hawkeyes!

Last Regular Season Week!

Hawkeye family, let's do what Hamilton soccer is known for this coming week: FINISH STRONG(ER)!

Here's the tentative schedule for the upcoming week:

**Monday: game @ Z. East...WEAR BLACK JERSEYS IN SCHOOL...meet in my room at 3:15 PM...Kyle = meal/vid...gray shirt.
**Tuesday: 3-5 PM training (turf)...wear black...Team Dinner at Hukill's (5:30 PM).
**Wednesday: home game/Senior and Senior Parent Night vs. Unity (JV = 5 PM/Varsity = 645 PM...on turf field)...meet in my classroom at 4 PM...Anthony = team meal...Nolan/Logan = ball boys...gray shirt. 
**Thursday: 3-5 PM training...wear black...Volleyball game attendance to follow at 6 PM!
**Friday: 3-5 PM training...wear gray.

Looking ahead:
**Monday, Oct. 16: 3-5 PM training...wear black...TEAM DINNER OF SOME SORT TO FOLLOW?
**Tuesday, Oct. 17: Quarterfinal District Game @ Z. East (6 PM)....meet in my room at 4 PM....bus leaves @ 4:45 PM...more details to come!

Simply cannot wait...       Make the most of this opportunity to end this season in a "GREAT" way, Hawkeyes!

2-2 Tie vs. Z. West

As mentioned after the game, guys, the true importance of today was the entire Hamilton soccer community coming together and celebrating with each other. The final result of our game is disappointing, yes. But nonetheless, kudos for a thriving Hamilton Soccer Community! Thanks for being a part of it all! 

2-1 Win @ Wayland

Many lessons to be learned tonight, boys, and mostly in the "keep-your-head/rise-above-it" department. On to the next one!

Upcoming Week!

Can't wait for another week of progress towards "great", all!  Keep working...:)

Here's the tentative schedule for the upcoming (Homecoming) week:

**Monday: game at Wayland (Varsity only)...wear warm-up jacket in school (black training shirt for game)...meet in my room by 4:30 PM...Noah = food...bus leaves at 5:15 PM...game time = 6: 45 PM (Address: 701 Wildcat Drive Wayland, MI 49348).
**Tuesday: 3-5 PM training...wear gray.
**Wednesday: home game vs. Z. West (Hamilton Youth Soccer Night!)...meet in my room by 3 PM...wear black...Spencer = meal/vid...Dylan/Christian = ball boys.
**Thursday: 3-5 PM training on turf field...wear gray.
**Friday: Homecoming Parade...no practice...further details pending!

Hamilton soccer "finishes strong"...and will continue to do so. Go Hawkeyes!

1-0 Loss vs. Holland Christian

Another step closer....:)

1-0 Win @ Byron Center

A win is a win is a win is a win! Onward and upward, boys...:)

Upcoming Week!

Happy weekend, all! Hope all is well in the soccer fam.

Can't wait to spend another full week with all you boys on our continued upward journey this season!

Time is ticking....

Here's the tentative schedule for the upcoming week:

**Monday: game @ Byron Center...wear black jerseys in school...meet in my at 3:30...bus leaves at 4:15...Dereck = team meal/vid....wear official gray for warmup...will be another hot day! BUS RIDE HOME = OPTIONAL.
**Tuesday: 3-5 PM training...wear black.  DISTRICT DRAW WILL BE ANNOUNCED!
**Wednesday: home game vs. Holland Christian...meet in my room by 3 PM...Nick = team meal/vid...Dereck/George = ball boys...wear gray.
**Thursday: 3-5 PM training...wear black....VOLLEYBALL GAME OPPORTUNITY??
**Friday: 3-5 PM training...wear gray...GRADE CHECK!

Time (and opportunity) is of the essence, guys. As already mentioned, Hamilton soccer has been known to FINISH STRONG each season. We will follow suit! Still LOTS to prove...:)

1-0 Loss @ Holland

It's a step in the right directions, boys! BUT....we are NOT satisfied. See ya tomorrow!

6-0 Loss @ Unity

As mentioned after the game, fellas, we were not the better team TONIGHT.  But again, the beauty of soccer is that all we have to do is be the better team on the given day of a match against whichever team we are playing. We'll saddle back up and try that approach on Wednesday at Holland...after getting better during training tomorrow on the turf. Keep the faith, and Go Hawkeyes!

Upcoming Week

Saddle up, boys! Time to rise up to a challenging week ahead, yes?? Can't wait to see it and help along the way. Winning mindsets all around!

Here goes with the tentative schedule for the upcoming week:

**Monday: game @ Unity...DRESS UP in school...bus leaves at 3:45 PM...meet in my classroom at 3 PM (vote on puzzle pieces/Dirty Shirt from last week)...wear black training tops...Dylan = meal/vid.
**Tuesday: 3-5 PM training...wear gray.
**Wednesday: game @ Holland...bus leaves at 4 PM...meet in my classroom at 3:15 PM...wear black....George = meal/vid.
**Thursday: 3-5 PM training...wear gray.
**Friday: 3-430 training (with MS teams)...wear black.

Max effort, discipline, attention to detail, organization, belief, and team spirit this week, boys...with a bit of magic mixed in! Go Hawkeyes! 

3-0 Win @ Hopkins

Time for another shot at the "adult table" next week, boys! 

2-0 Win vs. Z. East

Nice job of taking care of business tonight, boys. The question continually remains: are we GOOD or are we GREAT?!! Next up is Hopkins. Go Hawkeyes!

