SF Field Hockey

Where are they now?

2006-12-17T08:38:00.000-08:00

So where are they now?

Brett is in Memphis
www.memphisfieldhockey.com

Maarten is in Holland
Til is in Germany
Olaf is in Germany
Louise and Phil are back in Ireland

SF Hockey Still Going Strong

2006-12-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

Ok, so there haven't been many posts here in the past year. Don't be alarmed; the sf team is still playing and still having fun. I think folks are just suffering from blog fatigue....to contact the team and to see the teams latest results check out bafha.org

SFX Pre-End of Season Party!

2005-10-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

This Friday October 21st at 8pm

Pre-end of season party for the SFX Hockey Team (Don't worry Lisa, we
will make sure you are around for the real one)

8pm at the Rickshaw Stop

www.rickshawstop.com
155 Fell Street, between Van Ness and Franklin

Bring yourself and bring a friend. Bonus points for fun friends.

Be prepared for an evening of excess...$6 Vodka and Rockstars...live
band after 10pm...

See you there!

Long Road Back

2005-09-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

OK - here it is.

Torn ACL......good news that I can run, cycle & swim. Bad news is no hockey etc due to instability. But I still want to play so I will probably have surgery in 4-6 weeks when full movement has returned in an attempt to play again. Rehab is another 3-4 months....

Oh yes and 50% chance of arthritis in the knee in 5 years. Triffic.

SFX

2005-09-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

So here is a brief recap of the past week or so:

Last Match: Our last regular season match started well. We were playing against PA Blue and we were playing even with them, until the last 10 minutes of the first half when Corin attacking into the PA circle took a hard fall. Something was definitely wrong as Corin did not get up for several minutes and had to be helped off the field. Julian from SF1 filled in, but the team never was the same after losing one of its key players and leaders.

A few days later we learned the bad news that Corin had torn his ACL. Corin is a persistent and steadfast player so we are confident that he will approach his rehab in the same manner and will rejoin the active squad sometime next season.

BAFHA End of Season Cup Competition: No word yet from the league when that will occur

Olaf has departed happy SF to return to the grey cold of hockey in Germany. We will miss him as a player and a teammate. Hopefully his travels take him back to SF and he can rejoin the team some day.

New Players: Hey, the news is not all bad. We have two new players joining our team.

Jan is from Germany and was sent to play for us because the German hockey association heard that we were falling below the stipulated 25% level of German players.

Pierre is from France and joins us from the "Racing club de France" where he played on the team that won the second division French Championship.

End of Season Party
Yes, it is getting close to that time again. In addition, if we time it right, we will also be able to celebrate the fact that Maize is a new father (Ute is due in around 4 weeks!)

So, lets plan on having the party around mid October....

SF-X 4 Palo Alto Red 6

2005-08-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

In a game of contrasting fortunes, we suffered from defensive frailty for the first time this season and showed great composure in front of goal (also for the first time this season!).

SF-X got off to a flying start when wunderkind Helene timed her run perfectly behind a static defense where Olaf picked her out with a pinpoint 25 yard pass. A deft touch to round the keeper and a nonchalant backstick finish is a great way to make your debut.
Palo Alto responded immediately when we (i.e me) were caught napping at the back leaving Jim no chance to save from close range. We bounced back with a goal from Christian (or was it Olaf or Helene ?) but PA scored just before the break with a very well taken deflected shot into the far corner.

We were shaken by a quick two goals at the start of the second half when we failed to clear our lines (good job Parvinder wasn't back there too!) and suffered another two reverses to sit on a very unpalatable 2-6 scoreline.

But then, cometh the hour, cometh the man. James roamed forward, found space, and rifled a piledriver of a shot past a shell shocked PA keeper. Why stop there ? In the next minute we pulled another goal back when Helene ( or Christian or Olaf - Who can tell with all that blonde hair anyway).

All in all, great to score four times, not so great to ship six - but the beers were cold after the match and were a nice pitchside farewell to Olaf.......

SF-X 2 Cal 1

2005-07-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

Wow - what a game. Fielding ten ragged players against the 16 or so fit young things from Berkeley looked to be a tall order. However, we rose to the challenge with a tireless midfield of Maize, Olaf and Brett providing an outlet from an overworked though dogged defense. We were called 'veteran players' by Cal - as a compliment I think !
Olaf opened the scoring from a crisp short corner midway through the first half but our celebrations were short lived as Cal hit back almost immediately.

