Charlotte @ Saint Joseph’s

Philadelphia, PA – Tonight, win-less in 15 games Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) came closest to getting a point this year against #12 Charlotte.   Charlotte won 2-1 in OT but SJU had a viable chance to get a draw or even a win against a vastly superior opponent.

SJU scored first, but weren’t able to hold off the high-tempo Charlotte team.

Starting Lineups:

Charlotte 4-4-1-1.
F: Evan James

W/D F: Andres Cuero

M: Donnie Smith, Luke Exley, Isaac Caughran, Adam Gross

D: Justin Tucker, Charles Rodriguez, Isaac Cowles, Nathan Mathers

G: David Martin

Saint Joseph’s 4-4-2.

F: Colin Baker, Jason Lewis

M: Nico Galati, Travis Gast, Greg Dusing, Timmy Brennan

D: Rocco Pozzesserre, Greg Rom, Tom Smart, Justin Kohler

G: Andrew D’Ottavi

Charlotte observations:

Charlotte’s bus got stuck in traffic and the players wound up running the last bit to get to the field 20 minutes before game time.  Note to Jeremy Gunn, driving out of town on I-76 (aka Schuylkill) on a Friday evening is horrific.  Next time, book hotel rooms coming into the city.  It’ll save you the 90 minute commute.  Welcome to the big city.

I did appreciate how quickly the team organized themselves and started warming up.

Charlotte was quicker, more technical, but were not able to finish sufficiently to finish SJU.

Freshman forward Rex Jennings scored both goals.  Jennings is a tall rangy with adequate speed.

The first goal was scored in 56th minute from a SJU clearance that was blocked 30 yards from goal and the rebound came back into the goal mouth.  There was a scramble and Jennings wound up touching it in from 4 yards.

The winning goal was scored in the 98th minute on a somewhat controversial play.  The ball was played forward and freshman midfielder Donnie Smith brought the ball down (with his chest – according to Charlotte or with his arm – according to SJU).  I was behind the play and the ref had a much better angle. Smith got the ball up to senior midfielder Luke Exley who curled a ball over and around the back line to Jennings.   Jennings took a calming touch before putting it past the on-coming goal keeper.

Sophomores center backs Isaac Cowles and Charles Rodriquez are dependable in the back.  Rodriguez is particularly adept in the air.

Forwards sophomore Evan James and junior Andres Cuero are quick, competent dribblers.  The only down side is that they try to often to get behind the defense with speed rather than passing through them. Both of them can pass.  James has picked up more bulk this year.

James and Cuero need to finish better.  With countless open shots, they need to bury them. Also, James doesn’t have confidence in shooting with his left foot.  In the 12th minute, he had a break away that called for him to shoot with his left foot, but he took an awkward right footed shot that was off target.

Exley provides good accurate free kicks.

In the waning minutes of the first half, freshman midfielder Owen Darby served a good ball into the box for Jennings.  It looked like a PK could have been called, but it wasn’t.  I think a PK was the right call.

Senior midfielder Adam Gross is very good on the ball.  He moves well and reads the game well.  Don’t be surprised if he is playing professionally next year.  His game is more subtle, but I think that he has a chance.

Saint Joseph’s observations:

Lining up before the game, the team looks absolutely defeated – perhaps even embarrassed.  Losing 15 games However, they played with heart, but they don’t have enough talent.

The goal was scored by sophomore Shane Kelly in the 56th minute.  On the play, senior Travis Gast pushed the ball forward, before unleashing a shot that the GK couldn’t handle and Kelly hopped on the rebound, putting it in the goal.  This started a premature celebration as the 6th goal of the season was scored.

SJU is on track to break some dubious SJU all-time records with their last game on Sunday against SLU:

• Lowest goals scored: 9 in 1979 – 6 in 2009.
• Most losses: 16 in 1985 and 1998 – 16 in 2009.
• Fewest Wins: 2 in 1980, 2005 and 2006.  With 0 in 2009, this record is already broken.
• Consecutive Losses Streak: 11 in 2005 to 2006.  Record decimated.

Freshman goal keeper Andrew D’Ottavi covered the goal very well.  There were several shots that could have been goals without his movement. His distribution was pathetic.  SJU wound up using a defender to take the goal kicks.  D’Ottavi has to improve on his punts, goal kicks and throws.

Junior defender Rocco Pozzessere is an irritating defender.  He doesn’t have enough skill, athletic ability, but makes up for it with tactical fouls and small bumps.  It probably is a smart thing for him to do, but annoying to watch.

Sophomore defender Greg Rom is a physical player, but lacks the quickness to cover a skilled player 1v1.

Gast is comfortable on the ball.

I was disappointed that junior forward Colin Baker didn’t make more of an impact.  Last year, he impressed me with his play.  This year, he seems to be just going through the motions.  Kelly was more active; showed more desire and deserved to be on the field more.

Baker needs to play hard in every game or move on.

After the goal was scored, one of the SJU team members (I suspect that it was Giacomo DiLisi) kicked over the bench.  It’s another example of lack of discipline.  This lack of discipline permeates onto the field.  While SJU will close on the ball, they lack the ability (discipline) to mark the second and third attacker.  This cause SJU to relinquish space.

0-16 is a pretty damning record.  While SJU played better than I expected – I was told this was the best that they’ve played all season – the program needs to make a change.  How could it take this long, to get Kelly on the field.  Move Gast up top.  Teach the freshmen GK how to distribute the ball.

Time for a change in coaching.  Without fully funding, SJU will never be very good, but they could do better than this.

 

Saint Louis @ Temple

Philadelphia, PA – With Temple yearning for a ticket to tenuous ticket to the Atlantic 10, an early goal by Saint Louis (SLU) was enough to secure the victory.

Because Coach Dan Donigan picked up a red against Dayton in the last game, he was sentence to do his penance on the parent’s side.

The Temple fans had one guy that just lost his mind.  Sir – it’s not the refs fault that “little Johnny’s team didn’t play well enough to win.”  SLU dominated the game.  SLU allowed Temple to have late chances because they didn’t finish open shots.

Oh, it was brutally cold with the wind chill dipping into the 20’s (though it felt like it was negative, at times.

Starting Lineups:

SLU 4-4-2.
F: Mike Roach, Alex Sweetin

M: Stephen Bortolon, Josh Aranda, Michael Robson, Benny Estes

D: Alex Johnston, Tim Ream, Jacob Brown, James Dice

G: Ross Kaufman

Temple 4-4-2.

F: Francois Sagna, Tyler Witmer

M: Augustin Coly, Mike Puppolo, Jared Harris, Kenechukwu Nwanah

D: Bryan Keller, Martin Dell’Arciprete, Billy Kappock (wearing 15), Chas Chupein

G: Brett Mollon

SLU observations:

I need to find out why the following players didn’t play, senior back Rob Viviano, senior back James Jaramillo and sophomore midfielder Beau Bellomy.

The goal was scored  by freshman center back Jacob Brown in the 5th minute from a perfect freshman forward Alex Sweetin corner kick.  Sweetin served 8 yards out even with the back post, no one on Temple put a body on Brown and he had a free lane to head the ball into the far post.  Brown is very tall.  In the 15th minute, he stopped a Temple attacker after he had gotten past the left back.

I liked how Brown organized the defense in the second half after an unsuccessful Temple corner that was partially cleared.  He immediately was organizing his older team mates by getting men covered before the ball was back upon SLU.

I’m sold.  Senior center back Tim Ream is going to be a successful professional.   Without reviewing all the seniors, he might be one of the top 5 seniors chosen in the MLS draft.  His defense is top-notch.  His passing is accurate.  He doesn’t rush himself.  He’ll need to be quicker on his first touch.  Ream is the bright spot on this team.

Sweetin, junior midfielder Stephen Bortolon and sophomore forward Mike Roach were torching the right side of the Temple defense in the first 15 minutes until Temple made several substitutions to solidify their defense.  With quick touches, Temple was just not able to recover.

Sweetin seemed to run out of steam late in both halves.  In the last 5 minutes of the game, he was free on the goal keeper but had lost the technique to finish successfully.  Dan attributed the play to the GK – I submit that the forward needed to finish.

Additionally, Bortolon had a chance to score in the 4th minute from a slick Sweetin pass.  With Bortolon open just inside the box with the near post in front of him, he could have scored by shooting near post or by pushing the ball around the keeper to the far post.  Instead he shot at the goal keeper.

These are the types of blown opportunities which create defeats.

Sophomore left back Alex Johnston is a good defender.  Quick on his feet.  Sure on his tackles.  His ball skills are inadequate.  In the 23rd minute, he received the ball on a throw in then powered it back to the thrower.  turn over.  He surrendered a corner kick because he mis-headed a ball 35 yards from goal.

In the 88th minute, Ream served in a beautiful long free kick that Brown was able to gather and square it into the middle of the top of the box.  Senior back James Dice hit the post.

Senior DM Josh Aranda used his body to eraticate the dribbler from the ball.  I like his heart – but he just doesn’t have enough core soccer skills.

I’m glad to see Roach back on the field after suffering an injury against Akron.  He’s been playing, but this is the first time that I’ve seen him back on the field.  In the 21st minute, senior forward Scott Wisniewski dummied a ball to Roach in the middle of the box.  Roach took 2 touches (1 too many) and his shot was blocked.   Roach’s best touch was in the 71st minute, he squared a ball with his heel in traffic to freshman midfielder Nick Maglasang 35 yards from goal.  Maglasang sent the ball forward to free Sweetin in the box, but the GK snuffed out the chance.

Roach squared the ball to Sweetin at the end of the game but the openSweetin hit a slow roller.

I like the way that freshman center midfielder Michael Robson plays.  Good tackler, tactically aware of weaknesses.  He’s going to be pretty good.

Senior goal keeper Ross Kaufman wasn’t challenged.

I believe that Dan Donigan’s mother was up from Florida to watch the game.  Terrific timing – how about inviting your mother up to DC in mid-September or UMass early in the year.  Horrible, horrible planning to have your mother sit outside in the blustery wind in the beginning of November.

Temple observations:

Temple were controlled for much of the game.  Regardless of the stats, they didn’t deserve a point, a win or very much consideration.

Why didn’t senior J.T. Noone play?  He was one of the reasons that I came to see this game.  The other reason is it’s better to sit out on a blustery day on cold bleachers than be at work….

In the first half, the best Temple chance came from a junior midfielder Max Kinderwater corner kick that found freshman defender Billy Kappock’s head.

In the second half, the best Temple chance came from junior midfielder Kenechukwu Nwanah fall in the box.  It was close and I wouldn’t have complained (except for the call) if a PK was called.  But, that’s a serious indictment if the best chance is a non-call.

The best attacker for Temple is sophomore midfielder Tyler Witmer.  He’s quick on the dribble and an astute player.

Freshman midfielder Homero Rodriguez’s insertion in the game was part of the reason for Temple’s turn-around.  He can hold the ball.  Rodriguez is fearless in his tackling.  I like his tight area passing.  Very light; very accurate.

Nwanah is very fast.  Once he started running defenders had a difficult time catching him.

I couldn’t believe that senior midfielder Augustin Coly made a horrible pass that was intercepted at the top of his box.

 

Fairfield @ Loyola-Maryland

Baltimore, MD – The rain finally stopped during the match.  It was the bright spot in the match which ended in a scoreless draw.  Two back-to-back scoreless draws for me. The wet pitch was quick causing some heavily weighted passes to go harmlessly for goal kicks.

Loyola should be disappointed that they were unable to score.  But the difference between the two teams was the goal keeping.

Starting Lineups:

Loyola 4-4-2

F: Jamie Darvill, Phil Bannister

M: Wade McHugh, Mike Deasel, Eddie Dines, Glenn Leitch

D: Kevin Curran, Gerwyn Jones, Tenant McVea, Charlie Hutton

G: Kyle Wittman

Fairfield 4-4-2.

F: Erik Ilisije, Jack Burridge

M: Christian Uy, Matthew Uy, Matt Ernst, Michael Eager

D: Jonny Raj, Jack Cleverley, Adam Cowen, Todd Rutledge

G: Michael O’Keeffe

Loyola observations:

Senior center back Tennant McVea has outstanding leadership skills, but his passing continues to be lacking.   He likes the low-percentage long ball.

Senior forward Jamie Darvill is savvy on the ball.   His passing is exemplary.  Darvill reminds me of Chris Pontius.  Unfortunately, he left the game at the end of the of the first OT period with an apparent leg injury.  He almost scored on a powerful free kick that was just over the cross bar near the end of regulation.

