UNDEFEATED PETRIDES PANTHERS BLUE

And Now a Words From the Parents

2008-06-17T10:49:00.002-04:00

The best way to thank someone as wonderful and selfless as Dan is to begin with a quote:
(for all of the 8th grade soccer parents – this will mean a lot more to you)

"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."-- Calvin Coolidge

Dan has been with most of the kids in this ‘UNDEFEATED Championship Winning 8th Grade Division 1Under-14 SIYSL Team’ for about 9 years.

Let’s start with what Dan has given these kids:

- Teamwork, Commitment, Respect, Self Confidence, Sportsmanship, Lifelong Friendships

Dan has given of himself and I am sure his wife Ivette will attest; hours upon hours of time to the Petrides Soccer Program. He has built this program from the ground up and continues to build and develop this wonderful program. He is one of those people who practices what he preaches – it has never been about winning, it is about winning and losing as a team.

His whole ideals center around a team philosophy – that no one is above it. (Funny enough, he just mentioned the other day how he doesn’t believe in an MVP that it takes a team to win.) As a parent who was lucky enough to have him coach my son – I feel honored that he has been with me every step of the way teaching values and morals to my son and his friends.

Lastly to all of the kids who have been a part of his team, please take a moment every now and then to reflect on what he has given you and the memories you all share in being a part of such a fantastic program. The best way to do this is to try your best EVERY day and remember to live and give life your fullest potential. It’s people like Dan who give of themselves and expect nothing in return.

These are powerful words to live by…

(My thanks to Candy and the others for recognizing and appreciating the effort)

But remember....
“The test of a good coach is that when they leave, others will carry on successfully.” Author Unknown

Season Ending Leads to New Beginning

2008-06-08T15:31:00.003-04:00

As the Petrides Panthers Blue took the field for their final game today, Mark Murraso, Jr. took over the coaching duties and called out the positions. Coach Mark and myself sought shelter from the blistering heat on the parent's side of the field and settled in to watch the action amongst the distractions and the idle chatter.

The line stayed the same, with the exception of Katrina W. and Vicky R who decided to take on the roll of cheerleaders for the last game, ready to play at a moments notice. BJ started the scoring when he settled a Ryan H. pass and put it in the back of the net. Mike M. had a chance to follow, but his shot was knocked down by a hand in the box, and his PK stuck to the melting turf, making it an easy save for the keeper. A few minutes later Mike redeemed himself and found the goal. Game control from that part on wasn't an issue although Eddie R. and Richard A. had to run down a Hill player from time to time.

As the temperature hit 100, we started the second half. Katrina took time away from tanning to play some soccer and pushed a ball outside to a streaking Greg M who blasted a bullet. Minutes later Greg followed with a 'Flying Fajita' header off a Chris E. corner and ended up in the back of the net with the ball.

After Hill scored a couple of goals into what looked like an empty net, BJ answered back with a goal of his own and regained the team scoring title, much to the delight of the cheering fans. Mike M. chipped in the last goal of the game, of the season, and of the run to secure the 6-2 victory and the undefeated title.

...Can't wait till High School.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves."-Mike Ditka

Practice - None
Game - None
Party - 6/9 6pm Miyako
Party - 6/13 4pm Petrides

And now the end is near...

2008-06-01T17:13:00.002-04:00

Today's game ended as expected and our play mirrored the way we played against the 7th graders in game 3. We dominated play on our side, took some shots but no one was playing with any real intensity. Joe Roda put it best "We were playing down to them".

Some bouncing balls missed there mark and a strong Panther White defense ate up all our shots in the first half. They were giving up corners but we were letting the ball through without connecting. Not until a Vicky R. corner kick bounced around the box and found the head of Jimmy D. did we finally get on the board. (an actual scoreboard) We ended the half up 1-0 and didn't give up a shot on goal, but only took 6 of our own.