3-0 Win @ Z. West

Way to start the week off in the right way, guys! Proud of your overall effort tonight in many regards. Let's keep this ball rollin' this week and keep working for the "sweep"!

Upcoming Week!

Hello, soccer family! Here we are after a solid first week of academics and athletics. Hope you are well!

Big week coming up here yet again with 3 games on the slate...Monday/Wednesday/Friday...no rest for the weary!

Here are the upcoming week's highlights:

**Monday: game @ Z. West..."dress up" in school...meet in my room at 3:30...bus leaves at 4:15...Nolan = meal/vid...wear gray.
**Tuesday: training 3-5 PM...wear black...optional volleyball game attendance @ 6 PM (wear Hamilton soccer gear).
**Wednesday: home game vs. Z. East...meet in my room at 3 PM...Noah/Nick = ball boys...Logan = team meal/vid....wear gray.
**Thursday: training 3-5 PM...wear black...Team Dinner at Klanderman's @ 5:30 PM.
**Friday: game @ Hopkins...bus leaves @ 2:45 PM (we play first at 4 PM)...Christian = team meal (on bus)/vid...wear gray.

Let's get after it this week, boys, and do some damage! Huge week in terms of hopefully gaining momentum!

1-0 Win @ Fennville

Way to gut it out tonight, boys. All things considering, a win is a win...and proud of you all for the overall effort. Let's get better in training the next two days!

3-0 Loss @ Holland Christian

As mentioned after the match, there were some positive team aspects to build upon for us Hawkeyes from here on out, guys. Keep the faith...and beat Fennville!

Upcoming Week!

First, I hope it's been a great holiday weekend for all involved thus far! Second, let's get this school year started off in a GREAT way this coming Tuesday, guys--a productive first day in the classroom(s) and then hopefully an historic win over H.C. in the evening in enemy territory...yes???? Let's do it!

Here's the planned schedule for this upcoming week:

**Monday (Labor Day): training 5-7 PM on the turf...wear black.
**Tuesday: game at Holland Christian...what to wear in school = TBD...gray training shirts for game...meet in my room @4 PM...bus leaves @ 4:45 PM...Shelton = meal/vid.
**Wednesday: game at Fennville...what to wear in school = TBD...black shirt...meet in my room @ 3 PM...bus leaves @3:45 PM...Brady = team meal/vid.
**Thursday: training 3-5 PM...wear gray.
**Friday: training 3-5 PM...wear black.
**Looking ahead: Team Dinner #2 @ Team Klanderman Thursday, Sept. 14 after training!

Looking forward to a rewarding week coming up in multiple ways. Go Hawkeyes! 

2-1 Win vs. Byron Center

Let's make halftime of the B. Center game a true TURNING POINT of the season, guys! Onward and upward. :)

5-0 Loss vs. Holland

We continue to search for that certain "mojo" to crack the "top 3"! Back to work...keep the faith...stay positive.

Upcoming Week!

OK Green Conference, here we come!

Big week...for multiple reasons: getting our minds right for the upcoming start of the school year, Holland, Byron Center, puzzle pieces, Dirty Shirt effort, living up to our "one word" on a daily basis, being top 10 guys, playing to our POTENTIAL, etc.  Let's do this!

Here goes with the tentative schedule for the upcoming week:

**Monday: home game vs. Holland...meet in my room no later than 3 PM...wear official gray...Mikah = meal/vid...Anthony/Merrill = ball boys.
**Tuesday: 3-5 PM training...wear black.
**Wednesday: home game vs. Byron Center...my room by 3 PM...wear official gray...Bryce = meal/vid...Kyle/Spencer = ball boys.
**Thursday: 3-5 PM training...wear black.
**Friday: 10-noon training...wear gray.
**Monday, Sept. 4 (LABOR DAY): 5-7 PM required training (planning for turf field with an away game at Holland Christian on their turf the next day...stay tuned as we have to work it out with football)...wear black.

Note: players and family members, if you haven't already in the past and would like to now, please feel free to sign up for free text reminders during the course of this season by texting the message "@jvvarsity" to the phone number 81010!

Looking forward to another week with the Hamilton Boys Soccer Family! Go Hawkeyes!

2-2 Tie vs. Allegan

Glass half full: we are undefeated on the season!

That said, we can and NEED to get better...especially with tough OK Green action on the horizon.

Let's get back to work tomorrow! :)

Upcoming Week!

Here goes with the tentative schedule for this coming week, all!

**Monday: 9-11 AM training on the turf field...practice shed guys, you'll have to get there extra early in order to get necessary items (balls, etc.) over to the stadium with plenty of time before practice starts...wear black. (Note: will talk "Dirty Shirt" award, puzzle piece, and DeVos Hospital first thing...plus will hear Will sing at some point!).
**Tuesday: 10-noon training on the turf field...wear gray...6 PM SPECIAL SPEAKER IN THE HS AUDITORIUM FOR ALL SPORTS PARENTS...7 PM VARSITY SOCCER PARENT MEETING IN MY CLASSROOM (ROOM 111)...7:15 STUDENT-ATHLETE (JV/VARSITY PLAYERS) MEETING WITH SPEAKER IN THE AUDITORIUM.
**Wednesday: 10-noon training on the turf field...wear black.
**Thursday: home game vs. Allegan on the turf field (Community Festival to follow...more details to come)...meet in my classroom no later than 1 PM...wear gray...Will = pregame meal.
**Friday: 10-noon training on the grass practice field.

