2022 Season Game Notes

[SimpleCoach]

Eastern University @ Catholic University
9.27.2022

-  Catholic in All White
-  Eastern in All Black
-  Not sure if Catholic Keeper is hurt.  Seems the #2 Keeper is in goal.
-  Catholic is a good 2nd ball team.  Meaning they don't care what happens to the first ball they send up top, they only care about the 2nd ball and how much chaos they can create as a result.
-  Eastern has had a rough go this season, but they are showing to be pretty effective at controlling the ball. 
-  As I have said before, when a soccer game breaks out, Catholic struggles.  Lack execution on details, in particular on lazy passes.
-  38 minutes in.
-  Eastern has been owning the ball.  Catholic looks too slow.
-  Just realize Catholic#7 is not on the field.  Hurt?
-  Eastern is moving the ball well in Catholic's half.  So long as they don't get sucked into a cortex of bodies and stay balanced, they create opportunities or at least unsettle Catholic back line.1
-  21 minutes left.
-  Looks like Catholic has a 5 man back line.
-  17 minutes
-  Catholic scores but is waived offside.
-  Eastern#10 has a lot of their game run through him.
-  Catholic#7 is on the field.  Tactical decision?  Not sure I understand leaving your best player off the field, but ok, tactics.
-  Catholic#4 cannot pass the ball.
-  When Catholic can't get the ball in the attacking third, because Eastern is sitting deep just waiting for the Kick and Hope by Catholics back line, they have no answers and no other way of getting to goal.
-  7 minutes left.
-  When Catholic can break quick, and catch Eastern higher up the field, they get to goal very quickly.
-  Eastern is business like in it's approach to the game.
-  With 5:51 left, you can see how it is difficult for Catholic when they don't surprise Eastern.
-  Catholic#7 is double teamed out why.  There are two Catholic forwards in the box.  Eastern has 6 defenders back, with two joining.  You have to be very lucky to score under such circumstances.  And of course, they lose the ball.
-  5 left.
-  And we go to half 0-0.
-  Blah game.
-  Second half.
-  And not the sort of start Catholic wanted.  Three defenders are standing him up.  Takes a touch to his right
-  Ball gets out wide to the right of the Catholic Keeper.  Takes a touch to his right and from the corner of the box rifles a shot far upper corner for the go ahead goal.
-  Catholic 0, Eastern 1.
-  Lots of time on the clock, no need to panic.
-  Love the Enthusiasms of the Announcers.
-  Catholic playing with a little bit more purpose in the second half, but outside of whipping balls in from out wide, they don't have much.
-  Catholic#7 makes something out of nothing.  Settles the ball at the 18, turns and hits to the lower left of the Eastern Keeper, who makes a good save and sends it out for a corner.
-  21 left.
-  Eastern slowing the ball down when they get the chance. But Catholic trying hard to not give them breathing room.
-  And what just happened??? Ball cleared by an Eastern defender.  There are two Catholic backs and the Catholic Keeper comes to clean it up.  Instead, the Catholic Keeper makes a hideous pass ... straight to Eastern#36 who one times the ball from 35 yards.  Goal is wide open, cause the Catholic Keeper is 30 yards away.  Astounding.
-  Catholic 0, Eastern 2
-  Now Catholic is in a hole.  Crazy thing is that there wasn't really a lot of pressure on the Keeper.
-  Eastern is now just bleeding the clock where they can.
-  And Catholic claws one back.
-  Really well done by Catholic#24.  Gets a ball in box, cuts it to his right and hits a ball far post for a goal.
-  Catholic 1, Eastern 2.
-  And the follow up play, Catholic Keeper comes up but with a one on one save.
-  Catholic is now energized.
-  12 minutes left.
-  Catholic hunting for the tying goal.  Eastern really inviting the pressure.
-  3 minutes
-  Getting chippy.
-  And with 20 seconds left, Eastern has a player thrown off with a Red as a result of a real tough challenge.
-  And one last ball sent into the box and the game is over.
-  Catholic 1, Eastern 2.

[Hopkins92]

Any notes on the Eastern keeper? He stood on his head in some of the games I watched last year, when I think he was a freshman?

[Pilsner]

When Catholic played Eastern last year, it was a different keeper- who stood on his head and earned Eastern a point.  The contest last night was tough to watch as a Catholic fan. Hopefully CUA can put full squad on the field for Drew. I think 7 new starters yesterday with goalie, center back, and top scorer out.  Credit to Eastern for capitalizing on weak performance.

[Ejay]

When Catholic played Eastern last year, it was a different keeper- who stood on his head and earned Eastern a point. 

Diesel Fiore - he's now 3rd (or 4th) string at D1 Rider.

[Hopkins92]

That, my friends, is an incredible name.

