Greenbelt SA Lightning
Some Lightning players graduated high school in 2019 and now with most of our other players graduating in spring, 2020 the Lightning team is now disbanded as a playing team although we remain together socially. The team ended the 2019 season on real high notes with winning both their NCSL division and their bracket in the Hershey Memorial Day Challenge. Over the years, we shared many good experiences together some of which are documented below. Best wishes to all our players! 2019 Spring NCSL Schedule and Results Current and Former Team members: Abby (Loyola U), Angela, Audrey R (UMD, Engineering), Bella G (UC Santa Cruz), Bella K, Blythe, Brianna, Corina (UMD), Dallas, Jennifer (Catholic U, Nursing, Varsity Soccer), Jamie (West Point), Justine (Catholic U), Kelsey (Bowie State), Karla, Keylin (MCCC, Varsity Soccer), Kylie, Louisa (UMD, Engineering), Mia, Nicole M (UMD), Nicole R, Rosslyn (Notre Dame of MD, Varsity Soccer), Sophia, Stephanie (Seattle U., Film Studies, Varsity Crew), Yassine (HCCC, Varsity Soccer), Zosia (UMD, Engineering, Club Soccer) |
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Coach Information
The Lightning benefited from many experienced coaches and guest coaches including Cliff Walcott - USSF C License (2018-2019), Nathean Meadows - USSF B License (2015-2019), Dallas Sava - USSF D License (2019), Barnie Spenser-White - FA Level 2 License (2018), Letitia Campos (2017), Joni Warner (2017), Candace Chapman - USC Advanced National Diploma (2016-2017), Corbin McCarron - USSF D License (2015), John Dingle - USSF B License (2014-2015), David Whiteman - USC Advanced National Diploma (2013 - 2019)
Tournament and league results
2019: 1st Place U18 Girls Hershey Memorial Day Challenge
2019: 1st Place NCSL U19 Girls Div 4
2018: 3rd Place U17 Girls Hershey Memorial Day Classic
2017: 3rd Place Columbia Fall Classic Championship Division
2017: 2nd place finish in NCSL U16 Div 4 behind the Maryland State President's Cup Champion
2016 : Pocono Memorial Day Tournament U14 girls 3rd place
2015 : Fall BBSL U14 girls Div B Champions
2014 : White water Cup U13 girls Champions
2014 : Get Good Field House U13 girls Futsal Champions
2013 : Columbus Day Tournament U12 girls Champions
The Lightning benefited from many experienced coaches and guest coaches including Cliff Walcott - USSF C License (2018-2019), Nathean Meadows - USSF B License (2015-2019), Dallas Sava - USSF D License (2019), Barnie Spenser-White - FA Level 2 License (2018), Letitia Campos (2017), Joni Warner (2017), Candace Chapman - USC Advanced National Diploma (2016-2017), Corbin McCarron - USSF D License (2015), John Dingle - USSF B License (2014-2015), David Whiteman - USC Advanced National Diploma (2013 - 2019)
Tournament and league results
2019: 1st Place U18 Girls Hershey Memorial Day Challenge
2019: 1st Place NCSL U19 Girls Div 4
2018: 3rd Place U17 Girls Hershey Memorial Day Classic
2017: 3rd Place Columbia Fall Classic Championship Division
2017: 2nd place finish in NCSL U16 Div 4 behind the Maryland State President's Cup Champion
2016 : Pocono Memorial Day Tournament U14 girls 3rd place
2015 : Fall BBSL U14 girls Div B Champions
2014 : White water Cup U13 girls Champions
2014 : Get Good Field House U13 girls Futsal Champions
2013 : Columbus Day Tournament U12 girls Champions
2019 Hershey Memorial Day Challenge. The Greenbelt Lightning returned to Hershey with the goal of avenging their elimination by penalties the previous year. The team was victorious in all matches and took the championship in their division. Great job ladies!

2018 Hershey Memorial Day Challenge. The Greenbelt Lightning traveled to Hershey, PA for their 2018 Memorial Day tournament. Fifteen of the Lightning were able to attend the tournament which started on Saturday morning with an easy 6-1 victory over a short-handed West Hampstead Chiefs Wolverines team. The afternoon game against the Cohansey Chaos was a hard fought 0-0 tie. The semi-final game against the Coliseum Generals on Sunday morning was likewise very hard fought and ended in a 1-1 tie. The score remained tied at 1-1 after the overtime period so the contest was settled by penalties which unfortunately we lost. Nonetheless, the team played extremely well in the tournament always putting in their best effort.
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Lightning Team Camp with Olympic Bronze Medalist Candace Chapman of 90 Plus Performance. For the week of July 10-14, 2017 members of team Lightning again for the second summer worked under Candace Chapman covering topics of dribbling/running, receiving/turning, finishing and formations. Each morning started indoors with review of video followed by field sessions. Despite temperatures in the 90s and high humidity, Team Lightning worked hard and had a great camp. Afternoons were spent cooling off at the New Carrollton Pool. Some of the video footage shot during the camp is at left.
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Lightning Players Volunteering at the Spring, 2017 Greenbelt 4v4 Classic Tournament. Members of the Lightning helped with setup, running scores from the field, tournament statistics and various other tasks starting at 9:00 am and extending to 4:00 pm on June 10 to make the Spring, 2017 tournament successful. Volunteer hours were available for all players!
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Lightning Ball Retrieval Challenge! At a scrimmage in the summer of 2016, one of our players practiced her juggling a bit too rambunctiously knocking the ball over the fence into the high branches of a very briar covered tree. We all thought that the wind would eventually knock it down but as winter approached and the ball remained lodged in place, it seemed clear that direct action was needed. Thus the Ball Retrieval Challenge was born. On Jan 15, 2017, Lightning players formed teams of 2 or 3 and took turns attempting to retrieve the ball. Blythe and Haley, using an extendable pruning tool, were the successful winners of the Challenge earning $20 in the process. Following the ball retrieval, we convened across the road for some Ultimate Frisbee, the ground being quite muddy for playing soccer. Fun was had by all!

