March 18
Hilton Head 1
Hilton Head Prep 0

Dorman at Mauldin PPD for tonight.

Barnwell vs. Pelion Postponed until April 24

South Aiken was a no-show tonight for their scheduled varsity match with Irmo. Irmo coaches, players and referees were at the field ready to play until past game time. Conditions were playable with light rain and moderate wind. The JV game was played as scheduled and Irmo parents heard from S Aiken parents during that game that the S. Aiken varsity was not coming. The Irmo coach was informed of what the S Aiken parents said and his response was that his last communication with the S. Aiken coach was that the game is on. The varsity girls asked if it would be a forfeit and the coach said he is turning that matter over to his Athletic Director.

By HS League rules, Irmo has to pay the referees even though the game was not played. I have heard there are no penalties for no-shows, but I think S. Aiken should at least have to incur the referee expense.

Porter Gaud 0 vs Academic Magnet 1

Since severe rains were predicted and delivered, it was hoped that the game could be changed to Thursday. Transportation was unavailable as SA only has 3 buses for the entire spring sports teams. It was decided to try and wait it out. After watching radar and getting info from people and coaches currently experiencing the weather, the South Aiken Coach (AHEM) tried to email the Irmo coach, called the school, called and left messages with Dennis Cook and Phil Savitz, and finally took to the boards to try and contact them. Very difficult to contact people after 3:45 as they have things to do, obviously. Contacted JV team but "will you let them know" sounded like "we let them know" over cell phones, rain, a team warming up, and coming from a man who is often accused of mumbling. Our JV coach did let the officials know BEFORE the game started that there would not be a varsity game. Finally a parent was able to get in contact with rightfully upset Irmo coaching staff.

In conclusion, I did as much as I could to play on a date that was safer to travel, safer to play on, better for the gate, and better for the field. I am sorry for the poor communication as it was not for lack of effort, but not at all for thinking of those playing or driving to the game.
The JV's were able to start the game with no problems, but experienced the rain towards the end. The downpour hit towards the conclusion of the match and continues as I type in what would be halftime.

South Aiken will have no problem paying for the officials, and look forward to the rescheduling a match in the next 6 weeks. Many apologies to the parents, players, and fans, but I know the Irmo coaches would not want to risk the health or injury to any player on either team. Making sure to have the coaches cell number for potential cancellations will be a top priority and a lesson learned from this situation.

Cell phone number received. Thanks for the call, bud.

@ WA 3/19
WA 9
BC 0

Christ Church vs St Joes rescheduled for 3/20 at 3:30 pm at St Joes.

Dad gum!

Eastside and Blue Ridge:

What a game for the BR program. There was a scoreless tie for 71 minutes and Eastside broke through for their first goal. They scored with 2:22 remaining and then scored at the very end on a continuation play and the game was called on the kickoff. Final was 3-0.

Eastside is the real deal. Their players are exceptional, there are no better or classier coaches, and their entire gameday situation with announcing all players, first class game programs, everything says "class".

Someday we hope to play with them for 80 (or 100) minutes instead of just 81.

Retired, Old, Happy, and Respectful

BHP 7
Berea 0

At Northwestern:

Fort Mill 2
Northwestern 0

Fort Mill nailed 2 goals on 2 shots in the first 17 minutes: Hali Singleton from Lexi Wilden, and Wilden from Sarah Wilson. After that, it was defense defense defense defense (mud splat) defense defense defense defense (foul) defense defense defense defense (missed direct kick) defense defense defense defense You get the picture. Cantona's ladies shut it all down for the rest of the game, although they couldn't quite get a counter-attack going. I recorded zero shots on goal for Northwestern. Good effort, though. We'll see 'em again in about 4 weeks

Nation Ford 1
Clover 0

White Knoll scored in the 3rd minute off a long, high shot that fell just under the crossbar. Aiken fought back with the equalizer the 10th minute. Play went back and forth and the half ended tied. Aiken scored in the 43rd minute from a ball played from the right side & at the end line back to 18 & finished high & away by a oncoming midfielder. The rest of the match was physical with both teams having chances to score all the way through until the whistle blew.

Gooooooo NF Lady Falcons! Hoo-hoo! High fives all around BD!

(They ARE the Lady Falcons, aren't they?? I'd hate to think they're supposed to be called the Hens, or something vulgar like that...)

At Blythewood

Blythewood 3 Lugoff Elgin 0

It was an interesting game all the way around I think. I never would have guessed you could miss shots on goal with such a variety of styles and techniques.
I believe the goal scorers were:
Brittany Moores
Lindsay Taylor
Emily Morrow

I'm sure I'll get an email or AIM if I am wrong.

Have a great AND SAFE Spring Break Ladies!!!!

tk

Greenville 3
Daniel 1

At Wando:

Berkeley 0
Wando 9.

Berkeley squad played their hearts out with only 12 players due to injuries and spring break absences...not the way I wanted to meet a team as talented as Wando, but it was what it was. It was actually a great educational experience for the younger and newer players who stepped up to fill the cleats of those who were not there...no better experience than playing against the best, and I'm proud of their effort.

I'd also like to say that these Wando girls and their coach are a class act...gracious hosts, and they certainly deserve to be where they are in the rankings.

St Joes 3
Christ Church 2 (PKs)

St Joes wins on PKs 4-1

Halftime score: CCES 1
St Joes 0

CCES goals: Laurel Gower, Hallie Bagnal
CCES assists: Kelsy McCraw

Walhalla 2 West-Oak 1 in PK's 3-1

3/20/08

Shannon Forest- 2
Asheville Christian- 0

Nicole, a sophomore at Nation Ford, was the MVP for the Fort Mill JV Girls team last season. She is also club teammates (Charlotte United) with about a half dozen girls on the Clover varsity.

Lexington - 1
North Augusta -0

Game decided on a PK in the 67th minute
Well played by both teams

Daniel - 7
BHP - 0

Dutch Fork @ Irmo

DF 1
Irmo 0

Thank you for agreeing with my March 1 opinion after they beat our AAA Blue Ridge Tigers 5-0. They are solid. That may be the best game we play after our almost 0-0 tie against Eastside and our girls have a hard time believing that. North Augusta is the real thing.

Hank - dad gum! Keep playing North Augusta soccer!!!

Tell the girls I knew they would do it...Coach Sumwalt

Spartanburg 1

Mauldin 0

Gotta have details on that Region 2 heavyweight bout.

Parkview, GA 2

Mauldin 1