Today was our third meeting with SWIC in as many years. The first meeting was at their place and we were handed an embarassing 10-0 loss. Last year we were the host and we played respectable soccer with several shots on goal in the first 20 minutes of the match but no score. In the end we dropped that one 3-0. Today we made the trip to SWIC with only one tuneup match under our belts, a scrimmage with Williams Baptist College that we won 1-0. I was eager to see what kind of game we would play with the adjustments we made after we watched the film of our match with WBC.
After the opening whistle we started out like we did in our scrimmage, nervous and anxious. However, after 10 minutes we settled down and played as we are capable of playing. We battled SWIC to a 0-0 tie at half and to say that I was pleased would have been an understatement. I told the boys at the half that I just watched the best half of soccer that I have seen at RLC. After we settled down, we possessed the ball, played aggressive defense, had several shots on goal, but we were not able to mess up their sheets. But even without a score I saw some beautiful soccer. I was pretty confident that we would come out in the second half and go up a goal early with a very good chance to win the game. That was what almost happened in the 75th minute. Dylan Starr had a great shot on on the left side of the field after receiving a cross from the right side of the pitch, and it was just barely off the mark. That wasn't the only shot on goal we had. We had plenty of chances to get on the board first but it wasn't meant to be.
Timmy Meldezis turned in another brillant performance at Keeper, and I can't say enough about the back four with special cudos to Neil and Griffin again for being a wall in the middle. Joel, Dillon, Ben and Tyler all played well at the 2 and 5 spots. Micah and Jake played well at the 6&8 spots, and Alex had a very good game at the 10 spot. Chase Winn turned in a very good performance as he spelled Alex at the 10 spot in the second half. The front three (Nelson, Rocky, and Jordan) worked hard and made a lot of things happen in the attacking third of the pitch. Sammy and Dylan did a very good job coming off the bench to play up front.
In the end SWIC scored in the 84th minute. We made a defensive mistake by leaving a man unmarked as one of their boys played a nice angled pass from the goal line to the top of the box.
All in all I am very proud of our boys. They played a good game and demonstrated good sportsmanship, which is more than I can say for a few of our opponents. With a few adjustments we should be able to improve as the season progresses and hopefully we'll peak when the post season comes around.
It was a hard fought match and I sure wish they could have pulled it out. I am enjoying watch the boys play. Although I had to leave before the game was over I heard some very nice comments about the coach. I was told he went to the parents and expressed how this felt so go to play that well against such a good team. It is amazing how a bit of kindness and sincerity can make a few people feel so great about where their child is going to school and playing soccer. Thanks Coach!!
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