Southern Maryland Futsal Club

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Congratulations to the SMFC U16 Girls Team for winning US Futsal 2008 National Championships. For more info on U16’s road to the finals check out story on www.planetfutsal.com.

Photo taken by: Ernie Espejo

Congratulations to the SMFC U-11 Girls team for taking 2nd Place in the United States Futsal National Tournament. The Wolverines went into the finals with 3 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie record going into the playoffs with the top seed in the age group. SMFC faced Daynattiville in the finals which was only team who tied SMFC. This was a exciting game with Daynattiville scoring first, Southern Maryland were forced to start pressing early after missing a couple early opportunity’s. As the end of the 1st half just minutes away Daynattiville defender commits a foul in the box awarding SMFC with a penalty kick, Southern Maryland capitalizes on this opportunity by putting it in the top corner. Second half begins and SMFC controlling the game missing numerous of opportunity’s in front of the goal. As the game gets closer to the end of regulation Daynattiville gets a break on controversial foul in the box rewarding Daynattiville with a penalty kick with 3 minutes left in the game. Daynattiville top scorer steps up to take the penalty kick, while both benches and all fans sitting on the edge of there seats awaiting the kick. Daynattiville top scorer shoots and SMFC goalkeeper with cat like reflexes saves the shot, putting them into overtime. After playing additional two 5 minute overtime periods it was still tied. Both teams exhausted they headed into Penalty Kicks where SMFC loss after having a great tournament and a incredible Championship performance came up a little short, but still being the number 2 team in the country is quite accomplishment.

Congratulation to the women and U19 Girls SMFC teams for taking 2nd place in both age groups after 2 exciting finals. The coaching staff was very proud of the U19 girls and womens team for finishing in 2nd place in both age groups. The majority of the team were dual rostered for both teams having to play in 7 games in 3 days not including the semi finals and finals for both teams totaling 10 games in one weekend. Unfortunately SMFC came under staffed with 6 girls missing because of United States Olympic Development Program Camp that was taking place in Rhode Island. This made it very diffucult and evident in the finals that both teams were very fatigued eventhough controlling much of the games SMFC just needed a little luck to help out after hitting the post several times in finals.

Congratulations to the U13 SMFC team for participating in the US Futsal National Tournament. SMFC finishing 1 win, 1 loss, and 1 tie had a great tournament being placed in the group of death having the three best teams in the age group in group A. Starting out with Pirate Quest (Baltimore Bays) outdoor soccer state and regional champions was a tough task from the start. SMFC strikes 1st early into the game which looked like they were in well in control of the game, dominating the possession time having numerous opportunity’s but not being able to capitalize would later hurt them. With a couple minutes left in the 1st half the Pirates scored on a miscommunication by the defense. The second half started with both teams having opportunity’s to score which neither team could take advantage. After 10 minutes into the second half SMFC once again started to take over the game having various scoring chances even hitting the crossbar and post 3 times it was apparent that SMFC was not going to score on this day. Unfortunately for SMFC this would come back later in the tournament to hurt after losing to Smithfield this put SMFC in a situation where they would have to win there last game by 7 goals and have there destiny lay in the hands of another team winning by certain amount of goals. SMFC was up for the challenge the team had played a great tournament and knew that it was not over yet. Heading into the game the Smithfield had beaten Far Post team 5 to 3 and Pirates defeated Far Post 6 to 1. This game was not going to be an easy task especially because they had to win by 7 goals no other team had done this. SMFC started the game again dominating the game scoring 3 early goals then they hit a scoring wall. It had seemed like SMFC was not going to be able to get the 7 goal win after Far Post scored twice making it 3 to 2 with 12 minutes left in the 1st half. After a much needed time-out the team regrouped and scored 6 unanswered goals. This was quite a accomplishment for the SMFC Wolverines after playing a great tournament came up a little short, Wolverines can walk away with there heads high knowing they have much to be proud of.

Guarda City, Portugal (July 7, 2008)-After losing a close first match to Coimbra Futsal Club (Coimbra, Portugal) 7-4, SMFC bounced back and beat Limeirinha (Guarda Portugal) 9-7, and finished second overall in their group. SMFC started out both matches down 2-0, and at times had problems defending both Coimbra and Limeirinha, but SMFC had no problems scoring goals; SMFC were able to score 13 goals in the two games.

Guarda City, Portugal (July 7, 2008)- The Southern Marland Futsal Club Men´s team placed third place after beating Angola (Africa) futsal team 9-7. After a slow start, SMFC was down 2-0 early, and went into the locker room down 3-2 at half time. The second half was controlled by SMFC, and did a much better job finishing their chances; and at one point SMFC were up three goals. The Angolans scored a couple of late goals, and after pulling their goalkeeper, SMFC scored a late goal to seal the win.
SMFC finished third behind 1st place Benfica (Lisbon, Portugal), and 2nd place Coimbra (Coimbra, Portugal). SMFC were also able to pick other individual honors along their way to receiving their third place medals; Mike Shifflet was named Most Valuable Goalkeeper of the tournament; Denison Cabral was named Most Valuable Player for the third place match, and Garfield Shaw was named Most Valuable Player for SMFC´s win over Limeirinha (Guarda, Portugal).

a href=’http://smdfutsal.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/p7050020.JPG’ title=’p7050020.JPG’>Guarda City, Portugal (July 7, 2008)- The Southern Marland Futsal Club Men´s team placed third place after beating Angola (Africa) futsal team 9-7. After a slow start, SMFC was down 2-0 early, and went into the locker room down 3-2 at half time. The second half was controlled by SMFC, and did a much better job finishing their chances; and at one point SMFC were up three goals. The Angolans scored a couple of late goals, and after pulling their goalkeeper, SMFC scored a late goal to seal the win.
SMFC finished third behind 1st place Benfica (Lisbon, Portugal), and 2nd place Coimbra (Coimbra, Portugal). SMFC were also able to pick other individual honors along their way to receiving their third place medals; Mike Shifflet was named Most Valuable Goalkeeper of the tournament; Denison Cabral was named Most Valuable Player for the third place match, and Garfield Shaw was named Most Valuable Player for SMFC´s win over Limeirinha (Guarda, Portugal).

Photo taken by: Brian Breckenridge