posted Feb 4, 2012 8:27 PM by Aric Canonico
The players, coaches, and parents of EPIC Blizzard have been voted by their peers as the fair play winner of the Randy Rawls Sportsmanship Award for their efforts this fall season. Congratulations to all for competing with character during your championship run and final ODSL season. |
posted Nov 21, 2011 1:17 PM by Aric Canonico
 Epic Blizzard put their undefeated fall record on the line as they competed in the Premier Division at this year's Hunt Country Classic. Pool play started with an all West Virginia matchup against the NCU Fury. A physical game, the girls emerged with a 1-0 victory with a goal from leading scorer Atley Fortney on a nice assist from Callista Clairmont. The second game of the day against ODSL rival Culpeper Comets also resulted in a victory. Maddie Maloney sealed the win with the team's second goal of the game on a strong individual play. Sunday's semi-final game found the Blizzard down an early goal to the LMVSC Patriots. Battling back with three goals and stellar keeper play from Fina Maerten, the girls earned their way into the championship game. The team talked in the huddle how each game would be harder then the last and this proved quickly true as their opponents in the final, HYS Calypso controlled possession and tempo throughout the final match. With few opportunities, the girls took advantage of an early chance and netted a goal for what turned out to be the game's only score. For the next forty-five minutes, HYS Calypso was relentess in attack with the ball rarely venturing into their own half. Although outplayed, the girls maintained their advantage with a bend don't break mentality that culminated with a sliding, saving clear from Chica Hinkle with only seconds to play. EPIC Blizzard finished their fall season holding the championship trophy and capping off a truly unbelievable year. Congratulations girls! |
posted Nov 14, 2011 8:43 PM by Aric Canonico
EPIC Blizzard recently completed a perfect run through ODSL Division 1 to earn the title of division champions. The perfect season included four shutouts in eight games. The hardworking girls led the division in goals scored with 28 strikes from ten different players past opposing keepers. Scoring was led by center striker Atley Fortney who had 11 goals in 8 games. Not to be outdone, Blizzard defenders only conceded 6 goals all season, also a division best. This season's defense was anchored by Blizzard captains, Calli Maloney and Kate Glenn. Every player made significant contributions to the team's success. Dedication and hard work at practice were the keys to the picture perfect ending to our ODSL run. Congratulations girls, can't wait to see what you do next. |
posted Aug 28, 2011 7:56 AM by Aric Canonico
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updated Aug 28, 2011 8:48 AM
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With Hurricane Irene closing in on Gettysburg, the 2011 Battlefield Blast was in jeopardy of even being played. Tournament officials decided to condense the tournament to a long one day event. The Blizzard girls entered pool play early Saturday morning in their very first 11v11 tournament. Their first match was against Dublin Darlington. Neither team found the net but it was a good match and one point for both teams. The girls got on the scoreboard next match with a 2-0 win thanks to two goals from Maddie Maloney. Blizzard continued their winning ways with a 1-0 victory over the Broadneck Bays with a lone goal from center striker Atley Fortney. With two wins and a tie, the girls won their pool and advanced to the finals against the Rheems Raptors, the other pool winner. The winds were howling and the rain picked up as the full length championship began. The girls had trouble maintaing possession as the Raptors played an aggressive and physical format and style. At halftime, we switched our midfield in hopes to relieve some of the pressure we were up against. Mid-way through the second half, Callista Clairmont found her way into the box unmarked and redirected the winning goal into the back of the net. Congratulations to all the girls, especially our defense and our goalkeepers for the tournament (Fina, Melody, and Maddie) as they did not concede a goal the entire day. Great job! |
posted Jul 6, 2011 9:06 PM by Aric Canonico
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updated Jul 7, 2011 4:45 PM
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All the state champions from the northeast gathered last week to battle on the field to see who would be crowned regional champion. It was a great honor for the Blizzard girls to be one of those teams that earned a berth to this elusive tournament.
This year's tournament was held in Lancaster, PA over the 4th of July weekend. Opening ceremonies were held at Hersheypark Stadium. It was an incredibly satisfying feeling to be a part and walk in the parade of champions knowing how hard we worked this last year to earn that title. That feeling of accomplishment turned to anxiousness as we waited for tipoff of our first match the following morning.
We were paired up against Bayside from Rhode Island in our first game. Stumbling out of the gates we conceded two early goals in the contest. We fought hard the remaining fifty minutes and the game ended by the same score. Getting into the opponent's box was more difficult then ever before. With Hersheypark only minutes away and a late game the next day, most of the team took the opportunity to shake off the loss with an afternoon full of rollercoasters and water rides.
Saturday brought another tough opponent to the field. Blizzard squared off with the NY State wildcard Saratoga. A physical team, the girls held their own but conceded a late goal in each half. For a small club from a small state, we were consoled by the fact that the games were close and we had given our best. With no pool at the hotel, the kids and coach were left to make due, turning the lobby into a living room and a night full of cards and laughs.
Sunday's contest was against the eventual pool winner Far Post soccer club out of Vermont. Blizzard played an excellent first half but still found themselves down a goal at the break. Three days of terrific teams finally wore down the girls. Far Post found the net three times in the second half.
They say you learn more from a loss, and as a team we learned that we need to double our efforts that got us here in the first place. Defender Maddie Maloney summed up her experience, "Regionals was an exciting and fun experience for me. The opening ceremony was a special experience that I will never forget. I think the whole tournament was organized very nicely. I enjoyed seeing all of the different teams come out and I enjoyed playing against them too. I have learned alot of things that I can do to become a better player from playing against other talented teams. I hope to come back next year and do even better than I did this year".
