We hosted the 10th ranked team in the NJCAA today. Lincoln Land College came to Rend Lake today at 2:00. At the beginning of the match, the weather was beautiful, but by the 72nd minute the lighting came and the heavens opened. An hour later the rain finally stopped but the field was declared unsafe by the officials and the game was called.
Lincoln Land is a very talented team. They played physical, but our boys stood up to them and gave them a very good first half. The score was 2-0 at half, but one of the goals came on a mistake by us. So, I told our boys that they only had one earned goal in the half. 1-0 is not a bad score for the first 45 minutes of play against such a talented team. We didn't have a very good possesion game in the first half and that was probably due to Lincoln Land's pressure. We did a little better at possesion in the second half but the rains came and cut our chances short to try to catch up with them.
The game ended 3-0. We have two games next week. Hopefully we will have our injured boys back for those games.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Soccer Pictures
Dr. Brian Lee is not only an exceptional Podiatrist, he is also an accomplished photographer. He was at our game with Heartland and today's game against the 10th ranked team in the NJCAA, Lincoln Land.
Follow the link below to view and, if you want, to purchase some pictures.
http://www.toedoc.smugmug.com/Sports/Rend-Lake-Soccer-2009
Follow the link below to view and, if you want, to purchase some pictures.
http://www.toedoc.smugmug.com/Sports/Rend-Lake-Soccer-2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
RLC vs. Lincoln
Last year we made a trip to Lincoln and when the match was over we were looking at 10-0 loss. It was an ugly match, with poor sportsmanship on both teams but more so on them. I remember leaving the pitch thinking, "Next year things will be different".
We hosted Lincoln today. The weather was perfect, the pitch was in excellent shape, and the boys were ready. We got off to a good start. Thad Snell scored in the tenth minute. A few minutes later Griffin Groves missed a wide open shot in the six yard box. Seven minutes later Keiler Dillman put one in, and in the 32nd minute Thad messed up their net again. The half ended with the Warriors on top with a 3-0 lead.
The second half saw Lincoln turn up the heat, but our defense responded (as they always do), and shut them out with a little help from our Kepper, Josh Sears. Josh had 11 saves in the game. Before the final whistle blew Thad got the hat trick in the 73rd minute, a first for a Rend Lake Warrior!
This was a nice win for us. It's great to be 5-4-1. We're almost half way through the season and we're above .500 in one of the toughest regions in the nation. Not bad for a second year program!
We hosted Lincoln today. The weather was perfect, the pitch was in excellent shape, and the boys were ready. We got off to a good start. Thad Snell scored in the tenth minute. A few minutes later Griffin Groves missed a wide open shot in the six yard box. Seven minutes later Keiler Dillman put one in, and in the 32nd minute Thad messed up their net again. The half ended with the Warriors on top with a 3-0 lead.
The second half saw Lincoln turn up the heat, but our defense responded (as they always do), and shut them out with a little help from our Kepper, Josh Sears. Josh had 11 saves in the game. Before the final whistle blew Thad got the hat trick in the 73rd minute, a first for a Rend Lake Warrior!
This was a nice win for us. It's great to be 5-4-1. We're almost half way through the season and we're above .500 in one of the toughest regions in the nation. Not bad for a second year program!
RLC vs. Lewis & Clark
We hosted Lewis and Clark this past Tuesday at 4:00. From the get go we felt like we had an excellent chance to get a win against a team that beat us 9-2 a year ago.
The first half was a very good effort for us. When the first 45 minutes had expired we had 7 shots on goal with two corners, but no score. L & C scored two in the first half on four shots on goal.
The second half was another battle and when the dust settled we had four more shots on goal but none had found the back of the net. L & C remained scoreless as well. It was a hard fought match, and we came out short.
I have to think that if we play them six times, we would win half of them. But this is the one that counts, so we'll chalk it up as a learning experience and hopefully come out on Thursday and score some goals.
This loss drops us to 4-4-1.
