The Lightning FC U10 Red boys started the Spring season where they left off the Fall season, with a bang.  They traveled to Tallahassee to play in what was supposed to be the Southeast Invitational Tournament, but was converted to a festival.  The boys wanted another crack at what is quickly becoming there major rival in TUFC's U10 White team.

The boys opened with TUFC's U10 Red team.  Chris Wilmot paced the scoring attack with 4 goals and an assist.  Josh Kugel, the lone newcomer, made his prescence felt early with 2 goals and an assist.  Rounding out the tally sheet was Luke Justice, Samuel Stevens, and Clay Peters with 1 goal apiece.  Dale Kent, Bryan Rammel, and Christian Houglin each added assists.  This makes the first time all team members recorded a goal or an assist during a match.  This was indicative of the overall play in their first match of the Spring.  They played solid, fundamental, possession soccer.  They were stellar in transition all match and the backline only gave up 2 shot attempts all game.  All 8 boys rotated on the field, and Bryan rammel and Samuel Stevens combined for the blank sheet.

The second match of the day pitted the Boys against TUFC white, who had earlier defeated them in the final of The Flint River Finale back in November.  The Match was played back and forth with neither team yeilding to their familiar counterparts.  In the 10th minute, Chris Wilmot took a perfect service from Christian Houglin down the left side, he cut back middle, and buried a bb in the back of the net.  Lightning 1-0.  In the 16th minute, Wilmot struck again on a perfect give and go return ball from Josh Kugel.  Lightning 2-0.  Just before half, TUFC's keeper played a ball forward and before Samuel Stevens could punch it out, the TUFC striker known as "Scotty" deflected the ball up with a header over the outstretched arms of Samuel.  Lightning 2-1.  Early in the second half, TUFC struck again with a beautifully played cross to the back post.  The only time this day the boys would lose their shape on the backline.  Lightning 2-2.  Not a minute later, Christian Houglin served a ball over the middle to Josh Kugel, but before Josh could put a foot to it, the TUFC defender tried to clear, as the keeper was sprawled out, only to tally an own goal.  Lightning 3-2.  The lightning would crack shots repeatedly over the last 10 minutes only to come up short of another goal.  Luke Justice did find the back of the net, but was ruled offside, on a very close call.  Chris Wilmot, Josh Kugel, and Clay Peters all hit the post or crossbar in the final attacks of the match.  The only real chance for TUFC came in the closing minutes on a beautifully served corner, but Bryan Rammel flew through the middle to punch the service out to start a brilliant counter attack.  In the end the Lightning Boys prevailed 3-2. 

In summary it was the best 2 match combination played by the boys to date, and I believe they still have their best match in them.  It was a great way to start the season, on a beautiful day against a great program.  Congratulations Boys, keep it up.