[Kuiper]

Any notes on the Eastern keeper? He stood on his head in some of the games I watched last year, when I think he was a freshman?

Are you referring to Diesel Fiore?  He was a freshman at Eastern last year who came from Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas.  He was the Gatorade Nevada Boys Player of the Year in 2020-2021 and played with Heat FC in ECNL.  Frankly, I'm not sure how or why he ended up in Eastern.  Maybe they offered him immediate playing time and a good financial aid package.  He started most of the games last year for Eastern (had a 16 save game against Messiah), but transferred to Rider for this season.  He's an example someone was asking about in another thread on this Board of a kid who started at D3, prove himself and then moved to D1 (although Rider is a lower level D1 program), perhaps for a better financial package and a chance for higher-level competition.  Rider's coaches may have been scouting some of the local D3 games in the area as they look to elevate their program, because he surely stood out.  Fiore's behind a senior and junior at Rider and hasn't played yet, but he may be taking a redshirt season to get up to speed.  He certainly has the quality to play D1.

[Hopkins92]

When Catholic played Eastern last year, it was a different keeper- who stood on his head and earned Eastern a point.  The contest last night was tough to watch as a Catholic fan. Hopefully CUA can put full squad on the field for Drew. I think 7 new starters yesterday with goalie, center back, and top scorer out.  Credit to Eastern for capitalizing on weak performance.

Yep, and it's funny, his bio at Rider specifically mentions the game I'm talking about against Messiah.

"Honorable Mention All-MAC as a freshman at Eastern University in 2021... Started 15 games, winning eight, with three via shutout... Recorded a season-high 16 saves against Messiah (Oct. 16)... Gatorade Player of the Year at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas... Won a State Championship with the Gaels, while also earning First Team All-State and All-Region... Goalkeeper of the Year in the Sunrise Conference... Also played for Heat FC ECNL."

He's a sophomore. With what I saw last year, I'd be pretty surprised he's not playing D1, somewhere, at some point in the next 2 years. He was doing anticipatory/innate stuff you can't coach... you just are that goalie.

[Hopkins92]

Oh, sorry Kuiper... We're on the same page!

[Gregory Sager]

That, my friends, is an incredible name.

That name is next-level cool.

[SimpleCoach]

North Park @ University of Chicago
9.28.2022

Watched the game last night.  Took notes on the first half and thought I would do the second have notes today.... but guess they don't archive the games so I didnt get to do notes.  Let's just say they were better in the second half and never thought North Park was close to an upset.....

-  Big game of two of the Top 5 ranked teams in the country.
-  Chicago in All Whites
-  North Park in All Black.
-  North Park is defending in numbers and taking no chances with the ball in the back.  Good in possession, but Chicago is stepping high and doing a better job get a hold of the ball.
-  When North Park has possession, Chicago does sit deep making sure no one can get behind them.
-  Both teams need to get out quickly if they are going to find the goal.  Both teams are just very disciplined defensively.
-  Chicago getting closer to goal even though shots are not on the mark.
-  North Park is fantastic in control in the back and under pressure.  Play with a lot of confidence when you think it's a but risky.
-  28 minutes left in the half
-  North Park#60 is, as Michael Jackson sings... THE Man in the Middle.
-  Chicago is just very difficult to break in the final third.  Probably the best part of the game.
-  North Park really doesn't have much going forward.  Keep coming up against a wall.
-  22 left
-  The defensive triangle of the two center back and North Park#60 really see most of the ball when in possession.
-  Chicago just not conceding space anywhere.
-  On offense, Chicago shifting points of attack very effectively.  North Park is tracking well, but could be a problem later in the game.
-  Opportunity on a one on one for Chicago, but player sends the ball over the North Park goal.  Not that many opportunities, but they are getting there.
-  15 minutes left in half.
-  First corner for Chicago, ball lands at the six and is sent over the bar.  Chicago player was wide open.
-  10 minutes left.
-  Chicago isn't dominating, but they are certainly in control of this game.  North Park has yet to get on its horse.
-  Always talk about the two Chicago#3 and Chicago#5, but another very able outside back, who really does shut down the wing is Chicago#5.  Really has made it difficult for North Park to come down his flank.  And is also an excellent ball handler stepping high into the midfield and helping moving the ball down the field.
-  Chicago pressing higher and higher.  North Park really doesn't pass midfield comfortably.
-  Shout out to the other wing back, Chicago#2 who closes down the space and really forces North Park to not go down the wing, instead to try and cut it into the middle.
-  Halftime.
-  Not sure North Park is on the level of Chicago.  Trying to make something happen, but Chicago is just shutting them down all over the field.  They are now caught in knocking the ball around the -  18 trying to open up space but Chicago is just not having any of it.
-  Second Half.

