U-15 NIKE BOYS 2009 GOAL OF THE YEAR

The voting is over and the poll is closed. Brett Martin's strike from distance against the Richmond Kickers on September 12th is our Goal of the Year. Brett's goal grabbed 9 of the 19 votes cast on the Nike Boys Blog. Here is the Goal of the Year one last time.

Wes Hendrix and Nik Shoen each gathered 5 votes for their goals in August and November. It was a very good season for the U-15 Nike Boys. Lots of great games and their best record ever in the VCCL. They came within striking distance of winning it all. Congratulations to Brett. Congratulations to the Nike Boys.

(After you watch the goal go back and watch Darren's reaction on the sideline.)

VA RUSH U-15 NIKE BOYS - GOAL OF THE YEAR!

The season is over. It seems like a long time since the Sun Cup in August but all the same it seems like we just got started. One last poll for the Nike Boys Blog for the fall of 2009. We had a Goal of the Month for every month the boys played this season. Now it is time to select the Goal of the Year. Wes had the goal of the month for August with his chip of the keeper in the Sun Cup. Brett had the goal of the month for September with his strike from distance against the Richmond Kickers. Wes was back in October with his strike against FC Richmond. Nik ended the season with a game saving header off a corner kick against Roanoke. Lets take one last look at the goals of the month for the 2009 Fall season.

That is it folks. Four great goals and now it is up to you to pick the top goal of the year. All the goal of the month scorers will receive a small yet tacky gift from the Nike Boys Blog. The goal scorer of the year gets a less tacky, but no less insignificant, award. Only one vote this time, you can not vote for multiple goals so...Cast your vote!

A little bit short!

All of you know that Wes set a challenge of scoring 10 goals in the VCCL this season. He even said he would shave his head if he did not get the 10 goals. Well Wes fell a little bit short of 10 goals...and now his hair is a little bit short too!

Be sure to rub his head before the Atlantic Cup games for good luck!

Goal of the Month - November 2009

We played one game in the month of November and we scored one goal in that game. No need for a poll this month. The goal of the month for November 2009 is Nick's header off the free kick against Roanoke that gave the Nike Boys a tie and a 4-2-1 VCCL season.

Congratulations Nick on the November Goal of the Month!

Goal of the Month - October 2009

The goal of the month for October was a very close decision. There were nine goals scored in October by eight different players. Two of the goals were game winners in 1-0 wins (Wes against FC Richmond and Brett against the Legacy). The best dead ball play all year in your Blogmaster's opinion was Josh's free kick against Reston in the State Cup. David Beckham could not have bent that one any better. The votes are in and Wes's game winner against FC Richmond edged Josh's free kick by one vote. Here it is once more.

Congratulations Wes on the October 2009 Goal of the Month!

Goal of the Month - August 2009

August was a short month for the Nike Boys with the only games coming in the Sun Cup. We had three goals in August. Goals scorers were Kerby, Wes and Colby. The votes are in and this month it was unanimous. All seven votes were cast for Wes's chip of the keeper in the second game of the Sun Cup. This is a really pretty goal.

Congratulations to Wes for the August Goal of the Month!

Rush Nike 1 - Roanoke 1

On a bright and sunny late November day the Nike Boys took to a muddy and slippery pitch to make up the game with Roanoke. The Roanoke team came out hard and fast. When a free kick was awarded the Roanoke team in the 3rd minute of the game, they sent a ball into the box and past Lally for the first score of the game. Roanoke 1 Nike Boys 0. The Nike Boys got on the score sheet in the 2oth minute when Josh sent a corner kick into the box and found Nick unmarked. Nick headed the ball into the upper right corner of the goal. Nike Boys 1 - Roanoke 1.

The half ended 1-1 and the game ended 1-1. The Nike Boys mounted a furious assault on the Roanoke goal looking for the game winner but it was not meant to be on this day. The Roanoke team played hard and hung in to split the points with the Nike Boys.
This was the final VCCL game of the 2009 Fall season. The Nike Boys had their best showing ever with a record of 4-2-1. It has been an exciting season with some incredible highs (Kickers, Strikers, Sterling FC & Legacy) and some frustrating losses (SOCA, Reston and of course the despised BeachFC).
Congratulations to the U-15 Nike Boys and Coach Warham for a great VCCL season!