Junior midfielder Glenn Leitch is inconsistent.  One moment, he’s dribbling past 2 defenders.  The next moment, he’s passing the ball to the opponent.  Pass.

Junior forward Phil Bannister is playing much better than he was against UMBC.  He was moving well and timing his runs better.  I really liked how he got back to aid in the defense on a Fairfield transition.  He smartly used the referee to make space to deliver a ball to junior AM Eddie Dines header.  If not for a miraculous save by Fairfield freshman goal keeper Michael O’Keeffee, this would have been the game winner.

Junior DM Mike Deasel was closing much quicker than I’ve seen him in a long time.

Junior midfielder Wade McHugh swiftly gets around the pitch.  He serves a nice deep cross.

Junior goal keeper Kyle Wittman is too slow off the line.  He doesn’t inspire confidence in the way he plays.  At best, he won’t lose the game for Loyola.

Freshman central defender Gerwyn Jones has potential to be pretty good.

Fairfield observations:

Fairfield was saved by Freshman goal keeper Michael O’Keeffee with a huge save, but this was after playing exceptionally all day. O’Keefee is a part of a defense that includes two other freshmen Jonny Raj and Adam Cowen.  All three of these freshmen are from New Zealand.  They join another Kiwi and 2 Brits to complement the remaining Americans (and a Canadian – but he’s from London…. Ontario!)

Fairfield’s offense was limited to mostly long (low percentage) shots.

Sophomore Jack Burridge wins many high balls and puts them in good position for his team mates.  He hit a 35 yard shot that hit the cross bar in the 5th minute.

Junior forward Erik Ilisije is a tall target forward.  He was winning many of the early head balls, but faded late.  His feet skills aren’t very good.  In the 27th minute, Burridge headed a square ball down to Ilisije’s foot.  Ilisije managed to hit the ball over the bar from 4 yards.

Senior midfielder Christian Uy had several long shots that were just off-target.  His best play was in the 30th minute, he recovered a McVea misplay, took two touches before hitting a 30 yard cracker off the post.

I expected junior midfielder Matthew Uy to have more impact, but Deasel neutralized much of play.  Uy did receive a long diagonal near the far post from junior back Todd Rutledge.  Uy decided to bring the ball down rather than hit the shot on the volley.  This allowed Uy’s shot to be blocked.

I didn’t care for freshman defender Jonny Raj’s technical skill.  He lost too many balls.

 

Virginia @ Maryland

College Park, MD – Maryland and Virginia played to a scoreless draw in a steady drizzle on a cool evening.

Maryland (MD) and Virginia (UVA) continued their bitter rivalry leading to multiple ejections in the first half.

The goal keeping from both teams shined keeping their teams from losing the game.

Starting Lineups:

UVA4-4-2.

F:  Chris Agorsor, Will Bates

M: Tony Tchani, Jonathan Villanueva, Ross LaBauex, Neil Barlow

D: Hunter Jumper, Mike Volk, Greg Monaco, Shawn Berry

G: Diego Restrepo

MD 4-4-2.

F: Jason Herrick, Casey Townsend

M: Billy Cortes, Matt Kassel, Drew Yates, Widner Saint Cyr

D: Taylor Kemp, Kevin Tangney, Ethan White, Kwame Darko

G: Zac MacMath

UVA observations:

Senior midfielder Neil Barlow was awarded the red card in the 42nd minute for sliding into MD goal keeper Zac MacMath.  This incited a scramble in the MD box which led to MD receiving a red card, as well.

Red shirt junior Diego Restrepo made countless saves.  His best series was in the first over time. He stopped a freshman left back Taylor Kemp rocket then stopped the rebound – a point blank shot from Townsend.

Sophomore forward Chris Agorsor had to leave in the first half from an apparent leg injury.  This is the same thing that happened last week against BC.

Sophomore right back Shawn Berry has blazing speed. He recovered to catch a breaking junior midfielder Billy Cortes.  He’s got serious potential. I’ll need to observe his defensive proficiency more closely during the ACC tournament.

Senior DM Ross LaBauex demonstrated his closing speed on a fierce tackle to junior forward Jason Herrick.

Sophomore midfielder Tony Tchani is starting to get his technical skills back after suffering a season-ending injury last year.

Sophomore forward Brian Ownby continues to enter the game in the second half.  His speed is apparent, but his touch is hard to watch at times.

Md observations:

Junior midfielder Billy Cortes retaliated in the scramble (where Barlow picked up his red card) which earned him a red card in the 42nd minute.

On the play, sophomore goal keeper Zac MacMath was shaken up.  If MacMath didn’t make the stop, Barlow would have scored.

Sophomore forward Casey Townsend didn’t miss a step from his 3 weeks injury hiatus.  He was quick on the turn and was a dangerous option throughout the game.  In the 29th minute, he put a diagonal behind the defense that was tantalizing to the defenders but that was beyond their reach.  It was a picture perfect pass.

Sophomore DM Matt Kassel struck a side volley in the 105th minute that hit the post.

Freshman center back Ethan White misplayed a ball “on the wet field” which led to an opportunity that Ownby fired wildly.

Senior center back Kevin Tangney made several key tackles.

Herrick may have pulled a groin in the second half.

Sophomore midfielder Kaoru Forbess had a pair of wicked long shots that were just off target.

 

Louisville @ Villanova

Philadelphia, PA – #5 Louisville dominated Villanova 5-0 on a wet field with a persistent drizzle.  With the rain, it was difficult to take notes.

While the game may have looked statistically even, Louisville pulled many of their starters early in both halves.

Starting Lineups:

Louisville 4-4-2.

F: Mark Knight, Colin Rolfe

M: Freddie Braun, Othaniel Yanez, Paolo DelPiccolo, Gerardo Chavez

D: J.T. Murray, Phil Edginton, Chase Rodgers, Kenney Walker

G: Andre Bourdreaux

Villanova 4-4-2

F: Mike Seamon, Andy Amann

M: Anthony Griffith, Emerson Lawrence, Nick Rouzier, Jake Heyer

D: Kevin Garcia, Chris Christian, Kyle McCarthy, Ryan Whalen

G: Chris Bresnahan

Louisville observations:

I was surprised that Louisville allowed Villanova hope by pulling many of their starters midway through the first half.  In the second half, with the game out of reach, I didn’t have the same concern.

Junior left back J. T. Murray got Louisville on the board in the 9th minute.  Freshman midfielder Paolo DelPiccolo tapped the ball over to Murray who was able to take a few touches before burying the shot into the far post from 20 yards.

DelPiccolo started the next goal from a free kick that was earned from Villanova’s junior defender Chris Christian full body block in the 24th minute.  DelPiccolo set the ball perfectly enticing the goal keeper to come out but Villanova’s sophomore goal keeper Chris Bresnahan was only able to weakly punch it away.  One of the Louisville’s player (couldn’t identify who) got the ball to the far side of the goal to sophomore forward Colin Rolfe who mis-hit the shot but it bounded to junior forward Mark Knight stationed on the near side of the goal.  Knight one touched it from 5 yards for the second goal.

Exactly 1 minute later, senior midfielder Freddie Braun got the first of his two header goals for the thirdy tally of the half.  DelPiccolo stroked a corner kick onto Braun’s head.  Braun struck it with authority from 4 yards down onto the goal line.  This was too easy.

In the 55th minute, the carnage continued with Braun adding an assist from a hard fought tackle and immediately getting the ball to Rolfe. (Braun was not credited with the assist – I believe this will be rectified after the tapes are reviewed).  Rolfe controlled the ball outside of the box before dipping his shoulder and exploding to the center and striking the ball well into the lower far post for the fourth goal.

In the 73rd minute, the final goal was similar to the third goal except that the ball started 45 yards from goal but the players were the same, DelPiccolo to Braun’s head – but this time the header floated over the goal keeper.

It was a dominating performance. DelPiccolo had 3 assists.  Braun had 2 goals and an assist.  Rolfe had a goal and a assist.  Knight had but just one goal.

Senior right back Gerardo Chavez doesn’t create enough separation from his defender.

Rolfe is very creative on the ball; I might even say, audacious.

Freshman midfielder Ryan Smith has zippy speed, but needs some seasoning on his passing on the break.  He’s going to make an impact next year.

I really like the way that Murray plays defense, but with enough technical skills to aid in the attack.

Red shirt freshman Chase Rodgers is a solid defender.

Senior central defender Phil Edginton is good in the air.  He didn’t need to get forward much.

Red shirt sophomore Andre Boudreaux let one ball slip from his grip. He made a fantastic stop to preserve the clean sheet in the 78th minute. But other than that Boudreaux wasn’t challenged too significantly.

Villanova observations:

Simply, Louisville is just much better than Villanova.  Any other explanation is either rhetoric, illusion or insanity. It wasn’t the ref’s fault; it wasn’t tactics; it wasn’t bad luck; it wasn’t the rain.  It is much simpler.

Villanova started senior Adam Amann as his last regular season home game of his career in place of freshman Kyle Soroka.  I understand – but it forced Villanova to take away a weapon early in the game.

The best player on Villanova is senior forward Mike Seamon.  He has professional potential.  His dribbling, vision, passing is outstanding.  The problem is that he doesn’t have enough support.  For example, in the 70th minute, he flipped a pass to junior midfielder Sean Mergenthal behind the defense in the box.  Mergenthal’s volley was off target.

Another example is sophomore forward Will Ogden.  He was a sieve with the ball in the first half.  Between poor first touches (in the 40th minute) to tip-toeing with the ball (and losing it in the 36th minute), he kept turning it over.  In Ogden’s defense, he did have a header cleared off the line by senior Zachary Hernan late in the first half.

In the 78th minute, Mergenthal had a quick turn and strike in the box to the near post that made Boudreaux make a fantastic save.

Junior defender Chris Christian is tremendous in the air.  On the ground, not so much.  His tackling is inconsistent.  He uses his body too much rather than moving his feet.  I’m not much of a fan.  In the 80th minute, he misplayed an easy ball allowing Knight to get behind the defense.  Freshman defender Ryan Whalen was able to close Knight down from behind to save yet another goal.

Freshman forward Kyle Soroka has a nice first touch.  He passes accurately.  I’ll need to see him again.

 

Houston Baptist @ Howard *UPDATED*

Washington DC – Howard beat Houston Baptist (HB) 1-0 on a cool evening in a match that was frustrating to watch.

Howard deserved the win, but they squandered too many chances for my liking.

Starting Lineups:

Howard 4-4-2.

F: Phillip Borde, Lamar Hyde

M: Jamil Devers, Kareem Williams, Rodino Wright, Rotimi Iziduh

D: Gary Clark, Matthew Marshall, Anye Ngalla, Fredrick Burgess

G: Victor Thomas

HB 4-4-2

F: Duke Ogega, Francisco Diaz

M: Tanner Fyfe, Dan Dwyer, Adi Mesic, Chris Meyer

D: Mateo Jimenez, Richard Ojeda, Joelle Daniel Andrew Collins

G: Michael Bouchahine

Howard observations:

In the 87th minute, senior defender Harvey Livingston served a driven corner kick to junior forward Matthew Marshall’s head that he powered into the box.

Howard had much of the possession.  Their shooting acumen is lacking.  Moreover, they were too static on their numerous set pieces (e.g., corner kicks) until the goal.  Even then, it was more of overpowering height than superior movement or tactics.

It was frustrating to watch Howard play.  Not only do they miss the goal, but much of the time they don’t have good looks, because of frenetic build-up.  It’s organization.

Lastly, they lack midfield shape.  The DM(s) retreats too deeply into the back 4 even when Howard is attacking.  The AM advances too closely to the forwards. The wide defenders will remain stationed in the back.  Now, I’m not suggesting that all of the players go up or stay back. The Howard shape looks like a barbell – the defenders in line; the attackers (including midfielders) in line with a DM and AM in the midfield like the bar.

Freshman forward Philip Borde is very talented.  He gets his head up quickly.  He missed an open opportunity (1v1 with GK) in the 3rd minute.  Borde’s shot was wide.  He is slight and can be knocked off the ball.  An off-season weight program will help his game.

Marshall is a tall target.  He misses too many open looks – though he did score the game winner.

Freshman central defender Anye Ngalla cleans up any attack with his strong tackles and closing speed.

Junior forward Lemuel Lyons had problems calming the ball on his first touch which caused his second touch to be rushed.

Senior midfielder Lamar Hyde is confident dribbling through defenders. He seems shy to shoot – more comfortable handing the responsibility to his team mates.