After the half time ritual speech of the mistakes we were making and how to correct them, we started with a new look. Jimmy D. was a last minute sub at keeper after another player forgot the meaning of team play. We pushed the ball down field and had some chances, but the hustle wasn't there. Not until Mike M's aggressive play put a rebound past their outstretched keeper. The White answered right back, when they took advantage of a defensive miss play and a soft shot to the far post rolled through the fingers of our guest goalie. We had ourselves a game.

The push continued, and with Greg M. running the flank, crosses were being missed, but we kept the pressure on. When Mike M's second goal was stolen by Dean F. we were up by 2, and accomplished the team's mission...."EVERYBODY SCORED A GOAL THIS SEASON". Mike M. jambed in what would have been his hat trick in the final minute, and the Petrides Panthers Blue clinched their 2nd Straight Under 14 Boys Division 1 Title.

With next week being our 148th and last game as a team, I've asked Mark Murrasso, Jr. to coach the game and I will take up position on the parents side for the first time in 9 Years. I'll have my chair, a cigar...and look forward to enjoying the action with the other parents.

Thanks for a great run......

Last Practice: Friday 2:30 to 4:00
Last Game: Sunday 9:00 (Show Up 8:30)

Championship Party: Monday 6/9 6:00 pm
Miyako Sushi & Hibachi
939 Richmond Ave (Corner of Forest Ave by IHOP)

"A Championship Team is a Team of Champions"

2008-05-17T18:14:00.010-04:00

"Build for your team a feeling of oneness,

of dependence on one another and of strength

to be derived by unity".

Vince Lombardi

After 8 games, we've found the secret to a great first half....a late afternoon game. After a morning of sleeping late, lounging around and catching the latest reruns on the Cartoon Network, we finally got around to soccer and we were ready to play.

Within the first two minutes, we knew the game was won, question was how to make it interesting for the next hour... but somehow we found a way.

Mike Marotta opened the scoring went he shot an Eddie Rosario rebound past an outstretched goalie. Minutes later a Safet Redzovic shot was stopped and a Richard Avvento rebound went wide, only to be jambed in by a sliding guest player, brother Miguel. BJ Bifalco's pass found the net, but not Safet. BJ kept passing and the forwards kept trying, but no one was scoring, until Birthday Boy Eddie Rosario settled a bouncing ball, stepped around a defender and drove a shot into the net from an unfamiliar midfield position and we were up by 4 into the half. Speaking of unfamiliar positions, this was the biggest lead we brought into a half all season.

Musical chairs were played at the start of the second half, with Eddie ending up in net, Katrina Wiesner as center full back, Daniel D'Alessandro as stopper. and BJ in Midfield. This was going to be interesting.

With the start of the half we had one mission, goals for our non-season scorers. We were down to three, but only two were playing, the third showing commitment to the wrong sport. Richard and Safet were at forward and every pass went to them. Ball after ball were knocked away and it looked like we'd have to wait till next game to get them on the sheet but we kept pushing. When RT drove past the defense and our back peddling keeper let a shot in, no one lost focus, and we played on.

As the game got colorful, BJ was kissed with a YELLOW and then smacked with a RED. We were down a man, but fired up. So much so that Matt Guthrie took a card of his own just to show that we meant business. With Greg Molina running the wing, his cross found the foot of Safet who couldn't miss this one and finally put it in. Minutes later the brothers Avvento connected again, this time Miguel to Richard and our goal was achieved. Greg took it from goal to goal for the last score and the Back 2 Back Division 1 Championship was now secured.

Seven separate scores in one game is truly a team accomplishment.

"Great Job!"

Practice: Monday 5/19 2:30 - 4:30

Scrimiage: Thursday 5/22 2:30 -4:30

Senior Game: Wednesday 5/28 - 6:30 at Petrides

Next Games: Sunday 6/1 12:00 vs. 7th Graders

If only field goals counted....

