11/06 Monday:  Wednesday practice is 4:00 - 5:15 (gets dark quicker than I thought ...) 

 

10/29 Sunday:  Wednesday practices remain at 4:00 - 5:30 (or until dark, whichever comes first)
                       Have a safe and fun Halloween !!!  Happy Haunting !!!

 

10/18 Wednesday:  Double-header this weekend.  NO practice this Sunday (10/22).

 

9/23 Saturday:  Practice tomorrow (Sunday 9/24), Silver Spur Elementary, 3:00pm - 4:30pm

 

9/16 Saturday:  Great games today.  No practice tomorrow.  Normal practice Wednesday.

9/10 Sunday:  No practice today.  Normal practice this Wednesday, Hesse Park, 4:00 - 5:30.

                        Remember we have a double-header next weekend.

 
Game 1 -  vs. Rockin’ Robins
Well played first game of the season for both teams.  Balanced first half with both teams creating good scoring opportunities, kept both sidelines on the edge of their seats, but neither team is able to find the back of the net, and we go into half time in a 0-0 tie.  The Jolly Ranchers explode out of half time quickly lighting the scoreboard on a low driven shot from Romey that squeaks through the keepers hands and starts the scoring barrage.  Romey quickly makes it 2-0 as she picks up a misplayed ball right in front of the Robins goal and tucks it inside the right goal post.  Ranchers make it 3-0 as Lauren goes top shelf blasting a shot in traffic that finds the upper back netting.  And right as the end of game whistle blows Lauren again goes high to beat the Robin Keeper as she floats a shot over the keeper and tucks it right under the crossbar.  Tremendous defense and awesome goalkeeping the entire game combine to keep the Robins out of the Rancher net for the clean sheet.
Final Score:  Ranchers 4 – Rockin’ Robins 0

 Game 2 - vs. PV Patriots
Another well-played first half by both teams creates plenty of scoring chances at both ends, but neither team is able to capitalize until just before halftime, when the Patriots send a low driven ball that squeaks by the Rancher keeper for a 1-0 halftime lead.  Early in the 3^rd quarter, Anna brings the Ranchers even with a blast from the left side that finds the back of the net.  Romey also adds to her goal count in the 3^rd as her shot beats the Patriots keeper to give the Ranchers a 2-1 lead.  Mid-way thru the 4^th, the Patriots find the equalizer as the Rancher defense has trouble clearing a ball in front of the goal.  A hard-fought game ends in a well-deserved draw for both teams.
Final Score:  Ranchers 2 – PV Patriots 2

 

Game 5 – vs Maroon Typhoon
In a game billed as a battle between two high-flying offenses, the teams do not disappoint.  Both defenses are tested all game long, but both defenses come up big to hold the goal count to a respectable level.  Anna starts off the scoring in the 1^st when she picks up a thru ball in-stride past the defense, and she was off on a breakaway.  A clean blast to the right side finishes off the run and gives the Ranchers a 1-0 lead.  The lead does not last as a nice bang-bang pass play in front of the Rancher goal lands at the foot of a Typhoon forward, and she ties the game with a quick, well struck shot.  The Typhoons take a 2-1 lead in the 2^nd, as nice passing again connects with a forward in front of the Rancher goal.  Romey brings the Ranchers even in the 3^rd when she picks off a goal kick, and sends a rocket into the upper right corner netting.  The typhoon offense again jumps on top with some more great passing that leads to a breakaway.  Romey comes thru with another equalizer as she collects a nice cross and sends a low drive that beats the Typhoon keeper to the lower left corner.  A hard fought 4^th is highlighted by Lauren’s shot from an absolutely impossible angle along the right endline that she tucks just inside the left far post and into the left side-netting for the game winner.  Terrific teamwork, tremendous goalkeeping, and tight-marking-D combine for a well-deserved “W” for the Ranchers.
Final Score:  Ranchers 4 – Maroon Typhoon 3 