HB observations:

HB did little to resist Howard attacking other than hope that Howard would tire out.

Junior forward Duke Ogega was the best attacking option.  He has a slick first touch and the size and physicality to shed defenders.  In the 15th minute, he broke down the defense with a single touch, but his shot was wild.

Senior midfielder Chris Meyer is settled on the ball, but he must be the teeniest player that I’ve seen in division I (at 5′ 3″).

Sophomore midfielder Tanner Fyfe had several scoring chances but lacked the quality to finish.  In the 23rd minute, Fyfe had an open point blank shot from 5 yards but was right at the goal keeper.  In the second half, Fyfe provided the only glimmer with a pair of just off-target shots (in the 50th and 83rd minutes).

I came to this game to watch HB, but came away disappointed and unimpressed with a team that essentially slept walked through the game.

 

Boston College @ Virginia

Charlottesville, VA -On a crisp, sunny afternoon after several days with persistent showers, Virginia (UVA) beat Boston College (BC) 2-0.

Starting Lineups:

BC 4-4-2
F: Mor Avi Hanan, Charlie Rugg

M: Conor Fitzpatrick, Kyle Bekker, Colin Murphy, Karl Reddick

D: Patrick Chinn, Stefan Carter, Kevin Mejia, Guillaume Amarat

G: Ayotunde Ogunbiyi

UVA4-4-2.
F:  Chris Agorsor, Will Bates

M: Tony Tchani, Jonathan Villanueva, Ross LaBauex, Neil Barlow

D: Hunter Jumper, Mike Volk, Greg Monaco, Shawn Berry

G: Diego Restrepo

BC observations:

BC did not challenge the goal keeper until the waning minutes of the game.  The passing game was too predictable, too slow and too imprecise.

Sophomore forward Edvin Worley didn’t start.  When he came in, he didn’t move as well as I’ve seen him before.  I wonder if he’s recovering from illness or injury.  Without his scoring threat, BC was unable to mount many good chances.

Interestingly, freshman back Kevin Mejia started up top against MD, but was moved to center back today until the 80th minute.  He got the best shot on goal for BC in the 83rd minute.

Freshman forward Charlie Rugg had an abysmal second half.  His shooting was weak and off target.  In the 14th minute, he had the best chance for BC of the half with a side volley with the goal keeper in poor position – but the shot was off target.

Junior midfielder Karl Reddick showed well for himself on the defensive side of the ball.

Senior forward Mor Avi Hanan with his flowing locks served in a sweet corner that bounced through the box but BC didn’t capitalize.

Freshman midfielder Kyle Bekker is going to be a very good player.  I like his first touch and his service on set pieces.

Junior goal keeper Ayotunde Ogunbiyi is an imposing goal keeper, but I don’t care for his hands, feet or distribution.

UVA observations:

In the 58th minute, UVA got on the board because of a scintillating pass from senior midfielder Neil Barlow to allow freshman forward Will Bates to get behind the defense.  From  an acute angle, Bates was able to shoot the ball into the goal on the near post  side

In the 73rd minute, sophomore midfielder Brian Ownby added an insurance goal.  Again the “freeing pass” was delivered by Barlow.  With Ownby 1v1 with the goal keeper, he was able to survey the net before burying it into the corner.

Both wide backs, sophomore Shawn Berry and sophomore Hunter Jumper get forward judiciously.  It was a concern for me earlier the year that has been rectified.  Berry has oodles of speed.

I’m not sure why U20 starter Ownby isn’t getting more minutes.  He only played 20 minutes in the second half. He scored a goal in that limited time.  I expect that he’s coming back from injury – I’d be willing to wager that he’ll play a lot more against MD on Saturday evening.  Surprisingly, Ownby was not effective with his passing and crosses.  I was mystified.

Sophomore forward Chris Agorsor was missing his touch.  His passing was erratic.  He only played the first half and did not re-enter in the second half.  It’s possibly related to injury – but I didn’t see anything that led me to believe that was the reason.

Sophomore midfielder Tony Tchani was not anticipating his runs off the ball.  He was re-acting which slows his game.  He was better last year – before his injury than he is now.

Junior midfielder Chase Neinken was awful.

Freshman forward Ahkeel Rodney got a few mop-up minutes and showed his strength on the ball.  He’s going to get a lot more minutes next year.

Red shirt junior Diego Restrepo makes questionable decisions.  While not challenged directly, he got himself out of position opening the possibilities.

Senior midfielder Jonathan Villanueva continues his inconsistent play.   He’ll make a nice play one minute and the next he’ll turn the ball over on a mistouch.  At this point, I can’t see him being successful.  In the 30th minute, he stroked a 23 yard free kick that was goal bound if not for the goal keeper tipping it wide for a corner kick.

 

Dayton @ Richmond *UPDATED*

UPDATED: fixed – wrong player on the roster.

Richmond, VA -  Richmond upset Dayton 1-0 with a last minute goal in regulation.

Dayton had the better players, but employing questionable tactics including player engagement, made this result possible.

In his first year, Clint Peay is building a program.   It may take a few years, but every previous stop (Davidson, George Mason) during his assistant coach responsibilities, the team has played better.  While this can’t be contributed solely to Peay, it does seem coincidental.

Big win for Richmond.

Starting Lineups:

Dayton 4-4-2
F: Isaac Kissi, Peter Chilemena

M: Evan McCreary, Ben Murray, Zach Weiss, Alex Torda

D: Tommy Watkins, Ryan Handbury, Randy Dennis, Sonny Renner

G: Tyler Picard

Richmond 4-4-2.
F: Jake Russell, Brendon Cristobal

M: Ty Williams, Fynn Glover, Rob Scherer, Ben Brewster

D: Chase Johnson, Houston Oldham, Russell Himelein, Cass Meadows

G: Brock Tomlinson

Dayton observations:

The starting forwards of senior Isaac Kissi and grad student Peter Chilemena are both tall, powerful, fast and prone to take ill-advised long shots.  In the 23rd minute, Kissi had a runner breaking through.  He decided to take a 40 yard shot that cleared the net behind the goal.

Dayton persists in attacking directly relying on the speed of Kissi and Chilemena to break behind the defense.  This was not effective.  Additionally, this allowed them to be inpatient on the ball and not force Richmond to defend for long periods of time.

Senior right midfielder Alex Torda was not getting the touches to properly influence the game.  He was missing for so much of the game, a search-and-rescue party was being engaged.  What compounded this “decision” to not play down the right side, was that Richmond had two freshmen at the left center back and the left back.  Why wouldn’t you make them stop you?  I have no idea, but it was frustrating to watch this exhibit.

Both freshman midfielder Evan McCreary and junior defender Tommy Watkins are good in the air.  McCreary is huge!

Senior defender Ryan Handbury was able to trap a long ball over his shoulder very softly.  Very nice bit of skill.

Senior defender Sonny Renner serves an accurate free kick from distance.  He hit McCreary from 50 yards, but the header was high.

Richmond observations:

Richmond was dominant in the first 30 minutes, but had problems with possession finishing the first half.

With 47 seconds remaining, junior forward Jake Russell served in a bouncing ball from 35 yards that senior forward Kern Gardiner redirected with his head into the goal.  Why didn’t Dayton close on Russell?  I guess they didn’t want to play OT.

In the 71st minute, Russell made a quick turn and hit the far post.  9 minutes prior, he sent a corner kick across the face that neither Richmond could convert or Dayton could clear.  It was nicely done.

Gardiner misses passing alternatives, because he doesn’t keep his head up.

Junior forward Brendon Cristobal has quick feet.

Junior midfielder Rob Scherer understands the game, at times, I’d like for him to switch the point rather than playing the way that he’s facing.

Freshmen center left back Houston Oldham is a tall savvy player.  I like the way that he plays defense.  He’s someone to watch.

Freshman left back Chase Johnson is a small solid defender.  I liked how he put a taller attacker in an arm lock on the far side of the ref with the AR blocked.  Very savvy.  Johnson made a good run from midfield and fired a 30 yard shot in the 11th minute.

Senior DM Fynn Glover distributes the ball well, but seems to be a headcase. At any moment, totally losing his mind and getting his head out of the game.  Next year, Richmond may be better without him.

In the 30 minute, freshman midfielder Andreas VassilopoulosK red-shirt sophomore Keaton Cristobal combined with B. Cristobal gaining a chance near the top of the box that was not released because of Vassilopoulos’s K Cristobal’s lack of faith in his left foot.

 

Xavier @ George Washington

Washington, DC – George Washington (GW) beat Xavier (X) 2-0 on a cloudy afternoon in bucolic northwest DC.

X Mistakes ended the game before it really began.

Starting Lineups:

Xavier 4-4-2
F: Kennedy Nakwa, Luke Spencer

M: El-Hadji Dieng, Kevin McCann, Andy Dimbi, Jake Vollmer

D: Ryan Gray, Brendan Rogers, Justin Jarvis, Sean Ryan

G: Justin Marshall

GW 4-2-3-1.

F: Seth Rudolph,

M: Yoni Berhanu, Marcus Ranney, Erick Perez-Segnini

DM: Mattia Melillo, Kyle Albrechto

D: Nikolay Aleksandrov, Jake Davis, Byron Walker, Kory Trott

G: Erik Haug

X observations:

Not only did X miss a PK, their goal keeper gifted two goals in the first 15 minutes.  Less the 30 seconds after GW scored, junior midfielder El-Hadji Dieng was hacked in the middle of the box by junior defender Kory Trott.  Dieng did not return to the game with an apparent ankle injury.

While I haven’t given it much thought, freshman goal keeper Justin Marshall may be the worst goal keeper that I have seen this year.  See below for the goals that he gifted GW, but he has poor instincts and/or questionable judgment.

Marshall’s defense doesn’t do him any favors, allowing too much space in the box.  Sophomore defender Justin Jarvis’s first touch is too slow allowing the attackers to close on him before he releases the ball.  Freshman defender Luke Spencer doesn’t see the whole field limiting his options.  Senior defender Mason Kelly missed an easy ball in the box that was cleared by another defender.

While X was better in the second half, I see this more of GW stopped playing rather X’s superiority.

Junior midfielder Andy Dimbi left the game in the 63rd minute with an apparent shoulder separation type injury.  He was transported by ambulance from the game.  Dimbi served in some dangerous set pieces, but wasn’t able to connect with his team mates.  Dimbi missed a critical PK.

Freshman forward Luke Spencer has good potential.  He’s good in the air.  He’s willing to exert himself to get to the ball and does some good things on the ball.  He had a good shot in the second half that was blocked by his team mate loitering in the box.

GW observations:

After a productive first half, GW stayed in the locker room (or should have).  Lax. A better team would have beaten them.

2009 Hermann trophy candidate senior forward Andy Stadler is not in the starting line-up, because of injury suffered against LaSalle last week-end.

Freshman forward Seth Rudolph scored two goals in the first half.  This was the ugliest brace of the year.  In the 2nd minute, Randolph combined with senior midfielder Erick Perez-Segnini for space in the box.  Randolph mishit the shot from 15 yards and it slowly rolled into the corner.  The GK may a half-hearted attempt to recover it.

The second goal, which again was ugly, started with a weak pass from freshman midfielder Mattia Melillo that looked like a turn-over.  Perez-Segnini hustled to get to the ball before the X defender and struck it hopefully with the outside of his foot causing a high hooking ball.  GK Marshall came out and dropped the ball.  Rudolph hit the open netter.  Too easy.

I really like the way that Randolph turns with his first touch to take the ball with his back to the goal to getting a head of steam going toward the goal.  Very efficient.  Randolph is swift and has a high work-rate.  He was less effective in the second half.

Melillo’s “assist” was endemic of his soft passes.  He needs to pass more crisply.  Melillo showed in the latter minutes of the second that his shooting is just as poor with two missed shots.

Surprisingly, sophomore defender Brice Carr is not starting, but came in to begin the second half.  I’ve like the way that he’s played in the past because of his consistent passing and defensive position.

In the 40th minute, junior defender Kory Trott threw in a long throw in that was flicked in by junior midfielder Marcus Ranney to an open Rudolph in the box.  The header was  caught by the GK, but this was too easy and a better header would have earned him a first half hat trick.

 

York College of Pennsylvania @ Johns Hopkins *UPDATED*

York, PA – On a beautiful evening, #5 York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) tied #11 Johns Hopkins (JHU) in a scoreless game.

YCP had a man advantage for 23 minutes; JHU had a break away that hit the post.  Neither of these two teams came away happy.

