Game 5 vs. West Orange Storm @ Smith Field, Parsippany (April 30, 2006); T 0-0
The Ravens were set to go today after a three (3) week layoff due to the Easter holiday and last week’s rainout. The opponent for today’s match at Smith Field in Parsippany was the West Orange Storm. The Storm, with an incoming record of one win and two losses, were also coming in with some high expectations. The Ravens and Storm have had two common opponents to date this season. Hillsborough and Somerset defeated both the Ravens and Storm, with all four games being close matches. Therefore, the teams were “probably” even matched, and it was going to be interesting who would gain the upper hand.
The Ravens spent most of the first half in the West Orange end of the field, and managed to put together some strong pushes to the goal. The Ravens were definitely “on their game,” but every finishing opportunity came up short. West Orange managed to get a few offensive spurts into the Ravens defensive third, but goalie Pesci only had to handle one chance during the half.
At halftime, the Ravens sounded like a determined team, and one that was ready to get back on the winning side of the ledger. There was talk among the girls of making sure to get the shot off once inside the eighteen, and making sure to recognize options for keeping possession, versus sending up a 50/50 ball. But “finishing” was the only missing ingredient they needed to add to their arsenal.
The second half was spotted with a number of excellent opportunities by the Ravens. However, some great runs up the flank saw shots go wide to the near side versus putting the ball inside the six to the far post. Ravens’ corner kicks created some disturbance among the Storm defensive corps, but we couldn’t get a clean foot on the ball in heavy traffic. Additionally, some long range shots, the correct option when taken, went well wide of the net.
The Storm had one challenging push into the Ravens’ eighteen, but goalie Pesci was able to come out and aggressively overtake the ball carrier, and settled for a harmless corner. The Ravens’ defense did an outstanding job today, and it certainly appears that they have recovered from a couple of tough games.
Overall, a 0-0 tie never feels good especially when you feel you dominated the game. But, if you don’t allow a goal, you can’t lose. In a game where a 1-0 score might have been an insurmountable lead, the Ravens’ just couldn’t pop that one shot or rebound into the net. So now we need to add another item to our list of ways we can lift our game … and it’s called having the “killer instinct.” You can’t practice it; you can’t preach it; and you can’t schedule it. You either have it or you don’t! Next time … we’ll show it!
Game 4 vs. Somerset Firecrackers @ Basking Ridge River Field (April 9, 2006); L 0-2
Today’s game saw the Ravens up against the Somerset Firecrackers, who came into the tilt with a 1-1 record. However, their 3-0 win over West Orange, and 0-2 loss vs. Millburn were against opponents the Ravens had not yet faced in the spring. What the Ravens did know, is that Somerset had a 2-5-3 (w-l-t) record in flight 2 during the fall season. Their full fall season stats of 7 goals for, and 12 goals against over 10 games did give us a clue of what to expect – an offense that could probably be contained, and a stingy defense that only let up slightly over one goal per match. Our game plan was to see if we could control and dictate play in the midfield early, get a quick goal, and then see what happens.
Somerset came out with a bang, and quickly took control of the game. The Ravens were challenged up against the overall bigger, quicker and more aggressve Firecrackers. With the field tilted towards the Ravens net for the first number of minutes, the girls were holding up well, and not letting any second chances at the net. But the Firecrackers were going to make things happen at some point, since the Ravens as a team were playing very uninspired soccer.
In the 12th minute, Somerset was awarded a corner kick. On her initial attempt, the Somerset striker sent a low, touch line hugging ball to the net that was sent back over the touch line by a Ravens’ defender. On her second attempt, a Ravens’ defender moved to the right spot to prevent the same kind of ball, only to have it pass under her foot – into trouble – and subsequently into the net.
Now behind early again for the second straight week, the Ravens need a lift. For the next 28 minutes, the team’s play was at best sporadic – some good mixed in with a lot of “not so good!” They just couldn’t get it going – maybe due to the bumpy and rutted field – maybe due to the size and quickness of Somerset – but more probably due to what was going on between the left ear and right ear, and their overall personal approach and preparation for the game.
In the 30th minute, Somerset was awarded a penalty kick after a very questionable push off by a Ravens defender. The kick was perfectly placed – low and in the corner – and all that goalie Pesci could do was retrieve the ball from the back of the net.