Goal of the Month - October 2009

October was a little bit of an up and down month for the Nike Boys. Even so there were some impressive goals in October. We started the month with a State Cup game against Reston. A great free kick by Josh and a hard working goal from Colby. Next we spent Columbus day weekend at Lake Taylor High School. Connor and Kerby got us off to a good start with two goals against SOCA and a bit of pay back for the loss up at their fields. We had Ethan as a guest player for the tournament and he came through with a nice strike against Herndon. Nick hit the back of the net for the first time this season in a hard fought game with the highly ranked team. Ethan added a second tournament goal against PWSI and the Nike Boys changed their focus to the remainder of the VCCL season. Wes got the game winner on a beautiful strike against FC Richmond. Brett followed up with a game winner of his own the next week to give the Nike Boys a 1-0 win over the Legacy. I told you about them...now watch them for yourself!

Some great goals and back to back VCCL wins to take us into November. Vote for your favorite goal in the poll to your right. Remember you can vote for more than one goal but only vote for each goal once.

Goals of the Month - August 2009

We are going a bit retrospective here. I did not think to post a compilation of goals every month until September. We had three goals in a short playing schedule in August 2009. I wanted to give those players and their goals their time of the Blog. Kerby, Wes and Colby are our goal scorers for August.

Remember to vote for your favorite goal on the poll to the right. You can vote for more than one goal but please do not vote for the same goal multiple times. Good luck to the goal scorers.

Brett Martin - Goal of the Month for September

Brett won the goal of the month for September 2009 (11 votes) for his goal against the Kickers.

Brett's goal from distance was the runaway winner for the month with well over double the votes of any other goal.
Other players receiving votes were:

Brett - 1st Goal State Cup (4 votes)
Brett - 2nd Goal State Cup (4 votes)
Kerby - goal Bethesda (4 votes)
Wes - goal SOCA (4 votes)
Ben - goal SOCA (4 votes)
Wes - game winner State Cup (2 votes)
Wes - free kick goal Strikers (1 vote)

Congratulations to all the goal scorers. Look back soon for the Goals of the Month for October. (Goals for August will also be posted soon)

Rush Nike - 1 Williamsburg Legacy - 0

On a windy but warm and sunny morning, the Nike Boys took to the pitch for their last VCCL home game of the Fall 2009 season. The opponent was the Williamsburg Legacy. The wind was a definite factor today for the team going into the teeth of it. The Legacy had the wind in the first half and made the most of it by sending two shots on goal that bounced off of the crossbar. The Nike Boys tried to mount an attack but the wind battering the ball in the air. The first half ended 0-0.
The Nike Boys had the wind in the second half but it was not a factor in the game winning goal. In the 48th minute, the ball fell to Brett who settled it and sent a strike low and hard into the left corner of the Legacy goal.

Nike Boys 1 - Legacy 0. Some good defense by the Nike Boys the rest of the way sealed an important win. One game to go in the VCCL 2009 Fall season. A make up game against Roanoke.

MIKE - THE BALL BOY!

This video is to honor the unsung hero. Those individuals that toil in the shadows without notice but without whom things would not get done. Sure the goal scorer gets the cheers, the keeper hears the roar of the crowd when he makes a great save and we all hear the collective appreciation for a great run or hard tackle. But where would they be without the ball...and the Ball Boy!

A tribute to the guy who makes things go...Mike - The Ball Boy!

U-15 VA Rush Nike - Fall 2009

Mike Hess needed a team photo for the CAP program so I took a quick photo following today's game against FC Richmond. Here is the Fall 2009 VA Rush Nike Boys

VA RUSH NIKE v FC Richmond

VA Rush Nike - 1
FC Richmond - 0

After two weeks off due to weather conditions, the Nike Boys took to the pitch on a windy and overcast day to take on the FC Richmond side. The wind was a real factor against the Nike Boys in the first half. With the wind blowing stiffly in their faces the Nike Boys pressed on and created a few good chances that came up a bit short. A great save by Lally, who returned from injury this week, keep the score 0-0 at the half.