Note. Rankings are from D3Soccer.com.

Starting Lineups:

JHU 4-1-3-1-1.
F: Nick White

W/Drawn F: Chand Balfour

M: Evan Kleinberg, Mwhen he was playing more forward.  Thisax Venker, Chris Wilson

DM: Tony Gass

D: Nate Wysk, Drew Holland, Corey Adams, Kevin Hueber

G: Ravi Gill

YCP 4-1-3-1-1.
F: Jon Ports

W/Drawn F: Kemal Nuspahic

M: Lucas Emil, Travis Williams, Justin Suchoski

DM: Mike Gill

D: Andy Stromberg, Scott Becker, Adam Good, Aaron Good

G: Ryan Hock

JHU observations:

JHU’s clock goes up – not down.  YEAH!  No math.

When junior midfielder Chris Wilson received a second yellow in the 87th minute, it essentially ended any possibility for JHU to win the game.  Up to this point, Wilson was having a good game.  He was terrorizing the right side of the field in the first half.  He was getting forward and wasn’t shy to shoot from distance.

JHU dominated the second half.

Freshman forward Nick White is an active target.  He moves well.

Senior midfielder Chand Balfour distributes the ball around the field.

Junior defender Kevin Hueber anticipates well; stepping up to steal the ball.

Junior midfielder Evan Kleinberg accelerates well.  In the 84th minute on transition, Kleinberg got past senior defender Aaron Good.  With the goal keeper to beat, he slotted the ball past the GK but the shot hit the post. In the 103rd minute, he blew by freshman Cody Pearson but was stopped by senior defender Scott Becker.

YCP observations:

I finally figured out senior midfielder Jon Ports game.  He is a complementary player rather than a dazzling individual.  This is not intended as a slight.  For example, he’s not going to try and dribble  the opposing team.  He will beat a player, distribute to a team mate and run to the open spot.  Mark Ludwig compares him to Josh Gros with his high work rate.  I submit that he crosses better than Gros, but while comparitive to him; he  doesn’t have the lungs that Gros had (but who  does).

Ports is skillful on the ball.  His passing is precise and well weighted.  YCP performs better the more that Ports touches the ball.  In the 2OT, he was playing AM which enabled YCP to control the attack (besides having the man advantage).

Junior forward Mike O’Connell didn’t start because he is fighting a cold.  While under the weather, he had a beautiful first touch on a difficult ball beating two defenders with the touch.

In the 93rd minute, sophomore forward Kemal Nuspahic missed a chance to win the game with a 15 yard shot that went high.  The build-up started by senior midfielder Justin Suchoski passing to O’Connell who squared the ball to Nuspahic.  Nuspahic has to hit the shot.

Sophomore DM Mike Gill has bite in his tackles.  He is confident starting transition with the ball at his feet.

 

Notre Dame @ Georgetown — UPDATE

Washington, DC – Notre Dame (ND) beat Georgetown 2-1 in the first OT. It was a lackluster game with either team have numerous legitimate chances to win the game, but neither capitalizing until the game winner in OT.

There were four stoppages for helicopters.  Georgetown University is next to Georgetown hospital and the helicopter pad is behind one goal.  When a helicopter either arrives or leaves, play must be delayed for several minutes.

Starting Lineups:

Notre Dame 4-4-1-1
F: Bright Dike

W/Drawn F: Tamba Samba

M: Dave Donohue, Michael Thomas, Matt Armstrong, Michael Rose

D: Justin Morrow, John Schaefer, Aaron Maund, Bilal Duckett

G: Andrew Quinn

Gtown 4-4-2.
F: Chandler Diggs, Jose Colchao

M: Jimmy Nealis, Robert Burnett, Seth C’deBaca, Scott Larrabee

D: Mark Zeman, Alex Verdi, Len Coleman, Ibu Otegbeye

G: Matthew Brutto

ND observations:

In the 38th minute, sophomore midfielder Brendan King served a 40 yard free kick that senior midfielder Michael Thomas hit with a well-placed powerful header into the upper corner to open the scoring.

The game winner was a blistering shot from junior right back Bilal Duckett in the 98th minute.  On the play, he was able to beat junior midfielder Seth C’deBaca before hitting a 25 yard shot that was difficult for the goal keeper to even see with the setting sun behind the shooter.

Senior forward Bright Dike showed better than last year at Indiana and this year on TV.  He was surprisingly good in the air, beating tall defender junior Len Coleman.  He made a nice touch to flick the ball over the defender. Dike needs to finish his chances.  He’s not going to have the opportunities professionally, that they can be squandered.  For example, in the 78th minute, he overpowered junior defender Ibu Otegbeye and had the goal keeper at his mercy at the top of the box and pushed the ball wide.

Both Dike and senior forward Samba Tamba have poor positional spacing.  They are both too self absorbed in what they are doing to be cognizant of what the other is doing.

Sophomore midfielder Michael Rose is pretty fast.

I was looking forward to seeing sophomore defender Aaron Maund again, but came away disappointed.  His ball skills are rudimentary and contrived.  This allows even the dimmest defender to see where he intends to pass the ball.  Even then his passing isn’t sharp.

Senior defender Justin Morrow is a good defender with nice speed.  He might have sufficient skill and athletic ability for the next level.

Senior midfielder Michael Thomas is a solid, smart player.  He’s gritty.  He may have the best chance of any of these players – but is far from a slam dunk pick.

Senior goal keeper Andrew Quinn has slow feet.

Gtown observations:

In the 51st minute, senior midfielder Scott Larrabee headed in a goal that was generated by freshman midfielder Jimmy Nealis dribbling and a precise cross to Larrabee’s head.

Georgetown allowed Thomas to find gaps between their defense and their midfield.  The defense puts pressure on themselves because of their ineptness maintaining possession.  Too many long “kicks” and clearance for throw ins.

Larrabee’s crosses were poor – which previously has been one of his strengths.

With freshman midfielder Ian Christianson injured, junior midfielder Seth C’deBaca played AM.  His forwards need to check back more, because C’deBaca is more apt to toe pokes or small touches to maintain possession.

In the final seconds of the first half, freshman midfielder Andy Riemer brought the ball down softly with his chest, then crossed the ball to junior forward Jose Colchao. Colchao flicked the ball back to an open C’deBaca in the box.  C’deBaca squandered the open shot by putting the ball at the GK.

Junior goal keeper Matthew Brutto was injured in the 85th minute in a collision with Dike.  He was able to finish the game but he did not return for the OT.  Sophomore Erik Garciamendez replaced the starter (why no Mark Wilber?) for the 7 minutes.  While the sun was difficult to handle, he should have blocked the Duckett shot.

Junior forward Chandler Diggs was getting many shots, he wasn’t able to finish his numerous shots.

 

Seton Hall @ Maryland

College Park, MD – #5 Maryland beat Seton Hall 3-1.  Seton Hall (SH) was completely over-matched by an injury-plagued MD team.

Starting Lineups:

SH: 3-5-2

F: Samuel Petrone, Andrew Welker

M: Adriano Gabriele, Brayan Martinez, Kurt Cameron, Giovanni Zammiello, Bryan Longo

D: Jack Freeman, Bradley Kerstetter, Joe Baker

G: Paul McHenry

MD 4-4-2.

F: Jason Herrick, John Stertzer

M: Billy Cortes, Matt Kassel, Drew Yates, Kaoru Forbess

D: Taylor Kemp, Kevin Tangney, Ethan White, Kwame Darko

G: Zac MacMath

SH observations:

Against the run of play, junior forward Michael Dietze beat sophomore midfielder Kaoru Forbess with a slick first touch (and his first touch of the game) to get to the top corner of the box in the 23rd minute.  Dietze squared the ball to sophomore forward Giovanni Zammiello near the top of box.  Zammiello placed the ball into the upper 90 because he wasn’t challenged sufficiently.

Junior forwards Andrew Welker and Sam Petrone are the only redeeming aspect of the SH team.  Welker broke into MD box but was denied by a reflex save from sophomore goal keeper Zac MacMath.

Junior midfielder Brayan Martinez was not as effective as he was last year against WV.

The defense is lacking, allowing too much space and not able to close on attackers.

Md observations:

Md was missing 3 starters (Casey Townsend, Alex Lee, Doug Rodkey) from injuries.  During the game, they lost 2 more (Kwame Darko see below and Matt Kassel – ruptured face, elbow to the nose).  The MD depth showcased well.

For those unaware, sophomore right back Alex Lee was hit by a car 10 days ago.  I was glad to hear that he was back on campus yesterday, even if he’s unable to play immediately.

In the 34th minute, MD evened the score but paid for it with another injury to a starter.   On a soft clearance, senior right back Kwame Darko went up high winning the header forward into the box.  An unaware SH defender mistakenly ran straight into Darko – flipping Darko onto his back.  Senior midfielder Drew Yates ran onto the ball and shot into the far post.

4 minutes later, red shirt junior Jason Herrick had a brilliant goal.  sophomore DM Matt Kassel sent in a hard pass to Herrick between two defenders at the top of the box.  Herrick’s first touch beat both with just the goalie as an impediment.    Herrick fakes the goal keeper before burying the game winner into the empty net.

In the 65th minute, freshman midfielder Paul Torres drilled a 12 yard free kick to Herrick’s head from 4 yards for the brace.

Torres is dangerous with the ball at his feet.

Freshman forward London Woodberry has blinding speed.  He has the same body type as Mo Edu.  If Kassel leaves MD, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Woodberry anchoring the DM.

Freshman left back Taylor Kemp is a good player, but his shot was too high.  He needs to clean up his passing to maintain possession.  He’s going to be very good.

 

Dartmouth @ Penn

Philadelphia, PA – #16 Dartmouth beat Penn 3-1 in a game that was delayed by a day because of persistent heavy rain.

Dartmouth was better, but they rely too frequently on long balls to get their speedy forward behind the defense.  I’d like to see them work the ball more often through their talented midfielders.

Starting Lineups:

Dartmouth 4-5-1.  They play five midfielders with 2 wide mids and 2 central mids and a stay at home DM.
F: Lucky Mkosana

M: Andrew Olsen, Kevin Dzierzawski, Daniel Keat, Austin Bowers

DM: Teo Larsson-Sax

D: Ben Salmon, Bryan Giudicelli, Nick Pappas, Pumi Maqubela

G: Sean Donovan

Penn 4-4-2.
F: Alex Takakuwa, Travis Cantrell

M: Loukas Tasigianis, Jason Gorskie, Aaron Ross, Christian Barreiro

D: Zach Barnett, Thomas Brandt, Alex Takakuwa, Steven Schlaefer

G: Garon Smith

Dartmouth observations:

In the 13th minute, junior left midfielder Andrew Olsen got the ball wide to overlapping senior left back Ben Salmon.  Salmon took the ball to the end line getting past the Penn defender and centered the ball along the grass to junior right midfielder Austin Bowers.  He re-directed the ball into the far post from 8 yards with the outside of his foot.

In the 49th minute, junior center back Bryan Giudicelli scored the game winner from a second chance after the initial corner kick was inadequately cleared.  The ball was touched by sophomore center back Nick Pappas back to Olsen who served the ball into a scrum.  Giudicelli used his back to knock the ball in from  4 yards.

In the 88th minute, sophomore forward Lucky Mkosana ended the game with a break-away goal.  Transitioning from a Penn free kick, Mkosana received a long ball from “I don’t know who”.  With just one defender to beat, Mkosana turned junior right back Zach Barnett leaving just the goal keeper. He brought the goal keeper to ground with a feint before burying the ball into the open goal.

My biggest disappointment is that senior international midfielder Craig Henderson is out with a foot injury.  Perhaps, if he was playing, the midfield would be employed more effectively.

Freshman defensive midfielder Teo Larsson-Sax is a good tackler.  He’s crucial in jump-starting the transition.

Mkonsana is quick target for attacks.  He’s ok, but I didn’t learn enough about him.  Can he create his own shot?  Can he shoot with pressure?  Passing – not sure? How is his touch? – need to see more.

Junior Dan Keats has the best chance of anyone on the field for Dartmouth.  His vision and accurate long range passing are his best weapons.  Lastly, he’s proficient finding gaps in the midfield.

Senior right back Pumi Maqubela is an accurate long passer – hooking his passes into the center of the field.

Pappas and Giudicelli are not swift in the back and could be exposed by quick forwards or intricate passing teams.

Penn observations:

In the 22nd minute, Penn’s best attacking option provided the equalizing goal (at that time) for senior forward Alex Takakuwa.   Barnett’s long throw was the most effective weapon for Penn.  He can throw them long and flat or with arc.  Barnett hit Takakuwa’s head 4 yards from goal.