All that said, the Ravens had two glorious chances in the first half. A direct restart from about 30 yards out hit the crossbar dead on, and the rebound managed to stick around the net but no Ravens’ offender could take advantage. Another chance resulted from a wild goal mouth scramble off of a goalie misplay, but again, first to the ball wins.
The second half saw a much more inspired Ravens’ group bring their play up to a level where they competed evenly with the Firecrackers. The Ravens were able to generate a few offensive chances, and even a partial breakaway that didn’t finish properly. But, and as expected, the stingy Somerset defenders were the stars of the day, and the Firecrackers walked away with a 2-0 victory.
The Ravens now have two weeks off from league play to regroup and to concentrate on those areas of the game that seemed to have vacated them the past two games. Technical and tactical areas will be addressed. However, 50% of this game is physical, and 45% is mental. The other 5% is the intangible that makes winners winners! It’s the extra push you give when you feel you don’t have it! It’s the extra drive you feel when the odds are against you. It’s the anticipation of making something positive happen out of nothing! And it’s the ability to focus on the task at hand, and to build a winner’s mentality by making sure that all efforts lead to the common goal. Be the Leader! No one is specifically the problem – but everyone is part of the solution!
Game 3 vs. Hillsborough Sharks @ Hillsborough (April 1, 2006); L 1-2
The Ravens traveled down to Hillsborough this afternoon with an undermanned team, having three regulars with prior commitments. Nevertheless, the team appeared ready, and said they were ready to take on the Sharks who earlier this season tied the Greater Flemington Jaguars (Ravens defeated 2-1), and in the fall were 6-2-2 in Flight 4, good enough for second place. The game setting was the new and beautiful turf field of Hillsborough High School. The field was great, but for the third week in a row, the wind was going to be a factor to some degree.
Well, what appeared to be the case wasn’t necessarily true. The Ravens got off to a poor start, and were one step behind being first to the ball. In the fourth minute, the Sharks took advantage. The Ravens’ defense casually tried to escape trouble by slowly moving the ball out of the right corner. But the Sharks pounced on a 50/50 ball, and a well placed shot from just inside the 18 found the upper left corner of the net.
The Ravens seemed a little deflated by that goal, and were in the unfamiliar territory of being down early in a game. But, slowly and surely they began to find their game, and the girls started to gain the upper hand in possession play, with most of the action in the Sharks defensive half. But again, a momentary lapse of concentration in their own defensive zone would victimize the Ravens.
In the 26th minute, from almost the exact same spot as the first goal, a Sharks player found herself unmarked and in a shooting position. This time, luck would also not be on the Ravens’ side. The Sharks player launched a toe kick that seemed to swerve out of the reach of goalie Pesci. 2-0 Sharks, and the Ravens were going to be tested to see if they could pull themselves together, hold their mental composure, and not get down as individuals and as a team.
The girls obviously needed a spark, as their offensive pattern today seemed to be one chance and out, with no second chances being offered up, and no sustained pressure near the Sharks net. In the 32nd minute, the Ravens got that spark. Center back Krystal McLean took a direct restart from about 35 yards out, and the ball hit nothing but net. A picture perfect goal, and just the thing the Ravens needed before halftime.
At halftime we tried to regroup. Cleary, our level of play was not up to our standards that we’ve set and have achieved this season and last. Mentally and physically we need to step up and take charge. We needed everyone’s head in the game, and ready to accept their responsibility on the field. 35 minutes to go!
The second half saw much of what defined the first half. The Ravens clearly held possession for longer periods of time, but “one chance and out” seemed to be the theme of the day. The Sharks defense gets credit for keeping the Ravens’ offenders from getting off quick clean shots on goal, and for keeping most of the close-in action wide of the net.
In the 52nd minute the Sharks padded their lead with a goal that the Ravens defense would surely want to take back. Failure to clear the ball from just outside the six will always lead to an undesirable outcome. In this case, it was the Sharks offense being more aggressive and hungry around the net, while the Ravens seemed to be “ball chasing” instead of staying with their marks.