Game 6 – vs Supreme Limes of Justice
A dominating performance from start to finish as a fired-up Ranchers team take it to a Limes team who is playing their second game of a double-header.  The Ranchers target practice starts early and often as they spend most of the game buzzing around the Limes goal box.  Romey lights the board first with a blast from about 15 yards straight out that rocked the back of the net.  Delaney gets into the action from her left midfield position as she sends a shot from outside the box just over the top, but gets into the scoring column as her second attempt stays low and beats the Lime keeper to the lower left corner.  Romey almost makes it 3 as she cracks another solid shot that clanks off the crossbar.  The Limes defense does well to go into halftime only down 2.  Romey widens the margin in the 3^rd as she picks up a nice thru ball from Chandler and gets behind the defense for a breakaway.  A quick touch to the right of the keeper and it’s a 3-0 lead.  Anna puts it out of reach midway thru 4^th with her 7^th goal of the season as a huge blast from her left wing position finds netting to the left of the keeper.  The Limes do threaten several times in the 2^nd half, but great defense, terrific goalkeeping, and a few shots that go wide keep the Limes off the board to give the Ranchers the clean sheet.
Final Score:  Ranchers 4 – Limes 0

 Game 7 – vs Purple Skulls
A day of tough bounces on the pitch for the Ranchers this week.  In a matchup against our practice partners, the Purple Skulls, the soccer gods were not kind to us, and none of the bounces seemed to go our way.  The first half is riddled with those unlucky bounces, mixed in with some tenacious Skull defense and a little poor Rancher execution, and the powerful Rancher attack is thwarted and frustrated.  On the positive side, the Rancher defense and goalkeeping is solid and resilient and hold the game even as the teams go into halftime 0-0.  Although the Ranchers come out of halftime with a lot of energy and determination, those soccer gods were still frowning upon us.  Midway thru the 3^rd, the defense gets caught pressing up just a bit too much, and the Skulls get loose behind them for a breakaway and sneak a dribbler just inside the right post for the 1-0 lead.  Still showing a lot of fire, and now with a sense of urgency, the Ranchers create several wonderful scoring chances only to have the door slammed again and again as hard struck balls go high, wide, or right at the keeper.  In a generally all around solid game for both teams, the Ranchers come up on the short end of the stick.  We will pay homage and appeal to the soccer gods to shine more favorably on us next week.
Final Score:  Ranchers 0 – Purple Skulls 1

Game 8 – vs Blasting Bananas
A rare early morning affair bodes well with the Ranchers as weather forecasters have told us to prepare for sweltering above normal temperatures for this late October in Southern California.  Both teams are on it right from the start, but it’s the Bananas who strike first with a goal early in the 1^st.  The lead does not last long, as Brooke gets a nice cross from Anna, and buries an open look into the back of the net.  Both teams still look sharp in the 2^nd, but again it’s the Bananas that strike on a nice one-timer off a well-placed corner, and the Bananas take the 2-1 lead into halftime.  Lauren’s trademark “never say quite” style of play pays off as she follows up a shot and beats the keeper to the loose ball right in front of the goal, and quickly tucks it in behind her to even it up at 2-2.  The Ranchers continue to pour it on in the 3^rd as Chandler’s sweet thru ball finds Anna in stride and she pounds a shot into the upper right netting as the Ranchers take their first lead.  Great team play continues as Romey gets the assist on a nice pass to Lauren on an overlapping run up the middle and she crushes her 2^nd goal of the game.  Bananas get one late in the 4^th to make it close, but the Rancher defense hangs tough, and go on to earn the well deserved “W”.
Final Score:  Ranchers 4 – Blasting Bananas 3

Game 9 – vs PV Patriettes
The second game of today’s double-header turns into an unexpected barn-burning shoot-out with a total of 6 goals being scored before halftime.  Apparently unaffected by the blistering heat, Anna starts things off as Lauren’s thru ball springs her off on one of her patented breakaways down the left side, and a solid strike to the left of the keeper finishes off the run to give the Ranchers the early lead.  The Patriettes come right back though, as a long shot causes confusion in the defense, and it somehow rolls untouched all the way across the front of the goal and just inside the far post.  In the 2^nd, Chandler hooks up with Delaney who gets off a perfectly placed ball in heavy traffic right into the lower left corner for the 2-1 lead.  The Patriettes come storming back with 2 quick goals to jump out in front.  Just before halftime, Lauren’s high, lofting shot is caught by the keeper, but it pushes her back into the goal, and it is ruled that the ball crossed the goal line, and the 3-3 equalizer is awarded to the Ranchers.  The pace slows in the 3^rd, as the heat starts to take it’s toll.  Late in the 3^rd, Anna gets the go-ahead and eventual game winning goal on another “Anna-breakaway” and another blistering shot to finish the run.  The defense stays strong and shuts down the Patriettes attack in the 2^nd half to preserve the 4-3 win.
Final Score:  Ranchers 4 – PV Patriettes 3