In the second half the wind began to calm and the two teams continued to push for the first goal of the game. Early in the second half Brian played a ball that Wes ran onto. A hard shot by Wes sent the ball past the keeper and into the far corner of the net. 1-0, Nike Boys.

FC Richmond continued to push forward looking for the equalizer but to no avail. The Nike Boys held on and got back into the winning column with a 1-0 victory.
The Nike Boys return to action next weekend with a double header make up weekend. The Legacy come to the Hampton Roads Complex and the Nike Boys travel to Richmond to finish the season against Roanoke.

2009 Columbus Day Tournament - Game 2

VA RUSH NIKE - 2
HERNDON - 4


In the second game of the tournament the Nike Boys met highly ranked Herndon. The Nike Boys got off to a blistering start when Cal took a goal kick, Brett headed it on and found Ethan running at pace towards the Herndon goal. A nice shot by Ethan put the ball past the Herndon keeper and into the net. Nike boys 1 - Herndon 0.
In the 19th minute the Center Referee awarded Herndon a penalty on a very questionable handling call. This would turn out to be just one of many errors on the part of this officiating crew. Justice was served when the Herndon player hit the goal and the rebound goal was called off for an offsides penalty. Herndon equalized in the 26th minute and it was level, 1-1, at the half.
In the second half the Nike boys got off to what is becoming their customary slow start. Herndon put intense pressure on the Nike goal and scored in the 42nd and 45th minutes. Nike boys 1 - Herndon 3.
The Nike boys refused to quit and kept fighting back. In the 50th minute a Herndon player threw an elbow into Colby's face. The center referee showed a red card but was overruled by the Assistant Referee who was on the opposite side of the field an could not possibly have seen the elbow thrown. Herndon was allowed to keep 11 players on the field and the red card was rescinded. The Nike boys responded to the injustice by storming back with Nick putting the ball into the Herndon goal in the 54th minute.
The Nike boys were pushing forward for the equalizer when a Herndon player broke free to the right of the Nike goal and put the ball past Cal. Herndon 4 - Nike boys 2.
In the final minutes the Nike Boys threw everything they had at the Herndon goal and only some exceptional play from the Herndon keeper kept the Nike boys from getting the equalizer. The game ended Nike boys 2 - Herndon 4.
The officiating was abysmal at the very, very best. The Nike boys should hold their head high though. In spite of it all they pushed one of the best teams around to the limit and came within two great saves and some terrible officiating of winning this game. On to day two.

2009 Columbus Day Tournament - Game 1

VA RUSH NIKE - 2
SOCA - 1


On an overcast and windy day at Lake Taylor High School the VA RUSH NIKE boys and SOCA met for the second time in just a few weeks. SOCA had won the earlier VCCL match and it was time for the rematch. The early going of the match was back and forth with the Nike boys making a few opportunities. In the 26th minute Josh passes to Conner who shoots from far out, past the goal keeper and into the back of the net. Nike boys 1, SOCA 0. In the 31st minute a SOCA defender loses the ball in front of his own goal. Kerby pounces on the error and the ball is in the SOCA net again. Nike boys 2, SOCA 0 at the half.
In the second half the Nike boys take their foot off the pedal and concede a SOCA goal in the 65th minute. Nike boys 2 - SOCA 1. And that is the way it ended. The Nike boys avenge the loss in Charllotesville and win the match.

NCAA Division II Soccer

The latest national rankings for NCAA Division II Men's Soccer:

#1 Lynn University Fighting Knights
#2 Cal State LA Golden Eagles

For those of you who don't know, Lynn University is the Alma Mater of our boy's coach, Darren Warham. Congratulations to the Fighting Knights on their 10-0-0 start to the season.
I personally would like to wish the Fighting Knights good luck with the rest of the season and into the NCAA tournament...I would like to but since my Alma Mater is Cal State LA, the #2 men's soccer team in the country, I just don't see that happening! The Cal State LA Golden Eagles are 9-0-1 and one point behind Lynn University.

Yeah, this is the VA Rush Nike Boys blog but don't be surprised to see an update here on the NCAA Division II race from time to time.

(Darren - I did not put these new posts in Golden Eagle gold by accident!)

VCCL 2009 - Beach FC

VA Rush Nike - 0
Beach FC - 1

We stopped...they didn't!