Lightning team summer camp July 11 - 15, 2016 with 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Candace Chapman
The 2016 Summer Team Camp for the Lightning was led by former Canadian National Team member, Candace Chapman. Coach Candace has more than 100 caps and won a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympic Games. The team camp was held July 11-15 and consisted of morning and early afternoon sessions with Coach Candace at Youth Memorial Park and then pool time at the New Carrollton pool. The sessions with Coach Candace used video analysis to focus on team movement and proactive play and were great experiences for the team.
The 2016 Summer Team Camp for the Lightning was led by former Canadian National Team member, Candace Chapman. Coach Candace has more than 100 caps and won a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympic Games. The team camp was held July 11-15 and consisted of morning and early afternoon sessions with Coach Candace at Youth Memorial Park and then pool time at the New Carrollton pool. The sessions with Coach Candace used video analysis to focus on team movement and proactive play and were great experiences for the team.

Greenbelt Lightning Champions of U13 girls division of 2015 Memorial Day Weekend Whitewater Cup
The Lightning participated in the Whitewater Cup Classic tournament over Memorial Day weekend 2015 held in White Haven, PA . The team went whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River on Saturday and then played a three-game tournament on Sunday. Playing against teams from New York and Pennsylvania, the Lightning compiled a 3-0-0 record with a combined score of 16-1 in the three games and won the U13 girls division championship!
The Lightning participated in the Whitewater Cup Classic tournament over Memorial Day weekend 2015 held in White Haven, PA . The team went whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River on Saturday and then played a three-game tournament on Sunday. Playing against teams from New York and Pennsylvania, the Lightning compiled a 3-0-0 record with a combined score of 16-1 in the three games and won the U13 girls division championship!

Team Service Project
Each winter the team arranges one of more team service projects. We have participated in the Sunday Afternoon Hospitality Program for the Homeless at St. Luke's Church in Silver Spring, MD on several occasions. During the project, the team helps to prepare and serve meals as well as distribute clothing to the needy.
Each winter the team arranges one of more team service projects. We have participated in the Sunday Afternoon Hospitality Program for the Homeless at St. Luke's Church in Silver Spring, MD on several occasions. During the project, the team helps to prepare and serve meals as well as distribute clothing to the needy.
US Youth Soccer Player's Guide - good information for all team members.
Team Documents
1) Participation in Team Lightning requires a commitment to the team. Here are Team Expectations.
2) Quick Tips regarding nutrition and hydration are below. More information about Nutrition and Hydration is here.
3) When thinking of how to respond to tactical challenges on the field, it is always good to think in terms of the Principles of Play: lightning_pinciplesofplay_20170907.pdf.
Team Documents
1) Participation in Team Lightning requires a commitment to the team. Here are Team Expectations.
2) Quick Tips regarding nutrition and hydration are below. More information about Nutrition and Hydration is here.
3) When thinking of how to respond to tactical challenges on the field, it is always good to think in terms of the Principles of Play: lightning_pinciplesofplay_20170907.pdf.
Nutrition and Hydration Information
Required MSYSA Player Forms and documentation
The Lightning plays in NCSL. For playing in a MSYSA travel league such as NCSL, all players must provide the information listed below. Once you have registered your player online, please work on providing the information below to our team registrar, Joe Miko. 1) MSYSA Player Registration Form 2) Proof of age. Needed via a birth certificate or passport (a good quality copy is sufficient) although we have that for many of the players already. 3) Digital Photo: A digital photo is also needed for each player. Our team manager can resize as needed for the registration. 4) (if needed) Foreign born player documentation. Also, please note that foreign born players require additional registration documentation as described here. |
We learn the mnemonic of "Quick, Slow, Sideways, Low" for the method of approach of the 1st defender. The defending principle of "Control and Restraint" means no diving in or over commitment. Above is a compilation of clips from a scrimmage game in Aug, 2017 indicating that many players need to work on these basic defensive techniques. It is called "AtLeastSlowDown".
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