A perfectly balanced game was turned in our favor (American spelling though I'm not sure why given our team make-up) when Olaf drilled a 70 yard through ball to Parvinder who created space, drew the last defener and slipped the ball to lisa - unmarked at the top of the D.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man - or woman in our case as Lisa, predator in their midst, calmly controlled the ball and chipped her shot past an advancing keeper. A nervous moment as teh ball looked to be drifting wide, but no, it rattled around the backboards as SF-X teammates celebrated from 80 yards away (because they were all too tired to run up and support !).

The second half could have been one of collapse as the energy sapping heat was enough to break the morale of most teams. However, a valiant rearguard action, marshalled by the tough tackling Andreas, held the line firm and as the game wore on Cal became increasingly frustrated with a very disciplined SF-X team.

The final whistle did come with some relief - but hey, we're back !

SF1 5 PAB 1

2005-06-22T16:27:00.000-07:00

For a minute there I thought it was 2004! San Francisco hockey club was back in form on Sunday! It just goes to show how good of a group we can be when we play together. For those of you who do not know we man handled PAB on Sunday. The possession was all ours the defense was solid, it was a great day for SF. Thanks to the SFX players who crossed over and helped out.
The game started well for both teams spreading the ball around, SF had most of the ball and I guess Phill got tired of the lack of scoring and took the ball in to the D and gave it a good wack. 1 nill! nice goal Phill. Maze tried to get in on the action with a somewhat strong shot at the top of the D. Nigel came infront of the keeper and trapped the ball, turned and flicked it in to the net, 2-nill! Sorry to take your goal away maze but we are both leading the league in goals scored, besides your shot was a little weak and I did you a favor by giving you an assist. Like I said SF was very impressive with the ball on Sunday, spreading it wide. There were some great runs by the two wing forwards ( Hayler and Parvinder). PAB was a good defense and played well for the score to only be 2-nill at the half.
The half time was spent in the shade drinking H2O and feeling good about ourselves.
BAM!!!!!!!! 3-nill. Yes we scored in the first 2 minutes of the second half. Once again we had taken over a game. Maze got a nice goal from top of the circle which put him on top of the scoring table ( see what happens maze when you play for SF1). I think it is safe to say we left the best for last which began at our own 22 on the side line. Jemma played it to Phill who split 2 defenders and then laied the ball up to Lo who also show a little skill and then quickly gave a nice long ball over to Parvinder. Parvinder beat one man and was in the circle and put the ball at the far post where Hayler knocked it in! Great goal, everyone should get an assist on that one.
Final score was 5-1. I have to say it was a pleasure to play for SF. Once again the cooler was full of beers and most of the lads stuck around for a few drinks, good times!
We did get a chance to watch the 2 best teams in our league duke it out to a 4-4 tie. I think we all realized that we still have some work to do to defeat both of these teams. I know we can do it. It just means we need at least 12 players turning up to play. Come on San Francisco lets play some compeative hockey again, this is a great step in the right direction.
Oh, since we play each other lets have a team social after the match on July 10.

SF-X 2 Palo Alto Red 5

2005-06-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

A tough loss in sweltering heat is how I look at this one. The first half (with only 10 players) opened badly when a mislaid pass was picked off and the ball was in the back of the net before the defence could regroup. But this was not a sign a things to come as we rallied superbly and took the game to PA. Parvinder rattled the ball into the keepers pads (it was probably harder to miss than score mind !) before Maize picked up another Parvinder rebound to chip the ball home. At 1-1 in a close game we felt pretty good at half time, especially with Lisa's rested legs to race around for the second half.

Unfortunately, another quick PA goal followed by three more in fifteen minutes shredded our hopes of a result but we did get he last laugh when Maize collected his second of the day and seventh of the season.

Heat may have sapped our legs but not our morale as we go into the remainder of the season !

SF Hockey donates to Special Olympics

2005-06-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

I know you were all wondering what happened to that fines money from Virginia :-) Well, it did make its way into good hands..