That was essentially the story of this game. In the latest installment of the rivalry between Beach FC and VA Rush, the Nike Boys played a hard fought contest...for 89 minutes. In the 60th minute of the game Tristan went to the ground injured as Beach FC was attacking our goal. The Referee went to see if he was hurt, but never blew his whistle. Our boys stopped for a second and Beach FC pounced on the opportunity to put the ball in the net. Beach FC 1 Nike Boys 0...game over.
The final score did nothing to detract from a wonderful game in goal by Kerby. Filling in for the injured Lally, Kerby had a great game stopping everything that Beach FC could send his way. He had a little help in the first half from the post and cross bar but in the second half he stood alone on the goal line as Beach FC stepped up to take a penalty kick. The Beach FC player sent the ball to the left and a diving Kerby knocked the ball away. A great save and at that time preserved the 0-0 scoreline.




One more shot at Beach FC next week in the Columbus Day Tournament. We are due...don't you think?

State Cup 2009

Virgina Rush Nike - 2
Reston Knights - 4

The Nike Boys went on the road to Northern Virginia for the second round of the Virginia State Cup. Their opponent was the Reston Knights. The Nike Boys came out hard and aggressive putting the Knights on their heels right from the start. A foul in the early minutes of the game by Reston gave the Nike Boys a free kick off to the left of the Knights goal. Josh took the kick and sent a bending ball over the outstretched hands of the Reston keeper and into the back of the net. Nike Boys 1 Reston Knights 0.

A short time later in the 12th minute, Wes makes a run at the Reston Keeper. His shot at the far post is blocked by the keeper but Colby runs down the rebound and fires it back at the Reston goal, past the keeper and into the back of the net. 2-0, Nike Boys with only 12 minutes gone.




The lead was short lived as the Reston Knights pulled back two goals to level the score 2-2 at the half. In the second half the Knights pulled away from the Nike Boys with 2 more goals. Final Score Nike Boys 2 Reston Knights 4.

The Nike Boys State Cup push is over for the Fall of 2009. The Knights were ranked far above our Nike Boys and most people probably assumed this would be a breather for the Knights. The Nike Boys gave them all that they could handle and even though the long drive back home was not a happy one, they gave it their all.

GOALS OF THE MONTH - September 2009

No games this weekend but the Blog goes on! With no games to highlight and the end of September upon us, I thought it was time to take a look back. There were 8 goals in September for the Nike Boys. Some were pretty spectacular. Lets take a look back.

Some great goals and a good month. Vote for your favorite goal this month in the poll to your right.

Goal scorers usually get all the attention but not on this Blog. Big saves and hard tackles can be just as spectacular as goals. Check back this week for video clips of saves and tackles of the month. Be sure to keep up with the U-15 VA Rush Nike Blog. You never know what is coming up next.

2009 VCCL Standings - Week 3

After three weeks of the VCCL season the VA Rush Nike boys are in second place trailing Beach FC by only 1 point. One more travel weekend for us before we return to the complex. We travel to Richmond one more time this season on Sunday to play Roanoke. After this weekend we have three straight home games at the complex against Beach FC, Virginia Legacy and FC Richmond to end the fall VCCL season. Here is the table as of 9-21-09:

Beach FC - 7 points
VA Rush - 6 points
Kickers - 6 points
FC Richmond - 4 points
SOCA - 4 points
VA Legacy - 4 points
Strikers - 3 points
Roanoke - 0 points

VA Rush Nike v SOCA

VA Rush Nike - 2
SOCA - 3

This one got away!

Some games you look back on and just shake your head. This is going to be one of those games. After a huge State Cup win on Saturday the Nike boys woke up early to make the 3 plus hour drive to the SOCA home fields in Charlottesville. It is always tough to get up for two games in a row, particularly after a big win in a close fought contest the day before. Maybe a little tired or still riding the wave of the State Cup win, the Nike boys came out a little flat and conceded a goal in the 11th minute for a quick 1-0 SOCA lead. The SOCA goal seemed to wake the boys up. In the 19th minute a pass from Josh with a lay off from Kerby found Wes making a penetrating run towards the SOCA goal. A nice touch by Wes as he was falling sent the ball into the right lower corner of the SOCA goal. All level at 1-1.