Big week, boys, especially after a bit of a sour taste left regarding the Black River game!

Good to great...effort always...keep in mind your "one word" as well! Go Hawkeyes!

2-2 Tie vs. Black River

Keep those heads held high, boys. Today was simply the first step of MANY steps of the season. Lessons learned throughout, yes? And hopefully tonight's overall result is put into perspective considering what we all were there to do before the game even started: honor a fallen Hamilton Hawkeye soccer hero! There are more important things in life!

See you tomorrow, and Go Hawkeyes!

Upcoming Week!

Varsity fam,

Here goes with the tentative schedule for this upcoming week:

**Monday: 9-noon training (will be receiving team gear at the tail end of training...$40 due from each player for training shirts/game socks asap...checks made payable to Hamilton High School...or cash).
**Tuesday: 4 PM concussion testing in room 411 in the high school with our new trainer...5 PM team pictures on the game field...6 PM scrimmage vs. Plainwell on our game field....wear home white uniforms and black team shirts.
**Wednesday: 9-noon training...NO PM Volunteer work as previously scheduled. Varsity will be doing a different service project instead...more details to come.
**Thursday: 9-noon training...required team dinner for the boys at the Robinson house (17113 Lakeview Avenue in north Holland)...5-7 PM.
**Friday: home game vs. Black River @ 530 PM (Varsity)...meet in my classroom by 3 PM for pregame meal, etc....more details to come.

**(Potentially) Saturday: team outing at Jacob Merrill's grandparents' home in Allegan...more details to come.

Looking ahead: Tuesday, Aug. 22 will be our Parent Meeting at 7 PM in my classroom!  Thursday, Aug. 24 new turf field home game vs. Allegan at 3 PM!

Note: stay tuned for the team meal schedule, ball boy/vid schedule, concession stand schedule from Dawn Hukill, online extra Hawkeye apparel order options, buddy list for the boys, online hudl items for the boys, etc.

Can't wait for Monday to continue this journey! :)

WELCOME TO BOYS SEASON 2017!

Let's get rollin'....:)

End-of-Season Soccer Dessert Banquet

It's official!

You and your family are cordially invited to the annual JV/Varsity boys soccer dessert banquet:

**Why: to celebrate a successful season together
**When: Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 PM
**Where: high school cafeteria
**Who: all JV and Varsity players and families
**What to bring: a dessert to pass, utensils, and your own beverages
**What to wear: for players, look sharp! :)

Hope you can make it, and thanks for all you've done to make this a great season, everyone!

PS. Friendly reminder to all Varsity players that we'll meet in my classroom immediately after school tomorrow (Thursday) for our last team meeting for about 45 minutes. PLEASE BRING ALL CLEAN HAMILTON SOCCER ITEMS TO TURN IN!

2-0 Loss at Plainwell

No love lost, boys! Super proud of you for this season's body of work.

You all have MUCH to be proud of. Thank you for your overall collective efforts, everyone!

The future of Hamilton boys soccer is BRIGHT largely thanks to all of you! :)

Playoff Time!

An exciting time for the Hamilton soccer program is upon us!

It's post-season time, and I truly believe we are READY for this. We've been on a bit of a positive roll as a team as of late, and I am really liking the narrative that we've created for ourselves on the doorstep of Districts.

We've got quite the chance to make some continued noise, Hawkeyes! Believe it and then do it!

Here's the tentative schedule for this upcoming weekend/week:

**Sunday: optional, informal training (family/friends are welcome!) at Hope from noon to 3 PM. 
**Monday: meet in my classroom at 4 PM for a team meeting...caravan to Hope for 5-7 training (wear gray)...7-8 PM team dinner at Carino's ( each player, please bring $13 cash).
 **Tuesday: game at Plainwell (5:30 PM)...meet in my classroom directly after school...George = team meal at 2:45 PM...bus leaves at 3:30 PM. What to wear in school = TBD...wear black for game.
**Wednesday: to be determined
**Thursday: District Semi @ Otsego vs. ??? (7 PM).
**Friday: to be determined
**Saturday: District Final @ Otsego vs. ??? (5 PM). 

Notes: (1) Congrats to Jared as his teammates chose him as this coming week's alternate captain! (2) Please take note of your newest "soccer responsibilities" for this upcoming week! (3) Keep in mind that one of our team goals is to make it as far if not farther in the post-season than last season! :)

SPECIAL NOTE: DO YOUR VERY BEST TO PREPARE INDIVIDUALLY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THIS WEEKEND: NUTRITION, FITNESS, HUDL, EMAILED SCOUTING REPORT, ETC. THE PROGRAM IS COUNTING ON YOU!

Can't wait....:)  GO HAWKEYES!

1-0 Win vs. Z. East

WE "WON OUT"!!!

Super proud of you, boys...job well done.

But we are NOT done...

Plainwell and beyond...:)

1-0 Win @ Z. West

2 down, 1 to go.   WIN OUT!!

Zeeland East is next. FINISH STRONG!

Upcoming Week and a Half!

Greetings, all! What a beautiful fall weekend already. Enjoy!

The last week of the regular season and Districts are upon us. My, how time flies. It seems like just yesterday we were all climbing up and running down sand dunes at Lake Michigan. :)

Simply put, FINISH STRONG, BOYS! In all facets...

