Game 5 (Oct. 22) – vs.  New Providence Blast @ New Providence (W 3-0)  

 

Today started the second cycle; the second look at teams during the fall season.  No secrets to hide; can’t take anyone by surprise!  For the New Providence Blast, coming in with a record of 2-2 and with 9 GF and 6GA, it was as an opportunity to go for the season sweep vs. the Ravens (1-2-1; 2 GF & 5 GA), having won the first match 2-0.  The Ravens were definitely looking for revenge, since they felt they had the run of play in the first game.  The teams also played to a 0-0 draw in the spring season.

The Ravens made the trip down to New Providence , and found that this game was going to be played on a short, very wide, and very, very muddy field.  In fact, the starting time was delayed 45 minutes so the grounds crew could put down some mulch.  Regardless, the washing machines were going to work some overtime tonight!  So with the mud and wet grounds being obstacles both teams were going to have to contend with, this game was going to go to the team that could mitigate the issue(s) best, be the most aggressive and smart in transition, get to the ball first, and then play some soccer.

The Ravens came out charging, having been reminded more than once prior to the game the importance of being ready right from the start.  They were ready, and in the 9^th minute we started seeing the results.  Center back Emily Muniz sent a lofted ball into the box, where striker Sarah Lipinski was able to collect, turn and shoot.  It wasn’t an overly powerful shot, but the finish is what counts, and the Ravens went on top 1-0.  Being up early is not something the girls haven’t experienced recently, and it made them hungry to build out a bigger lead.

The Ravens were playing some nice soccer through the soft mud.  The attack was varied, and middies especially were making good decisions with the ball. There was a lot of movement, and every ball was being challenged.  The defenders were “defending with attitude,” and were able to close quickly with good support.  Offensively, we were getting a lot of balls to the danger area … but we needed to finish!

In the 33^rd minute, we got another finish!  Right back Erin Gaven served up a low ball into the box, where Lipinski was again able to collect and get off a shot.  This one didn’t break the back of the net either, but rather rolled past a defender and the goalie and settled “in the window.”  “They don’t have to be powerful, if you get the placement!”

 

 

 

 

Just before the half, the Blast had their best scoring opportunity.  But a good shot from about 15 yards out went just over the crossbar.  It was the only dangerous chance the Ravens gave up in the first 40, and as it turned out, the Blast’s best chance of the day.  Ravens up 2-0 at the half.

The second half saw some very spirited play on both sides. The Ravens were going to try and add to their lead, but New Providence came out and had the better of play for the first 10 minutes.  The Ravens withstood the Blast’s onslaught, with only a long goal mouth scramble causing some anxious moments among the Ravens’ defenders.  Once the girls survived that scare, they started coming on. 

In the 58^th minute, the Ravens were awarded a direct restart from about 25 yards out, and to the left of the Blast net.  Krystal McLean, now playing center back, neatly put the ball over the wall and directly in the net.  3-0 Ravens, and the girls were ready for more … but that turned out to be the final.

Mission Accomplished!  The Ravens wanted this game to keep in the battle for top three in the flight, and to prove to themselves they were the better team … at least today!  The girls hustled, connected the dots, supported each other, played aggressively, and showed some excellent skills, even on a challenging pitch.  They played a complete and “clean” game!  “Clean” they weren’t at the end of the game, but soccer moms will always do an extra load of dirty and muddy soccer uni’s with a smile on their face … but only after a win!

Next Sunday we set our sights on first place Somerset @ Somerset !  Attention all soccer moms! The game is on turf!

 

 

 

 

 

 Game 4 (Oct. 15) – vs.  Hopewell Valley Storm @ Jannarone (W 1-0)  

 

 

 The Hopewell Valley Storm visited the friendly confines of Jannarone Field in Parsippany on Sunday, October 15, 2006.  The Ravens intended to make it not so friendly a trip for the Storm, because the Ravens were coming off a State Cup loss the previous day, and find themselves in the depths of a four game scoring slump that they needed to snap.  The Storm came into the match with a record of 0-3, having scored 6 goals, but giving up 14.  Maybe the Ravens were catching the right team at the right time … but they would have to play up to par … and with some intensity, aggressiveness and excitement.  Clearly, today we were looking for GOALS!

 And just like in all of the previous games this season, nothing was going to come easy.  Even with a revamped lineup that provided many offensive options, the Ravens dominated play, but couldn’t find the net.  Hopewell Valley , playing with a deep sweeper in back of three defenders, coaxed the Ravens into playing some long ball.  But all of those threats into the attacking half were easily gathered up by the Storm sweeper, as it took the Ravens some time to figure out the offensive strategy against the deep sweeper formation.

 It was in the 36^th minute that hard work, and that little bit of strategy finally paid off.  Carly Stagl, playing as the left middie, got a clean low shot on net that hit the left upright of the Storm goal.  In past weeks, that shot would have rebounded wide of the net and out of trouble. But today, the rebound slowly made its way across the goal mouth just aching for a Raven to tip it in.  Fortunately, Krystyna Hay was able to beat the goalie and a defender to ball for the first tally of the game, and her first goal as a Raven.  The girls were finally able to celebrate a goal, and now were determined to pop in a few more!