I’ll give Penn credit that they tried to play short with junior Loukas Tasigianis, freshman Michael Kozak, junior Jason Gorskie and freshman Travis Cantrell working effectively late in the first half to build a dangerous opportunity that wasn’t finished.

Sophomore central defender Jake Levin continues to impress.  He’s strong in the air and has good defensive positioning.

Gorskie has a soft first touch.  He reminds me of former UIC midfielder (and current Chicago Fire) Baggio Husidic  He makes his first touch to set up his second.  Very subtle player.

 

Elon @ West Virginia

Morgantown, WV – West Virginia (WV)  drew Elon 1-1 on a cool, evening in the mountains of West Virginia on a pitch that absorbed the full day’s rain.  Both teams had legitimate opportunities to win this game.

On the rainy drive up from Blacksburg, VA, I noticed that the trees are starting to turn colors – very picturesque.  It’s a reminder to me that the season is coming to a close.  These next few weeks will be crucial for some teams entry into the NCAA tourney while other teams will be vying for a higher seeding.  Finally, other teams will have their dreams die like the grass on my front lawn.    Waxing poetic.

The New River Gorge bridge is going to be closed on Saturday for “bridge day”.  I should have stopped to look at this bridge on RT 19 in Fayetteville, WV – self-proclaimed “Coolest Small Town in the USA”.  Nice.

WV came out strong dominating possession for the first 10 minutes and it looked like Elon was going to be overwhelmed.  But after that, Elon controlled much of the first half.  Elon worked better with their team mates keeping the ball on the ground throughout the game.

Starting Lineups:

Elon 4-2-3-1.  Wyatt and Dilger switch positions frequently.
F:  Justin Wyatt

M: Daniel Street, Stephen Dilger, Erfen Imeni

DM: Brad Franks, James Carroll

D: Stephen Miller, Austen King, Steven Kinney, Clint Collins

G: Clint Irwin

WV 4-4-2.
F: Moeryhan Doue, Dan Hagey

M: Uwem Etuk, Abel Sebele, Travis Pittman

DM: Gift Maworere

D: Ryan Gillespie, Jason Bristol, Eric Schoenle, Raymon Gaddis

G: Zach Johnson

Elon observations:

Senior right midfielder Erfen Imeni is terrific on the ball.  He plays a soft ball that his team mates can handle to continue the attack.  In the 20th minute, he delivered a well weighted pass to senior forward Justin Wyatt who fed junior midfielder Stephen Dilger.  The play was momentarily broke up by freshman central defender Eric Schoenle, but Dilger recovered the ball and was fouled by sophomore right back Raymon Gaddis for a 21 yard free kick.

Elon tied up the game in the 88th minute off an Imeni 30 yard free kick that was headed in the box by WV and Elon but deflected off sophomore midfielder Ruben Garrido from 5 yards into his goal for an own goal.  Official record is crediting Imeni for the goal Changed to own goal.

In the 10th minute, Imeni touched a short corner by Wyatt back to Wyatt.  Wyatt blasted the ball in through traffic and the ball hit red shirt junior goal keeper Zach Johnson in the chest.  Imeni is very left footed.  He has good balance and is able to ride on the physical challenges.  Worth another look at the combine.

Wyatt fed Dilger in the 30th minute allowing Dilger to use his speed to get by senior defender Jason Bristol.

Wyatt is very good with the ball at his feet.

Senior right back Clint Collins is over his head playing against attackers with speed.

Elon keeps the ball on the ground moving it quickly around to get good looks.  I can see how they might be able to

WV observations:

WV plays too many long searching balls.  They need to work the ball forward rather than rushing the game.  WV has enough talent to beat teams on the ground.

In the 47th minute, sophomore midfielder Ruben Garrido opened the scoring with an acrobatic goal.  Freshman forward Abel Sebele was able to beat senior right back Clint Collins around the corner before he served in the cross that Garrido did an old man bicycle kick (more like falling backward shooting the ball over the shoulder without going too high in the air) into the goal.

I’m glad to see Garrido get some time, he was one of my favorite players last year.  He reads the game so quickly.  Garrido needs better cleats.  He spent much of the evening on his backside.

Senior DM Gift Maworere anchors the midfield. With Garrido along side him, he has more liberty to get forward.  I like the Garrido Maworere central midfield.  They complement each other.

Bristol and Schoenle had problems keeping up with the speedy Elon forwards (but particularly freshman Chris Thomas).

Sophomore right back Raymon Gaddis can absolutely fly.  While last year, I complained about his technical skills.  This year, he seems to have vastly improved.  He looks like he could play in MLS (in a couple of years).

Freshman midfielder Abel Sebele works very hard and is a tremendous asset on defensive transition.  In the first over time, Sebele had a chance to win the game with a nifty touch that left senior central defender Steven Kinney in his wake.

Freshman midfielder Travis Pittman had several short, quick touches to hold possession.  Most of all, I was glad to see less needless punk stuff (see my impressions of UCSB@WV). He’s too good for that nonsense.

Good to see junior right back Dan Hagey back from injury.

 

Akron @ Virginia Tech – UPDATED

Blacksburg, Va -  #1 Akron beat Virginia Tech 2-0.  While the result was not surprising, Virginia Tech’s perseverance and determination was a welcomed surprise.  The final outcome was not determined until the 80th minute when Akron went up by 2.

Kudos to the 75 “fans/students” from Akron that traveled over 5 hours to attend this game.  Pretty impressive support on a Tuesday evening.

Starting Lineups:

VT: 4-5-1

F: Brendan Dunn

M: Gregory Cochrane, Clarke Bentley, James Gilson

DM: Albert Alwang, Evan Slusser

D: Charlie Campbell, David Fiorello, Alexander Baden, James Shupp

G: Stefan Caulfield

Akron 4-4-2.

F: Teal Bunbury, Darlington Nagbe

M: Michael Nanchoff, Ben Zemanski,Blair Gavin, Anthony Ampaipitakwong

D: Chris Korb, Zarek Valentin, Chad Barson, Kofi Sarkodie

G: David Meves

Akron observations:

The first goal was scored by sophomore forward Teal Bunbury in the 37th minute.  Sophomore right back Kofi Sarkodie served in a long pass that Bunbury was able to fend off the defender and slot the ball into the goal after traisping into the box.

The second goal was scored in the 80th minute  from a penalty kick by sophomore midfielder Gavin Blair.  Blair started the play that led to the PK.  He sent in a forty yard pass to sophomore forward Darlington Nagbe just outside the box.  Nagbe used his speed to get past freshman central defender David Fiorello.  With Nagbe bearing down 1v1 against the goal keeper close to the penalty spot, Fiorello reached around Nagbe’s shoulder and Nagbe went down easily.  The ref had no option.

VT had no answer on controlling the speed of Nagbe and Bunbury.

Bunbury needs to bury his open shots.  For example, in the closing minutes of the game, junior left back Chris Korb threw the ball in the VT’s half.  Senior DM Ben Zemanski, with VT defenders closing, split the defenders to find Bunbury near the top of the box.  Bunbury had an open look but his shot was horribly high.

Nagbe crossed the ball to junior midfielder Anthony Ampaipitakwong straddling the last defender line.  Ampaipitakwong was 1v1 with the keeper in the 86th minute.  The goal keeper was able to block the shot for a corner kick.

In the 21st minute, Nagbe exploded on his turn with red shirt junior Charlie Campbell on his back.  Campbell was unable to close ground and fouled him before Nagbe unbalanced the VT defense.  Campbell earned the yellow.

Freshman central defender Zarek Valentin is a confident passer.  Hectic play in his defense, challenges him.  For example, in the 53rd minute, VT took a free kick that was bouncing around the Akron box.  Valentin’s first touch on the clearance was too slow to control the ball.  He needed to foul just outside of his box.

Sarkodie was able to catch senior midfielder James Gilson from behind.  Speed, baby, speed.

Freshman goal keeper David Meves was not handling the corner kicks (and long throw ins) adequately.  He dropped several balls in his box and others he didn’t punch satisfactorily.  It’ll be interesting to see if he can maintain concentration throughout the game after not being challenged too much in the latter half of the season.  NCAA tournament is going to be a good barometer for him.

Akron controlled possession for much of the game.  They play very nicely.

VT observations:

VT can be proud of their effort.  I expected to see Akron slice and dice through VT.  While Akron was better, hence being the #1 team in the country.  Akron struggled to score.

Senior goal keeper Stefan Caulfield came up several times to stop a break-away goal.

The best chance for VT was in the 50th minute which would have tied the game at the time.   The play started with senior midfielder James Gilson taking a corner kick that junior right back James Shupp headed toward the goal.  Akron’s red-shirt sophomore Michael Nanchoff headed it off the line saving the goal.  Shupp was angry – but it looked like the right call to me.

Freshman midfielder Gregory Cochrane is very active.  He needs to learn how to play a full 90.  Senselessly, running yourself out of a game in 20-30 minutes is not going to be successful at the next level.  He needs to judiciously make his runs.  I like his spirit.

Fiorella has a long throw in which is a good weapon for VT.  In the 79th minute, he had a good clearance on a dangerous cross by Nanchoff.

Senior central defender Alexander Baden stepped up to break up an attack in the 41st minute.

The defense couldn’t match up with the speed.  Nagbe was particularly difficult.

Gilson tried to answer back with his own speed in the 79th minute, beating 2 midfielders with speed.  Nice.  I hadn’t seen that before.  Then, again Sarkodie  caught Gilson only minutes before.

Sophomore forward Emmanuel Akogyeram’s first touch was horrific.

 

Old Dominion @ Towson

Baltimore, MD – Towson upset Old Dominion (ODU) 2-1 on a cool afternoon.

ODU was poised to win this match, but Towson took advantage of a couple of ODU defensive mistakes and earned their second consecutive win over a CAA foe.

Starting Lineups:

Towson 4-4-2.

F: Liam Maloney, Marco Mangione

M: Chris Zech, Steven LeVine, Nicolas Bermudez Roa, Tommy Appel-Schumacher

D: Roslin Nzokou, Scott Horta, Maxx Hurkamp, Phil Greatwich

G: John Steele

ODU 4-4-1-1.

F: Abane Emmanuel

W/D F: Chris Harmon

M: Mars Keomahavong, Nane Joseph, Bobby Foglesong, Nick Foglesong

D: Adam Roscioli, Thomas Webb, Jason Loizou, Adrian LeRoy

G: Evan Newton

Towson observations:

Towson is unable to maintain their shape regardless whether they are attacking or defending.  It was commonplace to see most of the team pulled too far forward or too compressed in the back.

The defense provided too much space in the box in the first half.

The offense doesn’t assertively play defense, permitting ODU to easily work the ball out of back.  It’s frustrating to see the lack of effort.

Junior midfielder Marco Mangione scored the first brace of his career.  He scored the first goal in the 18th minute and followed up with the game winner in the 80th minute.  While officially the goal was unassisted – and I couldn’t identify the passer – I had Mangione receiving a long driven pass from the back (not sure who), he was able to hold red shirt senior defender Jason Loizou from the ball while advancing toward the goal.  Mangione made a hard cut to beat sophomore defender Thomas Webb.  Mangione shot low and was able to elude junior goal keeper Evan Newton from 20 yards.

The second goal was similar to the first, Mangione was able to take a long pass from junior right back Phil Greatwich, getting behind the defense with ODU pressure being applied and slipped the ball in from 25 yards.  On this play, I was disappointed that freshman left midfielder Phil Martinelli didn’t support Mangione’s run.  If the ball was deflected by Newton, Martinelli wouldn’t have been in position to knock in the easy ball.  Luckily, he wasn’t punished, because Mangione converted the shot.

Martinelli had a beautiful shot in the in the 38th minute that hit the cross bar.

Sophomore DM Steven LeVine turns over the ball too easily because he doesn’t turn his head when receiving the ball.  Sophomore midfielder Nicolas Bermundez Roa gives up the ball easily as well, but he is at least aware of the defenders. The attack comes through him, but his passing is not consistent.  His free kicks are inconsistent, as well.

Senior midfielder Tommy Appel-Schumacher (nicknamed – “juice”, get it appel) is good on the ball but loses his positioning on the field – finding himself in a poor position on transition.

I really like the way that sophomore goal keeper John Steele plays goal.  He’s steady in the back and realizes when he makes an mistake.

