Area 1B Games

The afternoon started rather cold. The air had an ominous chill; how would the Midnight Express play their first area game against Hacienda Heights? The sense of domination was there, but determination was falling short, and the hearts of those at the sideline casted doubts and frustrations. Others gave the belief that someone would break the ice and open up the game for the local team; but the thought proved to be a mere anticipation.

The game went on through the first quarter, the second and the third without the usual mastery of teammanship by the Midnight Express until Andrea, the only one with a bounce in her stride broke the defense. It was an uplifting moment as the Midnight Express showed signs of life from that point on. Another goal by Janessa went in after several atttempts to make it 2-0. But the Hacienda Heights girls didn't gave up. They went on to mount their own offensive against Christina, but like true champs, the Midnight Express goalie rose to the challenge as she dived parallel to the ground, reaching for the ball and denying the determined opponents. Her own play was awesome. The A-1 effort and defensive Christina's defensive prowess didn't pass without notice as she was congratulated by both coach John and Lou and by the parents. Clearly, she had rekindled the spirit of the Midnight Express that needs to somehow permeate through to the next games.

May 1-2, 1999 We're Back.............

Just like the smooth thunderous locomotive, that is, the Midnight Express-which came back on schedule, the rest of the stops are just uneventful. The Walnut Midnight Express gals went pass their second stop without a hitch in a 6-0 win against Rowland Hts., the airport stop at So. Ontario was a breeze with a 5-0 spread, the stop a-top Chino Hills was a good view of a 3-0 win ending the regular games.

With the Walnut gals inching their way to a fourth gold in 5 tournaments (with 1 silver), the determination went on noticeably with the trumping of Chino Hills on a 6-0 win. The girls played like a well-oiled locomotive traveling its track, thundering their way to their fourth gold. The morning games set the tune for the afternoon championship games against their first opponents. With the words of coaches John and Lou, about the sluggish play against Hacienda Hts., fresh in their minds- the Midnight Express showed up well polished. Every girls gave their all for the quest. The thunderous roar of Renay and Valerie; the gutsy plays of Janessa, Tiffany, and Andrea; the swift foot of ChristineW., Christie H., and Theresa; the cool shifting of Jennifer, Elisa and Irene; the solid supports and persistence of Lauren and Katie; and the solid and life-saving plays of Christina made the quest for gold their own. Good job girls..........Danny

Fourth gold of the year

Renay

Tiffany

Theresa

Janessa

The Chinese Connection