Here goes with the upcoming schedule:

**Sunday: optional, informal training??
**Monday: game @ Zeeland West..."dress up" in school...black training top otherwise...meet in my room after school...Mikah = team meal/vid...bus leaves at 4 PM.
**Tuesday: 3-5 PM training...wear gray...TEAM DINNER AT NICO'S AT 5:30 PM.
**Wednesday: home game vs. Zeeland East (PARENT NIGHT...PARENTS, PLEASE SHOW UP AT ABOUT 5:20 PM)...what to wear in school = TBD...meet in my room after school...Bryce = food/vid...Noah/Dylan = ball boys...wear black.
**Thursday: 4:30-6:30 PM training AT HOPE...wear gray.
**Friday: 3-4:45 PM training AT HAMILTON...wear black.
____________
**Sunday, Oct. 16: optional team training AT HOPE from noon-3 PM.
**Monday, Oct. 17: 5-7 PM training AT HOPE...wear gray...TEAM DINNER AT CARINO'S TO FOLLOW!
**Tuesday, Oct. 18: District game at Plainwell (5:30 PM)......meet in my room after school...George = team meal...bus leaves at 3:30 PM. More details to come!

Notes: (1) Congrats to Logan Hilldore for again having been voted by his peers as this coming week's alternate captain. (2) Be prepared for your new set of "soccer responsibilities" this coming week, boys! (3) Zeeland West Sept. 14 footage is available on Hudl for you to view and learn from...as is Plainwell vs. Edwardsburg from last week! (4) Thanks for being flexible with the change in training schedule for Districts prep, everyone!

LET'S DO THIS, ALL! :)

3-0 Loss @ H.C./2-0 Win vs. Hopkins

Finish strong, boys!

Unofficial team goal with one week of the regular season remaining: WIN OUT!

One down, two to go...

We can do it! :)

Upcoming Week

Hello, all!

Whew, what a week this past one has been. It was a great one overall nonetheless! As a team, I truly believe that we took a couple more steps forward, and that's a great thing to observe. We are NOT done building though, guys! More to come....:)

Here's the tentative schedule for the week:

**Monday: game @ H.Christian...meet in my room by 3 PM...bus leaves at 4:45 PM (5:30 PM JV start...Varsity at 7:15 PM)...wear black training top...Logan = meal/vid.
**Tuesday: 3-5 practice...wear gray.
**Wednesday: NIGHT OF NETS home game vs. Hopkins (5 PM...Varsity only)...wear Night of Nets shirts in school/for warm-ups...meet in my classroom directly after school...Ryan = team meal.
**Thursday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black.
**Friday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray.

Notes: (1) Congrats to Nolan Dowker for having been named by his peers as this coming week's alternate team captain! (2) Please prepare accordingly for your next "soccer responsibilities" for this coming week. (3) We have one puzzle piece on the line this coming week! (4) Check out Sept. 8 hudl footage of our first battle with H.C.! (5) Our first GRADE CHECK will occur this coming Monday! Take care of the classroom(s)! :)

5-2 Win vs. Otsego

Boys,

You've now equaled last year's win total, surpassed last year's total goals scored, and achieved a .500 overall record what with this last victory over Otsego. Kudos!

But there needs to be more where that came from, yes?!

Keep building! :)

3-1 Win vs. Byron Center

JOB WELL DONE, ALL!

And we keep building...

On to Otsego! :)

6-0 Loss to Holland

Keep fightin' the good fight, boys!

And keep building....:)

We CAN and WILL continue to get better!

Upcoming Week

Weekend greetings, all! Hope it's a great one for you and yours!

What a jam-packed, exciting week we have coming up here; continued chances to showcase our program's core values--"student" before athlete, character, hard work, and mental/physical toughness. I'm really excited to be a part of the special something we've got going here, and I can't wait to see handle successfully the challenges of this upcoming week and beyond!

So here goes with the tentative schedule for Homecoming week:

**Sunday: optional team training??
**Monday: home game vs. Holland..."Crayon Day" in the HS...meet in my room by 3 PM...wear gray...Will = team meal/video...Henry/Ross = ball boys. Weather is looking to be windy, rainy, and mid-60's! FYI! :)
**Tuesday: "Twin Day" in the HS...3-5 PM practice...wear black.
**Wednesday; home game vs. Byron Center..."'Merica Day" in the HS...meet in my room by 3 PM...wear gray...Jacob M. = team meal/video...Jared/Jacob S. = ball boys.
**Thursday: (Varsity only) home game vs. Otsego (at 5 PM)..."Tacky Tourist Day" in the HS...meet in my room by 2:45 PM...wear black...Nolan = team meal.
**Friday: no practice...what to wear in school = TBD...Homecoming parade/team float...more details to come!

Notes: (1) Congrats to Mikah for having been named by his peers as this upcoming week's alternate captain! (2) This week's team theme is "class" in that we take care of ourselves in the classroom, handle overall distractions, and showcase true character throughout! (3) We have two puzzle pieces on the line this week, gents! (4) Be aware of your newest set of "soccer responsibilities" coming up for this week. (5) Spend some time on hudl viewing footage and learning from it regarding our last game at Holland. An email message was sent from me not too long ago about such footage as well as Holland insights!

Ok, all! What a great week this is going to be. We can do it...all of it. :)

3-1 Loss @ Unity

Despite the final scoreboard, it was another overall step in the right direction last night at Unity, guys!

Keep building...:)

2-1 Win @ Z. East

And we keep building......:)

Job well done today, all!

Can't wait to keep getting better in all that we do!

Upcoming Week

We've reached the halfway point of the regular season already, soccer fam! Time flies!

As a coach, I'm really looking forward to an even more fruitful latter half of the season for all involved--on and off the field.