2008-05-11T12:16:00.003-04:00

To win at soccer, a team must take advantage of the opportunities that are given to us. More times than not we wasted those chance. Balls launched through the uprights are a good way to win in American football, but in soccer they just mean that we're kicking the ball wrong. I lost count of the field goals at ten, but even one is too many in our game.

Our game plan was simple, down the sides, to the middle, get the ball to the forward to score. We are on a mission to get every player a goal this season, and to achieve this, unselfish play and team work are needed by everyone.

BJ Bifalco knew the plan, and spent most of the first half pushing the ball across the net so that someone could connect for a goal, but no one did. After a tough penalty set them up for an indirect and a bouncing ball found the back of our net, we were down by one, but the game plan remained the same. When BJ pushed another one across, an alert Safet Redzovic let it role by to avoid the off side call, and it found the far post to ties us up.

After the half time pep talk, we awoke. Matt Guthrie settled a bouncing ball in front of the net and lifted a shot under the cross bar for our second goal. Minutes later he had the chance again, but was pushed off the ball. BJ's follow up put it in and we were back in control, up 3-1. The hat trick put it away with a 30 yarder.

We continued with chance after chance missed by some forward looking for their first of the season, but we continued to keep the pressure on. With the defense dominant, as always, the goalie was substituted with Mike Marotta, playing between the pipes for the first time since 2nd grade. Mike rose to the challenge and even made a save or two.

All in all, maybe another day of practice would have tightened up our play.

3 to go....

Practice: Tuesday 2:30 - 4:30
Thursday 2:30- 4:30

Game: SATURDAY 3pm vs Richmondtown

Food for Thought...

2008-05-09T19:48:00.006-04:00

“When you are not practicing, remember, someone somewhere is practicing, and when you meet him he will win”

"Practice as if you are the worst, perform as if you are the best"

"If I don't practice they way I should, then I won't play the way I know I can"

And my Favorite:

"Success is no accident. It is hard work"

"You can't be a winner and be afraid to lose.”

2008-05-04T18:37:00.006-04:00

The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos.
The winner will be the one who controls that chaos,
both his own and the enemies.
Napoleon

Today's victory was nothing short of a war. Last weeks battle put us on top, but a win this week would keep us there, and Holy Child knew it. They came ready with all their players, but so did we and we needed each of you to win.

We had our chances in the first half but weren't finishing. Break away after breakaway were shut down and their defense was wise to our left side attack. We were trying to break through but were being stopped on each try. And when they broke through the defense and a wet ball found it's way through the outstretched hands of goalie Gaetano Sciove, the game plan needed to change. Going into the half down 1-0 was not where any of us wanted to be, but it takes two halves to make a game.

Coach Mark reached deep into his bag of tricks, and pulled out the answer. Safet Redzovic made a guest appearance in net, Jabari Archer was pulled back to defense and the Forward attack of Molina / Bifalco was put together. Archer played his spot like a veteran, pushing the ball up the right side to Ryan Hapuarachchi, who connected with Greg and BJ pass after pass. Again the chances were coming but the goals weren't. Not until BJ broke through again, blasted a shot at the keeper and the rebound bounced to a waiting Greg Molina to tie us up at 1-1. But we didn't play for ties and we all knew that.

With a fresh slate, our team continued to press ahead, and with the fresh legs of Matt Guthrie running the wing, we continued to move the ball. After Matt's cross found a hole in the defense and BJ's lobbed a shot that feel short, Michael Marotta came flying in from Midfield and "coughed up a hair ball" that took the goalie into the net and put us on top for good.

Every game brings us closer to the end, but every victory prepares us for the future.

4 to go.....

In the end...it was harder to get you all to smile for the photo than it was to win the game.

Practice: Tuesday 3 to 5 Thursday 4:30 to 6:30
Game: Sunday 9:00 (Arrive at 8:30) Happy Mother's Day!

“Whoever is winning at the moment will always seem to be invincible.” G.O.

