Towson, MD – On an cool afternoon that changed from a sunny to overcast during the game, Towson squeaked by George Mason (GM) 2-1 in OT. In a game that GM should have won, they lost because of Towson’s more consistent level of effort and because of GM’s lack of shooting proficiency. This is a game that GM let slip away.
Starting Lineups:
GM 4-1-3-1-1.
G: Sean Kelley
D: Jonathan Borrajo, Michael Vallie, Richard Edgar, Huge Fike
DM: Irvin Martinez
M: Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe, Fro Adu, Anthony Han
W/D F: Axel Levry
F: Lucas Pardew
Towson 4-4-2.
GK: John Steele
D: Rob Nwosu, Maxx Hurkamp, Scott Horta, Phil Greatwich
M: Tommy Appel-Schumacher, T.J. Jager, Matt Beckman, Marco Mangione
F: Liam Maloney, Kevin Ruck
GM observations:
GM opened the scoring in the second minute. This may have been more of a curse than a blessing. The effort put forth by Towson was noticeble. All over the field GM was much too soft on defense (especially in the first half). GM allowed too many easy entry passes from set pieces. Alternatively, Towson was dogging every ball at every possession. GM seems to like to have the ball and they want to conserve their energy going forward – an obstacle to a successful season.
GM needs to shoot on target – moreover, they need to shoot with accuracy and with power. The shots that they were putting on goal were weak shots that the Towson GK had only to scoop up.
The first goal was started with a foul by Towson’s sophomore central back Scott Horta on speedy freshman Axel Levry 30 yards from goal. Senior left back Hugh Fike served in the free kick, with junior center back Richard Edgar diving at the ball but missing – it froze the Towson defense – allowing senoir DM Tyler Orzak to dive from the far post side and hit the ball to the near post side netting in the 2nd minute.
After that GM rested on their laurels – or at least did not pressure Towson enough to force easy turnovers consistently.
One of the players, Lucas Pardew, is an exception to the hustle statement. In the 25th minute, he pressured junior Maxx Hurkamp and freshman goal keeper John Steele to gain a throw-in. Pardew’s game is based upon his speed and getting to the endline or behind the defense. In the second half, Pardew on the right side was very effective for creating chances – if not goals.
Senior Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe had a memorable game against VCU – today was forgettable. He had some terrible touches all over the pitch. I noted at one point that he had “a crazy touch” with no possible indication of what he was trying to do. He didn’t return in the second half.
Edgar is a physical defender. He makes good decisions. He was a force in the air against taller players. His partner in the middle, senior Michael Vallie is steady and distributes the ball well.
In the first half, sophomore AM Irvin Martinez was too lackadaisical giving no effort. I wondered if he was pouting because he didn’t start. He had more effort in the second half. I may have a higher work rate than him and I get tired walking from the parking lot.
In the first half, freshman Axel Levry playing the withdrawn forward for Ryan Gracia (suffered a concussion – big loss for GM!) seemed to regress to the way he was playing in the pre-season. It’s frustrating to watch this talented player totally clueless on where he needs to be when he doesn’t have the ball and to see a player too confident with the ball that he isn’t letting the ball move. He’s talented – but he has a lot of room to grow.
Freshman forward Draymond Washington came on late in the first half and was dominating in the second half. He had Towson’s Phil Greatwich and Scott Horta at his mercy. He kept serving tremendous crosses that no one on GM could finish. Washington needs to beat this players on the dribble and cause total havoc in the back with the GK coming out or forcing Hurkamp to help. He seemed too content with the crosses. More aggressive and assertive.
Towson observations:
Towson sends a lot of people forward leaving large gaps in the midfield. They lack defensive shape making them susceptible to counter attacks. GM didn’t advantage of this liability. Additionally, they identified a weakness on the Towson defensive left side that Pardew and Washington were able to expose but not capitalize on this deficiency.
The goal was scored by talented and volatile freshman forward Liam Maloney. In the 34th minute, Cesar Cisneros got the ball to Maloney near the sideline 30 yards from goal. Maloney turned quickly driving laterally toward the middle of the field when he got to the near post 25 yards from goal, he struck a hard ball that was able to dip under the bar but over GM GK Sean Kelley. Nice goal. He seems ready to emotionally explode. Like many talented forwards, he’s tempermental. He provides energy and sees the field very well.
Maloney’s strike partner junior forward Kevin Ruck is tall and provides no energy to the attack, but he is tall. He’s pretty slow, but he is tall. I frequently forget about many average players after a years time. However, I remember this kid and how is best attribute: he is tall. Other than that, I don’t really see what he adds to the Towson attack other than…. he is tall.
Towson’s attack was much more dangerous after senoir Cesar Cisneros replaced Matt Beckman midway through the first half. A minute before the Maloney goal, senior Nino Mangione volleyed the ball back Cisneros who his a whistling volley that hit side netting – outside of the post.
Phil Greatwich serves accurate passes from distance. He was the most dangerous weapon early in the first half. His defensive ability is underwhelming against the speed and the exceptional technical ability of Pardew and Washington.
Scott Horta can’t mark fast attackers, because he’s too slow. He is terrific in the air.
The winning goal was scored in the 100th minute from a GM defensive collapse. Freshman Javier Bermudez Roa made a long cross to an open senior Xavier Otero on the left side of the box 20 yards from the end line. The entire GM defense collapsed on him. Otero squared the ball to an open junior Tommy Appel-Schumacher at the far post. Appel-Schumacher calmly settled the ball, assessed his options and slotted the ball into the goal.
I’m not sure how much talent freshman Mike Cericola has, but he runs hards and he forces the opponent to make mistakes. I like him.
Sophomore Chris Zecha had a poor first half, but played much better in the second. I expected him to serve the winner to Maloney. Guess that shows what I know.
