Tyler Lassiter, who played for CASL from a young age and at Wake Forest Rolesville HS then NC State and now with the NY Red Bulls (after being drafted #30 overall in the MLS draft last winter), will be with the Railhawks the rest of their season. The Red Bulls loaned Tyler to the Railhawks to get him more playing time and experience. The Railhawks have taken a hit in the back with players moving to European clubs and injuries. Tyler will help shore up the defense for the NASL leading Railhawks.
With 5 games remaining, the Railhawks have clinched the #1 or 2 seed which puts them in the semifinal round. They are 7 points ahead of the Puerto Rico Islanders with 5 games to play (one of those games is at Puerto Rico). Their magic number is 9 points (points gained by the Railhawks or points lost by the Islanders) to clinch the #1 seed.
The Railhawks play at WakeMed Soccer Stadium this Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7 pm. It is important for player development that players see high level soccer and it is abundant in the area with the Railhawks and the great men's and women's collegiate programs in this area.....my advice to you: GO TAKE IN A GAME(S)!!!!
Railhawk season ticket info for 2012 is now on their web site-check it out!
Charlie Slagle
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Protecting our Fields
The CASL fields are looking good, for the most part, as we finish up bermuda grass growing season. There are exceptions, however, due to heavy play on open parks throughout the CASL system. WRAL Soccer Center has gone through some changes to its infrastructure (new fences, paving, building improvements, etc.) which will continue. It also went through some field improvements including sodding worn areas.
All that being said, the bermuda grass will stop growing soon and then will be dormant until the heat returns in the late spring. Therefore, it is everyone's responsibility to help preserve the fields and the majority of that can be done in practices and pre-game warmups.
Practices should mainly use the least used parts of the field. This means staying out of the penalty areas, as much as possible. Move goals to do shooting drills, play your small sided games in the area between the penalty area and the half line with the goals on the sidelines, etc. etc. Repetitive excerises such as ladders, jumping drills, cutting and turning drills, etc. should occur off the field.
Pre-game warmups can use areas of the field outside the penalty areas including the warmup of the goalkeeper until the team takes warmup shots with the keeper in goal.
All of these things will make the fields survive better going into the spring. Granted, no matter what we do, the fields will not be in as good of shape in the spring as the fall. However, the better job that teams do in the fall will allow the fields to be in the best shape possible for the start of the spring season. Likewise, the better job done in the spring will keep the fields in the best possible shape until the grass begins to grow again.
It is everyone's responsibility to look after our fields and facilities. I'm sure that I have received complaints in the past from coaches about the field conditions in the spring. My guess is that some of those complaints have been from some of the same coaches that practice in the game wear areas thus contributing to the condition of the field.
It is everyone's responsibility to preserve the fields while still getting the "SOCCER" done. It can be done and I, for one, appreciate those that think of others in these situations. Have Fun and Remember it is Just a Game and also remember that it is more FUN on better fields. Help us try to make this happen! THANKS!
Charlie Slagle
All that being said, the bermuda grass will stop growing soon and then will be dormant until the heat returns in the late spring. Therefore, it is everyone's responsibility to help preserve the fields and the majority of that can be done in practices and pre-game warmups.
Practices should mainly use the least used parts of the field. This means staying out of the penalty areas, as much as possible. Move goals to do shooting drills, play your small sided games in the area between the penalty area and the half line with the goals on the sidelines, etc. etc. Repetitive excerises such as ladders, jumping drills, cutting and turning drills, etc. should occur off the field.
Pre-game warmups can use areas of the field outside the penalty areas including the warmup of the goalkeeper until the team takes warmup shots with the keeper in goal.
All of these things will make the fields survive better going into the spring. Granted, no matter what we do, the fields will not be in as good of shape in the spring as the fall. However, the better job that teams do in the fall will allow the fields to be in the best shape possible for the start of the spring season. Likewise, the better job done in the spring will keep the fields in the best possible shape until the grass begins to grow again.
It is everyone's responsibility to look after our fields and facilities. I'm sure that I have received complaints in the past from coaches about the field conditions in the spring. My guess is that some of those complaints have been from some of the same coaches that practice in the game wear areas thus contributing to the condition of the field.
