By PETA HOLMES
THE Noosa Eagles’ soccer season got off to a wonderful start for their first home games on Saturday.
With numbers in the club up 40 per cent, players and supporters are definitely in for a super season this year.
Here are the results and highlights from the weekend.
Under-6 Black lost to the Unity Vipers. A huge effort was put in by all players and a lot of fun was had. Man-of-the-match was Noah Tomkins, who also scored a goal.
Under-6 White played against Siena Swans and drew 4-4. These little novices are coming together well as a team. Adler Lenitschek was the star of the day with lots of quick thinking in defence, and saved lots of goals when he was between the posts. Micah had some great runs with the ball and Charlie Owens’ fearlessness in attack kept the Swans on their toes.
Noosa under-7 played Stella Tornadoes, with the result 3-1 to Noosa. Joel Fitzgerald played his little heart out, scored the goal and got the player-of-the-week award.
Noosa under-7 Black played Unity Cobras – results 2-6.
Noosa under-8 Black played against Buderim Lightning, 2-0 to Noosa.
The under-8s this week played an awesome game with many attempts by most of our team, and with Alaska Rosenkranz managing to get two past the goalie. Isaac Benjamin and Jaimen Slavin both did a great job in goals. And Charlie Drew one of the newest members of our team took home the encouragement award for the week.
Noosa under-8 Gold played against Buderim Panthers with a 3-3 draw. Coaches awards went to Riley Mitchell who scored a goal, and Valentino Binks with great defence. Thompson Nimac had his kicking boots on scoring the other two goals. The team was unlucky to draw as Buderim scored with the last kick of the game.
Under-9 Gold played Buderim Storm, 1-7.
Under-10 Gold played Buddina Vipers, 0-0.
Under 12 Gold played Chancellor Challengers, 1-4.
The under-12s had two players away, so they played well considering they only had nine of 11 players on the field. The first half was chaotic but the second half was much more organised with Noosa Gold remembering the only way to win is as a team. Our defence, consisting of Sarah White, Cassady Hillegers and Lauren Roche held their positions firm and Sarah earned player-of-the-week and was praised by her team-mates after the game.
The second half was much better as the players all held their positions, passed to each other and Elijah Taylor scored our only goal. James Zigliotto and newcomer Jobe Higgins proved to be a good mid field match up and worked well together.
Luke Hart, our least experienced forward proved himself as a naturally skilled and fast player and backed up other forwards including Ethan Mitchell who, as usual, proved dependable.
Dre Murphy showed talent as goalie, stopping at least half a dozen goals from a particularly agile and impressive Chancellor Challenger striker.
Under-14 Gold played Unity Vipers, 3-6.