2008-04-27T17:19:00.008-04:00

"After each game, I want to be able to say:
I gave it all I could, I gave it my best"
unknown

How many of us can really say that?

Round one is over and we're still standing, but round two is next week and the winner will be the team that wants it more. We've given Holy Child some inspiration. The impression that they can run with us and beat us if they had their full squad. It was a tough game, but we were the team that made it tough on ourselves. We dominated play, but again had trouble finishing.

As many approached the field, they saw a ghost of the past...Coach Austin made a guest appearance to check on our progress and offer some constructive criticism as to how we could improve. He wasn't happy with our late arrival, and didn't seem too impressed with the pregame warm up either, but he was reserving comment until after we took the field.

The game started as most this season have... our team dominating play in their end. The HC coach was quick to make adjustments to our attack and marked our left midfielder, but Vicky Roda took it all in stride, taking the ball to the net and the defender too for the first goal at the six minute mark. Chances to add to the lead were missed, and before you knew it, Eddie Rosario's aggressive play gave them a free kick from the 30 that arched over a leaping Gaetano Sciove to tie it up. They were back in the game, and after a Cardinal back pass to an uncovered midfielder actually took the lead and the momentum.

Entering the half on the losing side was a new experience. Changes needed to be made to spark the offense and the fix came from Coach Mark, who's vision of the game saw just what was needed.

As the team took the field for the second half, a last minute switch was called in, moving Greg Molina to forward and pushing Ryan Hapuarachchi back to defense. A risky move, knowing how this team resists change, but one that would pay off on both ends.

Greg was able to make some much needed runs that opened up the offense and after a few near misses, Katrina Wiesner, blasted one into the back of the net to bring us even. Two minutes later, the team's hustle paid off again, as Greg banged in the go ahead goal to put us on top for good.

Wasted opportunities followed for the rest of the game. First, an on target Molina header off a classic Roda corner was negated because of a careless pushing penalty by a player who's head wasn't in the game. Then an open netter was put high and wide because fundamentals were forgotten.

Rematch is next week...They will be ready...will YOU?

Practice: Monday - 5:30 - 7:30 Scrimmage - wear colors
Practice: Tuesday - 2:30 - 4:30
Practice: Thursday - 4:30 - 6:30

Game: Sunday 9:00 - (Arrive no later than 8:30)
Photos after the Game - Bring your envelope and your $$

Each Half is a Different Game...

2008-04-20T20:54:00.006-04:00

Victory belongs to the most persevering.
Napoleon

Maybe we’re just slow starters…

This makes 3 out of 4 weeks that we went into the half leading 1-0, which leads me to believe that the team starts slow just so they get to hear one of those inspirational speeches from me at half time.

No confusion this week as all the chess pieces were in their right spots, but 20 minutes passed before Gaetano Sciove push in a Victoria Roda cross for the only scoring of the first half. It wasn’t like we didn’t have chances, the ball was bouncing our way more than not, but it just didn’t find the net. One volley went from Chris to Eddie to Greg to Ryan to Guy to Dan to Richard to Vicky to Katrina to BJ then out…The only one that didn’t touch the ball was Dean…zzzz fast asleep in net. We were making the plays but not making the goals. We were in control….kind of….

Yellow cards are never a good thing, and threats of RED are even worse. As Under 14 Division 1 Undefeated Champions, we are targets and targets get hit. Our job is to retaliate, not with our mouths but with our feet. Goals win games not words!

As in the previous games, the second half belonged to the Panthers with five more goals from 5 more players….

BJ Bifalco started it off when he scissored past the defense and taps a soft shot past the keeper. He was followed up by a Michael Marotta, who connected on an Eddie Rosario pass to put us up 3-0. Ryan Hapuarachchi trusted his talents, has he looping shot found the net from 40 yards out and a Jimmy DeMartinis header off Victoria Roda’s cross made up for all his misses in the first half. But the best goal of the day was when Greg Molina drove down the right side broke through the defense and with a clear shot at the net passed to Katrina Wiesner to complete the 6-0 rout.