Exactly right Maddie....next year we will be even better and hopefully earn our way back to Regionals again!. |
posted Jun 26, 2011 5:39 PM by Aric Canonico
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updated Jun 27, 2011 11:36 AM
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The field of teams may have been small but the competition was anything but at Blizzard's inaugural attempt at capturing the Mountaineer Open. Saturday's first game, the girls were matched up against the SYA Lady Leopards. Terrific effort and smart passing gave the Blizzard a 4-0 victory that was led by captain Fred Dominiski who found the net three times for her first outdoor hat trick. In her final guest appearance before officially joining the Blizzard, Atley Fortney scored the remaining goal, her fifth of the tournament season. The girl's second match of the day was against a speedy and talented HSC Freedom team. The girls could not match the Hagerstown's team effort and lost 4-1 with a lone goal from leading scorer Callista Clairmont.
Vowing to makeup for Saturday afternoon's performance proved no easy task. After injuries and illness, the girls started the day with only eleven players. The semifinal contest was a rematch against the Lady Leopards of Smithsburg. The hard fighting Leopards took a 1-0 lead late into the game. A final offensive push in the last ten minutes resulted in a 2-1 come from behind win with goals from midfielder Sabrina Menefee and Atley Fortney.
The championship match found the girls facing the Freedom squad in a rematch. This time, Blizzard matched the intensity of their opponents in what turned out to be the match of the weekend. The momentum in the game went back and forth as each team exchanged powerful shots, near misses and terrific keeper play. With minutes remaining, Sabrina Menefee broke free from her defender and found the back of the net for the contest's lone goal. Blizzard survived the next few minutes by playing all out with everyone helping protect the lead. Seconds after the last Freedom shot bounced off the post, the whistle blew and the girls were victorious. Congratulations go to all teams participating for some very exciting play but especially to our girls for keeping the trophy in West Virginia and winning their third tournament of the season. |
posted Jun 25, 2011 10:07 PM by Aric Canonico
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updated Jun 26, 2011 2:21 PM
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As our season break begins and our thoughts turn to summer vacations, here is a photo challenge to keep Blizzard on our minds. We are looking for the funniest photos from far away lands that you can take. So if you are rubbing elbows with the Queen, or find yourself in a jail in Tijuana...snap a picture. Just remember to wear your EPIC shirt or have your ball in the photo so we can show the world that Blizzard was there. Good luck and have fun! |
posted Jun 25, 2011 9:51 PM by Aric Canonico
Last weekend we cooled off the year with our annual pool party and picnic. After all the bellyflops and hamburgers it was time to give thanks and praise to all the players for their hard work this last year. We are extremely proud of all the players on the 2010-11 Blizzard roster. The following awards were given out for special recognition:
Most Improved Player: Madison Hinkle
Blue Collar Award: Calli Maloney
Best Moment of the Year: Kate Glenn
Player of the Year: Callista Clairmont
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posted Jun 2, 2011 2:12 AM by Aric Canonico
EPIC's U-12 Girls soccer team won their first State Championship last weekend in Beckley, WV. After qualifying third seed in preliminary games, the Blizzard girls were matched against the second seeded Chaos Goal Rush in the semi-final match on Saturday.
A hard fought back and forth game full of near misses and great saves, the Blizzard girls with just minutes remaining, broke the scoreless tie with a punishing direct kick that found the back of the net from the foot of right fullback Calli Maloney.
On Sunday the final match, the Blizzard girls were matched against the powerful first seed WVUSC Golden Eagles. Excited and determined to bring the trophy home, the girls started out with a relentless attack that resulted in four goals in the first half. Blizzard's first goal came just minutes after the whistle. Again, Calli Maloney gave EPIC the lead by scoring on a penalty kick. Two more goals were scored by Blizzard's leading scorer, Callista Clairmont. Mikayla Palacios also found the side netting with a beautiful one timer from just inside the box. A truly team effort, the EPIC Blizzard soccer team won 4-1 and finished their incredible run with a team celebration at midfield once the final whistle blew.
Way to go girls! We are all so very proud of you. |
posted Jun 1, 2011 7:41 PM by Aric Canonico
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updated Jun 1, 2011 11:30 PM
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The Blizzard girls won their first Bull Run Tournament on May 28th/29th 2011 in Haymarket, VA. Blizzard was one of ten teams competing for this year's title. The tournament began with a 4-1 win over always competitive CYA Freedom. Callista Clairmont scored 13 seconds into the game to set the tone for the weekend competition. EPIC Blizzard followed that game with a convincing 6-0 win over the LMVS Patriots. Scoring was led by Callista with two of her five goals for the weekend.
Day 2 marked a difficult match between the girls and fellow Division 1 opponent VYS Thunder. Previously beaten by the Thunder in league play, Blizzard came out firing again to an early 3-0 lead and managed to hang on for an exciting 4-3 victory. Great play on both sides made for an unbelievable match. Having secured the championship match, Blizzard let down in the next contest losing to Mclean 2-1 with a lone goal from guest player Atley Fortney.
The championship game featured on turf pitted the ODFC Twisters against the girls in blue. A tough opponent, the girls were finding it difficult to pentrate the Twister defense until two minutes left in the first half when Atley Fortney intercepted a goal kick out of mid-air and turned it into a 1-0 halftime lead with a beautiful left-footed finish. The second half was equally tough as both teams wanted the title. Halfway through, Blizzard's captain, Olivia Dominiski got control of a loose ball in the box and knew exactly where to put it. Our girls on defense stiffened up with a 2-0 lead and brought home the trophy.
Congratulations to all the players who perservered in the heat and took home the hardware. Job well done!
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