VSI Tampa Flames Set for Lady Eagles and Armed Forces Team

The following report was submitted by Alex Miranda, of VSI Flames Inc.

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The VSI Tampa Flames, after a break of what seems like an eternity, are readying for a busy week in which they host the Charlotte Lady Eagles, June 6 and 7, and have a friendly match-up June 10 against an Armed Forces team.

Coming off a frustrating loss to the Atlanta Silverbacks, the Flames have a long time to prepare and fix what went wrong in Georgia. “We have been working hard in the training sessions to limit the mistakes we made in the last game, but at the minute the girls are just getting excited for the opportunity to get back into the competitive arena," said Head Coach Ged O'Connor. "We have been out now for a long time, and the main concern I have for the game is not coming out flat at the start of the game, which can happen after long breaks."

This week's matches will be replays of the first game in the history of the VSI Tampa Flames. The team traveled to Charlotte, coming home with a 3-0 loss. It will be another tough encounter with the Lady Eagles, currently undefeated this season with a 4-0 record.

It promises to be a tactical battle throughout, with the teams playing each other twice in a period of 24 hours, so squad depth likely will be a strong factor in the outcome of the games.

The opening game of the series, June 6, starts a period in which the Flames play seven games in 25 days. With training sessions and travel mixed in, it will be a busy period for the Flames.

Coach O’Connor carries into the games a squad mixed with youthful speed and experience and will be relying on the likes of Kayla Bala, Cassie Barbaresi, and Shelby Spinelli to show leadership to the younger players in the squad.

"It is a different game when you are 21 or 22 compared to when you are 18-years-old," O'Connor said. "Being able to balance the characters within the team has been one of the challenges I have enjoyed the most in my short time with the group. We are getting better and better and I am sure that for most of the girls, the season starts this week."

Match times for the games against the Eagles are set for 7 p.m. The match against the Armed Forces will start at 3 p.m.

For more information, and to order tickets, visit www.vsi-flames.com.  After this three-game home stand, the Flames will be back on the road for games against the Atlanta Silverbacks and FC Jax Destroyers, on June 15 and 17, respectively.

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