Let's keep improving, supporting each other, focusing on success, and making it happen with our actions and words!

Here's the tentative schedule for this upcoming week:

Sunday: optional, informal team training??
Monday: game @ Zeeland East..."dress up" in school...meet in my room by 3 PM...Christian = team meal...wear black team shirts, etc.  Bus leaves at 4 PM.
Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray...TEAM DINNER AT HUKILL'S AT 5:30 PM.
Wednesday: game @ Unity...what to wear in school = TBD...meet in my room by 3 PM...Noah = team meal...wear black...bus leaves at 3:45 PM.
Thursday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray.
Friday: 3-430 PM practice with MS teams...WEAR THIS YEAR'S BLACK TEAM SHIRTS.

Notes: (1) Congrats to Bryce DeVries for having been named by his peers to be this coming week's alternate team captain due to his "physical toughness" as of late. (2) Night of Nets shirts will be available to players this coming Monday. More details at our team meeting in my classroom. (3) Hudl footage of Zeeland East is available online. Check out this season's Sept. 3 match between Z.E. and H.C. (4) Pay special attention to your newest "soccer responsibilities" for this upcoming week! (5) This week's team theme is "ENERGY": bring it each and every day in everything you do!

Big week ahead of us for a variety of reasons!

Let's do it!

5-1 Win vs. Z.West

Feels good to accomplish a team goal, doesn't it???

Let's keep truckin' and all the while avoid COMPLACENCY at all costs! 

Upcoming Week

Greetings, soccer fam! Hope all is well?

Lookin' forward to another great week of school and soccer...and our first full week of the school year! Excited?! :)  Make sure we're taking care of business in the classroom!

This week on the soccer field takes on a bit of extra special meaning as we have a chance to accomplish one of our three team goals revolving around our home match vs. Z. West on Wednesday: improving on our conference record from last season. Can't wait to see you guys do your very best to meet this challenge--on the practice field, on the game field, and in every other context imaginable! Keep training those minds and bodies for SUCCESS.

Here goes with the upcoming tentative schedule for the week:

**Monday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray.
**Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black.
**Wednesday: home game vs. Z. West...wear gray...what to wear in school = TBD...Dylan = food/video...Bryce/George = ball boys...meet in my classroom by 3 PM.
**Thursday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black.
**Friday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray.

Notes: (1) Congrats to Logan Hilldore for again being selected by his peers as this coming week's alternative captain for his mental toughness and communication skills. (2) After the boys voted on Friday to decide that we earned two "puzzle pieces" as a team, another two are on the line this coming week--one of them being a "re-do" from two weeks back! (3) Please constantly keep in mind that this week's team theme is PHYSICAL TOUGHNESS! (4) Stay tuned for another email with further explanation of our "Night of Nets" charity event slated for our home game vs. Hopkins on Oct. 5. (5) Boys! Soccer responsibilities on point this coming week! Plan ahead and get 'er done. :)

Let's take another few steps forward this week in all that we do, everyone! 

1-0 Loss to Holland Christian

Boys,

We're getting closer. Let's work even harder! "Success" takes time and a whole lot of hard work. And I KNOW we have it in us.

See you tomorrow for practice!

4-4 Tie @ Byron Center

Way to fight back in the face of adversity, boys! Proud of that mentality. And yet let's not get in holes in the first place, yes??

On to the next one...

Last Week and This Upcoming Week!

Holiday weekend greetings, all! It's a beautiful day, and I hope you and yours are living it up. :)

Hey, a bit of a tough week for us this past week with a pair of defeats and a tie, but next week is a new week...and as always, we continue to move forward and re-focus on our personal/team goals!

Here's the tentative schedule for this coming week:

**Monday (Labor Day): 5-7 PM required practice...wear black.
**Tuesday (first day of school!): game @ Byron Center...what to wear in school = TBD...Caden = meal/video...meet in my classroom by 3 PM for team meal, etc. Wear gray. Bus leaves at 3:45 PM.
**Wednesday: practice 3-5 PM...wear black.
**Thursday: home game vs. Holland Christian...what to wear in school = TBD...Ryan/Mikah = ball boys...Riley = team meal/video...meet in my classroom by 3 PM...wear gray.
**Friday: practice 3-5 PM...wear black.

Notes: (1) Congrats to Caden for having been selected by his peers this past week as our alternate team captain for his "can do" attitude. (2) Check out hudl for last season's Byron Center footage (Sept. 23, 2015). You can also check out H.C./Z.East footage from THIS season that was shared with me recently! (3) Reminder that our team theme for this week is two-fold: COMMUNICATION and MENTAL TOUGHNESS combined. We can all do a better job...and we will! (5) We'll welcome back Ryan Blowers for Monday's practice! (6) Pay particular attention to your newest "soccer responsibility" roles for this coming week (shed, clean-up, etc.).

Let's all have a great end to our summer and an even greater start to a fresh school year. Remember that your role is "student" before "athlete" at all times! Hit the ground running. :)

Upcoming Week...and More!

Greetings on this stormy Saturday, all! I hope this note finds you all well and that the weekend is great.

