The Ravens came into their first action of the season determined to get off to a good start, and to be that “tough team to play against.”  As the weekend unfolded, the Ravens hardly disappointed.  Except for just a few minutes here and there, the team was firing on all cylinders, and the offensive barrage we saw at the end of last season continued after the team got their feet wet during the first game.  The twelve (12) ‘goals for’ were of various varieties, and the defense was outstanding, allowing only one (1) goal over the four game tourney, and rarely put keeper Randi Pesci in trouble.

 

Each of the girls made significant contributions that resulted in a second place finish overall (more about that later!).   There was excellent ball movement; some brilliant playmaking; great on field communication; and some super finishes.  Goalie Pesci made a couple of outstanding saves during the course of the weekend as well, but she was not tested that much due to the swarming Ravens’ “D.”  The Ravens consistently won first and second balls, especially in the midfield; had strong outlet passes from the marking backs and sweeper positions, and overall could have easily punched home another 5-6 goals.  It all added up to a great weekend of Ravens' soccer, and a fantastic start for what promises to be an outstanding season.

 

Here are the “happy recaps:”

 

Game 1:  Ravens 0 Mountain Lakes Magic 0

Ravens dominated play after the first 10 minutes, but couldn’t finish up.  Had some great opportunities that fell just short, including hitting two goalposts and a missed PK.  Ravens clearly should have won this game, as the Magic wound up 1-1-2 (w-t-l) for the weekend.  Would the old demons of lack of offense and finishing come back to haunt the Ravens?

 

Game 2: Ravens 5 North Warren Lady Patriots 1

The answer is NO … as the Ravens were in command from the opening kickoff.  The girls allowed North Warren to sneak close at 2-1 after going up with two goals less than one minute apart, but then came back with another tally just over two minutes later to go up 3-1, and went on the win the game “going away.”  With this game the team took a giant step over the next level or two, but could they sustain it and achieve some consistency in their game ?

 

Scoring Summary:

17^th minute (Ravens): Stagl (Lipinski assist) – strong push all the way from a Ravens’ goalkick, and nice 1-2 finish

 

18^th minute (Ravens): Lipinski – aggressive move from the left side to keep control and punch it home

 

23^rd minute (N. Warren): Ravens defense sagged to allow shooter to loft one over goalie Pesci

 

25^th minute (Ravens): Vitencz – goal mouth scramble results with Alina looking at a lot of space on the right side of the net

 

26^th minute (Ravens): Wojcik – keeps control nicely just outside the six, and drives a rising shot over the Patriots' goalie outstretched hands

 

44^th minute (Ravens): Stagl – result of creative ball movement along the right flank

 

Game 3: Ravens 3 Warren United Hotshots 0

Consistency showed, but only after the girls let the Hotshots stick around for the first 15 minutes.  Eventually the skill, teamwork and aggressiveness of the Ravens took over and paid dividends.

 

Scoring Summary:

19^th minute (Ravens): Wojcik – Shannon finds herself staring one on one with Hotshot goalie and drives home the winning goal

 

22^nd minute (Ravens):Stagl (Vitencz assist) – nice combination up the right flank gives Ravens a cushion

 

25^th minute (Ravens): Lipinski – pressured the defender into a mistake, and made her pay

 

Game 4: Ravens 4 Randolph Thunder 0

With a second place finish locked up before the match, and first place already decided, the Ravens weren’t ready to call it a day and be kind to their hosts.  Playing on a larger pitch, the Ravens took the first 8-9 minutes to get used to the extra space, and how to use it to their advantage.  The girls worked it out themselves, and the offensive barrage continued.

 

Scoring Summary:

10^th minute (Ravens): Lipinski – beautiful shot from left side goes high to far side corner

 

32^nd minute (Ravens): Lipinski – Thunder defense lets the ball stick around too long in the six, and Sarah goes top side right this time

 

47^th minute (Ravens): Seldin (K. Randolph assist) – cross from Kristen on the right side goes through the goalmouth and Alex taps it in with the left foot

 

50^th minute (Ravens): Stagl – Carly breaks away from the defense just outside the offensive third and buries it

 

The object of the game is to put the ball in the net, and to keep it out of your own.  The Ravens certainly found the ingredients to do just that this weekend. Along with all those mentioned above, the offense was bolstered with the play of Julie Socolow; the strong midfield contingent of Melissa Piccoli, Cynthia Abinader, Jordan Valori, Stephanie Logan and Katy Astrella consistently came away with 50/50 balls, were quick on the transition, and contributed structure and cover to the offensive pushes; and the fantastic defensive play of Amanda Fulton, Erin Gaven, Krystal McLean and Emily Muniz was just as much responsible for our success this weekend as any one (or twelve!) goal.  When not directing her defensive stalwarts, Randi Pesci was there when it counted! Great job by all!!

