Fall 05 Games 6-10 Recap Archive - Parsippany Soccer Club

Game 10 vs. Hopewell Valley Twister (Smith Field, Parsippany); 2-0 W

The Ravens welcomed the Hopewell Valley Twisters to Smith Field in Parsippany for the second game of a “home and home” series. Last weekend at Hopewell, the Ravens guaranteed themselves at least a tie for the flight championship with a 1-0 victory, while also eliminating the previously undefeated Twisters from title contention. In order to win the flight championship outright, the Ravens needed to win or tie this final league game. At game time, the Berkeley Blast remained two points behind the Ravens, and could still claim a portion of the title if they won their game vs. Watchung Hills, and the Ravens come up short vs. Hopewell. The Ravens knew what was at stake, and were very motivated to finish up as undefeated and undisputed flight champions.

The first half saw a lot of back and forth action, with the Ravens dominating the first 15 minutes. However, after the initial spurt, the game was mostly played in the midfield, with almost no sustained offensive pushes by either team. Additionally, except for a few soft shots at the Twisters’ net, there were hardly any dangerous chances by either team.

At halftime, the Ravens regrouped, and to a player agreed that they needed to pickup their intensity level, be first to the ball, and to keep shooting. This was going to be a game with a simple outcome – the team that wanted it more was going to walk away with the victory.

The team took that direction to heart, as right from the opening kick of the second half the Ravens started pounding the Twisters’ goal with shots. But, the shots were either taken well out of range, were wide of the net, or wound up in the tender’s hands. With almost all of the play now in the Twisters’ defensive third, the Ravens were getting opportunities, getting them frequently, and with plenty of time to go, it was just a matter of time.

In the 38^th minute, and only 3 minutes into the second half, the Ravens made an advance up the left flank. Carly Stagl, the Ravens left striker, put a low shot on goal, but again right to the goalie. However, this time the ball squirted loose from the tender’s grip, and Alina Vitencz was able to pop in the rebound before the keeper could recover. Immediately you could tell the Ravens were re-energized, and this meant trouble for the Twisters.

Only 4 minutes later, Vitencz struck again! This time Alina made a solo run up the right flank, and beat two Hopewell defenders in the process. From about 12 yards out and to the right of the goal, she was able to strike a beautiful hard shot towards the goal. The shot hit the goalie and bounced behind her into the net just before she grabbed it. The referee and assistant referee both saw it as a goal, and after a brief consulation the goal was awarded. That goal, certainly one of the best of the season and one of the most important, put the Ravens up 2-0. However, it also placed all of the momentum on the Ravens side, and the girls were going to be hard to stop the rest of the way.

Over the next 33 minutes, the Twisters tried to stay in the game and mount some offense with quick counter attacks. But the Ravens defense was too much for them, and successfully cut down every offensive spurt the Twisters could muster. As the final minutes counted down off the clock, the Ravens were clearly in command, as they have been just about all season. When the final whistle blew to signify the Ravens undefeated title, the girls had mile wide smiles to go along with their hearts of champions. The final totals … 2-0 victory; 9 wins and 1 tie; 30 goals for and 2 goals against … and MID-NJ U12 GIRLS FLIGHT CHAMPIONS … PARSIPPANY RAVENS!

Game 9 vs. Hopewell Valley Twister (at Washington Crossing State Park); 1-0 W

The Ravens traveled to the banks of the Delaware River on Sunday to face the undefeated Hopewell Valley Twisters, and to secure at least a tie for the flight championship. A win vs. the Twisters would solidify the Ravens’ first place position, and eliminate the Twisters from title contention. Then, the only other team who could share the title with the Ravens is the Berkeley Blast, who would still need to win their final two contests. And, in order for the tie to happen, the Twisters would need to come up with a victory on November 20^th against the Ravens at the rematch in Parsippany. All in all – the Ravens are in great position to claim the title outright.

With both teams knowing what was on the line, there was a short feeling out period in the first half. This resulted in a lot of back and forth action, with most of the play in the midfield. The Twisters slightly had the better of play in the first 10, as the Ravens were soft in the middle and not challenging hard enough. However, in the next 10, the Ravens found their game, and slowly but surely took command of the midfield and had much stronger transitional play.

In the 21^st minute, the Ravens advanced the ball forward into the attacking third. Already feeling that the flow of the game had turned their way, the Ravens were looking to put the ball on net at every opportunity to get that all important first goal. As the Twisters’ defense sagged a bit, center-mid Claudia Moreira found herself the recipient of a short pass, and all alone about 23 yards directly in front of the net. Moreira quickly spotted up on the goal, and launched a beautiful looping shot over the outstretched hands of the Twisters’ tender. The Ravens’ and their entourage erupted in jubilation, because even this early in the game, most knew that goals today were going to be at premium. The Ravens took the 1-0 lead to halftime.

With only 35 minutes to go, and now going against the wind, the Ravens came out in the second half smelling a championship. They did everything right! Quick short passes; tight marking in the defensive third; good overlap and excellent runs; strong throw-ins; goal kicks to the outside and over the first wave; quick decision making; great communication and aggressiveness; and a couple of excellent saves by goalie Randi Pesci when called upon. The Twisters could only mount short moments of offense, as the Ravens were now in full command of the midfield. But the score was still 1-0, and all it takes is “1.”

BUT IT NEVER CAME, as the girls played right through the 35 plus about 2 ½ minutes of stoppage time. When the ref blew the final whistle, little did he know he was inaugurating a new chapter in Ravens’ history – one that has “Mid NJ Flight Champions” in it!