The Ravens made a few adjustments in the final 15 minutes in an effort to get more sustained offensive flow and power up on top. The girls got some great chances, and held any Sharks offensive attacks to short bursts that were easily contained by the Ravens’ defense. But, most of the shots the Ravens got were of the low % variety, and Hillsborough sealed a 3-1 victory.
The Ravens are now challenged to see if they can rebound from their first league loss since Spring 05. In an atmosphere where we “celebrate our wins, and learn from our losses,” there are a number of takeaways from today’s game. Some the coaches have noted and talked about. But the ones that will have a lasting and indelible impact are those that each player thinks about and makes amends to correct or improve upon. Some days it’s just luck; some days it’s about effort and readiness; and some days it’s a blend of both. This is a game of emotional and physical demands, and one of momentum where a result can swing on just a couple of opportunities. When the first few don’t go your way, focus and concentration then become major factors. Today we pulled the plug and leaked some goals. Effort, execution and commitment are the remedies – talk and appearances have never won a game!
Game 2 vs. Greater Flemington Jaguars @ Veterans Field, Parsippany (March 26, 2006)
The Ravens and the Greater Flemington Jaguars met up today at the friendly confines of Veterans Memorial Field in Parsippany. On what turned out to be a chilly late afternoon, both teams were ready to turn up the heat on each other and keep their good starts to the season going. The Ravens (1-0) and the Jaguars (one tie) were meeting for the first time. The only gauge the Ravens had on the Jags is that they were 5-4-1 in Flight 3 during the Fall 05 season. This was going to be an interesting match, and one that might result in the Ravens getting a read on where they will fit in the Flight 3 standings.
The first half saw the Ravens going with the wind, and challenging the slightly larger Jags to each and every ball, especially in the midfield. The Ravens’ defense was effective at stopping any penetration by the Jags, and most of the handles by Ravens’ keeper Randi Pesci were of the easy variety.
In the 10th minute, the Ravens’ aggressive play paid dividends. Kristen Randolph made a strong and powerful run up the left flank and then closed in toward the goal. Just before hitting the end line, she sent a left footed cross in front of the net, where the Jags goalie got a hand on it, but couldn’t hold on. Storming in from her right wide-out position was Alina Vitencz, and she was able to take a stab at the loose ball just before the ref was going to call the play down. Alina calmly put a foot on the ball, and deposited it in the net for a 1-0 Ravens’ lead.
The rest of the half saw some excellent action, with both teams playing a high-tempo game. The Ravens adjusted well to the Jags 3-3-4 formation; a set not often used at this level of play. The Jag’s were successful at thwarting the Ravens good pushes by relying on the speed of their defensive three.
In the second half, we saw more of the same back and forth action. With the wind now a non-factor, the only element the girls needed to combat was the dropping temperature.
In the 48th minute, the Ravens were awarded a direct free kick from about twenty-five yards out and to the right of the Jag’s goal. Amanda Fulton took the kick, and after making a good hard stab at the ball, it somehow rebounded off someone and came right back to her. Amanda, now unmarked, took a couple of steps to the right and launched a well placed floater directly into the net. Now up 2-0, the Ravens could smell a victory. However, there was still plenty of time to play.
It didn’t take long for the Jaguars to get back in the game. Less than two minutes after the Ravens’ second goal, the Jag’s pulled within one. An errant clear to the middle of the field by a Ravens’ defender was picked off by one of the Jag’s middies. Once the ball was collected and settled, the Jag’s middie sent a shot on goal that hit the left upright and took the wrong turn for the Ravens - the ball wound up in the net. Now with 19 minutes to play, the Ravens’ were going to see if they could steal away the momentum that was easily turned on that shot.
Both teams traded some chances, but none that were all that dangerous the rest of the half. The Jag’s tried to keep the pressure on as they pressed for the tying goal. However, the Ravens’ defense, at this point led by Emily Muniz, Katie Astrella and Erin Gaven, plus goalie Pesci and a contingent of aggressive midfield players were able to shut down their attack and kept the Jag’s from mounting any serious challenges to the Ravens’ net.
This was a well played and hard fought game that saw a lot of good soccer played by both teams. The Ravens did an excellent job by maintaining possession for prolonged periods of time, good strong clears by the defense and excellent communication on the field and from the bench. It was a well deserved win.
Now the Ravens will turn their sights to the next match @ Hillsborough next Saturday afternoon.