In the 30th minute theNike boys were awarded a free kick to the left of the SOCA goal. Josh sent the ball into the box and Brett sent it back towards the SOCA goal but it bounced off the crossbar. As the ball fell Ben was onto the ball and tapped the rebound into the net. It was Ben's first goal for the Nike Boys. The first half ended with the Nike boys in control of the game and on top 2-1.

The second half was the story of missed opportunities. The Nike boys created numerous scoring chances in the second half but could not finish on their opportunities. SOCA kept pushing forward. In the 61st minute the Nike boys conceded the first of two SOCA goals in a space of 10 minutes. SOCA - 3 Nike - 2. The Nike boys mounted a furious attack as time ticked away but could not find the back of the SOCA net. Final score SOCA - 3 Rush Nike - 2.

The Nike boys VCCL record goes to 2-1-0.

2009 STATE CUP - 1st Round

It was a typical fall day, overcast, windy and cool for the first round of the 2009 Virginia State Cup at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex. The VA Rush Nike boys were taking on the Sterling FC. The Nike Boys jumped out to a quick lead in the 15th minute when they were awarded a free kick. Josh sent the ball into the box where a leaping Kerby headed it back. Brett was there to send the ball hard into the back of the net. Nike Boys - 1 Sterling FC - 0. The Nike boys kept pushing forward but the first half ended 1-0.

The second half was a different story as the Nike boys came out a little flat. Sterling FC had the best of play for the initial minutes of the second half when they were awarded a free kick in the 49th minute. The Sterling FC player launched a bending ball just past the hands of Lally and into the Nike net. All even at 1-1. Before the Nike boys could regain their shape, defensive confusion gave Sterling FC another attacking opportunity and they sent the ball past the outstretched hands of Lally into the Nike net for the second time in less than one minute. Sterling FC - 2 Rush Nike -1. It did not take the Nike boys long to respond. in the 55th minute Wes drew the foul and won a free kick. Robert sent a curling ball into the box and Brett headed it into the Sterling FC goal for his second of the game. All level at 2-2.

The game went back and forth for the next few minutes as the ball went up and down the field and the tackles came in quick and hard. When it looked as if regulation time would end at 2-2, the ball fell to Wes in the 80th minute and he sent it low and hard just under the Sterling keeper and into the net. Nike boys pull out a last minute goal to win 3-2 and move to the next round of the State Cup.

VA Rush Nike v. Richmond Strikers

VA Rush Nike - 1
Richmond Strikers - 0

It's in the net!

VA Rush Nike boys sweep the Kickers and the Strikers on the opening weekend of the VCCL season. The Nike boys take a win in the second game in two days in Richmond, beating the Strikers 1-0!


On another beautiful day the Nike boys took to the pitch at Striker Park in Richmond for a 3:00 pm kickoff with the Richmond Strikers. The two teams had played each other just a week ago at the Nike Friendlies here at Striker Park with the game ending 0-0. It would be a different result on this day.

Both team came out hard with each side creating opportunities in the early minutes of the game. Still the score remained 0-0 until the 23rd minute. A Richmond Striker foul on Kerby gave the Nike boys a free kick just outside the 18 yard box. Wes stepped up to take the kick and sent the ball over the Striker's wall and into the upper right corner of the goal. Nike boys 1 - Strikers 0.

The first half ended with the score 1-0 and the Nike boys in firm control of the game. The first half was littered with questionable officiating and the second half found more of the same. The Nike boys continued to build up a steady attack on the Strikers goal while the defense repelled everything the Strikers could throw at it. The Strikers mounted a furious effort to grab the equalizer in the fading minutes of the second half. Even with a gift of an extra 3 minutes added to the second half, the defense stood it's ground and the Nike boys finished the game with a 1-0 win. They finished the weekend with a two game sweep of the Kickers and Strikers.

A great start to the VCCL season. Back to training next week and time to switch the focus to SOCA.

(**Listen closely to the video clip of Wes's goal. At the end someone yells out that Wes can keep his hair for another week. If you don't know there is a bet on the table that if Wes does not score 10 goals this season he will shave his head on the field. If Wes scores the 10 goals you will be able to see them all here. If he does not score 10 goals...I can assure you I will have my camcorder charged and ready and you will see the head shaving here on the Rush U-15 Nike Blog! No pressure Wes!)