From Steven Scott at the Special Olympics:

"Thank you so much for your generous donation of $226.00 to Special Olympics Northern California! Your support will be put to work immediately to help to improve the life of an individual with intellectual disabilities. Your gift means an athlete can make new friends, experience the thrill of winning and feel the team spirit that helps build self-esteem. Special Olympics athletes spend countless hours training in their sports, an investment that transcends the playing field. For example, swimming isn't just about doing laps -- it's overcoming barriers, it's perseverance and success. Through our year-round programs of sports training and competitions, an athlete develops confidence and skills that will last a lifetime. To stay informed of our activities, please visit our website at http://www.specialolympics.org, or call me at + 1(800) 700-8585. So, from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you for helping to make the dreams of our athletes and their families come true. Gratefully, Steven D. Scott Donor Services"

Well done everyone - doing their bit on, and off, the field.

SFX Loss to Santa Clara

2005-06-07T00:02:00.000-07:00

The game started out looking like it was going to be lopsided. A couple of early short corner goals by SC within the first 10 minutes of the game had the spectators wondering if they should look away. But the team found its feet and started coming together. The remainder of the first half had the SFX team holding steady and even launching some attacks into the SC circle. A great goal by the forwards (Jason with the final tip in) put the game within reach. At halftime the score was 1 to 2.

The second half started well; the defense was holding firm and the ball was making its way into the SC circle. The momentum started to shift SC's way and they were mounting a series of attacks into SFX's circle. Again and again, the defense held firm until disaster struck. Andreas in an effort for death or glory decided to block a shot with his head. The good news is that he managed to save the shot on goal, the bad news is that he had to leave the game and head to the hospital for stitches.

Andreas' mid half departure put the defense off balance, and SC capitalized on it. SC scored three goals in five minutes while the SFX team struggled to adjust their formation. Score 1-5.

A few minutes later, the team was able to rearrange the formation and started to recontrol the game. SFX started some attacks into the circle that yielded a Maze goal (score 2-5) and several near misses from the others. The team held steady for the remainder of the game and managed to control the majority of the play. SC managed to score a final goal on a breakaway.

Team spirits were high after the match. We realized that except for 15 minutes of play, we actually out played them. Which is quite good considering they are at the top of the league and are currenlty undefeated. We are defintiely looking forward to playing them again and also looking forward to our next match on Sunday.

SF1 5 Cal 4

2005-05-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

Well a lucky win was had by SF1 this past weekend. Feilding only 10 players SF1 played in a formation on 3-3-3-1. Once again SF1 showed their skill in passing the ball around and making good chargers in to the circle. With 2 goals coming from penalty corners and the third from a penatly corner break down. Cal scored on a well deserved goal to make the score 3-1 at the half.
The second half was much like the first except Nigel moved back in to midfeild and his man he was marking made him look like a complete fool and scored twice. Lo was making some good runs up front and then Peter joined in on the action along with Hayler. It appears that the league has something against Hayley, his first goal was taken away and then towards the very end of the match Haler made a great cricket block with the ball clearly crossing the line. The goalie then was able to smack the ball out of the goal before it hit the backboard and the Ref gave SF1 a penatly corner! Unlucky Hayler. The final score was 5-4. Give credit where it is due, Cal played very good, a nice win for SF1 now in the upper middle of the tables. Next weeks match will be a real test! We take on Santa Clara, so all hands on deck! Lets take down the leaders with another nice win.
"Just Win Baby"

SF-X 4 Marin 4

2005-05-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

OK so, seven versus nine may not be the ideal match-up but it was a very entertaining game. A couple of gaols apiece from the tireless Kirchgaessner and the ageless Singh appeared to be enough for a win but the weight of Marin numbers eventually told as they grabbed a late equaliser.

Hopefully our European imports will make themselves available this Sunday Vs Cal beginning 2.30pm at STANFORD.

Let Brett & myself know your availability.......orange (well, OK, tangerine) socks await !
Oh yes - bring your $40 checks please !

2005-05-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

I think Jemma wanted you two to reveal your hand. No wonder Craig was not impressed...

2005-05-02T19:34:00.000-07:00

Even a yellow card cannot keep this fella down.

2005-05-02T19:24:00.000-07:00

Triffic.

2005-05-02T19:23:00.000-07:00

But the lads always remembered their motto...."We're a focking unit,boys, a focking unit !"

2005-05-02T19:21:00.000-07:00

But fatigue set in....