We've got quite the monumental week coming up here: first OK Green conference games, three games total, and a chance to make some serious noise. :)

Here is the tentative schedule:

**Sunday: informal/optional team gathering???? Up to you guys...
**Monday: home game vs. Unity...wear gray and all white...meet in my classroom by 3 PM...Jacob Shelton = meal/video...Jacob Merrill/Will = ball boys (find subs!).
**Tuesday: practice 12:30-3:30 PM...wear black.
**Wednesday: game @ Holland...wear gray and all black...meet in my classroom by 3 PM...Seth = meal/video...bus leaves at 4 PM.
**Thursday: home game vs. Wayland Varsity game at 4:45 PM...wear black and all white...meet in my classroom by 2 PM...Brady = meal/video...Nolan/Logan= ball boys (find subs!).
**Friday: 9-noon practice...wear gray.
**The next Monday (LABOR DAY): required 5-7 PM practice...wear black.

Boys, we have a chance to do some things this season. This coming week will be a gauge as to where we're at as a team, with our team goals, with our personal goals, with our direction! Can't wait to see you guys meet challenges head on and proceed up (or down?!) that sand dune! :) DREAM BIG, BELIEVE IT, VISUALIZE IT....DO IT! :)

Notes: pay special attention to your newest "soccer responsibilities" coming up here this week (shed guys, practice set-up, etc.)...congrats to Riley Coffey for having been selected by his peers as this coming week's "alternate team captain"!

8-0 Win vs. Saugatuck

For the most part, way to take care of business today vs. Saugatuck, boys. Please ALWAYS remember to keep that competitive spirit alive and practice good soccer habits no matter the opponent!

On to the next one....and it's a big one: UNITY.

Let's do this.

1-0 Loss to Allegan

Gentlemen! Despite the "loss" on the scoreboard last evening, I really believe that we took a small step forward as a team and as a program. As you know, our program "mission statement" listed near the top of this page urges all of us to compete with any team on any given night...and to do it was class. I truly believe we accomplished both of those overall goals last night vs. a talented Allegan team. Job well done!

Now, on to our first home game of the season....BEAT SAUGATUCK!

3-1 Win @ Black River...and More!

Coach checking in and hoping all is well on this crazy Saturday weather day!

Congrats again, boys, on the deserved opening night victory over Black River yesterday. Taking another step forward (and up on that sand dune) as a program, right??? :)

Now, we have our work cut out for us regarding our next opponent: Allegan. They are a pretty talented, athletic, and hard-working bunch that handled us this past season at our place. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT HUDL (2015-16 SEASON) AS FOOTAGE OF THAT GAME IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO VIEW.  I chatted with a fellow coach that scrimmaged Allegan a week ago, and here's his breakdown in brief (more from me Monday): diamond back four (with a deep sweeper), diamond in the midfield (?), VERY fast up front, very physical ("dirty"??), suspect defense overall, very solid goalkeeper. Overall, it'll be a dogfight! And we'll be able to handle the challenge, yes??

Random side notes: check out the "game recaps" link below and to the left if you care to review info/thoughts after a given game..."team goals" are updated to the left (already on our way to the first goal listed!)...congrats again to Henry Soerens, Brady Gilbert, and Seth Hukill for being selected by their peers yesterday as permanent team captains for the duration of this season...pay special attention to this coming week's "soccer responsibilities" for each group (shed guys, clean-up guys, "words" guys, etc.)...DO WE DESERVE A PIECE OF THE VISUAL PUZZLE THAT I BRIEFLY INTRODUCED TO YOU IN MY CLASSROOM? YES OR NO AND WHY?! 

Tentative schedule for this upcoming week:

**This Weekend: treat your bodies right, gents! Get some fitness in, rehab if needed, eat and drink right, visualize success, power pose it...pre-game practice on Monday!
**Monday: 9-noon training...wear black.
**Tuesday: game @ Allegan...meet in my classroom @ 3 PM...Ross = team meal/JV video...wear gray practice T...all black uniforms...bus leaves at 4 PM. 
**Wednesday: home game vs. Saugatuck...meet in my classroom at 3 PM...Jared = team meal/JV video...Nico/Vasha = JV game ball boys (find a sub for the second half of that game!)...wear black practice T...all white uniforms.
**Thursday: 9-noon training....wear gray.
**Friday: 9-noon training...wear black.

Good start, all, but the BEST IS YET TO COME! Visualize it, power pose it, love it. :)

Official Varsity Welcome!

Greetings, Hamilton boys varsity soccer fam! 

I hope you're all as excited and ready to rumble as us coaches from here on out!! We've good some great things cookin' this season, and we're pumped. 

Speaking of "cookin'", THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF THOSE WHO MADE TODAY'S SAND SOCCER TOURNAMENT A GREAT SUCCESS! You are SURELY appreciated. :)

Now on to some business matters during this first VERY BUSY and HUGELY IMPORTANT full week of the season. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions at all! 

Here goes:

Monday, Aug. 15...9-noon training. MEET IN MY CLASSROOM (room 111 in the high school) NO LATER THAN 9 AM THAT MORNING FULLY DRESSED EXCEPT FOR CLEATS ON YOUR FEET. Mikah and Bryce = Iron Man matters immediately after training.

Tuesday, Aug. 16...9-noon training (WEAR BLACK TOPS)...3-530 PM = required volunteer work...meet at the lower lot at the high school and wear Hamilton soccer gear and closed toed shoes.

Tuesday, Aug. 16...all fall sports parent meeting (no parent meeting on Monday as was previously scheduled) at Hamilton high school with new Athletic Director at 7 PM and then breakout sessions with specific sports immediately thereafter (JV in Coach L. Robinson's room and Varsity in my classroom).

Wednesday, Aug. 17...9-noon training...wear gray (NO W. Ottawa scrimmages)...TEAM PICS (home white uniforms) at the beginning of the training session. Required online concussion baseline training in the HS library at 1230 PM for JV and Varsity teams...lasting about 45 mins.???

