Today, we played Colorado Colllege in our 2nd conference game of the season. We ended up on the short side of the scoreboard. We lost 0:1. The game started at 11:00 AM and we started playing pretty well. Due to the altitude, we made many changes in the line-up throughout the game. We were trying to keep our starters rested. Everyone contributed today and everyone saw some minutes that made the trip. We certainly had the better of the possession during the 1st half, but the score would stay 0:0 at the half. We tried to adjust our game a little, due to the altitude and it was working quite well. However, our first touch was not very good and some of our passes were not being played to feet. Rather, the passes were going to space or our opponents. We managed to remain tied until the 70th minute of the game, when a cross was played across the 6 yard box to an open striker on the back post, who tapped it in for the only goal of the game. The game would end that way.
The teaching point of this game and how the goal was scored would have been an excellent opportunity, had it not been for the fact that we cover this every day during our training and all our seasons. The rule is simple, we do not react, but Think! We are taught to never leave our men as a marking back or as a midfielder in the defensive third of the field. The situation that allowed this goal to be scored, is something we are taught daily. Our opponent got around the corner near the end line and had 3 options. 1st he could shoot, but he had no angle or chance of scoring. His 2nd option would have been to play the ball back towards his own 18 yard box to an on rushing midfielder or his 3rd option and the one he chose, was to play the ball to the back side to the open striker who was left alone, because our marking back left his man to react to the open man. He did not think, but rather reacted. Had he thought, he would have seen our keeper had narrowed the midfielders chance of scoring so he should have not gone away from his man. Our sweeper could and probably should have gone to the midfielder, but regardless, if he did or did not, the most dangerous man was the man that was left alone on the back side who ultimately got the game winner. We must learn to always read the situation in the flow of the game and to Think, rather than React!
In summing up our effort, I must say once again, we did not deserve to lose the game, as we played well enough for that to have not happened. Our next game is this coming week-end against DePauw University on Friday evening at 8 pm and on Sunday afternoon at 2 pm against Centre College. Both games are at home, so please come out and support our team, as we try to get back to our winning tradition...
Coach G from the Denver Airport waiting on our 12:55 am flight home
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
1st Conference Game 24 September 2010
Today, we played Austin College to open our 2010 Conference Schedule. The game ended 2:2 in overtime. First, I must compliment our team on an incredible effort in today's game, especially after the dismal performance in our last game. It was a 180 degree turn around and I am extremely proud of this kind of determination and effort.
We began the game in a defense we had worked on all week and it was working quite well, especially in the 1st half. We had total control of the game in a rainy condition. We scored a terrific goal in the 30th minute off a great ball played to a back side running Sean Head from his central midfield position from Jarred Brookins. The goal was set-up by a hard run off the ball from Tyler Evans, taking his defender away, so Sean could make the back side run in an open position. BSC led 1:0. The score would remain 1:0 until the 41st minute of the 1st half, when a free kick from about 25 yards out on the right side was played over the wall to the middle of the goal for their 1st goal. The half ended with the score 1:1.
The 2nd half began and we went right at them and scored in the 47th minute on a goal by Nico Reitmeier with an assist from Garner Shivers. BSC 2, Austin College 1. The score remained that way until the 85th minute, when Austin College received a short punt from our freshman goalkeeper, who came in to begin the 2nd half and played the ball down the right side and sent the ball in and our keeper went up for the ball and caught it, only to fall and have the ball come loose from his grip and trickle in the goal to tie the game at 2:2. The 2nd half ended. We began the overtime period still controlling the game and then went to a 2nd overtime and the final whistle blew after 110 minutes of play with the score BSC 2, Austin College 2.
Again, this is the kind of effort that makes Champions! We must build on this effort and learn to stop giving up really poor goals and this season will be a great one for us.We will continue to work hard and make better passes to feet in a more timely manner, as we continue our defensive pressure. We now fly tomorrow from Dallas to Colorado Springs for another conference game with Colorado College on Sunday morning at 11:00 AM mountain time. If we show the same effort, we will be successful! Stay tuned....
