2011 (14U) Boys State Premiership I
All Up for Grabs
The 2011 (14U) Boys State Premiership I division will be one to watch as we approach the second half of the season. There are five teams in the division, each playing each other twice for a total of eight games. Three out of the five teams have already played four games leaving four to go. First place and fourth place are only separated by four points and first through third place are currently undefeated! Our Game of the Week between first place Young Wolves and second place, Chicago Rush North Shore is set to be played September 28th!
Chicago Rush North Shore come into the Game of the Week with one win and three draws. This normally would not feel like the greatest start but being undefeated and sitting in second place with six points, is far from an easy feat and it is something to be proud of. The division is a stacked one and Rush understands that having tied 4-4 to FC-1, 2-2 to FSC and 2-2 to Young Wolves. Goal differential will be something to watch with the number of draws in the division. Having scored 12 goals in four games shows an elite attacking team however, being scored on 10 times in said number of games is surely what they have been working hard to improve on. A back-to-back matchup against Young Wolves is up next and knowing the opposition can definitely help in the preparation, but Young Wolves will feel the exact same way. A win for Chicago Rush North Shore would put them at the top of the division.
Sitting at the summit now is Young Wolves, they enter the matchup with two wins and two draws, giving them a two-point advantage at the top. Their story is a bit different; they have faced and beat FSC twice and they have tied FC-1, 0-0 and as mentioned, tied Chicago Rush North Shore 2-2. They come in outscoring their opponents 8-3 thus far showing a dangerous attack. The standings and their last game against Rush North Shore show there’s little to separate the two sides, however, in order to find separation at the top, they have to start with the three points. A win would get them to five points at the table albeit, the third-place team, FC-1, would have two games in hand and would be only six points adrift. Again, goal differential might be what we look at when the season ends, as the draws between the leaders stack up. A very important three points is at play.
Coaches’ Pre-Game Interviews
Already halfway through the season for both sides and you both have already played each team. What do you do to prepare for the second round of games, knowing your opponents a little more now?
Kuba Piotrowski – Chicago Rush North Shore
We need to do a better job as a team to mark the opponent man to man especially on their set pieces as they have some tall players that are good in the air
Jacek Tomczak – Young Wolves
Having played 3 of the 4 teams in the league already we are better prepared for the next round of games having seen where the other teams strengths are and where their weaknesses may be. Generally, we continue to practice as we always do and strive for the highest level of play.
It is first verse second place and you just tied against each other last weekend. A lot of draws in the division. How important is getting the win here, given the circumstances?
Kuba Piotrowski – Chicago Rush North Shore
Getting a “W” is always fun and important for the kids. However, to me as a coach, it’s all about learning and positive mindset, especially at this age/level.
Jacek Tomczak – Young Wolves
It is very important that we do not make mistakes that caused us to tie our previous match and we need to take advantage of scoring situations. It is important to get a win because our ultimate goal is to top the division as it is the goal of every team participating, I am sure. I hope we go into each remaining match determined and show a high level of play.
What has impressed you most about your team and what are you looking for in your team as the second half of the season comes around?
Kuba Piotrowski – Chicago Rush North Shore
I am looking for the same type of energy, effort, hard work in trainings/games and determination like the team has been putting in since day one! That’s all I can ask for, and success will follow!
Jacek Tomczak – Young Wolves
I am very impressed with the quality of play and how the players stay engaged and motivated in the games even when we are down on goals. Their motivation impressed me especially during our last match when we were down two goals and they were able to keep focused and come back to tie in the last minutes of the match. Going into the second half of the season I expect the team to practice hard and keep focused and determined.
Final Thoughts
It is clear both Coach Kuba and Coach Jacek want to see their boys put in the hard work and they know the rest will follow. They are still a young team with lot of things to learn and look forward to. Come Saturday, the two teams will face off yet again and it is only natural that both will be gunning for the three points to sit top of the table. Expect a great Game of the Week!