VSI Tampa Flames News Release - www.vsi-flames.com
Monday, June 4, 2012
BRANDON, Fla. – The VSI Tampa Flames are readying for a busy week in which they host the Charlotte Lady Eagles on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a friendly on Sunday against an Armed Forces team. Coming off a frustrating loss against the Atlanta Silverbacks, the Flames have had a long time to prepare and fix what went wrong in Georgia.
“We have been working hard in the training sessions to limit the mistakes we made in the last game, but at the minute the girls are just getting excited for the opportunity to get back in to the competitive arena,"Head Coach Ged O’Connor said. "We have been out now for a long time, and the main concern I have for the game is not coming out flat at the start of the game which can happen after long breaks.”
The matches this week will be replays of the first game in the history of the VSI Tampa Flames, who travelled to Charlotte, losing 3-0 in that game. It will be another tough encounter with the Lady Eagles, currently sporting a perfect 4-0-0 record.
It is likely to be a tactical battle throughout with the teams playing each other twice in a 24-hour period, so squad depth should be a strong factor in the outcome of the games. The opening game of the series on Wednesday starts a period in which the Flames play seven games in 25 days.
O’Connor has a squad mixed with youthful speed and experience and will rely on the likes of Kayla Bala, Cassie Barbaresi and Shelby Spinelli to show leadership to the younger players in the squad.
“It is a different game when you are 21 or 22 compared to when you are 18 years old," O'Connor said. "Being able to balance the characters within the team has been one of the challenges I have enjoyed the most in my short time with the group. We are getting better and better and I am sure that for most of the girls, the season starts this week.”
Kickoff for both of the games against the Eagles is set for 7 p.m. The match against the Armed Forces will take place at 3 p.m. For more information and to order tickets visit www.vsi-flames.com.
Following the three-game homestand, the Flames will be back on the road for games against the Atlanta Silverbacks and FC Jax Destroyers on June 15 and 17.