Less than three weeks after its formation, the U16G Fury emerged as the Champions of the 10th Howell Holiday Classic.  The Fury faced stiff competition throughout the event, kicking off the Thanksgiving weekend with a 3-0 win over the FC Copa Furio.  In the next two matches the Fury settled for a 1-1 draw against the NJSA 04 Rage and a 2-2 draw against the Howell Thunder.  The Tournament Championship was decided in the final match, as the Fury defeated the U17G Monmouth Coast Mutiny 1-0.

Coach Galanis was very pleased with the play of the newest Medford Strikers team, noting the girls’ outstanding teamwork, creativity and unselfishness (7 goals scored by 7 different players).  Coach Galanis looks forward to working with this squad to help the girls reach their fullest potential.

The Fury aims to be the top U16 Girls Soccer team in South Jersey.  In the spring, the Fury will apply to play in the highest division of the JAGS League, the NJYS National Championship and a number of premier tournaments.  Please join us in welcoming the Fury to the Club.

The Medford Strikers Xplosion U17G were champions of their bracket at the MAPS/MSSL Girls Winter Showcase held November 22-23 in Southampton and Ft. Dix.  The girls had wins over the Arsenal Strikers (4-1), Calvert Strikers (1-0) and Bucks Mount Blast (2-1) and a loss to FC Lynx (0-1) to claim the crown on points.  The Xplosion next headed down to Delaware to participate in the Kirkwood Girls College Showcase on November 28-29.  The team went undefeated over the two days with wins over South Jersey Banshees (2-0), SAC Premier Fury (2-1), Crofton Blast (1-0) and Pearls Pythons (2-1) and impressed the many college coaches in attendance with their style of play.  The Xplosion will take a well-earned rest for the month of December before starting indoor training in January.

The u14B United Finished the 2008 Fall Season on a winning note.  On Nov 22-23 the United traveled to Lancaster, PA to compete in the Hempfield Fall Classic.  It was a frigid weekend with snow on the ground and the United battled all the way to the Championship game where they came just short losing 1-2 against the Lake Grove Arsenal team from Long Island, NY.  On Nov 28-30 the United competed in the West Deptford Thanksgiving Tournament and took the Division Championship beating the Wash Twp Blaze in the rain soaked finale 3-0.  Congratulations to all players on a very successful first season.   

The Medford Strikers will collecting new, unwrapped toys to donate to the annual "Toys for Tots" campaign. Please collect these toys and bring them to the Club meeting, Wednesday, December 10th. The meeting will be held at the Medford Community Center at 7:00 - 9:00, and will have coffee and light refreshments.

In addition, the Club has been involved with the "Kick for Nick" program and  will be asking Nick Madaras’ father if he would like to come and join us this evening and collect the soccer balls that we have. Please bring any balls that you have for this program to this meeting.

At the Hempfield Fall Classic Soccer Tournament held on November 22nd & 23rd in Lancaster, the Medford Strikers Fusion won First Place in the Boys B1 Division of the U12 age group. The Fusion went undefeated, 4-0 to take first place, with an incredibile PK shootout win over the Foothills Rangers.

The Fusion dominated game 1 with a 4-0 win over the Manheim Twp. Fire, then took a commanding lead in the standings after beating Inter United Lightning 1-0 & the Mongomery United Strikers 3-1. With a 3-0 record the Fusion faced the Foothills Rangers in the Finals. The Fusion & Rangers ended the game in a 2-2 tie, but the Fusion were victorious with an amazing PK shootout win gaining them 1st place in the tournament. Congratulations Fusion!

 

In their first tournament together this season after adding new players, the U-15 Boys Storm became Champions of the Columbia MD Fall Classic Tournament.  In a rainy weekend against stiff competition, the Storm played well in their 1-0 loss to SAC United Classic (MD) missing multiple scoring opportunities.  In the next match, the Storm settled for a 0-0 draw against the STN Spurs (PAW) playing well, but again failing to finish their good chances.  The situation looked bleak Sunday as the team started the day in fourth place!  However, we stormed back to defeat both the FC Frederick Royals (MD) and the Calverton Blaze (MD) 1-0 vaulting all the way into first place, while the competition fell by the wayside.  Coach Mousa Issa was very excited with the quality of play this year with the players showing outstanding team chemistry and desire.
 