Coach G from Sherman, Texas
We began the game in a defense we had worked on all week and it was working quite well, especially in the 1st half. We had total control of the game in a rainy condition. We scored a terrific goal in the 30th minute off a great ball played to a back side running Sean Head from his central midfield position from Jarred Brookins. The goal was set-up by a hard run off the ball from Tyler Evans, taking his defender away, so Sean could make the back side run in an open position. BSC led 1:0. The score would remain 1:0 until the 41st minute of the 1st half, when a free kick from about 25 yards out on the right side was played over the wall to the middle of the goal for their 1st goal. The half ended with the score 1:1.
The 2nd half began and we went right at them and scored in the 47th minute on a goal by Nico Reitmeier with an assist from Garner Shivers. BSC 2, Austin College 1. The score remained that way until the 85th minute, when Austin College received a short punt from our freshman goalkeeper, who came in to begin the 2nd half and played the ball down the right side and sent the ball in and our keeper went up for the ball and caught it, only to fall and have the ball come loose from his grip and trickle in the goal to tie the game at 2:2. The 2nd half ended. We began the overtime period still controlling the game and then went to a 2nd overtime and the final whistle blew after 110 minutes of play with the score BSC 2, Austin College 2.
Again, this is the kind of effort that makes Champions! We must build on this effort and learn to stop giving up really poor goals and this season will be a great one for us.We will continue to work hard and make better passes to feet in a more timely manner, as we continue our defensive pressure. We now fly tomorrow from Dallas to Colorado Springs for another conference game with Colorado College on Sunday morning at 11:00 AM mountain time. If we show the same effort, we will be successful! Stay tuned....
Coach G from Sherman, Texas
Sunday, September 19, 2010
2nd Consecutive Home Loss
BSC loses to Maryville College 0:2! This performance or lack of was emblematic of the training we have had all week long. The effort and desire was never present during the week, so it was never present during the game. We were chasing the entire game. Our passes and touch were awful. Either our first touch was poor or or passes were never to feet or just simply, never connecting with a teammate. Somehow, we continue to not pay attention to what we discuss and work on during the week, nor do we listen at halftime, when we try to make corrections to our game for the second half. We continue to be "reactionary" rather than "pro-active" and dictate runs off the ball. We just pass and watch and then react. Now, that is about 5 seconds too late.
Today was a prime example of playing the way we trained...very, very lazy, with no sense of urgency. This team lacks a true leader on and off the field. Not one player ever steps up to take charge of this team. We are somehow satisfied with "Mediocrity" instead of "Excellence". I am extremely disappointed in how we have been playing all week and I knew it would show the same thing in the game. You always play as you train. You can not turn your game on and off like a light switch.
The score at Half Time was 0:0. Then a poor decision in the back in playing a square ball in space to run on to and then that player taking 3 touches too many, led to losing the ball and then a back side run for their first goal. The second goal came on a corner to the back post, which we discussed in our pre-game talk and again we were beaten by a header on the back post to make it Maryville 2, BSC 0. Every attack we had ended in either a poor pass, poor touch or a poor shot!
We now have 11 straight Conference games, with 6 on the road and 5 at home. We begin our Conference play this coming week-end at Austin College on Friday at 4:00 PM and then on Sunday, at Colorado College at 11:00 AM mountain time. It is going to be a very long season, if we do not correct our attitude about training and playing. One does not go without the other. When some of our previous teams would have bad games, they would come out early and work on their deficiencies way before training was to begin. This team comes out to the field and either sits on the benches, tying their shoes, waiting on training to begin, or they come out and just stand around and talk. Again, it is a case of not looking themselves in the mirror and realizing how poorly they played.
It is time for each player to either become proactive in their approach to training or just pack in in and continue to play in mediocrity. It will certainly be interesting to watch as we try to prepare for this opening week-end of Conference games. Stay tuned...
Coach G from BSC
Today was a prime example of playing the way we trained...very, very lazy, with no sense of urgency. This team lacks a true leader on and off the field. Not one player ever steps up to take charge of this team. We are somehow satisfied with "Mediocrity" instead of "Excellence". I am extremely disappointed in how we have been playing all week and I knew it would show the same thing in the game. You always play as you train. You can not turn your game on and off like a light switch.
The score at Half Time was 0:0. Then a poor decision in the back in playing a square ball in space to run on to and then that player taking 3 touches too many, led to losing the ball and then a back side run for their first goal. The second goal came on a corner to the back post, which we discussed in our pre-game talk and again we were beaten by a header on the back post to make it Maryville 2, BSC 0. Every attack we had ended in either a poor pass, poor touch or a poor shot!