Sophomore forward Liam Maloney is the most talented player on the team. But, he’s such a head case – I wonder if he’s worth dealing with.  For example, in the 40th minute, he lost possession and then argued with the coach that it was not his fault.  Baloney.  Pick up your head and find your team mates and quit complaining that no one is making runs.  He needs to do a lot of maturing if he wants to lead Towson into a winning program.  In the 70th minute, freshman Juan Esteban Garcia Cabrales (c’mon pick a name) sent in a terrific through ball to Maloney with Webb tracking back and making what looked to be an ill-advised tackle, but no card was presented.  The Towson coach wanted a red, I would have settled for a yellow.

Towson was fortunate to come away with the victory.

ODU observations:

ODU made too many mistakes and they lost.   They controlled the central midfield for the entire second half and should have had a better result.

The first goal was scored by senior midfielder Bobby Foglesong in the 59th minute to draw the score even.  The play started with a long punt from junior goal keeper Evan Newton that freshman forward Shane Howard flicked on to Foglesong for a 25 yard well-placed shot.

It’s good to see Newton back on the field after suffering a season-ending injury last year.  He doesn’t look as sharp as he did 2 years ago.  I would like to see the tape, but both goals appeared to be stoppable.

B. Foglesong distributes the ball well and turns low.

Freshman forward Chris Harmon was outstanding.  His passing is precise and well-weighted.  In the 24th minute, he freed up freshman midfielder Mars Keomahavong with an outside of the foot flick – huge play.  Harmon needs to play more defense (he didn’t in the second half) and he is very right footed.  Teams are going to take that away the next time that they see him.

I was glad to see (and hear) that senior forward Ambane Emmanuel doesn’t scream for the ball any more!

Senior DM Nane Joseph solidified the midfield clearly demonstrating more desire than his Towson counterpart – Nicolas Bermundez Roa.  Joseph can shoot from distance, but seems to get anxious on shots within the box and rushes himself.  I sincerely doubt that Joseph has a professional quality first touch.  It’s too bad, because I like the kid.

Central defenders sophomore Thomas Webb and red shirt senior Jason Loizou have to eliminate the errors in the back.  Both played ok – except for allowing Mangione to get a good look at the goal.

 

Virginia Tech @ Maryland

College Park, MD – On an unseasonally warm evening with occasional wind gusts, Maryland (MD) beat Virginia Tech (VT) 2-1 in a thrilling come-back.

Even with the return of sophomore forward Casey Townsend from an ankle injury, Md continued to have trouble finishing their numerous chances until the final minutes.

VT took an early lead and unsuccessfully attempted to hold unto the lead.

Starting Lineups:

VT: 5-4-1

F: Brendan Dunn

M:Gregory Cochrane, Clarke Bentley, Evan Slusser, James Gilson

D: Charlie Campbell, David Fiorello, Antony Moulds, James Shupp

Sweeper: Alexander Baden

G: Stefan Caulfield

MD 4-4-2.

F: Jason Herrick, Casey Townsend

M: Billy Cortes, Matt Kassel, Paul Torres, Drew Yates

D: Taylor Kemp, Kevin Tangney, Ethan White, Alex Lee

G: Zac MacMath

VT observations:

After peppering the goal with 3 consecutive corner kicks, VT was able to convert the third corner in the 9th minute.  Red shirt junior Charlie Campbell served in a corner that was not cleared sufficiently by Md goalkeeper Zac MacMath and his defenders. Junior midfielder Clarke Bentley squibbed in the rebound for the goal.

Senior central defender Alexander Baden is a tall defender, but lacks sufficient foot skills.

I’m really impressed with freshman midfielder Gregory Cochrane.  He is quick and has superior foot skills.

Sophomore forward Emmanuel Akogyeram did not start.  He is coming back from injury.

Lacking forward options, senior goal keeper Brendan Dunn donned a field jersey and started as forward.  In the 74th minute, junior defender James Shupp sent a low pass through the MD defense.  Dunn timing his run on the midfield line, had a 5  yard lead on the MD defense.  Freshman central defender Ethan White caught him 25 yards from goal and poke the ball away from Dunn.

Shupp shuttled another pass to free freshman midfielder Alistair Moore behind the MD defense in the 70th.  Moore was 1v1 with GK and telegraphed that he wasn’t going to shoot.  The entire MD defense read his intent and the opportunity was squandered.

In the 45th minute, Moore broke through the defense and was able to tender a quality shot because of MacMath’s indecisiveness.  Moore’s shot was wide.

Red shirt junior left back Charlie Campbell was not calm on the ball with any pressure in the first half.  He was aimlessly kicking the ball forward.

Md observations:

MD attack pressured VT for much of the evening, but couldn’t put the ball into the net until the waning minutes of the game.

Red shirt senior captain Kevin Tangney scored in the 87th minute to provide hope to the MD team.  On the play, freshman midfielder Paul Torres served a corner into the center of the box.  It was bounced away, but it was not cleared well enough.  Tangney used his feet (instead of his head) to rip in a low shot from 20 yards.

In the final minute of the game, freshman midfielder John Stertzer scored the winning goal after making his first appearance of the game in the 85th minute.  The play started with a low cross (some may say a weak off target shot) by sophomore right back Alex Lee.  It looked to be going out for a goal kick, but junior forward Billy Cortez was able to save the errant “shot” with significant effort.  Cortez hopped up and poked the ball to Stertzer in the center of the goal mouth 6 yards from goal.

Sophomore goal keeper Zac MacMath had a rough game.  He was indecisive coming off his line.  Luckily, he wasn’t pressured by the insipid VT attack in the second half.  In the 44th minute, he had a ball bounce off his chest.  If MD is going to be successful, MacMath is going to need to not just play well, he’s going to need to play even better than he did during his fabulous freshman year.

With sophomore AM Karou Forbess absence after suffering a concussion at the last game, freshman AM Paul Torres may have taken the first step to solidifying his position in the starting line-up.  Torres was dynamic on the ball, providing good service on the pass. He had the skill to beat a defender and the wisdom to lay-off the ball to continue the attack.  Well, except in the excitement of his first start in the 3rd minute – he settled down after that.

Senior midfielder Drew Yates raised the level of his play – which helped pressure VT for much of the game.  He beat 2 defenders (senior James Gilson and junior Evan Slusser) with brilliant dribbling in the 52nd minute.  In the 75th minute, he made a tremendous first touch providing space behind his defender.  Yates set up sophomore right back Alex Lee, but Lee’s shot was off target.

 

Stony Brook @ UMBC

Catonsville, MD – UMBC returned to their winning ways with a convincing 2-0 victory over Stony Brook.

Starting Lineups:

Stony Brook 4-4-2.
F: Berian Gobeil, Antonio Crespi

M: Mihailo Pavlisin, Serigne Sylla, Leonardo Fernandes, Kyle Schlesinger

D: Christian Galindo, Damion Brown, Collin Geoghegan, Kyle McTurk

G: Anthony Rogic

UMBC 4-4-1-1.

F: Andrew Bulls

W/D F: Levi Houapeu

M: Andy Steilein, Milo Kapor, John Paul Waraksa, Dave Vaeth

D: Sean Rothe, Chris Williams, Liam Paddock, Vince Savarese

G: Phil Saunders

Stony Brook observations:

Stony Brook has some very good young players – they may be a force in a couple of years.  They start 6 freshmen and these are some of their best players.

Senior left midfielder Mihailo Pavlisin and Freshman forward Berian Gobeil combine effectively together.

Gobeil is audacious on the ball.

Sophomore DM Sylla Serigne is a tall aggressive defender.

In the 59th minute, freshmen midfielder Kyle Schlesinger placed a long free kick onto the head of senior defender Damion Brown’s head.   Brown couldn’t place the header on frame.

UMBC observations:

NCAA goal scoring and point leader sophomore forward Andrew Bulls increased his lead with a goal in the 13th minute.  Bulls started the play forcing a pass to junior forward Levi Houapeu (national assist leader and 3rd in points) at the top of the box.  Bulls immediately followed his pass on the hypotenuse of the tight triangle.   Houapeu flipped the ball into the box.  Bulls didn’t rush his shot.  Instead he calmly surveyed his chance and placed the ball into the lower right side of the goal.

Houapeu scored his own goal in the 52nd minute, driving the ball from the sideline in a diagonal to the right.  Bulls provides Houapeu an option at the far post near the top of the box – essentially freezing the Stony Brook defense.  This momentarily indecision gave Houapeu an open look from 23 yards that he buried with his less favored right foot into the left side netting.  Nice goal.

After freshman central defender Liam Paddock left the game in the 15th minute, sophomore right back Vince Savarese moved centrally and was a demon in the back.  Savarese made numerous 1v1 tackles.  He was my MOTM.

 

D3: Messiah @ York County of Pennsylvania

York, PA – On a sunny afternoon with 30 MPH gusts, #7 York County of Pennsylvania (YCP) beat #1 Messiah 2-0 in a battle between two perennial  powerhouse division III schools.

Note. Rankings are from D3Soccer.com.

The game was closer than the score would indicate with YCP having the better first half (wind assisted) and Messiah was better in the second half (wind assisted).  I would have preferred to eliminate the wind to let the teams decide, but I can only do so much – and sun was my assignment!

Starting Lineups:

Messiah 4-2-3-1.
F: Danny Thompson

M: Kent Ramierz, Geoff Pezon, Derek Black

DM: Brett Faro, Nick Thompson

D: Josh Mull, Jon Burke, Trey Overholt, Jevon Gondwe

G: Jared Clugston

YCP 4-1-3-2.
F: Mike O’Connell, Kemal Nuspahic

M: Jon Ports, Travis Williams, Justin Suchoski

DM: Mike Gill

D: Brett Sauerberger, Scott Becker, Adam Good, Aaron Good

G: Jesse Derksen

Messiah observations:

In the 48th minute, it looked like Messiah got on the board, but the goal was disallowed by a foul in the box.  Sophomore left midfielder Kent Ramirez served an arcing corner kick that junior midfielder Geoff Pezon headed in from 4 yards.

Ramirez had 3 other goal scoring chances from set pieces.  In the 35th minute, he served a corner kick to an open sophomore Sam Woodworth that he headed toward the goal, but senior defender Scott Becker cleared it off the goal line.  Tremendous play from both players.

Ramirez decided to go to directly to goal on a 25 yard free kick that was straddling the side line.  His dipping, hooking shot cleared the goal keeper but was denied by the well-positioned YCP cross bar.  Brilliant shot that was inches high.

In the 80th minute, Ramirez hit a 22 yard shot near the corner of the penalty area that forced freshman goal keeper Jesse Derksen to heroically punch away the shot under pressure.

Ramirez is tremendous on the ball.  He’s quick and passes well.  His only challenge is that he’s pretty small.

In the 15th minute, Pezon popped the ball over the cross bar missing an easy shot from 5 yards that sophomore forward Danny Thompson had served on a platter.

Messiah has three brothers on the team.  Along with Danny Thompson (soph), his older brother, Nick  (jr) starts at DM and his younger brother, Logan (fresh).

Junior Keaton Kasiguran followed his brother Kai – who graduated from Messiah 2 years ago.

Messiah must be doing something right if younger brothers want to follow the path of their older brothers.  It’ll be interesting to see if this continues with ex-coach Dave Brandt moving to Navy.  See my posts about Navy’s improvement against St Francis-PA and Mount Saint Mary’s.

Thompson (er, Danny) had a chance to open the scoring in the 18th minute by stealing a soft pass from senior left back Brett Sauerberger.  Thompson (same one) beat a defender before crossing it to Thompson (different one – Nick) on the far post.  This Thompson cut the ball back to the center to beat junior defender Adam Good.  With the GK at his mercy, Thompson (Nick)  buried the ball into the sunny sky missing the open goal.

YCP observations:

YCP had the wind at their backs in the first half and were able to convert 2 goals.

In the 23rd minute, junior forward Mike O’Connell opened the scoring heading in a long ball past the charging goal keeper from 8 yards.  The play started with sophomore forward Kemal Nuspahic taking a shot that was blocked in the box.  The ball was passed back to senior right back Aaron Good.  From 40 yards, Good served in a long cross to O’Connell’s head.  Nicely done.

5 minutes later, senior midfielder Jon Ports delivered a picture perfect free kick 25 yards from goal near the sideline to sophomore midfielder Andy Stromberg on the far post 8 yards from goal.  This time the GK stayed on his line and Stromberg headed it into the lower right corner.