The first half was a very good effort for us. When the first 45 minutes had expired we had 7 shots on goal with two corners, but no score. L & C scored two in the first half on four shots on goal.
The second half was another battle and when the dust settled we had four more shots on goal but none had found the back of the net. L & C remained scoreless as well. It was a hard fought match, and we came out short.
I have to think that if we play them six times, we would win half of them. But this is the one that counts, so we'll chalk it up as a learning experience and hopefully come out on Thursday and score some goals.
This loss drops us to 4-4-1.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
RLC vs SCI
We hosted Springfield College in Illinois today at 2:00 pm. Last year we traveled to Springfield and got beat 6-0. So, this was one that we really wanted, and we got it with a 2-1 victory.
I gave the boys Thursday and Friday off because we were so banged up, and worn out. We had a long road trip this past Monday, and we had a battle with SWIC on Wednesday. So, I called for a two day hiatus, and I think it made a huge difference. Our boys were fresh, and so ready to play.
We came out hot. Thad Snell had his first of two goals in the fifth minute. He found the back of the net again in the 20th minute. My Mids played a very good game, and my Defense was stellar. When we have both of those things going for us, all our Forwards have to do is hit the gaps on the runs and finish. We didn't finish like we should have. One goal was called back for offside, and two bounced off the wood, while three went wide. They snuck one in with in the 40th minute.
When time expired our boys were pretty happy, and so were the coaches,,,:) 4-3-1 is a record that I'm very happy with. We only have two games next week, and both are home games. I'm glad we are not traveling, that will help us recover, and hopefully be fresh for both games.
Injury report. Neil Houlihan and Joel Harrison are still on the DL. They both have severe quad injuries. We're going to nurse them along and bring them back when they are healed. We will need them for the middle to the end of the season and also for our post season play. Keep them in your prayers.
I gave the boys Thursday and Friday off because we were so banged up, and worn out. We had a long road trip this past Monday, and we had a battle with SWIC on Wednesday. So, I called for a two day hiatus, and I think it made a huge difference. Our boys were fresh, and so ready to play.
We came out hot. Thad Snell had his first of two goals in the fifth minute. He found the back of the net again in the 20th minute. My Mids played a very good game, and my Defense was stellar. When we have both of those things going for us, all our Forwards have to do is hit the gaps on the runs and finish. We didn't finish like we should have. One goal was called back for offside, and two bounced off the wood, while three went wide. They snuck one in with in the 40th minute.
When time expired our boys were pretty happy, and so were the coaches,,,:) 4-3-1 is a record that I'm very happy with. We only have two games next week, and both are home games. I'm glad we are not traveling, that will help us recover, and hopefully be fresh for both games.
Injury report. Neil Houlihan and Joel Harrison are still on the DL. They both have severe quad injuries. We're going to nurse them along and bring them back when they are healed. We will need them for the middle to the end of the season and also for our post season play. Keep them in your prayers.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
RLC vs SWIC
We hosted SWIC this afternoon. The 3:00 scheduled game came on a beautiful sunny afternoon. It was hot, and I think the temp got a little hotter as the game got under way.
SWIC is a very good team. They were one of the teams that beat us pretty bad last year. Needless to say, we wanted to give these boys a run for their money this year. Realistically I thought we could play with them this year, and we did.
We started the game with three starters out with injuries and three more starters played with injuries. Thankfully we have some talented guys that can come off the bench and give us some good playing time. If we get a chance to see them again this year, hopefully it will be with an injury free squad.
When the whistle blew to start the game, it was on. Both teams wanted to establish dominance, and it was a fast paced game for the first ten minutes. They got on the board first at the 15 minute mark. We came back with a nice shot on goal that almost broke through. 10 minutes later they get their second one, and that's the way it stayed until half. We had three shots on goal in the first 45 and they had six, converting on two of them.
The second half was ours for the first quarter. We had two very good opportunities to score, one on a break away, and one from a corner. At the 65 minute mark they scored their final goal. We had two more chances to get on the board, but they both were stopped. Both teams ended the half with 4 shots on goal.