We now have 11 straight Conference games, with 6 on the road and 5 at home. We begin our Conference play this coming week-end at Austin College on Friday at 4:00 PM and then on Sunday, at Colorado College at 11:00 AM mountain time. It is going to be a very long season, if we do not correct our attitude about training and playing. One does not go without the other. When some of our previous teams would have bad games, they would come out early and work on their deficiencies way before training was to begin. This team comes out to the field and either sits on the benches, tying their shoes, waiting on training to begin, or they come out and just stand around and talk. Again, it is a case of not looking themselves in the mirror and realizing how poorly they played.
It is time for each player to either become proactive in their approach to training or just pack in in and continue to play in mediocrity. It will certainly be interesting to watch as we try to prepare for this opening week-end of Conference games. Stay tuned...
Coach G from BSC
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Tournament Champions!!
We are Back-to-back Champions of the Kyle Rote, Jr. Invitational at Sewanee, TN!! Today, we showed we could play in consecutive days and play with intensity and emotion and not allow fatigue to be an issue. I am extremely proud of our team for the way we played this week-end. Not only did we win our 2nd consecutive game in dominating form, we had 4 players make the All-Tournament team and had both the Offensive and Defensive MVP's. The All-Tournament Team included Cory Gonzalez, Tyler Evans, Nico Reitmeier and Tony Crocker. The Offensive MVP was Tyler Evans and the Defensive MVP was Cory Gonzalez. They were all very well deserved awards. This team would not let the awful defeat last week-end affect them this week-end. We are starting to find our rhythm and flow. It is not there yet, but we are getting closer.
The scoring would be a lot and often today. The scoring started in the 23rd minute on a goal by Ingvi Georgsson, with an assist from Sean Head. 5 minutes later, in the 28th minute, Nico Reitmeier scored a nice header goal from a corner by Ingvi Georgsson. BSC 2, Huntingdon 0. That ais how the half would end, but BSC had toal control of the half.
The 2nd half would begin with a goal 4 minutes in, by Tony Crocker on a penalty kick. 6 minutes later in the 55th minute, Ingvi Georgsson would strike again with an assist from Michael Alfano. BSC led now 4:0. In the 67th minute, Garner Shivers would score off a corner from Andrew Shelton to make it 5:0 for BSC. In the 68th minute Tony Crocker would get his 2nd goal with an assist from Tyler Evans. BSC led 6:0, but Huntingdon would score 1 minute later to make it 6:1 for BSC. The scoring was not over for BSC, as Brice Hunt got his first ever goal and points in a BSC uniform in the 87th minute on an assist from Garner Shivers. BSC would win 7:1 to secure their 2nd consecutive championship.
Over the 2 day tournament, BSC would finally find the scoring touch that had been missing so far this season. They scored 13 goals and gave up 2. A terrific performance by everyone. I am most proud of the players that had not played thus far in the season for their effort and hard work in both games.
I believe we are on the right path at the moment and hopefully we will continue to build on this great week-end's performance as we move forward in the season. I am extremely excited about our prospects for an outstanding season with everyone contributi ng to the team's success. It is going to be a fun year, so get on board the train as it steamrolls through our opponents. You will enjoy the ride. I also would be remiss, if I did not thank all our loyal parents for being here this week-end supportin us. It was a great boost to our guys. So, thank you parents!
That's it for now and we will see all of you one week from today at BSC Soccer Park, for a 4:00 PM game with Maryville College.
Coach G from the bus on our way home
The scoring would be a lot and often today. The scoring started in the 23rd minute on a goal by Ingvi Georgsson, with an assist from Sean Head. 5 minutes later, in the 28th minute, Nico Reitmeier scored a nice header goal from a corner by Ingvi Georgsson. BSC 2, Huntingdon 0. That ais how the half would end, but BSC had toal control of the half.
The 2nd half would begin with a goal 4 minutes in, by Tony Crocker on a penalty kick. 6 minutes later in the 55th minute, Ingvi Georgsson would strike again with an assist from Michael Alfano. BSC led now 4:0. In the 67th minute, Garner Shivers would score off a corner from Andrew Shelton to make it 5:0 for BSC. In the 68th minute Tony Crocker would get his 2nd goal with an assist from Tyler Evans. BSC led 6:0, but Huntingdon would score 1 minute later to make it 6:1 for BSC. The scoring was not over for BSC, as Brice Hunt got his first ever goal and points in a BSC uniform in the 87th minute on an assist from Garner Shivers. BSC would win 7:1 to secure their 2nd consecutive championship.