Thursday, Aug. 18...9-noon training...wear black...REQUIRED team dinner at the Robinson household in Holland from 530 PM-7ish?? More details to come...

Friday, Aug. 19...first game of the season AT BLACK RIVER!! Meet in my classroom at 2 PM. Henry = pre-game meal/video of JV game. Bus leaves at 3 PM. JV plays at 4 PM. We play at 5:45 P.M. All players must ride the bus this season to and from away game venues.

Whew. Ok. Sorry, that's a lot. Will leave anything else for later! :)

Looking forward to starting this thing off on the right foot(s)! :)

Greetings to the New Boys Soccer Crop!

Coach T. Robinson checking in with a bunch of helpful info for this coming summer 2016 and beyond.

Thanks for your continued interest in Hamilton soccer!

We continue to be beyond excited to work with all of you. The future is a bright one!

Ok, here goes with some info:

**Check email for electronic versions of all items passed out at the recent soccer meeting.

**Check email also for Holland Summer Scrimmage schedule. You'll notice that the first scheduled Tuesday night contest is coming up quickly: Tuesday, June 14 at 5:30 PM (Holland Soccer Complex). We will NOT have Thursday AM training that week, but will do so the following week per the schedule!

**Free text reminder service for the summer: text "@jvvarsity" to the number 81010, and you're good to go! No need to do this again if you're already done it this past year.

**Important Dates to plan for:

     --July 25-28: Hamilton Soccer Camp
         http://www.hamiltonschools.us/athletics/high-school-athletics/

     --By Tuesday, Aug. 9: athlete physicals, insurance $, and signed code of
         conduct REQUIRED TO BE ON FILE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL
        IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN TRYOUTS/SOCCER!

      --Wednesday, Aug. 10: first official day of tryouts/season!

That's it for now, all! Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have.

And please remember that one year older does not make us one year better. In other words, let's keep improving and hit the ground running this summer!

2016 Season Schedule!

Please check out the link below and to the left in order to peruse the 2016 fall soccer schedule and plan accordingly ahead of time!

And we continue to move forward in ultra positive ways...  :)

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!

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...  :)

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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). :)

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!

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.

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. :)

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!

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.....

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'! 

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 :)

8-0 Loss to Holland

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

Beat B.C. tomorrow!! 

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...

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!

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.

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!

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!

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. :)

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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?

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!

Soccer Dessert Banquet

What: End-of-season banquet
Who: All JV/Varsity players and respective family members
Where: High school cafeteria
When: Thursday, Oct. 23 at 6:30 P.M.
Why: To honor all participating JV/Varsity soccer team members on a job well done this season!

District Loss

Keep those heads up, gentlemen!! Last night wasn't the way we wanted to go out on the scoreboard, but it was every way we wanted to go out in the attitude/no regrets/hard work/courage/etc. departments! I sincerely mean that. Really proud to be your coach.

Now, as we kind of re-group and reflect, please join me in my classroom tomorrow (Thursday) directly after school for our last team meeting. Please bring all school-issued uniform items--both sets of uni tops, both sets of uni shorts, backpack, warm-up top/bottom, captain bands…

Take care and see you all soon!!

Grandville Loss/Upcoming Week

Hi, everyone. Hope the weekend is great for you all and that you're enjoying this awesome weather!

Also hoping we are all sufficiently recovered from this past week in terms of overall mentality…especially heading into the biggest week of our season coming up here. As mentioned a couple of times since Thursday's away game vs. Grandville, I was proud of the overall positive, "winning" mentality out there vs. a good Grandville squad despite the score. Keep that up. We'll certainly need that same demeanor on Tuesday vs. Byron Center!!

Remember, ALL teams in the state of Michigan are now 0-0 on the season. It's ANYBODY'S game now no matter the past couple months. Let's step up to the plate and achieve our team goal of at least making it to the District Championship this next Saturday!

Here goes for this coming week:

**Monday: practice 3-5 PM…wear gold.

**Tuesday: home game vs. Byron Center (5 PM)…meet in my room directly after school…looking for a volunteer or two regarding the team meal that day in my classroom!! Please let me know asap if interested!

**Wednesday: practice 3-5 PM.

**Thursday: game vs. Allegan at Holland Christian (730 PM).

**Friday: practice 3-5 PM.

**Saturday: District Championship game vs. ??? at Holland Christian (10 AM).

Take care, all, and let's come ready to work and prepare on Monday!

Byron Center Loss

Gentlemen,

All we can do is move on--and move on immediately--in a positive way. As mentioned last night post-game, the good news is a.) we get to redeem ourselves with a quick turnaround game this evening and b.) we get to match up with B.C. again for all the marbles this coming Tuesday in Districts!

As always, stay positive and keep fighting.

See you all on the bus for Grandville at 345!

Holland Loss

Hey, everyone. Hope the day is treating you well?

Re: the Holland loss last night, I thought we battled pretty hard that first half vs. a talented opponent and on a difficult surface. Unfortunately, our overall mental toughness faltered a bit in the second half in a number of different contexts, and that was the game.

As always, we move on and stay positive!

Big day of training today in preparation for an even bigger day tomorrow -- the seniors' last regular season home game vs. a conference rival!! We still have team goals in reach. Let's keep reaching.

See you for practice and a team dinner in the near future!

Upcoming Week

Hi, all! Hope you enjoyed the Homecoming festivities today and this week??