[Fitz@615]

New to this board. My son is a Fr playing at Messiah so thought I needed to be more in tune with all things D-3 soccer related. Have listened to you on twitter and watched last nights time with Paul Newman. Love it. You both are awesome and love what you are doing. Thanks!

[SimpleCoach]

New to this board. My son is a Fr playing at Messiah so thought I needed to be more in tune with all things D-3 soccer related. Have listened to you on twitter and watched last nights time with Paul Newman. Love it. You both are awesome and love what you are doing. Thanks!

Well thanks @Fitz@615.  Really do appreciate the kind words.  Happy for your son... and makes me like him more!

Again, appreciative of your support.

SC.

[SimpleCoach]

Amherst College @ Williams College
10.1.2022

-  Joined this at the start of the second.
-  Williams in All White
-  Amherst in All Black
-  The 6'4" Amherst Keeper can't punt the ball.  For as big as he is you would think he would be good.
-  Williams is the better on possession.  Amherst is experiencing what its like to play against a team that plays soccer.
-  Amherst looks like Amherst but with a greater degree of mediocrity than I am used to.  Seems the enthusiasm isn't there.
-  35 minutes left.
-  Williams is pretty good on set plays, and makes them dangerous.
-  I think Amherst just had a player ejected from the game.
-  Being a man down, Williams needs to be a bit more patient and methodical.  The space is there but no need to force everything.  And by being patient, I don't mean just passing it around the back line.  Makes life easy for Amherst.  You need to keep the ball higher up the field.
-  Would love to do a Fields of Dreams from Williams.  Its beautiful.
-  Delivering in the ball is real inaccurate for Williams.  Waste more balls than create opportunities
-  Amherst is devoid of soccer as much as they are devoid of ideas of how to get forward.
-  This is a general observation but I think most teams succumb to the ideas of what to do with the ball in the back, from what was designed on a white board.  No creativity/ideas that come out of the back.  Not sure if that makes sense.
-  I am not saying Williams is better and deserving  of the win, but they enjoy having the ball more than Amherst.
-  And Amherst still has the possibility of scoring, because that's what they do.
-  Amherst Keeper takes a free kick from midfield and sends the ball to an area... where there were 2 Amherst players.... And 5 Williams players.  He should not be taking free kicks from midfield again.
-  Amherst creates enough chaos in the box that they can get a goal.
-  19 minutes
-  Opportunity for Williams on a floated in where the player turned and hit a volley that floated over the bar.  Seriously brilliant.
-  I think Amherst is ok with bleeding the clock and taking the tie.
-  Williams is winning ball in the air on free kicks, but not resulting in anything. 
-  I get it's the conference.  There is history.  I get it.  But this was an average game at best.  I like Williams and how they play, but think they lack in the final third, which may explain their record with three ties.
-  Game over.
-  Williams 0, Amherst 0

[SimpleCoach]

Hamilton College @ Connecticut College
10.1.2022

-  Connecticut in All Whites
-  Connecticut in All Whites
-  Hamilton in All Blue.
-  Playing on the turf overlooking the Thames.  Beautiful place to play, but the wind must be brutal.
-  I say it again.  I keep looking for something for the team for having won a national championship. Field level banner?  Something?
-  Bit ugly.  Lots of turnovers.
-  Hamilton has Connecticut pinned back a bit.  Make it very difficult for them to get past midfield.  When they do get forward, Hamilton does well turning them back.
-  Connecticut is steadily taking ownership of the game.  Now its Hamilton struggling to get out of its own half.
-  Hamilton needs to get a hold of the ball if they are going to stand a chance. 
-  18 minutes left.
-  Wonder how much Hamilton is suffering from the altitude ... of being in first place in the conference?
-  One of the first things I learned when started playing, was if it was windy, you keep the ball on the ground.  Hamilton could learn the lesson.
-  Connecticut is now relentless getting forward.  And Hamilton sits deeper and deeper. 
-  Strikes me as a gut check game... who is willing to put up with the elements and take the game.
-  And looks maybe like Hamilton!
-  6 minutes left, they get the ball down the right wing and drive the ball across.  Hamilton's forward heads the ball very well to the far post.  Nothing Connecticut Keeper can do.
-  Amazing how open the forward was.  Headed it between two defenders.
-  Connecticut 0, Hamilton 1
-  And Connecticut get a goal waived off for offside.
-  Connecticut needs to not try so hard... forcing too much.
-  Halftime.
-  Just watching first half.  So many more games.
-  Hamilton in All Blue.
-  Playing on the turf overlooking the Thames.  Beautiful place to play, but the wind must be brutal.
-  I say it again.  I keep looking for something for the team for having won a national championship. Field level banner?  Something?
-  Bit ugly.  Lots of turnovers.
-  Hamilton has Connecticut pinned back a bit.  Make it very difficult for them to get past midfield.  When they do get forward, Hamilton does well turning them back.
-  Connecticut is steadily taking ownership of the game.  Now its Hamilton struggling to get out of its own half.
-  Hamilton needs to get a hold of the ball if they are going to stand a chance. 
-  18 minutes left.
-  Wonder how much Hamilton is suffering from the altitude ... of being in first place in the conference?
-  One of the first things I learned when started playing, was if it was windy, you keep the ball on the ground.  Hamilton could learn the lesson.
-  Connecticut is now relentless getting forward.  And Hamilton sits deeper and deeper. 
-  Strikes me as a gut check game... who is willing to put up with the elements and take the game.
-  And looks maybe like Hamilton!
-  6 minutes left, they get the ball down the right wing and drive the ball across.  Hamilton's forward heads the ball very well to the far post.  Nothing Connecticut Keeper can do.
-  Amazing how open the forward was.  Headed it between two defenders.
-  Connecticut 0, Hamilton 1
-  And Connecticut get a goal waived off for offside.
-  Connecticut needs to not try so hard... forcing too much.
-  Halftime.
-  Just watching first half.  So many more games.