Over the 2 day tournament, BSC would finally find the scoring touch that had been missing so far this season. They scored 13 goals and gave up 2. A terrific performance by everyone. I am most proud of the players that had not played thus far in the season for their effort and hard work in both games.
I believe we are on the right path at the moment and hopefully we will continue to build on this great week-end's performance as we move forward in the season. I am extremely excited about our prospects for an outstanding season with everyone contributi ng to the team's success. It is going to be a fun year, so get on board the train as it steamrolls through our opponents. You will enjoy the ride. I also would be remiss, if I did not thank all our loyal parents for being here this week-end supportin us. It was a great boost to our guys. So, thank you parents!
That's it for now and we will see all of you one week from today at BSC Soccer Park, for a 4:00 PM game with Maryville College.
Coach G from the bus on our way home
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Kyle Rote, Jr. Invitational at Sewanee, TN
Today, 11 September 2010, we played the University of the Ozarks at Sewanee, TN in their Kyle Rote, Jr.Invitational. It was a very good day for our team. After last Monday's debacle against Fontbonne, when we were upset 1:2 in an awful game, we showed a lot of character in how we came out today and played from the opening whistle to the final one. It was going to be interesting to see how we would react after our last game. I think we showed we can play with anyone when we play with intensity, emotion and purpose. We truly had "Tenacity of Purpose" today. I am very proud of our team for their poise and determination to prove to thmeselves, that the last game was fluke. We won the game by the score of 6:1.
We scored in the 4th minute on a nice goal from Tyler Evans from an assist by Kyle Sherrin. Unfortunately, the University of the Ozarks scored 1 minute later to knot the score at 1:1. Once again, just like our last game, we left a man unmarked on the back side for a goal. This is something we talked about all week in training, but we still seem to have trouble sorting it out on the big crosses to the far post. We will correct that, I can assure you! In the 18th minute, Kyle Sherrin would get what would prove to be the game winner on a nice finish on an unassisted goal. In the 24th minute, Tyler Evans struck again on an assist from Tony Crocker to make the score 3:1 for BSC. We would never look back. The half ended with the score BSC 3, University of the Ozarks 1!
The 2nd half would be a continuation of the 1st half. In the 58th minute, Nico Reitmeier scored with an assist from Tony Crocker to make the score 4:1. In the 77th minute, Tyler Evans scored his 3rd goal of the game with an assist from Carter McLean on a long throw-in to make it 5:1 for BSC. Our last goal would come in the 87th minute from 2 seniors who had never gotten any points in any game during their career. Kenan LeParc scored the goal on an assist from Tim Tincher to make the final score BSC 6 Ozarks 1!
This hopefully, will be the start of some good things to come from our team this season. I was very happy and pleased that every player got into the game today. We and they needed that. It is always nice to be able to play players who have been working so very hard all pre-season and in the early part of the regular season. I hope it will continue!
Tomorrow (Sunday) we play an old foe in Huntingdon College at 2:00 PM in the final game of the Kyle Rote, Jr. Invitational, in Sewanee, TN. Wed had a very nice contingent of parents at our game today and I understand we will have even more tomorrow. So, thank you to all our parents for their continued support of our team. We greatly appreciate it.
Coach G from Sewanee, TN
We scored in the 4th minute on a nice goal from Tyler Evans from an assist by Kyle Sherrin. Unfortunately, the University of the Ozarks scored 1 minute later to knot the score at 1:1. Once again, just like our last game, we left a man unmarked on the back side for a goal. This is something we talked about all week in training, but we still seem to have trouble sorting it out on the big crosses to the far post. We will correct that, I can assure you! In the 18th minute, Kyle Sherrin would get what would prove to be the game winner on a nice finish on an unassisted goal. In the 24th minute, Tyler Evans struck again on an assist from Tony Crocker to make the score 3:1 for BSC. We would never look back. The half ended with the score BSC 3, University of the Ozarks 1!