Here goes with the tentative schedule for this upcoming week--our last week of the regular season:

**Monday: game at Holland…bus leaves at 4 PM…meet in my room at 330 PM…dress up for school…black team shirts, etc. for the game…Logan = vid/food.

**Tuesday: 3-5 practice…team dinner at Team Pax (6 PM).

**Wednesday: home vs. Byron Center…Parent Night….meet in my room at 3 PM….Ray/Andrew = ball boys…Joey = vid/food.

**Thursday: game at Grandville…bus leaves at 345 PM…Cody = vid/food.

**Friday: 3-5 practice.

HUGE week coming up here, guys! Let's get 'em.

Unity Loss…and More.

Gents,

Keep the faith. Last night was not a very good showing on our part, but today's a new day--short term memory. We've got one full week left in the regular season coming up here. As a recent video clip stated (think football player interview), let's finish strong and keep that positive mentality!

See you for practice at 3 PM in gold.

Note #1: Tomorrow (Friday), we will not have practice and instead participate in the Homecoming Parade. Our trailer (Varsity) will be third in line just behind the cheerleaders on the bus garage road. Wear full warm-ups/black team shirts, bring some candy to toss, and be there no later than 330 PM! This is required (and fun)!

Note #2: Next Wednesday, Oct. 8 is our last regular season home game. On that evening, we'll have "Parent Night" for ALL Varsity team members. It would be great if at least one adult family member is present on that evening no later than 530 PM (meet near the scoreboard). Players will escort family members onto the field before the game as they are introduced by Mr. Haggerty over the loudspeaker. Please plan on it!

Z. West Win

As mentioned after the game today, boys, feels good to win, right?!! And feels extra good to truly feel like the win is deserved, right?!!!! I'm proud of you all for stepping up to the challenge of what I mentioned pre-game was the most important game of the season to date, in my opinion.

What's next is even more of a challenge with Unity at their place on Wednesday. Can't wait to see how we prepare and handle that next obstacle.

See you you all tomorrow for practice in gold!

Otsego Loss…and the Upcoming Week!

Hi,  everyone! Hope the weekend has been great for you!

The Otsego loss last Thursday night should be waaaaaay in the rearview mirror at this point--other than, yet again, learning from mistakes on set plays, that is! Other than that, we again re-group and keep fighting as always!

Another big week coming up. And tomorrow, in my opinion, is our biggest game of the season all things considering. This is a team we've beat before, it's a team in our conference, and one of our new team goals is to finish top 3 in the conference this second half the season; therefore, it's a big game!! Can't wait to see us respond in a positive, earnest way tomorrow and beyond!

Here's our tentative upcoming week:

**Monday: game @ Z.West…wear PJ's in school per Homecoming Spirit Week…bus leaves at 4 PM…black team shirts…no pre-game meeting…Team Sikma = food/vid.

**Tuesday: practice 3-5 PM

**Wednesday: game @ Unity…participate in Decades Day per Homecoming Spirit Week…bus leaves at 330 PM…Team Scholten = food/vid.

**Thursday: practice 3-5 PM.

**Friday: Homecoming Parade…no practice…required attendance on the float!

See you soon, all! Take care and keep up the good work in the classroom!

Holland Christian Loss

Boys,

As mentioned already, I thought tonight was an overall good effort vs. a talented foe. Please let's keep in mind that we have a new set of personal goals from here on out and a new, re-shuffled set of altered team goals as well (check the blog).

Let's keep plugging away, guys! And keep the faith!

See you tomorrow in my room at 4 PM. Black team shirts in school. Bus at 430 PM.

Take care!

Schedule Update

Please take note:

**Upcoming Districts: first round home game vs. Byron Center at 5 PM on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Winner plays vs. Allegan at Holland Christian at 7:30 PM on Thursday, Oct. 16. Winner of that game is in the championship on that Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10 AM at Holland Christian vs. ?

Byron Center Loss

Hey, guys.

Please keep your collective heads up!! We did a lot of good things in the game last night, and we certainly can build on those heading into a team goal game tomorrow at home vs. H.C.

All we can do is stay positive, believe, and keep truckin'!

See you at practice today. Be ready for a buddy warm-up, a bit of a chat, and then some action!

This Week

Hi, everyone! Hope the weekend has been a good one!

Check out the tentative schedule for this upcoming week and spread the word:

**Monday: game at Byron Center (8542 Byron Center Ave SW

Byron Center, MI 49315) @ 645 PM…bus leaves at 330 PM…wear black jersey in school…gold warm-up shirt…Collin = vid/food. 

**Tuesday: practice 3-5 PM. 

**Wednesday: home game vs. H.C….meet in my classroom at 3 PM…Kody/Cody = ball boys…Nate= food/vid.

**Thursday: game at Otsego (6 PM…no JV)…bus leaves @ 430 PM…Connor = food/vid. 

**Friday: practice 3-430 PM. 

Tomorrow's a very important day for us! Take care of business in the classroom…and then on the soccer field vs. a conference foe!! 

Holland Loss

Hey, all. Hang in there. Not much else to say at this point. As mentioned, we'll debrief tomorrow at practice.  If I know you all (and I'm confident I do), we'll continue to bounce back no matter the circumstance.

Take care and see you tomorrow for practice (wear gold)!

Unity Loss

Gentlemen, it's a new day--time to move forward. What with a hugely important league contest coming up tomorrow vs. Holland, we can't let last night's performance linger any longer. So we live, learn, and move on, right??!!

See you all for practice. Let's get better!