Vote in the poll to the right!

VA Rush Nike v. Richmond Kickers

VA Rush Nike - 1
Richmond Kickers - 0

Opening day for the Fall 2009 VCCL season. The VA Rush Nike U-15 boys took on the Richmond Kickers at Ukrop Fields in Richmond. The weather was perfect as the teams kicked off and the Nike boys immediately put pressure on the Kickers. The Rush created a number of good scoring opportunities, controlled the midfield and kept the pressure off their defense and keeper. The Kickers had very few legitimate scoring opportunities and spent a good deal of the first half defending. Despite the Rush scoring opportunities the first half ended level, 0-0.
The stalemate continued in the second half until the 63rd minute when passes from Josh and Brian found Brett in the middle of the field. Unmarked and with acres of space, Brett dribbled a little closer to the Kickers goal and unleashed a shot from distance that struck the back of the Kickers net.
Rush Nike 1 - Kickers 0.




The Kickers began to push forward looking for the equalizer but the Nike boys hung tough. The Kickers best opportunity came in the 74th minute off a corner kick. The kick sailed into the box and was punched away by Lally. The ball fell to another Kicker who sent the ball back towards the Rush goal. As the ball fell towards the net, Ian headed the ball away from the goal mouth. The Rush Nike boys hold on to secure the victory and an excellent start to this VCCL campaign.




The VA Rush Nike boys are 1-0 to start the VCCL. The second game of our Richmond weekend double header is with the Richmond Strikers on Sunday, 9-13-09.

GO RUSH!

VCCL 2009 Fall Season is here!

The Sun Cup and Nike Friendlies are behind us and the VCCL season kicks off next Saturday! Of course we begin the season with our annual back to back...Saturday and Sunday...trips to...where else?...RICHMOND!

(Editors note - I'm not saying the VCCL has it in for us but...)

Another crack at the Strikers after the 0-0 game at the Friendlies. A really quick opportunity for the Nike boys to set that score right. They should have no trouble getting up for that game. The Kickers are another familiar opponent. The Friendlies were disappointing but leaving Richmond next Sunday with a 2-0 record against the Richmond teams would erase that bitter taste.

The daily updates from the Nike Friendlies are posted. Video highlights will be posted soon. On to...(where else)...RICHMOND!

2009 Nike Friendlies - Day 3

VA Rush Nike - 0
PWSI - 3

Day three started out cool and cloudy. The Nike boys started off strong again with several good opportunities on goal in the first 10 minutes. PWSI was also aggressive and had a few early opportunities. The story of this tournament for the Nike squad was missed chances. An early goal may have changed the nature of this game but it was not to be on this date. In the second half the wear and tear of the three day tournament began to show. The Nike boys have been beaten up with injuries during the early going of the season. The options on the bench were limited as the PWSI team moved in waves of fresh recruits and many of the Rush player logged a full 80 minutes. The Nike boys end the 2009 Friendlies with a record of 0-3-1.

2009 Nike Friendlies - Day 2

VA Rush Nike - 0
Legacy - 1

Heartbreak! That is the only way to describe this game. After having the better play, possession and having a sweet goal called off, the Nike boys end up losing 1-0 on a goal in the last two minutes of play. The legacy was on the defensive right from the beginning as the Nike boys was aggressive in the attack and kept pressure on the Legacy goal. The first half ended 0-0 but was dominated on by Rush.
The second half was the story of two plays. The first was a called back goal for the Nike boys. Brett sent a ball into the box where Wes headed the ball into the goal. The celebration began until everyone saw the flag was raised. The Nike boys continued to pressure the Legacy until the last few minutes of the game when the Legacy slipped a ball into the back of the Nike net. This was one that slipped away.

2009 Nike Friendlies - Day 1

VA Rush Nike - 1
Bethesda - 3

Day 1 of the Nike Friendlies saw the U-15 Rush Nike boys take on the Bethesda Maryland boys. The Bethesda team took the early lead 1 - 0, with a shot that just slipped under an outstretched Lally. The lead did not last for long. The equalizer came off of header by Kerby that found the back of the net. Two quick goals in succession by Bethesda made the score 3-1 at the half. The Nike boys came back with a strong effort and a scoreless second half. Final score Bethesda 3 - Rush Nike 1.

