THE STORY OF THE SPIRIT

The F.C. Somers Spirit were formed in the spring of 2004 initially training with 8 hardworking U-8 girls. The girls trained that spring and participated in our club's Memorial Day Soccer Tournament. Tryout were held and 13 players were selected. The team was off and rolling.

The first season (Fall 2004) the team won 6 games and lost 4, a success for a start-up team! That winter the team continued training (indoors) and entered their 1st tournament; the March of Dimes indoor tournament. Through some great play, the Spirit tied for 1st place. Later that winter the team came in 3rd place at the Wappingers indoor tournament. The Spring of 2005 brought the team more success as the team won 7, lost 2 and tied 1. And, they won the East Fishkill Memorial Day tournament. The team was improving game after game. Most amazing was the fact that 12 of the 13 girls scored goals that 1st year proving that they each took turns sharing the spotlight.

The Fall of 2005 kicked off with a great showing at the Yorktown Labor Day tournament, going 2-0-2 without giving up a goal. That Fall, the team went 6-2-1 continuing the success the team had begun the year before but more importantly, their quality of play continued to amaze.

That Winter, the team won the East Hudson indoor tournament and came in 2nd place at the March of Dimes tournament. The team continued their indoor training in preparation for the Spring 2006 season. They played outdoors in March in the cold and won the Iona kick-off tournament.

The Spring of 2006 proved to be their finest showing as the team won 7 while losing only 1 and proving they could play with division 1 teams! The girls allowed only 6 goals in the 8 games played!

Now the team embarks on the Fall 2006 season with the team seeded in the highest division which will bring out the best in both the team and its individual players.  All continue to contribute on and off the scorebook.

These 17 young ladies are not only fine soccer players but amazing and caring people. The team has held 3 car washes not only to help the team out but to also help out those in need. Last Fall the team donated $1,000 (including matches) for Hurricane Katrina relief and this fall the team donated money for a family in town needing our assistance. A Spirit car wash is a real fun and amazing event. The players and parents all bond together working feverishly to appease their customers while listening to music from yesteryear (the 70's). No one is allowed to rest as it is a full team effort! Spirit siblings also participate in the fun! Then when you think the players are totally spent - they rush to the field for practice…….what amazing energy these girls have!

The Spirit's love and dedication is not only for soccer, but for each and every team player. These girls have bonded over the years, sharing many laughs, some tears, witnessing player injuries, along with occasional disappointments. To sum it up, they truly are all great friends, who are wonderfully supportive of each other. The team and parents are truly one big family, and the Spirit girls certainly have each and every family member of the team supporting them on and off the field!

Any Spirit practice session is filled with young ladies working hard to be the best soccer players they can be - and having fun while they are doing it. The best part of practice is the Q&A sessions where many times prizes are awarded for correct answers.

The team is proud to be a member of F.C. Somers - come out and watch these girls play and cheer them on!