September 14, 2004 > Soccer: From the Sidelines...

by Praveena Raman

The soccer season started with a bang in Fremont on Saturday September 11th. For the first time in the history of the league, FC Fremont opened with a festive parade of the teams and remarks by Dominic Dutra. Even as the opening ceremonies started at 11:00 a.m., many of the teams, referees and coaches were busy, since the first games of the season started at 8:00 a.m.

With the mist still hanging low over the gray morning brightly uniformed soccer players arrived at Central Park with their parents in tow at 7:30 a.m. In field 2, the Golden Eagles and Orange Crush (under 12 boys) teams set up their banners proudly and proceeded to warm up. They made a very colorful and bright picture in their Orange/White and Yellow/Black uniforms in the dull gray morning.

The action started on time with the blow of a whistle and the first kick by the Orange Crush. Soon the ball was bounced back and forth across the big field by energetic youngsters. The excitement in the sidelines also started building up. Newspapers were folded and spectators eagerly participated in the game. Shouts of "Kick the ball, keep it going", "don't wait for the ball, go to it", "to the side", "don't kick it to the yellow", "don't be afraid of the orange kids" were chorusing all together

Suddenly the excitement mounts ending simultaneously with a gleeful cheer and a loud groan as the Orange Crush score their first goal. The Golden Eagles not to be outdone returned ferociously. Midfielders Patrick Painter and Karthik Raman tackled the Orange Crush head-on without being intimidated by their tall players. With great passes they kept the ball in motion among their teammates. Golden Eagle Calvin Chiang became the star when with great expertise and dramatics he dribbled the ball really fast and kicked it hard into the goal amid great cheers, making the score even.

During the second half of the game, forward Scott Kavanagh for the Golden Eagles played hard with an admirable defense shown by Grant Lam. Both the Golden Eagles goalies, Arun Kuriakose and Beau Lawrence played well saving many goals and giving only two more to the Orange Crush. At the end the Golden Eagles gave a tough fight but lost the game 3-1 to the Orange Crush.

If you would like to see your team included in the soccer section of the Tri-City Voice send your team results, names of players being spotted for their excellent play, a couple of lines or important points about the play to the attention of Praveena Raman at tricityvoice@aol.com. An action photograph can also be included.