[SimpleCoach]

Christopher Newport University @ Messiah University
10.1.2022

-  Homecoming for Messiah.
-  And it's pouring and they are playing on Shoemaker Field.
-  Throwback game from the 80s!
-  Messiah in their traditional Whites and Blues
-  Christopher Newport in Grey.
-  Messiah doing what Messiah does.
-  And 3 minutes in, ball slotted for Messiah#21 who takes a touch around the CNU Keeper who trips him for a PK!
-  Pretty clear and you can't argue.
-  And Messiah#22 shoots to the Keepers left and the Christopher Newport Keeper comes up bit.
-  Weather is not cooperating.
-  Messiah just peppered the goal and came up with nothing.
-  Oh, my gosh and on the ensuing attack, CNU takes a shot on goal, and it deflects off a Messiah Defender for a go ahead goal.
-  Messiah 0, Christopher Newport 1
-  Announcers are just outstanding.  Professional.
-  Clear CNU is looking for the counter when they can.
-  Looks like it's a great crowd.
-  No need to panic.  Early in the game.  Lots to be played.
-  And like that, Messiah with a great individual effort, scores the tying goal.
-  Ball comes out of the back, worked through the midfield, and swung out to the left wing who goes 1v1 with the outside back, takes a touch to his right and hits the ball far post for the goal! Messiah#8 with the great play on his end. 
-  Just for the record, the ball never got off the ground.
-  29 minutes left.
-  Holy cow.  I mean that's an amazing goal for Messiah.  Similar play, same side, this time Messiah#11 ropes the ball to hit far post upper corner.  That's just lethal.
-  Messiah 2, Christopher Newport 1
-  Messiah is explosive going forward.  CNU has to really be alert or Messiah will take advantage
-  Halftime
-  Messiah 2, Christopher Newport 1
-  Second Half
-  Christopher Newport is stepping higher and trying to hold on to the ball a little.
-  But it all falls apart in the blink of an eye
-  Ball cleared out and CNU defender running back to recover.... No real pressure.  CNU#5 makes a pass that gets cuaght up in the wet grass and is recovered by Messiah#8.  He faces up the defenders.  He has a runnner wide open to his left that I don't think he say, and Messiah#21 going full blast to his right.  He lays it off to his right and Messiah#21 buries the ball far post for the goal!
-  43:35 left in the half. 
-  Just a remarkable heads up play and great execution.
-  Messiah 3, Christopher Newport 1
-  And Messiah with a shot off the post five minutes later.
-  CNU is definitely hurt by that third goal.  But truth is they have no answers to what Messiah is doing.
-  CNU is a good team, but truth be told, against Messiah, they look like a mid table ECNL team.
-  And CNU may be the MVP because he has kept it from being worse.
-  Speaking of keeper, Messiah Keeper Jared "The Mullet" Pavlovich hasn't had a mullet all season.
-  And finally, on a corner, Messah#22 gets up on a corner and heads the ball that's blocked but comes back to head the ball into the back of the net for the fourth.
-  Messiah 4, Christopher Newport 1. 
-  This is turning out into a real shellacking.
-  35 minutes left in the game.
-  Messiah is just dominant.
-  22 minutes left.
-  All respect to University of Chicago who I do think is ... the second best team in the country ... there is something about this Messiah team that for me, makes it the #1 team.  And I don't think it is close.  There I said it.
-  16 minutes left and CNU kind of had a half chance to goal.
-  And Jared "the Mullet" Pavlovich makes a great save to his left on a opportunistic shot off a rebound for CNU.
-  11 minutes left.
-  Think I will let this one go for the evening.  This one is done and dusted.
-  By the Messiah#6 is a monster in the back.  Tough as nails.
-  I'm out.