The 2nd half would be a continuation of the 1st half. In the 58th minute, Nico Reitmeier scored with an assist from Tony Crocker to make the score 4:1. In the 77th minute, Tyler Evans scored his 3rd goal of the game with an assist from Carter McLean on a long throw-in to make it 5:1 for BSC. Our last goal would come in the 87th minute from 2 seniors who had never gotten any points in any game during their career. Kenan LeParc scored the goal on an assist from Tim Tincher to make the final score BSC 6 Ozarks 1!
This hopefully, will be the start of some good things to come from our team this season. I was very happy and pleased that every player got into the game today. We and they needed that. It is always nice to be able to play players who have been working so very hard all pre-season and in the early part of the regular season. I hope it will continue!
Tomorrow (Sunday) we play an old foe in Huntingdon College at 2:00 PM in the final game of the Kyle Rote, Jr. Invitational, in Sewanee, TN. Wed had a very nice contingent of parents at our game today and I understand we will have even more tomorrow. So, thank you to all our parents for their continued support of our team. We greatly appreciate it.
Coach G from Sewanee, TN
Monday, September 6, 2010
2nd game of Jim 'n Nick's/Puma BSC Labor Day Classic
Today we played Fontbonne University in the final game of the tournament. We have played them twice before, both times at their field and had never given up a goal and never lost to them. Well, today was a different story. We lost the game 1:2. Actually, that score was a fair representation of the game. We had no business winning the game the way we played today. I knew in the locker room, we were going to be in trouble. We had no emotion, no sense of urgency and certainly no real desire to do the things to turn our game around. Fontbonne deserved the win.
Fontbonne scored 4 minutes into the game, when our goalkeeper turned a 60-40 chance ball into a 50-50 ball after he called our defenders off. He got there late and could not recover to anything with the ball. Consequently, the ball came back out to their player who put the ball into an empty net. Score Fontbonne 1, BSC 0. The game was really poorly played by us and we never found any kind of rhythm or flow. Midway through the second half we had a nice cross in from the right side by Carter McLean and the ball came out to Garner Shivers on the 18 yard mark for a full volley into the upper portion of the net. Score stood BSC 1, Fontbonne 1. We hade plenty of time left to secure a victory, but we reverted back to sloppy passes and poor defending.We continued to dive in on defense and allow them to go by us without any trouble. In the 84th minute, Garner Shivers received a yellow card for dissent and then a red card right after that for alledgedly running into the ref. The video is clear that Garner was walking in a straight path and the ref moved to initiate the touching, if there truly was any touching. Probably the worst call I have seen in my 28 years of coaching here. Certainly Garner had no business dissenting at the ref for the call in the first place.One minute later, in the 85th minute and time winding down, Fontbonne had a corner and sentthe ball in to the box and it was headed in on the far post to an unmarked man for the goal. Score now Fontbonne 2, BSC 1. With less than 35 seconds to go in the game Fontbonne had a hand ball in the box and we were awarded a penalty kick. True to the way the game went and our play, we missed the penalty kick. Time ran out and we lost 1:2.Our record for the season, now stands at 1 win, 1 loss and 1 tie.
I really do not mind losing, as you have bad games sometimes, but what disturbs me and I really can not handle, is that we did not have any emotion or sense of urgency throughout the game. It appeared as if we really did not want to be on the field. We have got to find the players that played Saturday night again and those players have got to learn to be more consistent every game and then if you have a bad game, something good can still come out of it!
We are taking tomorrow off and will resume training on Wednesday in preparation for the Kyle Rote Invitational at the University of the South, in Sewanee, TN. Our first game is on Saturday at 2:00 PM against the University of the Ozarks and on Sunday, at 2:00 PM against Huntingdon College. In this tournament, we will not have a day to rest, so we must be ready to play back to back and play with desire, emotion and consistency. I hope to see you there.
