Orlando Youth Soccer, Maitland Heat Girls Soccer Team

The Maitland Heat U15 girl's premier soccer team plays out of the Maitland Soccer Club. The fully licensed coaching staff emphasizes individual player development in a fun, yet challenging environment. The Heat is coached by Iain Hanna. Coach Iain's philosophy states:

"Technically, my primary focus is to coach and build the basic skills (first touch, control, passing, movement off the ball, tackling, shooting) which will allow rapid and precise movement of the ball.

Tactically, my primary focus is to coach the importance of keeping the team shape, defensively closing down of opponents quickly, allowing the ball to be won and offensively using the flanks to get the ball behind the opposing defence. First touch is key. The other team cannot score if they do not have the ball."

Always in search of the highest level competition, the 2007/08 U15 team will play in the Florida State League against some of the toughest competition in the state. We will travel across the state, and out of state for tournaments. The team is coming off a very successful spring '07 campaign with a strong showing at State Cup, advancing to the Sweet 16, before barely being eliminated on PKs. Check out the team's full history to the left.

The Heat is always looking for talented and dedicated girls who love competitive soccer. Any girl born after 8/1/92 who is looking for a serious soccer challenge is welcome to come for a tryout with the team. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email Coach Iain.

HEAT TRYOUTS: Tryouts for the 2008/09 U16 State Cup Heat team will be held Tues-May 27, Wed-May 28, and Thurs-May 29 from 7-9pm at Lake Destiny field in Maitland.

PLAYER NEEDED: The Heat have an immediate opening for an experienced, full-time or half-time goalkeeper. Please contact Coach Iain if you have an interest in joining the Heat team for the 2008/09 seasonal year, and in guest-playing in the Heat's season-ending tournament at Disney.

Mar 29-30
State Cup results...

The Heat were eliminated in the 1st round of state cup after finishing third in their group with 1-1-1 record. Only the top two teams from each group advance. The team lost out on goal differential even though their record was equal to 2nd place finisher West Pasco.

Game 1 - The Heat tied West Pasco 2-2 in their opening match. This was a game the team knew it must win in order to maximize it's chance of advancement, but the girls came up short, escaping with a just tie on a last minute goal. Patricia and Taylor each tallied goals, but a couple other good chances were not converted.

Game 2 - The Heat faced Sunrise next in what was pretty much a repeat of their fall game. The team was outmatched by Sunrise's speed of play, superior touch, and aggressive play. The girls held Sunrise to a 1-0 deficit at the half, but Sunrise poured in three second half goals to easily take the game, and full goal differential, which largely ended the Heat's chance of advancement.

Game 3 - The girls faced Gainesville in their final game knowing they not only needed a big win, but also help from Sunrise. The girls started well, with Sarah converting an early goal. However, Gainesville struck back quickly on a poorly defended free kick to tie the score. The girls added two nice second half goals by Whitney and Meagan to take a 3-1 lead. Gainesville converted another free kick in the last minute to close the final gap to 3-2. However, West Pasco's close 1-0 loss to Sunrise in the group's other final game eliminated the Heat based on goal differential, and ended the team's state cup tournament.

Mar 15
Playing FSL scrimmage weekend #2 at Palm Bay, the Heat got a taste of some higher level competition in preparation for state cup in 2 weeks. In game 1 vs FCA Kumba, Kumba turned the tables on the Heat from last weekend by scoring a 1-0 win as the Heat had trouble generating a consistent attack. In game 2, the Heat faced Weston Fury who had beaten the girls badly at the end of the fall season, so the girls had something to prove. In a game that was dictated by a strong 20mph southerly wind, Weston dominated play in the first half going with the wind, tallying 3 goals along the way. The 2nd half was a different story as the Heat was able to mount an effective attack while going with the wind. Meagan tallied two nice goals, and the girls pressured Weston until the end. However, they were unable to get the equalizer, and Weston held on for the 3-2 win.

Mar 8
The Heat faced off against FCA Kumba today in a friendly on a wind-swept Red Bug field (the strong westerly cross-wind gave neither team an advantage). "Friendly" or not, both teams came to play. This fast paced game was punctuated with very good passing and ball control by both teams. Kumba struck first on a nice counter-attack about 10 minutes in. The Heat struck back about 15 minutes later when a Whitney corner was headed home by Meagan. Five minutes later, with the Heat attack putting heavy pressure on the Kumba defense, Taylor struck a left foot bullet by the Kumba keeper to give the Heat a 2-1 lead, which they took into the half. The 2nd half was played mostly in the midfield with solid defending by both teams. About 20 minutes in, Meagan took a nice ball from Whitney, and rocketed a right foot into the net to put the Heat up 3-1. Kumba countered about 5 minutes later to close to 3-2, but the Heat defended well the remainder of the way to close out a hard-fought 3-2 win. These teams face off again next weekend in Palm Bay in what promises to be another good game.