Game 10 – vs Rockin Robins
On a sweltering Southern California afternoon, the Ranchers have it firing on all cylinders, as they take 2 out of 3 and the season series with our friends the Rockin Robins.  The first quarter zips by with both teams playing solid, and both defenses holding the game scoreless.  In the 2^nd, Zelpha, playing her best game of the season, gets the assist as a nice cross from her right wing position finds Lauren unmarked at the near post and she blasts it home for a 1-0 lead.  More beautiful passing sets up the 2^nd goal as Romey slides a thru ball past the defense to Anna who picks it up in stride and finishes it off with a solid strike to the left of the keeper.  In the 3^rd, a nice little drop pass from Brooke finds Romey way out at the top right corner of the box, and she sends a high lofting ball that gets over the keeper and into the left side netting for the 3-0 lead.  Early in the 4^th, Romey puts it on ice, as she shows some nice footwork to beat her defender and gets free on a breakaway.  She finishes it off with a well placed ball in the lower right corner.  The Rancher defense has another solid game and earns the clean sheet in the 4-0 victory.
Final Score:  Ranchers 4 – Rockin Robins 0

Game 11 – vs PV Patriettes
Another scorching Southern California afternoon finds the Ranchers matched up in a “friendly” against a red-hot Patriettes squad looking to even up the season series.  The 1^st quarter features both defenses holding the opposing strikers to very few opportunities.  Sahvanah, Skylar and Emily turn the Patriettes back time after time all quarter long.  The combination of Paige sweeping and Ariana in goal is virtually impenetrable.  Ariana easily gobbles up all 3 shots she faces.  In the 2^nd, the Rancher offense continues to struggle, and is unable to hold the ball in the Patriettes half.  The Patriette offense takes advantage and is able to find the Rancher net twice before halftime.  Coming out of halftime, the Ranchers rally on both ends of the field as Anna makes a nice run down the left wing to draw all of the Patriette defense and then finds Romey all alone right in front of the goal.  Romey lights the scoreboard with a well placed ball to the lower right corner.  Paige and the Rancher defense also crank it up a notch as they stuff the Patriette offense and do not allow a shot on goal in the 3^rd quarter.  Defense is the name of the game in the 4^th as well, as Sahvanah, Skylar and Emily, with Ariana sweeping hold the Patriettes to only 2 shots on goal, both easily handled by Paige.  But several missed opportunities in front of the Patriette goal come back to haunt the Ranchers as they are unable to find the equalizer, and the Patriettes even up the season series (1-1-1).
Final Score:  Ranchers 1 – PV Patriettes 2

Game 12 – vs Supreme Limes
In a preview of the Round 1 playoff match up, this week’s friendly pairs the Ranchers with the Supreme Limes.  Playing with only 9 players, and with some strategic coaching maneuvers, some key line up changes provides some interesting and educational situations for the Ranchers.  The 1^st quarter has Romey lined up at left defense and Delaney sliding up into the center forward spot.  Anna starts the scoring early with a run down the left wing and a clean finish to the upper right corner.  The position changes show some inexperience early as a mistake in the backfield leads to a quick Lime goal.  The 2^nd quarter sends Anna to the back line, and inexperience bites again, as the talented Lime center forward takes advantage and drives down the center and puts it away for a 2-1 lead.  The Ranchers defense buttons down in the 2^nd half, as Sahvanah, Romey, and Paige, only allow 2 shots on goal the entire half, both easily handled by Andie.  Anna, back at her familiar left wing position does the rest as she completes the hat trick +1, netting two balls in the 3^rd and one in the 4^th, for a total of four goals on the day.  A fun and enlightening game afforded several players the opportunity to see how the “other” half lives.
Final Score:  Ranchers 4 – Supreme Limes 2