VA Rush Nike - 0
Richmond Strikers - 0

With the temperatures in the low 90's, the Nike boys took to the pitch for the second game of the day against a well known opponent, the Richmond Strikers. The Nike boys came out blazing with an early run down the touchline by Phil. A cross into the box skipped in front of the keeper straight to Brett on the back post. A shot on goal from a tight angle missed and after a rebound effort the Strikers cleared. Some good defensive play by both squads and lost scoring opportunities were the story of this match as the game ended Rush Nike 0 - Strikers 0. The Rush Nike boys ended the first of day of play at the Friendlies 0-1-1.

2009 Sun Cup - Final

VA Rush Nike - 0
Beach FC - 3

2009 Sun Cup - Game 3 Highlights

VA Rush Nike - 0
Beach FC - 0

2009 Sun Cup - Game 2 Highlights

Game 2 Highlights

VA Rush Nike - 2
SUSA United - 0

2009 Sun Cup - Day 2

Day two of the Sun Cup wound up being a double header with Beach FC. The first game was a defensive battle with neither team able to put their mark on the score card. Some strong defensive play and great goalkeeping kept Beach FC out of the Rush Nike net. The best opportunity of the day for Beach FC turned out to be the play of the game for Rush. When a Beach FC player got the ball directly in front of an empty net it seemed the winning goal was imminent. Robert made the play of the day by lunging in front of the Beach FC player and blocking the shot preserving the draw, 0-0 (Video below). Rush Nike was in the final but Beach FC would have to wait for the results of another game to discover their fate.



Beach FC backed into the Final on goal differential, setting up the second VA Rush/Beach FC game in a three hour span. After a strong start by the Rush it all went Beach FC's way as they jumped to a 2-0 halftime lead and added another goal in the second half for a final score of 3-0. Not the result we wanted but the VA Rush U-15 Nike Boys end up with 2nd place in the tournament.

The Final was dissapointing but there are some positives to take from this tournament. The boys had four games to play together and become a little more familiar with their new teamates. Coach Warham had the opportunity to move some players around to different positions on the pitch and experiment with different lineups. The tournament gave the Nike Boys a trial run before the Labor Day tournament and the tournament did not cost we parents a nickel!

On to the Nike Friendlies.

2009 Sun Cup - Game 1 Highlights

Game 1 highlights

VA Rush Nike Boys - 1
Elite 94 Royals - 1

2009 Sun Cup - Day 1

The 2009 VA Rush U-15 Nike Boys kicked off their fall season with the Beach FC Sun Cup. On a blistering hot day the Nike team ended up 1-0-1 after the first day of play.

The Nike boys took on the Braddock Road Elite 94 Royals in the opening game and took the lead 1-0 after just two minutes of play. The 94 Royals equalized in the second half and despite numerous chances for the Nike boys in the second half the game ended 1-1.

The Commack SUSA Academy from New York, was the opponent in the second game. The Nike boys again took an early 1-0 lead on a very nice chip of the SUSA keeper (photo below). The score remained 1-0 until late in the second half when another goal made the score 2-0. This game was marked by physical play and numerous yellow cards.


At the end of the first day our U-15 Nike Boys are in first place in the Premier Division with Beach FC Red in second on goal differential. Braddock is in third place with a 1-1 record and SUSA is in fourth ending the day 0-2.

First and Second place meet tomorrow morning at 9:30 an when the VA Rush Nike boys take on the Beach FC Red. These two teams know each other very well. Should be fun!

Check back for video highlights of all the Sun Cup games soon to be posted.

VA RUSH has a HOME!

The Virginia Rush Soccer Club has a home, the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. A new synthetic turf field was installed, complete with a blue Rush logo in front of the stands. The Rush staff and coaches moved into the Sportsplex office spaces this week and to celebrate the first VA Rush Club Fun Night was held on August 20, 2009. The players broke in the new field, had a group photo taken around the Rush logo and consumed a decent quantity of hot dogs and drinks. For those of you who left early you missed the Rush coaches taking to the field for a kick around. Out of compassion for the coaching staff I left my video camera off during this scrimmage.
It was a beautiful night and an awesome facility. The big blue Rush "R" looks great!
Here are some highlights.