2005-05-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

Everything was looking rosy....

Corin is Sooo Busted!

2005-05-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

The rumor went round on Saturday afternoon that Corin was thinking of leaving early from the tourney. When "confronted" with this shocking rumor, he replied "uh, well I haven't really changed my plans, I was just looking into it. My ankle hurts a bit and I am not sure if I can play"

As the team was happily enjoying some team building and socializing opportunities Saturday night, the general thought was that Corin had realized what a bad idea it would be to leave the tour early.

Much to our surprise, at Sunday morning roll-call Corin was AWOL (for the Germans and other random nationalities on our team, this stands for absent without leave (absent with out permission))

So teammates, any ideas for an appropriate punishment?

Corin, can you walk us through your thought process here?

US Club Championships - 5th Place!

2005-05-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

IMPORTANT Rules Regarding Tour Posts:
What goes on tour stays on tour, except for vague intriguing references.

15 teams* from all over the country came to Virginia Beach to compete to see who would be the top club.

The weekend was an educational experience for us

Half the team arrived Thursday at midnight. Despite the late arrival, we managed to learn several important facts:
1. Last call is 2am, but stores stop selling at midnight.
2. Some peope like sugar and cinnamon, others just like cinnamon

The remainder of the team arrived Friday
What did we learn?
1. Jemma is not the ideal person to have meet you at the airport
2. Some teams have good short corners

Saturday lessons
1. There are fines for almost everything
2. Maize likes to swim
3. Cola + Burgundy = Good

Saturday Night
1. 25%, I stand by my estimate
2. flourescent glasses
3. Nigel and his mug

Sunday
1. Corin is sooo busted!
2. Nigel is good at telling time
3. Craig and Phil can be quiet

We finished in 5th place, with no major injuries except the self-inflicted ones

Team donation to Special Olympics $200.

*5 mens teams and 10 womens teams

SF-Expansion 3 Palo Alto Blue 1

2005-04-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

Fielding only 9 fit players and a hobbling old nag who would be better off being put down playing at sweeper, SF-X pulled off a shock victory against capable opposition. Palo Alto sportingly declined our request for an extra player and were made to pay for their 'eager to grab the points at all costs' approach.

Dr. Menge launched a forty yard aerial which caused havoc in the Palo Alto defence as Parvinder Singh rolled back the years to drift past several defenders and draw the keeper before gifting Mathias Kirchgaessner an open goal in which to slot the ball home.

Further damage was inflicted when Andreas Kadavanich found acres of space at the top of the D, as hard running forwards dragged their markers wide, to drill a low shot wide of the keeper.

Going into the break, SF-X knew that a hard second half beckoned. Despite a flurry of Palo Alto attacks the SF defence held firm. SF-X looked to have put the game beyond all doubt the when the tireless Kirchgaessner added a second but Palo Alto struck back when a free hit was fortuitously deflected over the diving Georgius. This spurred Palo Alto forward and only a miracle save involving Georgius and both goal posts allowed SF-X to maintain the margin of victory.

Game / Schedule Info

2005-03-29T01:13:00.000-08:00

Let's use this thread to put the latest game info-
when and where we are playing, etc.

Match Recaps

2005-03-29T00:06:00.000-08:00

Follow this thread to read the exciting match recaps for the two SF Teams

SF-X 5 Marin 0

2005-03-28T13:10:00.000-08:00

The German imports of Olaf Modrozynski (2) and Matthias 'Maize' Kirchgaessner (3) combined to spoil Easter for Marin (who, rumor has it, are still searching for an ellusive win in the BAFHA League).

A couple of absences (Jason & Andreas) made for a reshuffled team, with Maki stepping in as right back and Dutchman Maarten Lansberg drafted to play at the bottom of the new look diamond formation.

SF-X played the ball around comfortably during the early exchanges but were guilty of gifting possession too easily against a surprisingly capable Marin XI. Maarten G was rarely tested however as the rock-like (i.e immobile, aging, defense stood firm. As the tempo settled down SF-X began to pen Marin back and were finally rewarded after 20 minutes when Olaf opened the scoring from an acute angle. Maize added another before the break to settle SF-X nerves yet further.