It wasn’t the goal that made it special, it was Greg’s unselfish team play….

You are never really playing an opponent.
You are playing yourself,
your own highest standards,
and when you reach your limits,
that is real joy.
-- Arthur Ashe

Practice Scrimmage - Wed 4/23 5:30 pm Vs. Vicky's Team

Practice Scrimmage - Fri 4/25 10:00 am Vs HS Girls

Practice Workout - Sat 4/26 11:30 am

Game - Sun 4/27 9am vs. 1st place Holy Child Cardinals

"We didn't underestimate them...they were a lot better than we thought" WC'90

2008-04-13T16:18:00.005-04:00

Some of the team must have stayed in Washington...because we played like we were still on the bus.

The most common mistake in history is underestimating your opponent. It happened to the British in the American Revolution, It happened to the Patriots in the last Superbowl and it almost happened to the Petrides Blue Panthers in Game #3 of their final season.

I've talked before about the importance of a pregame warm up and arriving early to "Beat them before they get out of the Cars", but with game time fifteen minutes away, half the team had yet to arrive and the other half was enjoying the spring breeze as they lounged on the turf. The other team however, was busy warming up and talking about how they were going to bring down the giants...and they almost did.

The game started with some confusion about position assignments. "I'm on the left", "who's on the right", "I don't play here"...but sometime the coaches see things that the players don't. This team has been trained as a complete package and positions are sometimes changed to help the team.

The game got off to a slow start with the ball in our end in the first 20 minutes more then it was for the entire first two games. Malik Archer covered the whole field for the White Panthers and played against us as hard as he played for us this winter. Our ball handling was sloppy and Malik tried to capitalize on every mistake we made. Without the girls to cross, the team just couldn't get into a rhythm. It wasn't until Ryan Hapuarachchi took a shot from the right side that dropped short and a hustling Benjamin Bifalco barrelled it into the net for the first goal of the game, that we started to resemble even a shadow of the team that we knew we were. As the first half ended 1-0 the confidence of the White Panthers started to grow and they saw a chance to obtain bragging rights at the school.

As the ball rolled to start the second half you could see the change. The giant had begun to awaken. The team was developing momentum as the ball movement was crisp and the play became aggressive. Players started to shoot the open gaps and passes started to hit their marks. When another shot from Ryan was knocked down by the goalie and hand balled by a defender inches from the foot of Dean Ferrezza the insurance goal we were looking for was within our reach. But after Ryan's first PK was called off because of a slow Referee whistle, his second attempt sailed high into the crossbar and the White Panthers seized the opportunity and broke away down field.

A volly of shots on goalie Gaetano Sciove were stopped to save the lead and Richard Avvento cleared the ball to Greg Molina who broke down the right side and rocketed a low shot inside the far left post. Two minutes later , Greg did it again, this time from an impossible angle. Jabari Archer finished the scoring with a soft tap on a Bifalco cross in the closing seconds to end the game.

7 to go....

Practice: Wednesday & Thursday 2:30 - 4:30

Game: Sunday 4/20 9:00am (8:30 Warm ups) vs Richmondtown Jaguars

"The first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy". Corrie Ten Boom

A successful team beats with one heart.

2008-04-06T13:09:00.004-04:00

Coming together is a beginning

Keeping together is progress

Working together is success.

Henry Ford

The defending Under 14 Boys Division 1 champions demonstrated teamwork, leadership and success as they came together in their second Spring season game to win another decisive victory over the SJHA Gladiators.

BJ Bifalco started it early as he connected on a Victoria Roda cross at the six minute mark to score the first goal. Twelve minutes later he found the net again after duping the defense and launching a 25 yarder from the left side. He spent the rest of the half feeding balls to Gaetano Sciove who, uncharacteristically, couldn't connect. The half ended with classic corner kick from Victoria that arced inches from the goal and was headed in by Greg Molina with such force it knocked the goalie over.