Game 13 – vs Supreme Limes - Playoffs Round 1
The opening round of the playoffs has the #2 seeded Ranchers matched up with the #7 seeded Supreme Limes.  Short two key players, the Ranchers still come out ready to play and jump all over the Lime defense from the start.  The Ranchers create opportunity after opportunity but it appears there is a force field in front of the Lime goal, and they just can’t seem to find the back of the net.  Three balls hit the post, Romey cracks another one off the crossbar, and Lauren sends a solid blast just over the crossbar after she picks off a goal kick and finds herself one on one with the keeper about 18 feet straight out.  The defense is tested as well, as the Limes mount several nice counter attacks only to be denied by Ari, Skylar, and Sahvanah, with Paige sweeping the backline, and Andie making several nice saves, one literally snatching the ball right off the foot of the Lime forward.  Romey finally breaks the force field late in the 2^nd as she blasts a loose ball into the upper right corner and the Ranchers go into halftime up 1-0.  The Rancher frustration of playing so well in the 1^st half and not getting the payoff apparently takes it's toll.  In the 3^rd, the Limes come out firing and with a lot of confidence and quickly put two balls into the net to jump out to a 2-1 lead.  Somewhat stunned in the 3^rd, the Ranchers try to regain their composure in the 4^th, and start pressing and applying a lot of pressure, but credit to the Limes, they have an answer for every strike attempted by the Rancher offense.  Several late mad scrambles inside the Lime box all are cleared out of danger.  The whistle blows, and the Ranchers tender a big congratulations and good luck in the next round to the Supreme Limes who played a fantastic game.
Final Score:  Ranchers 1 – Supreme Limes 2

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Congratulations
2006 GU12 Jolly Ranchers
on a FANTASTIC season 

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 Jolly Ranchers Parents vs Kids Game – 10/29/06

On a beautiful Southern California afternoon, the battle of the ages took place between the Jolly Ranchers (along with the help of a few very talented siblings) and "the old people".  Things looked good early for the "old folks" as size (intimidation factor) and determination (exhaustion had not set in yet), helped the Parents keep the game scoreless.  But midway thru the 1st half, things quickly turned sour for the parents, as goals by Anna, Lauren, and Romey gave the Ranchers a 3-0 lead and temporarily took the wind out of our sails.  A goal by Alan (Andie's Dad) just before halftime gave the "old people" a glimmer of hope.  The rest period was apparently just what we needed as we come roaring out of halftime to score 3 unanswered goals and jump out to a 4-3 lead.  But late in game, a handball in the box, sends the Ranchers to the spot with a chance to even it up.  Tension mounts as Lauren steps up to the spot to face off against the keeper ... her Dad, Joe, for all the marbles.  The whistle blows and Lauren sends a gargantuan blast just past the outstretched hands of her father, and into the back of the net for the equalizer.  The game ends in a well-deserved draw for both teams, but the most important thing was the parents won the silly string fight and we all enjoyed the caramel apples after the game.
Final Score:  Ranchers 4 – Parents 4

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Region 10 Coaches Game – 10/7/06
Who knew there were so many talented coaches in this league.  A well-played “friendly” that featured 4 of your GU12 coaches – Coach Steve (Maroon Typhoon), Coach Dave (PV Patriots), Coach Joe (Blasting Bananas), and me, Coach Ron (Jolly Ranchers) – all playing for the “white-jersey” team.    Coach Ron makes the highlight reel as midway thru the first half, I find myself unmarked in front of the goal and on the receiving end of a nice cross.  A quick touch to gain control, and a quick flick past a scrambling keeper and the good guys are up 1-0.  End-to-end action left many of us looking for the oxygen tanks.  When it was all said and done, a somewhat lopsided final score (5-2 in favor of the good guys) did not reflect the very evenly matched, well-played game.  As for me, I have rediscovered muscles that I had long since forgotten about, and they have let me know that they are not at all happy about having to come out of retirement.  We all had a great time and appreciate all the family and friends that came out to "cheer" us on ... can't wait for the rematch.