Two weeks later, the team fought back to take 2nd place at the MSSL Winter College Showcase Nov 29-30, 2008 after losing 1-0 to the eventual champion Highland in the first game on a heartbreaking last-second goal.  

At the MAPS Fall Challenge Soccer Tournament held on November 16th at Ft Dix, the Medford Strikers Flash captured 1st place in the Boys Premier Pivision of the U14 age group.  The Flash went 4-1-0, capturing 1st place with an exciting PK shootout win over Montogmery SC Maniacs (PA). The Flash path to the finals started slow with a 1-0 loss to AFC Pride (CT), then heated up with 1-0 wins over CASA CAPA ’94 (PA) and Freehold SC Legacy (NJ) which led to the semi-finals where the Flash prevailed again in PKs after a scoreless game.

Front Row - Justin Trout, Mark Ianelli, Kyler White, Doug Denny, Eddie Hartman, Kevin Bodine, Zach Colton, Jake Faford. 

Back Row - Michael Pingelski, Nathan Sneller, Tyler Caton, Burak Kilic, Alex Johnston, Patrick Raletz, Andrew Fryer, Mike Reagan, John Verzi, Brandon Rowe, Ryan Ruble, and Coach James Galanis

The Following Medford Strikers have been selected to the New Jersey ODP Initial Pool List.

Olympic Development Program

Chelsea W.	John V.
Jacquelyn B.	Eddie H.
Maxine N.	Zack C.
McKenna B.	Alex J.
Karlee S.	Tyler S.
Christina P.	Doug D.
	Brad S.

The Medford Strikers Fusion U12 Boys team is proud of their performance in their first New Jersey Tournament of the 2008/2009 season.  The Fusion were off to a strong start with a 4-0 win against host team TBAA.  In their second game against the Marlton LIghting,  the team struggled with a 0-5 loss but came back strong against the Monroe Fury.  The Fusion triumphed over the Fury with a 3-2 win to take second place in the tournament.

The new Medford Strikers United U14 Boys team had great success in their first completed tournament of the 2008/2009 season. Facing the #3 Delaware ranked Concord Chaos in its first game, the 3-1 loss was not enough to keep the team down. In it’s second game the team defeated Olympic Division Monroe Lightning 4-0 and defeated host team TBAA 4-1 in it’s 3rd game to take 2nd place in the tournament.
 

Carli with Jim Burns, Technical Director James Galanis, Club President Paul White and Wayne Partenheimer

The Medford Striker Soccer Club announces the specialized acquisition of local USA Women’s National Team Superstar Carli Lloyd to its staff. Carli, who played her youth soccer for the Medford Strikers, will assist the club in the development of all players and coaches. Carli met with Technical Director James Galanis and Club President Paul White on Thursday evening at 7:30 at the Ark Rd Soccer Complex where they officially welcomed her to the club.

  “I’m excited to give back to the club and community, and I want to help all local players. There are a lot of kids that want to play at my level, but they don’t know the secrets to success. I am currently playing at this level because I was taught these secrets, and now I want to share them with all local players,” said Carli.

 Carli will be conducting seminars for all Medford Striker players and act as a mentor to them. “This is a big step for me. I am laying down the foundations for when I have finished playing. I plan to become a full time coach when I’m done and helping out with Medford Strikers is a great opportunity for me. The players they currently have are serious and want to play at the highest level. That suits what I want to do. With the staff currently assembled at Medford Strikers I feel that we will take the club to another level,” said Carli.  

   Carli was home for a week where she launched her website www.carlilloyd.com as well as announced her first summer camp for 2008. Carli looks certain to retain her spot on the 18 woman squad that will compete at this year’s Olympics in China. Thus far Carli has started all games in 2008, as she plays an anchor role in the United States midfield.