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After a summer of mixed weather forecasts, the weekend of Aug. 3 was no different, as local high school girls soccer players looked to get in final touches and training before the long haul of their upcoming high school seasons.
Saturday saw a mix of down pouring rain, sun and humidity. Sunday posted possibly the hottest day of the summer with 95 degrees and high humidity. This weather did not stop hundreds of Shore Conference players from braving the elements on both days in preparations for their upcoming high school tryouts that officially start on Aug. 13.
Soccer festivals were held in Brick Township at Drum Point Sports complex, Capelli Sports Complex in Tinton Falls and Council Rock, PA held their Annual CRUSA Tournament.
Brick Township showcased nine teams, which on Saturday worked through the down pours and wet field conditions that had the girls concentrating more on first touch and communication. Sunday produced more up-tempo play as the playing conditions were hot and humid showing who is ready for training camps to open and who needs to get the extra runs in to deal with the warm temperatures.
Over at Capelli Sports Complex where more than 50 teams competed and all games were on turf, the field conditions on Saturday were almost ideal, minus the rain, as the temperatures on the turf stayed low creating a more finesse game focusing on ball control, over lapping runs and possession. Sunday, however, was the complete opposite as the temperatures rose to 95 degrees, making the turf around 115 degrees, making conditioning and ball control the primary focus.
Out at the CRUSA tournament in Council Rock on Sunday, where four high school-age teams participated, the weather conditions were less than ideal. With temperatures around 98 degree and games on turf, the field temperatures had to be closer to 120. To their credit, as competitors not one player complained or had issue with the scorching temps and worked on their ball possessions, fitness and teamwork to work their way through the day..jpg)
These small festivals and one-day tournaments are what helps these girls stay in shape during the offseason and leading up to their schools tryouts. Another positive to these events is the low cost which allows more teams and players to participate which means more players and teams are in shape and ready to go day one of high school training.
The overall participation at all three events once again shows the Shore Conference and their student athletes are primed for another successful high school girls soccer season.
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