A special mention to a simply outstanding job by the Ravens’ defense. From goalie Randi Pesci out, including the “Fearsome Foursome” of Erin Gaven, Emily Muniz, Katie Astrella and Krystal McLean, the “D” collected their 6^th shutout of the season, and has yielded only two (2) goals in league play. We just need one more girls … just one more … because “we don’t like to share titles!”

Game 8 vs. Tewksbury Lions (at Smith Field); 2-0 W

The Ravens came into Sunday’s game vs. the Tewksbury Lions with a 6-0-1 (w-l-t) record, good enough for first place in the flight based upon scores either reported or known. The Lions, with only 5 reported games, came in with a 1-1-3 record. With only five (5) goals for, the scouting report on the Lions said, “not much offense.” But with only three (3) goals against, the scouting report also said, “pretty tough defense – don’t give up much!” Comparative scores had the Ravens as the “on paper” favorite. However, this game was being played on natural grass. The team was cautioned just prior to the game about how overconfidence derails even the best of teams. This was the time to keep the ball rolling, and not get caught off guard.

The Lions showed exactly what we anticipated. Ravens’ goalie Randi Pesci was not awarded one save in the first half, while the Lions’ goalie kept her team in the game. The Ravens controlled the midfield, and effectively cut off any Lions attacks by playing a swarming and aggressive defense. Defenders Krystal McLean, Emily Muniz, Erin Gaven and Katie Astrella were also able to consistently play some long balls up to the top three. The Ravens registered some shots on goal, and a few from in close … but the “pretty tough defense” was holding firm. The teams went to their benches at halftime tied nill-nill, and the Ravens appeared to have found their match, at least defensively.

The Ravens came out in the second half with some renewed vigor, knowing what was at stake in the flight. The extra effort resulted in some quick and rapid dividends.

After a tripping foul by a Lions’ defender in the 42^nd minute, the Ravens had a direct restart from about 30 yards out and to the right of the goal. Center back McLean neatly sent a hard and high shot into the six. When the ball landed, it slithered through a couple of pairs of legs and feet, and directly to center forward Alex Seldin. Seldin managed to finish up just before any Lions' defender could get a foot on it. Now up 1-0, would the team show its killer instinct ?

Only two minutes later in the 44^th minute, we got the answer. In command since the kick-off after the first goal, Alina Vitencz suddenly made a solo run up the right flank, eluded the left back, and then angled in towards the goal. At that point, Alina put practice into play, knowing that a better option was to put the ball out in front of the net rather than shooting from what was still a wide angle. She sent in a beautiful and strong chest high cross. The ball hit one of the Lions defenders out in front, and deflected into the goal for what would technically be an “own goal.” But the official score goes to Vitencz.

The Ravens pushed for goal #3, but had to settle for a well earned 2-0 victory. The Lions played a strong defensive game, but one mistake resulted in a short spell that cost them the game, or more probably a tie. The Ravens dodged a bullet against this big aggressive team, and now find themselves set up for a showdown next week vs. another undefeated team in the flight - Hopewell Valley. This will be the game of the year for the Ravens … don’t miss it!

Game 7 vs. Cranford Crushers (at Cranford); 4-0 W

The Ravens traveled down to Cranford on Saturday to face the Cranford Crushers. The team knew they were going to be in for a challenging day, making the trip with only 12 able bodies, and the forecast predicting bright sunny skies with the temperature reaching the low 70’s. Furthermore, upon their arrival, the girls were greeted with the site of a max size field. As was said prior to game, in the development of every good team, an unexpected challenge always arises that will test their character and heart. The girls had three solid excuses to lean on – numbers, heat and the field. How convenient any or all could be. However, teams with strong character and the hearts of winners would use those “inconveniences” to rise to the occasion and use it as motivation. The team heard the message - they now needed to play it out.

The game started with some sloppy play by both sides, but nothing dangerous toward either goal. After about ten minutes, the game settled a bit, with the Ravens putting some soft shots on goal that were easily grabbed by the Crusher goalie.

In the 14^th minute, left middie Amanda Fulton managed to settle a bouncing ball about 25 yards straight out in front of the Crusher net. Unmarked for the most part, Amanda was alerted by teammates that she had some time. She then pushed the ball out in front of her to make sure she got a solid hit on the ball. And a solid hit it was! A right foot blast that was chest high all the way into the net. Truly a “goal scorer’s goal!”

At that point in the game, the Ravens took full command. They kept shape, played strong possession soccer, used the full breadth of the field, consistently won 50/50 balls and were taking shots!

During the 20^th minute, Carly Stagl, who was playing the right striker position, worked her way into the penalty area off the right flank. Just like in practice on Friday evening, the cross was low and out in front of the net, where Sarah Lipinski easily converted for a 2-0 lead that held till halftime.

When the second half started, Cranford probably had their best ten minute segment of the game. The Ravens seemed to lose some of their aggressiveness after halftime, or was the warm weather and having only one sub starting to have an impact ? The Crushers got a few good shots on net, but mostly no trouble for Ravens’ goalie Randi Pesci. The Ravens were still doing great, but they needed to up the energy level a bit and not let the Crushers back in the game.

In the 50^th minute, it was Stagl getting it done, only after right middie Melissa Piccoli did an excellent job keeping the ball alive within the Crusher 18. And in the 69^th minute, it was Lipinski, with a left footer that hit the goalie in the hands, bounced upward with backspin and into the net for the final goal of the day, and a 4-0 win for the Ravens. A job well done … challenge accepted … and mission accomplished!