WASHINGTON TERRACE -- "What the heck happened?"
That was Ogden Outlaws owner Mike Hickman Sr.'s first thought of the team's recently completed 2010 season.
"I had such high hopes with the talent that was coming in, and they just never really came together on the field," Hickman said. "There were always times where I would get really excited because it looked like things were finally coming together, but we just couldn't get the consistency we needed."
Ogden finished its fifth season at 2-11-3, staking out just nine points in the Premier Development League's Southwest Division and finishing in ninth place.
"The first home-stand was really exciting against Lancaster and the (Los Angeles) Legends," Hickman said. "Getting a win against the defending PDL champions on our home field was definitely a highlight."
Ogden dropped its first two matches of the season on the road prior to the majority of its players returning from college, but bounced back with a win and a draw in its first two home matches. Things went dramatically south following that weekend, however, with the team going winless over its next six matches (0-5-1).
Ogden snapped the funk with a strong showing and a 2-1 victory Ventura County on July 8. The Fusion, who were the 2009 PDL champion, ended up as the division champion before falling in the Western Conference playoffs.
Unfortunately for the Outlaws, they weren't able to forge momentum from the result and a five-match winless streak (0-4-1) wrapped up the season.
"The most important thing (at the PDL level) is to make players better through training and games," Hickman said. "I feel that the players did get better and mentally tougher through the season. We are also showing them how to be professionals, and sometimes as professionals, you go through stretches like this. Hopefully they became tougher and smarter because of the experience."
Forward Triston Sommerville, one of three Jamaican-born players on the squad this year, finished as the team's leading scorer with five goals and four assists. Forward Andy Cornia had four goals, while central defender Kenan Powell and central midfielder Christian Meza each had three. Outside midfielder Joe Hickman tallied seven points for the team on two goals and three assists.
"I hope the young players will understand that this is a serious league, and they better prepare for the competition next summer," Hickman said. "After evaluating the past season from a coaching perspective and owner, there will be a number of changes made with more demands placed on the staff and the players. This past season is not acceptable, and I personally guarantee next season will be much better."
On Saturday, the Portland Timbers U-23 squad, which competes in the Western Conference's Northwest Division, claimed the 2010 PDL championship. The Timbers U-23 became the first team in league history to finish with a perfect season after going 18-0-0, knocking off the Thunder Bay Chill 4-1 at PGE Park in Portland, Ore.
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