 

Note: First place winner was 4-0, but did not face the Ravens in this six team flight.  As it turns out, with the eventual third tie breaker being least goals against, if we had gotten just one in Game 1, we’d be writing and talking about the, "Parsippany Ravens – Champions!"  Hey, they’re Champions anyway !!

 

Click here to see the complete U-12 Girls White Flight results.

 

Click here to check out the team with their newest piece of hardware!

 

Click here to see action photos vs. Warren United Hotshots (available for purchase)

Oct 8-9; Parsippany Pride Tournament - Cancelled due to rain and wet grounds

The Ravens traveled up to Wyckoff on beautiful fall soccer Saturday morning to take on the 13^th ranked (NJ) Wyckoff Torpedoes Red, and Fall 2004 State Cup runner-up, in the second round of the National Youth Championship Series.   In what amounted to a rematch from last year’s second round (4-0 Wyckoff win), the Ravens brought their high tempo game with them, and were determined to leave with a different result. 

 

The first half saw both teams make adjustments early on.  The Ravens needed to compensate for some strong speed along the WTR flanks, and especially on the left winger.  WTR had to adjust to the extremely close marking of their top players.  As the game evolved and settled, both teams put on offensive spurts, with WTR perhaps getting the edge in overall possession play, but the best chance of the half belonged to the Ravens.

 

In one of their strong pushes to the net in the 19^th minute, the ball was progressed up the left flank and made its way into the penalty area directly in front of the goal.  The WTR defense had some trouble getting a lane to make a clear, and the ball bounced off a few players and then glanced off right goal post.  The WTR goalie, facing into the goal, appeared to quickly swipe the ball out of the net before it could meet the ground.  The Ravens’ forwards were calling for the goal, but the linesman and referee let play continue on.  Was it in? Was it out?  Only the soccer gods know for sure!  Halftime … 0-0, and very well played!  The Ravens were sitting in a great position to make a “huge statement!”

 

The second half produced more of the same back and forth action that we saw in the first half, with the overall play very balanced.  The game also took on a more physical tone, with both teams called for a number of aggressive fouls.  As the game progressed deep into the second half, both teams displayed strong skills and determination.  The Ravens elevated their game and were competing at a very high level; WTR knew this was a different team than the one they saw last year, and they knew they were going to have a lot of trouble finishing this one off.

 

In the 51st minute, WTR made what appeared to be a harmless advance up the left flank.  The Ravens defense was well positioned, as they had been all day. But suddenly, the ball carrier made a quick cut inside and let loose a shot from just inside the 18.  The Ravens defenders were just one stride off the ball, which was enough for her to get off the shot.  The ball wasn’t struck with much authority, but it was extremely well placed, and it settled just inside the left post on the fly.

 

Now down 0-1 with less than 10 minutes to play, the Ravens needed something positive to happen, and to get the break that eluded them in the first half.  The girls made a gallant effort, applying a high line of confrontation, and pressuring up the WTR backs, but they couldn’t get off that one good shot from close in for the tying goal. 

 

At the end of the game, both teams knew this game was a special one.  WTR came away with a lot of respect for PSC Ravens, perhaps not anticipating such a tightly contested match.   The Ravens brought their “A” game, but came up just short against a powerful opponent, as shown by their past success and current ranking.   The Ravens now need to level off at this plateau, and commit to do what it takes to reach even a higher level.  But all in all, as we’ve said a number of times, the difference in tiers isn’t all that dramatic. “It’s just doing the little things, a little bit better, most of the time!”  Today, we matched up in the “little things”... the difference was just one shot … and perhaps one non-call!   Great Game!

 

Click here to follow the U12G Group A draw in this years NJYSA National Championship Series.