Coach G from BSC
Fontbonne scored 4 minutes into the game, when our goalkeeper turned a 60-40 chance ball into a 50-50 ball after he called our defenders off. He got there late and could not recover to anything with the ball. Consequently, the ball came back out to their player who put the ball into an empty net. Score Fontbonne 1, BSC 0. The game was really poorly played by us and we never found any kind of rhythm or flow. Midway through the second half we had a nice cross in from the right side by Carter McLean and the ball came out to Garner Shivers on the 18 yard mark for a full volley into the upper portion of the net. Score stood BSC 1, Fontbonne 1. We hade plenty of time left to secure a victory, but we reverted back to sloppy passes and poor defending.We continued to dive in on defense and allow them to go by us without any trouble. In the 84th minute, Garner Shivers received a yellow card for dissent and then a red card right after that for alledgedly running into the ref. The video is clear that Garner was walking in a straight path and the ref moved to initiate the touching, if there truly was any touching. Probably the worst call I have seen in my 28 years of coaching here. Certainly Garner had no business dissenting at the ref for the call in the first place.One minute later, in the 85th minute and time winding down, Fontbonne had a corner and sentthe ball in to the box and it was headed in on the far post to an unmarked man for the goal. Score now Fontbonne 2, BSC 1. With less than 35 seconds to go in the game Fontbonne had a hand ball in the box and we were awarded a penalty kick. True to the way the game went and our play, we missed the penalty kick. Time ran out and we lost 1:2.Our record for the season, now stands at 1 win, 1 loss and 1 tie.
I really do not mind losing, as you have bad games sometimes, but what disturbs me and I really can not handle, is that we did not have any emotion or sense of urgency throughout the game. It appeared as if we really did not want to be on the field. We have got to find the players that played Saturday night again and those players have got to learn to be more consistent every game and then if you have a bad game, something good can still come out of it!
We are taking tomorrow off and will resume training on Wednesday in preparation for the Kyle Rote Invitational at the University of the South, in Sewanee, TN. Our first game is on Saturday at 2:00 PM against the University of the Ozarks and on Sunday, at 2:00 PM against Huntingdon College. In this tournament, we will not have a day to rest, so we must be ready to play back to back and play with desire, emotion and consistency. I hope to see you there.
Coach G from BSC
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Game 1 of BSC Jim 'n Nick's/ PUMA Labor Day Classic
What a game! BSC and Washington University played 110 minutes of great soccer to a scoreless tie. This is the kind of game which makes you proud to be a part of. It was non-stop action for 110 minutes. The score was tied at the end of regulation and remained tied after an additional 20 minutes of overtime was played.
We have yet to defeat this perennial top 25 team, always losing a heart breaker by 1 goal in the previous three games. Tonight was going to be different, we hoped. It had a different feel even before we played in our locker room. I knew this was our time.
The game started and we took control early with our possession. However, during the first half, it was not always our possession, but about an even game as we wound down to the end of the first half. Shachar Hovan had a tremendous diving save to his right on a very hard shot by Wash U. That would really be the only hard save he would have to make all game. Our defense settled in, as did our midfield and strikers.
At halftime, we knew we were in this game. We focused on making sure we took better care of the ball and to switch the sides of the field. In the first half, we played mostly on our left side. We felt if we could exploit the right side of our midfield, we could make some things happen.
The second half began and we did that, thus creating a few really good chances to score. We kept up the pressure, changing from very high to middle third of the field pressure. We tried to keep Wash U off balance a bit and it worked very well. We took control of the second half and our fitness began to take the game over. Wash U kept making a lot of substitutions, where we only made 3 changes to our line-up that started the game. We found a very good rhythm in our game, thus giving us balance and creating a great flow to our style of play. Forcing the play, we had 6 corners to their 2. We just could not find the back of the net. Sean Head had a great chance after the Wash U keeper mishandled the ball, but just put the ball over the goal. Kyle Sherrin had a great 1 v 1, but the Wash U keeper made a great play in shutting it down. We also had a free kick, just outside the 18 yard box and Tony Crocker took the shot, just as he did last year when he scored the equalizer at Wash U. However, this time the ball went just wide of the post. We continued pressing the game until the second half ended with the score still tied at 0:0.
We went into overtime and had the better of play, but could not score. Wash U had a free kick with about 1 minute to score and we stopped it and had a really good counter attack, but to no avail. The game ended at 0:0. In the final analysis of this game against such a great opponent, sometimes you must learn how to maintain the Tie and not do too much pressing forward, just trying to win. I remember the 1986 World Cup when Brazil certainly had the best team, but they only knew how to press forward on attack, only to lose on a great counter attack, thus preventing them from advancing. As I said, sometimes it is best just to make sure you secure the tie and not lose the game. We did just that and I am most proud of that decision on the field by our entire team!
What can you say about our players effort tonight, other than it was a performance that makes these kind of games so very special. As the game wore on, we seemed to get stronger and stronger until the final whistle blew ending the game. We are very fit and it certainly showed as did our system of play in controlling most of the game, especially in the second half.