A very open second half saw Marin carve out a number of clear cut chances with the kicking skills of keeper Georgius being required on a number of telling occasions. The increase in space allowed SF-X to drive forward with purpose and numbers (always nice to watch) as Marin began to crumble

An unstoppable penalty stroke from Maize, as Frost was denied by a defenders foot, put the game beyond doubt and a couple of late goals from Olaf flattered the margin of victory.

A quality performance and with an expanding squad of players, SF-X look to be one of the teams who will challenge for the coveted league title this year.....

First match, Victory!

2005-03-23T18:32:00.000-08:00

Well better late than never. San Francisco began the 2005 season in typical fashion, we started the game with only 10 players. Mike Jr was able to get his kit on and join the team ( golf clap in the back ground for mike Jr) San Francisco was lucky that Yuba showed up with out a goalie.
We sure do look good in our beautiful Hawaiian shirts. I would like everyone to get some white shorts with white socks, is that to much to ask?
The game started off with both sides tossing the ball around with no real promising attacks. San Francisco's midfeild was up to the task on Sunday, playing together for only the first time they sure did look good out there. The 3 forwards were getting plenty of ball but unable to score. It really was only a matter of time and after a very solid defense shut the door on Yuba's constant attacks Lucas was finally able to penetrate the defense and score for San Francisco. This opened the door for the midfeild as Yuba held back an extra player on defense and Craig scored the second goal with only a few minutes to go in the half.
Not much need to be said at half time so we all enjoyed a slice or two of freshly cut orange (thanks Corin). This provided Peter with a prop so he mapped out an offensive scheme, which involved a lot of running by the forwards.
The second half was not the best, our defense held out very well, great job D. In typical Yuba fashion things got a little scrappy towards the end of the match, no blood just a few tempers.
The final score was 3-0. There is plenty of work to be done inorder to go through the season undefeated. In typical after match style San Francisco stuck around and watch our little sister team S F X and drank beer, in the RAIN too.

SF-X Team Selection

2005-03-23T13:19:00.000-08:00

This thread is reserved for SF-X selection only.

Please do not post additional comments to this thread.

Each week Brett or myself will post the team via the 'comments' section. If you cannot make it to the game please contact us directly. We will not pick more than 13 players each week to give everyone who plays reasonable pitch time.

US Club Championships Info

2005-03-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone- let's use this thread to keep up to date on the club championship

SF Expansion 1 Sacramento 3

2005-03-21T07:47:00.000-08:00

A hard fought (nice take-down Christian) game against a very skilful side saw the newly formed SF-X team slip to a narrow defeta in teh opening game of the season. The opening ten muinutes saw SF on the ropes as Sacramento pushed forward in numbers. Chris Ventris, guesting, belied his advancing years to make some telling tackles during the opening exchanges. The loss of full back Til Menge from a sore, possibly fractured wrist, placed the defense under even more pressure and only Maarten Georgius stood firm between the posts on several occasions to hold the opposition at bay. SF-X finished the half strongly with the well oiled short corner machine carving a couple of opportunities which went inches wide of target.

As the rain fell in the second half, Sacramento took a deserved lead as weight of numbers began to tell. However, SF-X mounted a spirited rally and in the game's slickest passing move involving Ventris, Modrozynski and finally Parvinder Singh who lashed the ball home with customary gusto.

Tiring legs finally undid the SF-X defence as a couple of late short corners stole the points for Sacramento which flattered the travelling team.

All in all a great team effort which bodes well for the season ahead.

Friday Drinks / Sunday's Games

2005-03-17T22:34:00.000-08:00

-
It is time for a Carl's farewell party! This Friday
night March 18th at 8pm we are meeting for drinks at the Rickshaw Stop.
Olaf will demonstrate the proper way to drink RockStars to unsuspecting
Carl.

155 Fell Street (near Van Ness)
www.rickshawstop.com

top tip: arrange to have a designated driver (Til?) or bring some cab
fare
-
For those that have been wondering, negotiations with Barry Bonds...I
mean Caz have gone well. His "people" have informed us that he will be
making an appearance in Virginia Beach for the SF team.
-
-

Round 1 Cal March 20 11.00-16.00

9.00am PA B v. Cal
10.30am PA R v. Marin
12.00pm BAFHA Elections
12.15pm SF 1 v. Yuba
1.45pm SF X v. Sac
3.15pm Social