It is everyone's responsibility to preserve the fields while still getting the "SOCCER" done. It can be done and I, for one, appreciate those that think of others in these situations. Have Fun and Remember it is Just a Game and also remember that it is more FUN on better fields. Help us try to make this happen! THANKS!
Charlie Slagle
Friday, August 26, 2011
College Soccer on TV is "Irened"! What is going on with this weekend's CASL games?
The South Carolina at College of Charleston game mentioned in yesterday's blog has been postponed until Sunday due to Irene. Thus, it will not be on TV.
The CASL staff is watching the weather carefully and will be making a decision on this weekend's games when it is apparent what the effects of Irene will be for our area. Foremost in our thoughts is the safety of the players thus dangerous playing conditions due to wet surfaces, lightning and/or heavy winds (tipping of anchored goals) will weigh in the decision. Thanks for your patience in this matter. It is our hope that we can get the games in, if possible and safe! STAY TUNED and check the CASL weather hotline!
Charlie Slagle
The CASL staff is watching the weather carefully and will be making a decision on this weekend's games when it is apparent what the effects of Irene will be for our area. Foremost in our thoughts is the safety of the players thus dangerous playing conditions due to wet surfaces, lightning and/or heavy winds (tipping of anchored goals) will weigh in the decision. Thanks for your patience in this matter. It is our hope that we can get the games in, if possible and safe! STAY TUNED and check the CASL weather hotline!
Charlie Slagle
Thursday, August 25, 2011
College Soccer is back on TV!
Friday night at 6 pm on Fox Soccer Channel, 4 former CASL players will be playing for the University of South Carolina against homestanding College of Charleston. Those players are Gk Alex Long, Chipper Root, Kevin Stam and JP Rafferty. All but Stam played on the U15 team that beat Chelsea Football Club at the Disney Showcase in 2007.
I will be the sideline reporter for the game and the voice of the Railhawks, Dean Linke, will be doing the play by play. Tune in to watch some great collegiate soccer!
Charlie Slagle
I will be the sideline reporter for the game and the voice of the Railhawks, Dean Linke, will be doing the play by play. Tune in to watch some great collegiate soccer!
Charlie Slagle
Monday, August 22, 2011
Weekend #1 Done-Let the Games begin!
The Raleigh area escaped the afternoon storms, so, the CASL games were played this weekend. It is always good to get the season started.
I did some roaming at the different fields on Saturday and Sunday and all looked like it was going smoothly! It is great to see the kids having fun......let's hope that we adults don't hurt that......
I, also, was at the Carolina Railhawks game where the CASL spring Hamilton Sportsmanship Winners were introduced at halftime and received their certificates. There was a great turnout from the Hamilton families at the game where the Railhawks were triumphant 2-0. The Sportsmanship Award is a big part of CASL and it is great to see such great kids honored. Hopefully, parents and coaches are instilling good values in their children and already thinking about the team's winners of this fall's award.
In conclusion, it looked like the kids were "Having Fun and Remembering it is JUST a Game!!"
Charlie Slagle
I did some roaming at the different fields on Saturday and Sunday and all looked like it was going smoothly! It is great to see the kids having fun......let's hope that we adults don't hurt that......
I, also, was at the Carolina Railhawks game where the CASL spring Hamilton Sportsmanship Winners were introduced at halftime and received their certificates. There was a great turnout from the Hamilton families at the game where the Railhawks were triumphant 2-0. The Sportsmanship Award is a big part of CASL and it is great to see such great kids honored. Hopefully, parents and coaches are instilling good values in their children and already thinking about the team's winners of this fall's award.
In conclusion, it looked like the kids were "Having Fun and Remembering it is JUST a Game!!"
Charlie Slagle
Thursday, August 18, 2011
NEW YEAR-Here comes the BLOG
After a little break for the Summer.....we are back! With the first games of the season beginning this weekend, this blog will be simple:
"HAVE FUN, AND REMEMBER IT IS JUST A GAME!!!!!"
Charlie Slagle
"HAVE FUN, AND REMEMBER IT IS JUST A GAME!!!!!"
Charlie Slagle
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