I love playing against Washington University for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, I always enjoy playing against my coaching friends and Joe Clarke of Wash U is one of the finest coaches and a true gentleman. That leads to why we play them. It is a hard game with two teams playing "real" soccer and not kick and run soccer that most teams employ and I always know that not only will it be that hard fought game, but more importantly, it will always be a "fair" game. Both teams will leave the field knowing they did their very best and that playing in a game like that, is a very special and defining moment in their season.
Congratulations to Washington University on a great effort and game and more importantly, Congratulations to Our Team for such a tremendous effort. Our next game is tomorrow (Monday) at 1:30 PM against another old foe in Fontbonne University. We have beaten them the last two times we have played, but it is always a tough hard fought game. I know they will be ready to play against us and we must take the rest of today to recover and rest and be ready to play tomorrow in the final game of our Labor Day Classic.
So, until tomorrow, have a wonderful Labor Day week-end and please come out and support our guys as they continue to make all of us proud!
From BSC,
Coach G
We have yet to defeat this perennial top 25 team, always losing a heart breaker by 1 goal in the previous three games. Tonight was going to be different, we hoped. It had a different feel even before we played in our locker room. I knew this was our time.
The game started and we took control early with our possession. However, during the first half, it was not always our possession, but about an even game as we wound down to the end of the first half. Shachar Hovan had a tremendous diving save to his right on a very hard shot by Wash U. That would really be the only hard save he would have to make all game. Our defense settled in, as did our midfield and strikers.
At halftime, we knew we were in this game. We focused on making sure we took better care of the ball and to switch the sides of the field. In the first half, we played mostly on our left side. We felt if we could exploit the right side of our midfield, we could make some things happen.
The second half began and we did that, thus creating a few really good chances to score. We kept up the pressure, changing from very high to middle third of the field pressure. We tried to keep Wash U off balance a bit and it worked very well. We took control of the second half and our fitness began to take the game over. Wash U kept making a lot of substitutions, where we only made 3 changes to our line-up that started the game. We found a very good rhythm in our game, thus giving us balance and creating a great flow to our style of play. Forcing the play, we had 6 corners to their 2. We just could not find the back of the net. Sean Head had a great chance after the Wash U keeper mishandled the ball, but just put the ball over the goal. Kyle Sherrin had a great 1 v 1, but the Wash U keeper made a great play in shutting it down. We also had a free kick, just outside the 18 yard box and Tony Crocker took the shot, just as he did last year when he scored the equalizer at Wash U. However, this time the ball went just wide of the post. We continued pressing the game until the second half ended with the score still tied at 0:0.
We went into overtime and had the better of play, but could not score. Wash U had a free kick with about 1 minute to score and we stopped it and had a really good counter attack, but to no avail. The game ended at 0:0. In the final analysis of this game against such a great opponent, sometimes you must learn how to maintain the Tie and not do too much pressing forward, just trying to win. I remember the 1986 World Cup when Brazil certainly had the best team, but they only knew how to press forward on attack, only to lose on a great counter attack, thus preventing them from advancing. As I said, sometimes it is best just to make sure you secure the tie and not lose the game. We did just that and I am most proud of that decision on the field by our entire team!
What can you say about our players effort tonight, other than it was a performance that makes these kind of games so very special. As the game wore on, we seemed to get stronger and stronger until the final whistle blew ending the game. We are very fit and it certainly showed as did our system of play in controlling most of the game, especially in the second half.
I love playing against Washington University for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, I always enjoy playing against my coaching friends and Joe Clarke of Wash U is one of the finest coaches and a true gentleman. That leads to why we play them. It is a hard game with two teams playing "real" soccer and not kick and run soccer that most teams employ and I always know that not only will it be that hard fought game, but more importantly, it will always be a "fair" game. Both teams will leave the field knowing they did their very best and that playing in a game like that, is a very special and defining moment in their season.
Congratulations to Washington University on a great effort and game and more importantly, Congratulations to Our Team for such a tremendous effort. Our next game is tomorrow (Monday) at 1:30 PM against another old foe in Fontbonne University. We have beaten them the last two times we have played, but it is always a tough hard fought game. I know they will be ready to play against us and we must take the rest of today to recover and rest and be ready to play tomorrow in the final game of our Labor Day Classic.