BJ started the second half with a quick goal to complete his hat trick and put the game out of reach. Then the chess game began.

Coach Mark Murasso...yes he does show up on occasion.... moved the pieces around to show what a well balanced team we have become. After receiving special instructions from the sweeper, Eddie Rosario, BJ moved to Stopper and, to the surprise of many, actually played the position.

After a questionable penalty, SJHA had a rare opportunity to score with a penalty kick. Goalie Dean Ferrezza made the initial stop, but couldn't hold on and the ball rolled over the goal line past his outstretched hand.

The soft goal ignited the Panthers, and Daniel D'Alessandro, who sent a pass from Jim DeMartinis into the upper 90. Chris Ezzo stepped up too, and scored the last goal of the game to complete the 6-1 rout. BJ ended the game as goalie, playing the possition agressively from the 50 yard line.

2008-04-05T08:28:00.002-04:00

"FIFA Soccer Rules · Cleat History ... The general purpose of these soccer shoes are for playing on slick surfaces (i.e. mud, rain) ..."

Do you think the soccer gods made this rule so we could cancel practice because the turf field is unavailable and the grass field is muddy?!?

Fridays practice was attended by eight (8) die hard players! BJ, Greg, Chris, Richard, Katrina, Victoria, Dean, and Jimmy. Four (4) others waited for the coach to show up before deciding they might get dirty and left! If you do the math... that means six (6) players decided that the morning rain meant no afternoon practice....

Players are reminded of our long standing rain rule.... We play unless I call.

After school practices are canceled only if its raining heavy after school. I have no way of canceling the practice and will show up for any stragglers that stick around.

Games are played in the rain...especially on the turf field....No one should ASS U ME that the game is rained out...

"The only way to beat our team...is to beat ourselves"

Panthers Blue Win Season Opener

2008-03-30T14:16:00.001-04:00

Maybe it was the 9 am start, or the cold morning air, or just because it was the first game of the season, but whatever it was, the Petrides Panthers Blue got off to a slow against the Holy Child Crew.

The Blue Panthers dominated play from the start of the game, but were unable to find the back of the net until the 10 minute mark when Victoria Roda dribbled down the left side and launched the 30 years shot into the upper right corner of the goal. This would be the only scoring in the first half, since we can't count the field goals through the uprights over the net.

But the second half was a different story... At the 40 minute mark Ryan Hapuarachchi pushed his way through the defense to score the second goal of the game. Two minutes later Greg Molina's 40 yard penalty kick rocketed into the net and their was no looking back from there. Both Greg and Ryan added another goal to put the game out of reach, and Michael Marotta capped it off when he connected on a pass from BJ Bilfalco. The rest of the game was keep away, and ended as Eddie Rosario dribbled past the defense into the goal crease only to show his team that he could score too...if he wanted.

This decisive 6-0 Victory sent a strong message to the other Division 1 Teams that Panthers Blue are the team to beat this Spring.

This Weeks Practice: Tuesday and Friday after School till 4:30. Come ready for soccer

Next Weeks Game: Sunday 10:30 vs. SJHA Gladiators

Season Starts

2008-03-29T21:49:00.000-04:00

The Spring 2008 Season is now underway. We will be posting practice and game notices on this site throughout the season. Please take the time to check for updates and changes.

Welcome to Spring Soccer 2007

2007-04-07T09:21:00.000-04:00

As the season opener approaches, I am continually searching for better ways to keep all the players on the 2 teams informed. I've got the E-Mails going out, the automated phone messages and now...A Blog Spot. We'll try it on a trial basis, and if it works, I'll keep it going.

As the season progresses, I will be posting game and travel schedules, along with important messages and forms.

Thanks for Stopping by and check back often..