I normally don’t cover D3 – not because of arrogance, but for two simple reasons.  First, to cover more college soccer in the compressed college soccer season would spread me too thin, reducing my effectiveness and analysis for all my coverage.  Second, the number of professional soccer players coming from D1 is significantly higher than D2 or D3.  I’m evaluating players for the MLS draft and their suitability for professional careers.

Given the above, I specifically came to watch Jon Ports.  He looked pretty good when I saw him play 2 years ago.  Since then he has been a D3 All-American first team for the past 2 years.  After watching him today, his  grade is incomplete. Ports did a lot of good things, but I need to watch him without the wind impact and with me being more familiar with YCP.

He didn’t impose his skill/talent on this game.  I would expect that he could.

In the 5th minute, Ports served a 30 yard free kick to Becker’s head, but Becker’s shot was wide left.

A minute later, Ports creatively volleyed a ball at the top of the box with his heel, but O’Connell couldn’t muster a shot.

In the second half with limited offensive opportunities, Ports was able to take a quick first touch in the 50th minute, turning an hitting the shot with the second touch, but the shot was high.

In the 65th minute, I liked how he laid off a Messiah player receiving a long ball, then stealing the ball when the player didn’t have a sharp first touch.  Smart play.

All of these are positives things.

But was he significantly better than all of the other players?  No – not really.  Will he be able to handle the quicker game – requiring a cleaner first touch?  I’m not sure.

Right now, I know that Ports has talent, turns quickly, plays honestly.  Is he good enough?  I don’t know.  I need to see him play again.

Here is Ports’ blog.  Pretty interesting read, though the Ravens infatuation is mystifying.  I was confused by this statement, “Chris Ports (not biologically related)” – I thought Chris was Jon’s brother, because of this YCP preseason review.

YCP has a brother team.  Senior defender Aaron Good and his younger brother junior defender Adam Good both start in the back for YCP.  Junior Trey Good is not from the same town as Good (Aaron and Adam), but may be a distant relative (or not).  But I thought it was interesting that YCP had 3 Goods while Messiah had 3 Thompsons.  Ok, I entertain easily!  Trey is lost for the season with an ACL injury.

Good (Adam) is a “good” organizer in the back.  I liked how he was aware of the weaknesses in the back and tried to correct these deficiencies.

Good (Aaron) demonstrated determination in the 10th minute to not surrender a throw in and was able to get the ball up the field.

Even with the Goods in the back, the team defensive tackling was weak; allowing Messiah to hold possession in their attacking third.  For example, I expect the first defender to pressure the attacker allowing the second defender to take possession.  Either the defenders wouldn’t hold ground (diving in) or the second defender was not prepared to step up to poke the ball away.

 

Loyola (Chicago) @ Maryland

College Park, MD – Maryland beat Loyola (Chicago) 1-0 in a match that was not nearly that close.  MD controlled much of the play, but didn’t have the quality to finish their chances.

I’m not feeling well.  I would have stayed home, but I really wanted to see Michael Ferguson.  So, the bulk of this post will be strictly on him.

Starting Lineups:

Loyola 4-4-2.
F: Michael Ferguson, Mark Halma

M: Chris Mills, Eric Gehrig, Erick Marofske (wearing #19), Willie Koss

D: Doug Ferner, Erik Warren, Jordan Lewis, Alex Wynne

G:Peter McKeown

MD 4-4-2.

F: Jason Herrick, Billy Cortes

M: Drew Yates, Matt Kassel, Kaoru Forbess, Paul Torres

D: Taylor Kemp, Kevin Tangney, Ethan White, Alex Lee

G: Zac MacMath

Loyola observations:

Senior forward Michael Ferguson was a 2007 3rd team All-American.  Last season, I watched the diminutive Ferguson score a goal against Santa Clara over NYRB draft pick Ogunbiyi.  But Ferguson battled injuries for much of the year and wasn’t as productive.  Unfortunately, his scoring woes continue into this year.  He’s only scored a single goal with over half of the season completed.

While Ferguson started up top at the beginning of the game, by the end of the the first half, he was playing AM.  Loyola didn’t get the ball to Ferguson enough.  However, Ferguson doesn’t demand the ball enough and doesn’t show enough either.

He’s good on the ball and he is willing to quickly distribute to the open man.  His best asset is his quickness.  He is quite small, but is deceptively strong.

Ferguson took a 4 minute break in the second half before going up top to try and get the equalizer.  He’s quite dangerous when he times his runs on through ball.  He had an opportunity, but wound up getting his legs tangled with freshman defender Ethan White.

Ferguson has potential, but has not demonstrated the productivity that he had as a sophomore.  He has talent, but I’m not sold that he’s a can’t miss.  He’ll need to demonstrate his skill at the combine.

Md observations:

Md is missing two starters, Casey Townsend and Doug Rodkey to injuries.  Rodkey is still on crutches.  Md really misses Townsend shooting touch up top.

The MD goal was scored by sophomore AM Kaoru Forbess in the 26th minute.  This was his first goal of his career.  Freshman left back Taylor Kemp sent in a cross that was headed out of the box, but senior right back Kwame Darko gathered the ball, feinted a shot, driving toward the end line before lifting a beautiful cross that cleared the tall goal keeper near the front post but found Forbess stationed at the back post.  Forbess headed the ball into the goal from 5 yards.  This was Darko’s first point in his career.

Forbess left the game after having his clocked cleaned in the 27th minute by sophomore defender Jordan Lewis earning a yellow card.  For you American football fans, Lewis met Forbess coming across midfield and “de-cleated” him like a kick returner.  A red card would not have been a surprise.  Forbess looks like he may have suffered a concussion based upon that far-away look he had right before half time.

 

Monmouth @ Fairleigh-Dickinson

Teaneck, NJ – On an unusually warm afternoon, Monmouth beat Fairleigh-Dickinson 1-0 in an North East Conference match.

The loss of Hermann watch candidate Samson Malijani for the entire year has been an insurmountable loss for FDU.

The first half was uninspiring for both teams.  Is this really college soccer?  Seriously?  Watching the first half was like eating cold oatmeal.  Monmouth, with a scoreless draw on Friday against Sacred Heart being their only blemish on their record to date, has to be disappointed with a listless performance in the first half.

The second half was better, teams actually were able to string some passes together.  But, this was a disappointing match to have to endure.

Starting Lineups:

Monmouth 4-4-1-1.
F: Chase Barbieri

W/D F: Ryan Kinne

M: Ryan Clark, Cesar Blacido, Max Hamilton, Drew Von Bargen

D: Christian Nogueira, Anthony Vazquez, Daniel Bostock, R. J. Allen

G: Bryan Meredith

FDU 4-4-2. Diamond midfield
F: Dominic Reinold, Paul King

M: Dragan Naumoski, Serge Zulu, Sergio Munoz, Christian Vasconez

D: Pedro Vilar, Vin Reinecke, Jason Wells, Jeffrey Barrenechea

G: Majdi Zaineh

Monmouth observations:

In the 85th minute, Sophomore right back RJ Allen served a beautiful 25 yard free kick to junior forward Ryan Kinne’s head.  Kinne flicked it into the upper 90.  The free kick was earned on a questionable foul.

Allen whips in a good cross.  He was the bright spot of the Monmouth team this afternoon.

While Kinne scored the sole goal, he needed to impose himself  into this game much more.

In the 87th minute, Sophomore forward George Quintano air dribbled a defender into the box, but his shot was blocked for a corner kick.

Junior goal keeper Bryan Meredith wasn’t challenged, but came off his line well and snagged the high crosses effectively.

Monmouth can’t possibly be happy with this effort.

FDU observations:

Junior goal keeper Majdi Zaineh doesn’t communicate effectively.  Several times in the first half, he was in no man’s land and a defender cleared the ball in a hurry needlessly.

Sophomore midfielder Christian Vasconez is very good on the ball.  He split 2 defenders with a slight feint before delivering the ball to senior midfielder Sergio Munoz.  Vasconez dribbled through 2 Monmouth midfielders and was brought down cynically to stop his attack just over midfield.

There just wasn’t a lot to write up.  Thankfully, it was a nice fall afternoon.

 

Brown @ Columbia

New York, NY – On a cloudy evening with a damp field-turf pitch and the rumblings of the #1 train in the background, Brown beat Columbia 2-1 in the first OT.

My wife has convinced me that brown and black go together.  However, even she would not put them on a soccer uniform.  Brown was wearing black shirts with brown numbers.  I’m positive that I’m going to misidentify some player because of some “person” in the Brown sports department.  White numbers would have been most effective.  errrgh.

Like the last game (Jax – Charleston), DOGSO (Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity) was applied – this time correctly.  Columbia lost a man in the 25th minute.

Even before gaining a man advantage, Brown was controlling much of the play in the first half.  Columbia finally realized that they needed to hold more possession rather than defending for 90 minutes.  Eventually, the Brown quality scored a needed goal right before half time.  Columbia battled throughout the second half finally being scored upon in the first over time period.

Starting Lineups:

Brown 4-4-2.
F: Sean Rosa, Jon Okafor

M: Thomas McNamara, Rob Medairos, Nick Elenz-Martin, Mike Manella

D: Dylan Remick, Ryan McDuff, Evan Coleman, David Walls

G: Paul Grandstrand

Columbia 4-4-2.

F: James Prince, Will Stamatis

M: Nick Scott, Hayden Johns, Mike Mazzullo, Peter Morice

D: Quentin Grigsby, Ronnie Shaban, Ryan Scully, Will Young

G: Alexander Aurrichio

Brown observations:

It seems that a disproportionate amount of Brown fathers/supporters are premature bald.  Almost like they are segregated to the balding section of the stands!

Brown can be happy with the eventual result, but can’t be satisfied that a short-handed Columbia was able to make this game competitive.  Letting a team hang around is a bad form – because sometimes you’re not going to win.

In the 42nd minute, junior forward Jon Okafor beat freshman left back Quentin Grigsby on the cross to senior forward T. J. Thompson in the box.  Sophomore center back Ronnie Shaban made a clumsy tackle allowing Thompson a clear view (and shot) from 6 yards.

In the 95th minute, senior midfielder Nick Elenz-Martin scored the game winner after 3 Brown shots were blocked by a mass of humanity patrolling the goal line.

It was Thompson who was body-blocked that led to Columbia losing a player in the first half.

Freshman left midfielder Thomas McNamara is very good on the ball and weights his passes very effectively.  In the 61st minute, he stole a ball from Grigsby and thundered a shot from distance that was just off target.  He is someone to watch in the future.

Sophomore forward Sean Rosa was dangerous in the box all night.  He has quick feet.

Okafor is extremely quick but he wasn’t able to break down the defense consistently. He should have taken more responsibility to get around the side of the freshman left back.

It was impossible to judge the Brown defense because they were not threatened sufficiently.  Besides, it was difficult picking out the individual players (see above on numbers).

Columbia observations:

What a stinker.  Until they lost a man, Columbia played scared just kicking the ball forward with nothing more than hope to depend upon.  Later in the half, they started playing and they had a chance.  Going into the half scoreless would have been an achievement.

Senior center back Ryan Scully changed the game when he body blocked T. J. Thompson in the 25th minute just outside of the box. Playing a man short, was too much of a disadvantage and Columbia eventually lost after playing heroically in the second half.

The starting central midfielders, junior Hayden Johns and sophomore Mike Mazzullo, were the best examples of lacking confidence on the ball to maintain possession in the first half.  They seemed to crack under the slightest pressure rather than handling the defense, finding the space to provide the pass – they were kicking the ball forward.

Junior forward Bayo Adafin did not start because he is recovering from illness.  He came in late in the first half and started the second half.  He was obviously winded.  Adafin scored in the 51st minute after receiving a throw in from Grigsby.  Adafin beat a defender – then lost the ball momentarily, before reclaiming the ball and blasting a shot from 5 yards into the underside of the cross bar and into the goal.

Freshman left midfielder Nick Scott started the game horribly.  He may have had the worse cross that I’ve seen this year in the 27th minute – it didn’t even get into the penalty area!   He calmed down and started being an asset – his set pieces are neatly placed.

Sophomore center back Ronnie Shaban is a good tackler but he needs to do better on his clearances.  With the ball coming toward him in the box, he seems petrified (or should be).

Freshman forward Nick Ayers has ball skills, but has no work rate.  Being a man down, Columbia couldn’t afford to have a forward up top waiting for the ball to be played to his feet.

I was disappointed to not see more of sophomore midfielder Francois Anderson.  When I saw him last year, he was raw but extremely talented.  Now, I see a player that lacks confidence with more internal pressure with a diminished touch.  He brought down a very high ball – not exactly where he wanted it to be placed, but still with a high degree of skill.  Anderson also was making unforced errors – passes and dribbling.  He seems a shadow of himself from last year.