Our defensive backs played superb. Those guys leave everything they have on the field. When they walk off, they are spent. Our mids did a pretty good job of possessing, but against such a quality team we had some trouble with that part of our game. Freshman Keeper Josh Sears played an excellent game. Our forwards are banged up, and it showed today. We need some rest and recovery in order to get ready for SCI this Saturday.
The loss puts us at 3-3-1. If we're going by points, we have 10. Not a bad start at all.
SWIC is a very good team. They were one of the teams that beat us pretty bad last year. Needless to say, we wanted to give these boys a run for their money this year. Realistically I thought we could play with them this year, and we did.
We started the game with three starters out with injuries and three more starters played with injuries. Thankfully we have some talented guys that can come off the bench and give us some good playing time. If we get a chance to see them again this year, hopefully it will be with an injury free squad.
When the whistle blew to start the game, it was on. Both teams wanted to establish dominance, and it was a fast paced game for the first ten minutes. They got on the board first at the 15 minute mark. We came back with a nice shot on goal that almost broke through. 10 minutes later they get their second one, and that's the way it stayed until half. We had three shots on goal in the first 45 and they had six, converting on two of them.
The second half was ours for the first quarter. We had two very good opportunities to score, one on a break away, and one from a corner. At the 65 minute mark they scored their final goal. We had two more chances to get on the board, but they both were stopped. Both teams ended the half with 4 shots on goal.
Our defensive backs played superb. Those guys leave everything they have on the field. When they walk off, they are spent. Our mids did a pretty good job of possessing, but against such a quality team we had some trouble with that part of our game. Freshman Keeper Josh Sears played an excellent game. Our forwards are banged up, and it showed today. We need some rest and recovery in order to get ready for SCI this Saturday.
The loss puts us at 3-3-1. If we're going by points, we have 10. Not a bad start at all.
Monday, September 7, 2009
RLC vs Carl Sandburg
We took the boys to Galesburg today, a five hour bus trip, to play Carl Sandburg. The start time for the match was 3:00. Two minutes into the game and we're up 1-0 with a nice finish from Thad Snell. By the time the whistle blew for the half we had a 3-0 lead. Thad had put another one in and Andy Jerome scored his first of the year.
At the half we talked about not coming out flat, like we had done on two other ocassions. The boys responded. Our defensive game never looked better. The back four turned in a stellar performance as they helped our rookie Keeper, Josh Sears, keep the net clean the entire game. Marcus, our starting Keeper, is out with a back injury. Our offense also responded. Jared White and Eli Bradley found the back of the net for the first time of the year with two sweet goals.
The win made the five hour trip home a little better, although it's no fun getting up at six, leaving at eight, and getting back home at 11:30.
We're at 3-2-1. At the beginning of the season I looked at our schedule and wondering where we would be at this point of the season. At that time I thought we would have a little better record than we have, but I am not complaining.
We have two tough matches this week. SWIC comes to the Lake on Wed and SCI pays a visit on Saturday. I hope we are able to stay close with these teams until the end of the match so we can give ourselves a chance to pull out a couple of more wins.
At the half we talked about not coming out flat, like we had done on two other ocassions. The boys responded. Our defensive game never looked better. The back four turned in a stellar performance as they helped our rookie Keeper, Josh Sears, keep the net clean the entire game. Marcus, our starting Keeper, is out with a back injury. Our offense also responded. Jared White and Eli Bradley found the back of the net for the first time of the year with two sweet goals.
The win made the five hour trip home a little better, although it's no fun getting up at six, leaving at eight, and getting back home at 11:30.
We're at 3-2-1. At the beginning of the season I looked at our schedule and wondering where we would be at this point of the season. At that time I thought we would have a little better record than we have, but I am not complaining.
We have two tough matches this week. SWIC comes to the Lake on Wed and SCI pays a visit on Saturday. I hope we are able to stay close with these teams until the end of the match so we can give ourselves a chance to pull out a couple of more wins.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)