So, until tomorrow, have a wonderful Labor Day week-end and please come out and support our guys as they continue to make all of us proud!
From BSC,
Coach G
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Opening game against Mississippi College
We won a hard fought game by the score of 2:1. Mississippi College is a very big and athletic team. Their counter attacks caused us some problems, especially in the 2nd Half.
We scored a nice goal off a great cross from Freshman Ingvi Georgsson to Garner Shivers for a terrific header into the goal. The score at half was 1:0. We pretty much controlled the game with our possession, but for about 15 minutes late in the 2nd half, when they put a lot of pressure on us and forced some turn overs in the middle third of the field. With about 16 minutes remaining in the game, they scored a very nice goal off a corner kick. The problem was, we had given them 3 straight corners and on the third one they scored. So with 16 minute remaining, the score now stood at 1:1. With 14 minutes left in the game, we had a beautiful play with Garner Shivers getting the ball on the right side of the field and taking it down the wing for a cross through Kyle Sherrin making his diagonal run and taking the defender away, which left Tony Crocker making a hard back side run to just tap the ball into the net to make the score now 2:1 for BSC. That goal came 2 minutes after Mississippi College tied the game.
I am very proud of our effort tonight, especially playing an opening game against a very difficult opponent. The most important aspect of this team, was they did not give up after Mississippi College tied the game. That shows the character of this team to not quit. They just kept on playing our game and in the end a good result happened.
Our next game is on Saturday in the Jim 'n Nick's/Puma Labor Day Classic. We play Washington University on Saturday evening at 7:30 PM and the finish the tournament on Monday at 1:30 PM against Fontbonne University. Both teams are from St. Louis, Mo. This should be an outstanding tournament. The fourth team is Sewanee. So, please come out and support our guys. They are going to make everyone very proud this season.
Coach G from BSC
We scored a nice goal off a great cross from Freshman Ingvi Georgsson to Garner Shivers for a terrific header into the goal. The score at half was 1:0. We pretty much controlled the game with our possession, but for about 15 minutes late in the 2nd half, when they put a lot of pressure on us and forced some turn overs in the middle third of the field. With about 16 minutes remaining in the game, they scored a very nice goal off a corner kick. The problem was, we had given them 3 straight corners and on the third one they scored. So with 16 minute remaining, the score now stood at 1:1. With 14 minutes left in the game, we had a beautiful play with Garner Shivers getting the ball on the right side of the field and taking it down the wing for a cross through Kyle Sherrin making his diagonal run and taking the defender away, which left Tony Crocker making a hard back side run to just tap the ball into the net to make the score now 2:1 for BSC. That goal came 2 minutes after Mississippi College tied the game.
I am very proud of our effort tonight, especially playing an opening game against a very difficult opponent. The most important aspect of this team, was they did not give up after Mississippi College tied the game. That shows the character of this team to not quit. They just kept on playing our game and in the end a good result happened.
Our next game is on Saturday in the Jim 'n Nick's/Puma Labor Day Classic. We play Washington University on Saturday evening at 7:30 PM and the finish the tournament on Monday at 1:30 PM against Fontbonne University. Both teams are from St. Louis, Mo. This should be an outstanding tournament. The fourth team is Sewanee. So, please come out and support our guys. They are going to make everyone very proud this season.
Coach G from BSC
Opening game preview, September 1, 2010
Tonight the 2010 Birmingham-Southern College Men's Team opens the season against Mississippi College at 6:00 PM at BSC Soccer Park. We have just ended our pre-season training and hopefully, we will be ready for a tough game tonight. Mississippi College is returning 7 starters froma very good 2009 team. We must be ready for their attack and recover quickly on defense. I hope we will be able to attack their back four and create some scoring opportunities. We have a relatively young team once again and this year's schedule, should prepare these young players for the 2011 season when we are finally eligible to compete to go to the NCAA Tournament. It has beena long journey of NCAA compliance, but we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
We have had a very good pre-season in preparation for a very difficult schedule. We have tried to train everyday to be the best, by training everyday as if we were the worst. I will write again after our game tonight to let everyone know the result.
Coach G from BSC
We have had a very good pre-season in preparation for a very difficult schedule. We have tried to train everyday to be the best, by training everyday as if we were the worst. I will write again after our game tonight to let everyone know the result.
Coach G from BSC
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)