WELCOME TO THE VA RUSH U-15 NIKE BOYS BLOG

Whether you are a returning player or new to the team, I would like to welcome everyone to the VA RUSH U-15 NIKE Boys Soccer Team Blog. For those returning veterans you all know what this blog is about. For the new team members I will fill you in on what to expect. First you will not get any news about schedules, fees, field numbers, tournament dates or what color uniforms to wear to the game. Maria does a great job of getting all that important information to you so no need for me to delve into that. What you can expect are photos, video clips, my own commentary and hopefully a little humor hopefully. If you dont know me yet...just look for the guy at almost every game with the Hi-Definition Camcorder on the monopod. I am usually lurking around recording our boys game highlights for posterity but a warning...I have also captured the odd parent or two vocally exerting the boys on to glory. Right Janet? Sometimes my clips are just straight highlights but sometimes I cant resist putting a little more creativity into the product. Check out the Mud Bowl clip below for an idea of what I mean. With my son Brett's seasonal trip to the Emergency Room I missed a chunk of last spring and I am looking forward to cranking up the camera to see what this fall season brings.
A few things to expect this year besides the game highlights. I anticipate a blooper reel at the end of this season. No great goals or hard tackles in this highlight reel. More like muffed attempts to kick the ball, slips and slides, fumbled saves, etc.
I would also like to post some photos of the boys when they were little soccer players and see how many players and parents can identify the boys at say 4 or 5 years of age. If you want to participate, send me a digital photo of your player. The only requirement is I would like to have a soccer photo not a school photo. I know you all have a pile of U-5 through U-8 team and individual photos lying around like we do. Lets see what we can do to embarrass our favorite player beyond belief. I have a number of good ones for Brett.
I have a couple other things I am looking at but I don't want to give away everything right at the beginning of the season. In response to one request I have received...yes I may post some photos/video of parents as well...but be careful what you ask for!
See you all at the Sun Cup!

2009 Rush Cup "MUD BOWL"

The 2009 Rush Cup started off on a grey, dreary, rainy, cold, windy miserable morning...then the weather got bad! The U-14 Rush Nike Boys won their first game 9-0 over the Red Devils but the real fun was still yet to come. At 5:30 pm Saturday afternoon our boys took to the pitch...well they actually took to the mud pit...and played something that could not really be called soccer but they won the game 2-1. Great strategy by Coach Warham to have our boys play the ball off of the PA Rush defender and into the net for the winning goal. Just the way they did it in training, right? Win or lose these boys are fun to watch.

Buckwheat & Nanook!

Some Soccer players are known for their wild hairstyles and being a bubble off of level...a brick short of a load...well, I'm sure you get the idea. As we get ready to kick off a new spring season I thought I would share a short video of what a couple of our players [Ethan (Buckwheat) & Brett (Nanook)] chose for hairstyles and headgear over the winter months. Okay, Yeah, maybe these two are more than just one bubble off!

I've been watching you.

A spectator at a match in the North of England kept up a constant barrage of insults and derogatory remarks directed against the referee. Finally the ref could stand it no longer. He marched over to the stand and, looking the noisy spectator squarely in the eye, shouted, 'Look here - I've been watching you for the last twenty minutes . . .' 'I thought so,' the spectator shouted back. 'I knew you couldn't have been watching the game!'

Coach Darren Warham

The VA Rush U-14 Nike team has a new coach, Darren Warham. Coach Warham had experience playing with professional clubs in his native England before coming to the US where he played for four years at Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL. During his College career he was an All-American 3 times, All-South Region 4 times, team MVP twice and Conference MVP. Darren was inducted into the Lynn University Hall of Fame in 2006.
Darren was drafted by the Dallas Burn (MLS), Staten Island (USL) and Florida Thundercats (MISL) before going on to play in Raleigh, NC, Charleston, SC and Virginia Beach, VA.
Darren currently holds a USSF "A" license and is an ODP State Head Coach and Region 1 Assesor.