Sophomore right back Will Young telegraphs his passes when pressured.

 

Charleston @ Jacksonville – UPDATED

Sorry for the long delay – but I was on vacation.

Jacksonville, Fl – The steam continues, as Jacksonville (Jax) beat College of Charleston (Charleston) 5-3.

Charleston’s hopes were greatly diminished when they received a red card.

Starting Lineups:

Charleston 4-4-2.
F: Steven Nagy, Zach Prince

M: John Bello, Justin Fojo, Ralph Lundy III, Jake Helmig

D: Sean Flatley, Branko Gavric, Shawn Ferguson, William Moore

G: Michael Flato

Jax 4-4-2.

F: Tyler Williams, Davide Faga

M: Jonathan Jackson, Casey Tafuri, StefanRuneman, Riley Butler

D: Kelly Gill, Filip Terland, Tobias Hottner, Eddie Munnelly

G: Joey Sanchez

Jax observations:

Jacksonville opened the scoring in the first minute (40 seconds!), with a whipped in cross from wide left by red shirt senior left midfielder Jonathan Jackson to the open midfielder Casey Tafuri. Tafuri was open in the box and was able to calm the ball before pressure was too slowly applied. Tafuri buried the ball from 10 yards with a well struck strike.

In the 21st minute, sophomore right back Tyler Williams regained the lead for Jax with a nifty counter attack goal. Freshman midfielder Davide Faga quickly got the ball up to Jackson who aggressively dribbled to the center of the Charleston defense. As the defense converged, Jackson freed Williams behind the defense. The GK tried to cut the angle, but he was at Williams mercy. Williams slotted the ball past the GK.

The crucial play of the game was the game-tying penalty kick in the 50th minute that senior DM Stefan Runeman buried, not once but twice (because of infringement into the box) on both sides of the goal.

Jax took the lead for good with another tally by Runeman in the 85th minute. Junior forward Nedim Hrustic received the ball with his back to goal just outside the box with a defender marking him tightly. He flipped the ball up into the box where Runeman touched it over his defender before volleying it into the left side of the goal. Pure magic.

Williams returned the favor to Jackson feeding him for the insurance goal in the 87th minute ending any all hope for Charleston. Well actually, Williams wasn’t being as charitable. He shot the ball but it was blocked before Jackson scooped up the rebound and touched it into the net.

In the 55th minute, Jackson should have received a second yellow after reacting to a push from freshman center back Shawn Ferguson by pushing him twice to the face.  I’ve seen referees equalize the game after presenting a red card to the other team.  In this case, it would have been just.  A senior should know better.

Hrustic is frustrating to watch stumble around up top wasting countless opportunities.  His off the ball runs is even worse.

Senior right back Eddie Munelly is confident on the ball and provides good service and the ability to attack from the back.

Red shirt sophomore midfielder Matt Wallace works hard, but his technique suffered on a cross by Munelly that Wallace didn’t turn his hips and his shot went wide.

Freshman midfielder Davide Faga’s passing wasn’t as sharp.  He obviously is going to be pretty good, but he isn’t connecting with his team mates, YET.  Watch out, when he does.

Charleston observations:

I knew that we were going to see a whale of game, when Charleston eliminated the goal deficit in the 6th minute. Freshman midfielder Ralph Lundy III cranked a 25 yard free kick that should have gone in directly if not for a brilliant save from the GK. But the GK could not hold the ball, and senior midfielder John Bello knocked in the rebound to tie the score.

Lundy was again responsible for the “assist” with a driven corner kick that freshman defender Tyler Vukoder headed from the near post in the 33rd minute.

Charleston took the lead minutes later when freshman midfielder Francis Twohig scored. He beat a defender than shot from an acute angle that I can’t describe because I was blocked on the play.

The pivotal play of the game occurred in the 50th minute when junior center back Branko Gavric made a rash tackle – a legit penalty kick.  But, I question whether a red card was warranted.  At the time, I figured the kid earned the red for dissent, but I was corrected by the ref that it was for DOGSO (Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity).

Referee corner.  I used to be a referee many decades ago before DOGSO was a rule.  But the 4 key elements (4 D’s) in determining it are the following:

• Defenders – last defender back
• Distance to goal – closer is more likely to be a goal scoring opportunity
• Distance to the ball – attacker close enough to play the ball
• Direction of play – heading toward the goal

All of these elements must be present – which they were.  The missing factor – in my opinion – was these must be obvious.

I don’t question that the referee knew the rules, but my question is the application.  I saw the play as being a mis-timed tackle.  DOGSO was implemented to curtail the professional or cynical tackle.  The referee took the game out of the hands of the players.  A PK would have been the right call.

Charleston needs to figure out how to stop the goal scoring splurges.  They gave up 10 goals in 2 games!  While I was disappointed that senior Kareem Yearwood is out for the year, the bigger loss may be junior center back Sean Bateau’s season-ending injury.  I saw him in the spring and was impressed.

Charleston should move junior Sean Flatley to the middle of the defense.  When he is beaten around the side because of his lack of foot speed, it opens the defense in the middle.  Partnering him with freshman Shawn Ferguson.  I’d move Gavric and Bello to defensive midfield.  Move Fojo to left midfielder.

This still leaves a gap at left back, Ralph Lundy III – maybe, he’s a pretty smart player and serves a dynamite ball.

Senior forward Matt Morris didn’t play from multiple nagging injuries.  But, scoring isn’t the problem.

 

Stetson vs Alabama A&M @ Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Fl – On a brutally hot Florida afternoon, with an occasional cloud as a respite for the heat, Alabama A&M (AAM) limped off with a 1-1 draw with Stetson spoiling their previously unblemished record.  The game was much more methodical and slower in the scorching heat.

AAM surrendered a goal with 6 seconds before half-time which is indefensible.

AAM started with a depleted line-up of only 12 players – by the end of the game they had 2 injured players that couldn’t move on the field.  It was a courageous ending.

Starting Lineups:

Stetson 4-4-2.
F: Griffin Gilstrap, Kevin Munz

M: Set Carpintero, Gonazlo de Mujica, Jonathan Mendoza, Fredrik Brustad

D: Daniel Sackman, Robert Hodge, Matt Hoskins, Ryan Corning

G: Logan Potter

AAM 3-5-2.

F:  Abraham Kassaye, Moses Semakula

AM: Cesar Ramirez

M: Daniel Obfinsua, Eric Kamya, Samjulien Carlisle

DM: Rogers Atugonza

D: Terrence Jones, Samadu Mutumba, Mustafa Ahmed

G: Paul Musoke

Stetson observations:

In the 45th minute (6 seconds before half time), left midfielder freshman John Rayha served a well cross to an open sophomore right midfielder Ryan Asare-Bediako in the middle of the box.  Asare-Bediako volleyed the ball into the side netting where the shot came from.

Sophomore right midfielder Frerik Brustad gets his head up quickly and provides good service.

In the 75th minute, junior Ryan Corning had 2 chances off a corner kick that he put on goal, but was denied at the goal line by senior defender Samadu Mutumba both times.

AAM observations:

AAM was able to even the score with some precise passing into the right corner with junior midfielder Junior Kamya finishing under the goal keeper in the 69th minute.  The play was started by freshman midfielder Marcus Wallace to Kamya to Wallace back to sophomore midfielder Cesar Ramirez.  Ramirez freed Kamya behind the defenders.  Kamya faked a shot bringing the GK down while the GK was getting up – Kamya put the shot past him.

AAM had problems (but were only punished once) getting their wide midfielders to mark their counter-parts deep in the box when the ball was on the other side of the field.  Stetson couldn’t find these players open on the deep side.

AAM doesn’t transition to defense well.  If a defender goes forward to support the attack, the midfield does not support defensively.  The forwards are even more guilty of this laziness.

Both center backs Mutumba and senior  Terrence Jones allow the center forward to turn without pressure, by not stepping up.  Jones reads the game well, anticipating where the ball will be going.

While I railed junior right back Mustefa Ahmed last game for his childish behavior, today he was much more controlled.  This allowed me to watch him more closely.  Like Jones, he anticipates well, reading the play.  Ahmed got to play more often than not, he’s was able to provide support in the attack.  He can play, but has too much baggage to even consider for the next level.

Senior defender Terrence Jones reads the defense very well.

Senior midfielder Rogers Atugonza had a much rougher first half than on Friday night.  He just couldn’t put anything together.  With the heat and playing two games in less than 40 hours, it’s a difficult task that the young Atugonza didn’t master.

Rameriz patterns his game after his countryman, Blanco.  His work rate is the same, the body style is similar, the passing is a poor imitation (but passable).  The only problem is a 20 year old shouldn’t be playing as slow as a 35 year old.

 

Alabama A&M @ Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Fl – In the night time thriller of the Jacksonville tournament, Alabama A&M (AAM) came back to beat host Jacksonville (Jax) 2-1 in regulation.  The winning goal was scored by the goal keeper.

Jax has to be disappointed with this result.  While they seemed to be more organized with the better opportunities in the first half, the second half was an example of team that mailed it in.  Jax refused to close on the AAM players allowing too much time on the ball without sufficient pressure.  This was not just a problem for the Jax forwards – but pervasive throughout the field including the defense.

Starting Lineups:

AAM 4-4-2.
F:  Abraham Kassaye, Moses Semakula

M: Marcus Wallace, Cesar Ramirez, Rogers Atugonza, Eric Kamya

D: Terrence Jones, Samadu Mutumba, Mustafa Ahmed, Daniel Obfinsua

G: Paul Musoke

Jax 4-4-2.
F: Tyler Williams, Davide Faga

M: Jonathan Jackson, Casey Tafuri, StefanRuneman, Riley Butler

D: Kelly Gill, Filip Terland, Tobias Hottner, Eddie Munnelly

G: Joey Sanchez

AAM observations:

AAM had but 2 subs on the bench.  One of their starters (Obfinsua) is the backup goal keeper according to the lineup.

AAM lacks defensive tactical awareness.  While they have team speed, they get exposed to easily with quick changes of the field.

In the 53rd minute, AAM tied the game from a well struck ball by junior forward Abraham Kassaye.  The entry pass was possible because talented midfielder senior Rogers Atugonza was given too much time to present the perfect pass to Kassaye behind the defense.  Kassaye hit the unstoppable shot well.

Atugonza has exemplary quickness, technical skill and vision.  I’d like to see him at the MLS combine.  He’s that good.  I may focus my attention on him on Sunday.

The winning goal was scored by the goal keeper – senior Paul Musoke – from a screeching 25 yard free kick that was deposited in the lower right section of the net in the 67th minute.  Musoke had a terrific night tending the nets – putting a cap on the goal.  He moves around the box like a puma.

Junior defender Mustefa Ahmed is a jerk.  I had written this based upon my close observation of his behavior during the game, but this opinion was cemented based upon how he acted when the final whistle was blown.  He was taunting the Jax players, coaches and fans.  He did a disservice to his school and potentially could have initiated an ugly incident eventually leading to suspensions or even injuries.

When the coach was notified, he went ballistic on Ahmed; right there at midfield admonishing him while the teams were still on the field.  I was disappointed that none of the AAM seniors didn’t immediately grab Ahmed by the shorts and “fast-walk” him off the pitch to stop this disgraceful behavior that was making his institution look foolish.  This was a leadership opportunity that went wanting.

Jax observations:

In the 45th minute, Jax scored their lone goal by junior forward Nedim Hrustic.  Senior defender Eddie Munnelly whipped in a long pass that found Hrustic’s head.

Freshman midfield Davide Faga has exceptional skill.  I like the way that he weights his passes.  He needs to work harder on both sides of the ball.

Red shirt senior left midfielder Jonathan Jackson was the best (only?) attacking option in the second half.  His speed on the ball and his ability to whip in passes was crucial for Jax to have any hope.  On long balls, he doesn’t stay wide, limiting the angle for the pass to arrive and reduces his space.  If he made a run that following the sideline, he’d have a better angle of attack and the ball would be able to drop easier onto his feet.

Red shirt sophomore midfielder Matt Wallace continued to battle in the second half, but his efforts alone were insufficent.

Senior DM Stefan Runeman plays with effort, but his effort was lacking in the second half.  I put much of the blame on him for the second half, because he’s a senior and in the middle.  I expect him to provide the leadership to get his team to play with more purpose.  Unfair?  Maybe, but life is unfair – too bad.