Mar 1
The Heat traveled to Gainesville once again today for two FSL scrimmage games. The team was without Kait in goal (out with the flu), and lost Melody to injury for the day in the first few minutes of the opening match against Gainesville U15. Nonetheless, the girls played Gainesville very tightly. Both teams defended well, with each managing just a few shots. Gainesville scored first to take the lead early in the 2nd half. A short time later, Taylor lofted a left foot shot over the Gainesville keeper to even things up. Neither team got off any other good chances, and game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Next up, the Heat faced Jax U15 in a rematch from two weeks ago. Once again, these two closely matched teams battled to a scoreless draw at halftime. As happened in their previous encounter, Jax struck first for the lead early in the 2nd half. The Heat pressured well the rest of the way, but couldn't finish, and the game ended with a disappointing 1-0 loss for the Heat. Of note was Kait's inspirational performance by simply taking the field in the 1st half (and, playing very well!) despite her nasty bout with the flu.

Feb 16-18
Gainesville Showcase tournament results...

The Heat started the spring season picking up where they left off in the fall, by taking home the champions trophy at the Gainesville Showcase tournament. The girls won four straight games, outscoring their competition 9-3 over four games.

Game 1 - Central Pasco was first up. After a scoreless first half, Megan opened the scoring beating three defenders and the keeper with a great solo effort. Meagan followed that a few minutes later by finishing a ping-pong game in the box after a corner by slamming home a nice shot. Sarah finished up the scoring by converting a PK after she was taken down in the box.

Game 2 - Next up for the Heat was the Hobe Sound Strikers. With all other group play 2nd games completed, the girls knew a win here would clinch their spot in the finals. Whitney opened the scoring by finishing a shot with an alert back-heel after the Hobe Sound keeper had made a nice save on a shot by Taylor. The Strikers evened the match with a goal midway through the 2nd half, and things appeared to be getting a bit tense for the Heat. However, the girls upped the tempo immediately and started to dominate play. A resulting corner was headed by Taylor across the box, and the Striker defender put the ball in her own goal while trying to clear, giving the Heat the needed margin for the 2-1 win.

Game 3 - In their final group play game, the girls faced off against Jensen Beach Bobcats. A nice combination among many players culminated with a nice pass from Taylor to Meagan who finished the ball to give the Heat a 1-0 lead. Although the girls dominated play the whole way, outshooting JB by a wide margin, the net proved elusive, and the game ended 1-0. The Heat finished group play with an unblemished 3-0 record.

Championship Final - After an hour weather delay, the Heat faced off against Jax Fury in the final. Jax had beaten the Heat 4-3 in FSL league play back in the fall, so the girls were very motivated to return the favor. After a scoreless first half, the scoring flood gates opened. Jax struck first to take a 1-0 lead, and they looked to be getting the better of play up to that point. Again, the Heat seemed to come alive immediately following the opposing goal. Within a span of about 8 minutes, the girls notched three goals. First up, a Sarah drive down the right side resulted in a strong shot that the Fury keeper saved only to have Whitney finish. An almost identical drive down the right 5 minutes later by Melody was again followed by a strong shot that was first saved, and again finished by Whitney (her 3rd tournament goal). Just 3 minutes later a Heat player was taken down in the box, and Meagan calmly finished the PK to give the Heat a 3-1 lead. Jax, however, was not done. They kept the pressure on and finished a nice goal of their own with about 3 mintues to play. Jax had one other good opportunity but Kait smothered the shot with a great save, and the Heat closed out the game for the 3-2 championship victory.

Feb 7
The Heat would like to welcome new assistant coach Jeri Ostuw. Coach Jeri has just completed her college career at Rollins College. You can read all about her here.

Feb 1
Congratulations to Meagan and her Oviedo HS team. In the FHSAA State Championship 6A tournament, they have defeated Winter Park, Lake Mary and Spruce Creek, and now advance to the Final 4 next weekend. Good luck Meagan, and Oviedo!

Also, congratulations to Ashleigh and her Orangewood Christian HS team. They have also won 3 games in the 2A tournament and advance to the Final 4. Good luck Ashleigh, and Orangewood Christian.