Anglers Soccer for Luke and Matt

The Anglers Soccer Program is growing so this season they introduced a new team. Luke made the 7th/8th MEGALODON grade team, and Matthew made the 6th/7th HYDRA team, which had both pros and cons. Yikes, so tricky to get them both to their different practices and games, but nice to have separate teams where they can each excel.

Luke’s new coach was Coach Stu. He was skilled, strict, demanding but encouraging. His practices were Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 5:00 - 6:30 unless a game was scheduled during the week that switched things up.
Matt stayed with Coach Jason. Calm, friendly and happy. His practices were Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 4:00 - 5:30 unless a game was scheduled during the week that switched things up.

Thursday, April 7th - Megalodon against Woodland Park

It was the first game and Coach Stu was anxious to get everyone on the field in different locations to see how they would do. Luke started off in a mid side position and didn’t know what to do at all. Later he was moved to defense and was able to save a goal and felt right at home. Then later he played on the right side and seemed to have gained some confidence. They lost 4-1 but Coach was encouraging and told them all to use it as motivation to get better. Dad was in Wyoming but I enjoyed the game all bundled up and had fun getting to know some of the other friendly parents.

Thursday, April 14th - Megalodon against B-Elite

5:00 - 6:30 at El Pomar. Definitely a good game. No subs so they were tired, but they ended up playing a great game and lost 1-2. Luke felt like he played really well.

Thursday, April 14th - Hydra against Hawks White

5:30 - 7:00 at James Irwin Turf Stadium. (16 minutes away from Luke’s game.) I spent the first half watching Matt and then headed back to pick up Luke and then over to pick up Matt again. Matt played really well and scored a great one in the first half. They won. Can’t remember the score.

Wednesday, April 20th - Megalodon against Pride Red 08

7:30 - 9:00 at James Irwin Turf Stadium — Dad and I were in Provo for Ryan’s Graduation so Megan drove him to his game.

Thursday, April 21th - Hydra against Pride White 09

6:30 - 8:00 at TCA Central — Dad and I were in Provo for Ryan’s Graduation so the Redd’s drove him to his game.

Thursday, April 28th - Hydra against B-elite 08

5:30 - 7:00 Chris drove Luke and Matt down to the field for back-to back games. Chris watched Matt’s game and they were beaten badly. Definitely an experienced team - frustrating to be so outplayed.

Thursday, April 28th - Megladon against Pride United 08

7:30 - 9:00 Chris headed up to Megan’s Varsity Game on Air Academy and I headed down to watch Luke play. The coaches saw Matt finishing up and asked him to stay and sub for the Megaladon game, which he gratefully accepted. He really likes Coach Stu and appreciates the specific coaching he gets. The game was an exciting one and the two teams were really evenly matched, which was fun.
- Luke played right wing and had a couple great runs with the ball — one right before halftime where he dribbled it up the field and almost scored. I was near the opposing team bench taking pictures of Luke when I heard the opposing coach talking to his goalie… “This kid over here is too fast! He’s going to eat your lunch!” It was funny. He is too fast. At the end of the game Coach told Luke he was ‘a gamer’… someone who really picks up his level of play for the games. Great game, Luke!!
- Matt went in as right wing as well and also had great runs. His best play was a sweet cross which gave him an assist. It was a great goal. When Matt came off the field, the coaches said, “Matt! That goal was all you!!” He was pretty happy. At the end of the game, Matt stayed to the end so he could ask Coach Stu for feedback — which was happily given and received.
- Turns out Megan scored 4 goals in her JV game and 1 goal in Varsity. Great Soccer night for the Johnson Family.