Coach Name:
Joe James, Henry Lystad

Contact Info:
Team manager, Cristine Mitchell, 729-0343
mitchell4541@msn.com

May 3-4- As Justin summarized on the homepage of the site, we took an underdog team comprised of 60% U13- (5) U12 and (4) U13 athletes to Cortez for the first tournament of the spring and came away with a 2nd place finish in the U16 bracket!  By adding a couple of older players, (Mitch Mosser, Victor Major and Morgan Pihl), we were able to better compete against a lopsided size disadvantage.  Our kids were constantly challenged to run faster, ball-handle better, pass crisper, strike harder and think smarter, as we finished the tourney with 1 win and 1 loss each day.  The highlights, of course, were handing a very MATURE Montrose squad a sound defeat on Saturday, 3-1, and following that up with a good 'ol Sunday morning thumping of the Ridgway Blackhawks 6-2.  The boys played one of the finest 70 minutes of soccer that anyone had seen at this tournament, consistently baffling the taller, stronger and faster Ridgway roster.  Sunday afternoon saw the Crossfire coming up against a slightly different look from the Montrose team, as several players "absent" from the Saturday game came down to exact some revenge on us.  Telluride "won" the first half by keeping the score tied at 1-1, but the 20-deep roster on the Montrose bench proved to be an endless supply of fresh, fast legs, wearing our guys down to take the game 5-2.  The kids played these bigger teams with so much heart, intensity and skill.  The greatest compliment we, as coaches, can receive is the numerous accolades from the referees and from the other coaches and fans.  We were the perfect sports, and showed the region that hard practice pays off! 

 April 26-  The Boys played their hearts out today in a doubleheader against a much older, stronger, taller and faster Durango team, consisting primarily of match hardened 14 year olds.  The freshly lined Lawson Hill field did not play a hospitable home field host as cold winds whipped players, coaches and spectators.  In the noon game, 12 year old Justice James was the lone scoring Crossfire player, with a beautiful, arcing strike from the right, almost from the end line.  Not enough in the end as we lost 5-2, gaining an additional point from an "own goal" header off a Durango defender.  Game two saw the boys playing a much smarter and more skillful attack- again with James scoring the lone goal off a beautiful breakaway.  Slator Aplin nudged the ball through the Durango midfield to a streaking James, who then beat the Durango goalie on a classic one on one scenario.  With few substitutes to offer ample rest to the starting 11, the Crossfire once again came up short and lost the battle 2-1.  Outstanding performances worth special mention came from Goalie Nico Shapiro, defenders Willie Fronwfelter, Jared Balkind and Niki "the axe man" Jones, as well as Mid-fielders, Slator Aplin and Tait Lystad.  Forward Ian "Q-tip" Mitchell, made believers out of the Durango giants that it ain't the size of the package, it's what's inside that counts!  Joe and I consistently exclaimed to one another what a great job Ian was doing despite his size mis-match with the Durango defenders. 

With practices beginning on grass this week (hopefully), we are looking forward to the boys making large strides in their game, as is their trademark season after season.  Keep an eye on the U14 Boys homepage schedule for last minute updates on practices and games. 

Practice on Monday night 4/21 went well, but fitness is definately an issue!  These kids need to be working with a soccer ball on off-practice days and/or doing some running to catch up on fitness.  We have a short regular season, but intend on taking most of these young men to some additional U-13 tournaments throughout the summer. 

Please check this website on a regular basis, as it will be the method for a lot of last minute communication.  Cristine Mitchell has graciously volunteered to be the Team Manager.  Thanks Cristine!  If any one has questions that are team related, they should go through Cristine first.  If your young athlete will be missing any practices or games, you MUST contact Cristine 729-0343, Joe 729-0985, or Henry 708-0159 in advance.  The kids know this.  Joe and I look forward to a very rewarding and successful Spring Soccer Season.