 In the second half, the Ravens again had the run of the play, barely giving the Storm a sniff at the net.  Ravens’ keeper Emily Muniz was hardly tested in the match, and was called on for only a handful of long punts up field.  Additionally, the Ravens put some good shots on net, after some excellent builds from the back, and some good hard determined play.  During the match, we experimented with most of the girls playing different positions, as we look for additional flexibility in our quest to build a consistent offensive presence.  So, we’ll take the 1-0 victory, and keep on plan of getting revenge in the second round of play vs. our flight opponents, starting next week @ New Providence . 

 Game 3 (Sept 24) – vs.  Somerset Hills Firecrackers @ Veterans (T 1-1)

 The Somerset Hills Firecrackers came into Parsippany’s Veterans Memorial field with a high level of confidence, even if they didn’t realize the outcome of the Ravens’ tilt on Saturday vs. Berkeley Heights .  Somerset is the top seeded team in the flight according to spring 06 results, when they defeated the Ravens 2-0 in Somerset .  Additionally, Somerset defeated Berkeley Heights in last week, by a score of 3-1.  It all amounted to a big challenge for the Ravens, and one they needed to realize right from the first whistle.

 Apparently Somerset got the message, but the Ravens didn’t.    In only the fourth minute of play, the Ravens let another ball carrier lose her mark and launch an unchallenged shot from just within the 18.  The hard low driver hit the net, and when it did, the Ravens ... to a player … needed to make a decision right then and there.  “Play or Watch!”  One is done on the field, and the other on the bench! 

 So the team was confronted with a bit of adversity early in the game, as they faced the very real possibility of having this match get out of hand very quickly.  The thing about adversity is that it doesn’t build character as much as reveal it.  How would the team react?  Would their level of play drop … as it did yesterday?  Was everyone willing to dedicate, commit and execute what we’ve devoted a lot of practice hours to do on game day.  We would see … we would see!

 As the half continued, the girls noticeably stuck together as a team, and it appeared they were not willing to accept their slow start this season.  They knew they needed to create some excitement, some consistency, and basically get back to a level that will keep them not only competitive in games, but dominate when they have the opportunity.  The girls got the game settled, and things started to take shape ... in their own psyche and on the field.  0-1 at the half, and the girls were well into the game! 

 The second half saw most of the play in the Firecrackers half of the field, as the Ravens put together some nice pushes and excellent runs.  We built some nice plays from the back, defended with attitude, but finishing was still the issue.  Wide of the net; over the net; right to the goalie; wrong footing the ball … whatever it was, we were just going to have to wait until we got a break to get #1.

 And that break finally came!  In the 68^th minute, an aggressive tackle by center middie Krystal McLean saw her come away by herself with the ball about 30 yards out and to the left of the Somerset net.  Krystal picked up some speed while retaining control of the ball, and because of that speed, her size, and aggressive presence, Somerset defenders failed to take her on before she made a pass across the goal mouth to the far post.  Sarah Lipinski, playing on the right wing, anticipated the pass, sneaked in behind the left back, got to the ball first, and was able to stretch out and knock it into the net for the tying goal, and the Ravens’ first MID NJ tally of the season.  Now with 12 minutes to go, the outcome was up for grabs, only now with Somerset somewhat deflated, and Ravens riding the emotions of a well earned goal.

 Both teams had a couple of great opportunities in the last few minutes, but both goalies and defenses were able to secure their ends and were able to preserve the tie, which was probably the just result for this game, even though the Ravens get the nod in overall play!

 The good thing about this season is that we get each team twice; once at home and one on the road.  The Ravens already have New Providence and Berkeley away games circled on their calendars.  Somerset might feel they let this one get away from them, so they probably sharpened their pencils as well for the rematch.  But next time, instead of adversity as their motivating factor, the team will be ready with the right mindset, a lot more goals in the bank … and determined to finish and get the desired result … rather than just righting the ship! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Game 2 (Sept 23) – vs.  Berkeley Heights Blue Hill United @ B. Heights (L 0-2)

 

The Ravens traveled down to Berkeley Heights on a muggy Saturday morning to face the BH Blue Hill United.  United came up on the short site of 1-3 score vs. Greater Flemington in their first MID NJ season match last weekend.  The Ravens were set on coming out with determination and whatever it was going to take to overcome their week one loss to New Providence . 

 The game got off to a slow start, as some games do for mysterious reasons.  The ground was still a little damp, and the relatively early start might have been factors. But it was still game time, and both teams needed to realize that it’s still a 80 minute game, regardless of conditions or time.  They all count.

 The Ravens seemed to be playing with a bit more emotion after the opening 15 minutes, as the game settled into a back and forth affair.  The girls were able to string together some nice passes, playing sideways and back as much as forward to keep possession, and eventually made some nice advances into the attacking third.  However, shots still were of the non-dangerous variety – either wide and off the mark, or floaters that were easily handled by the United goalie.  Defensively, the Ravens were playing a clean game, and not allowing any real threats to the net.  0-0 at the half.

 The second half started out in the same manner, with both teams getting spurts of energy and trying to get the finish off of some good team play. However, one split second of indecisiveness would cost the Ravens.  In the 51^st minute, a slow rolling United corner was hugging the end line, and a miscommunication by the Ravens defense saw the ball roll harmlessly, and untouched, just inside the near post for the first goal of the game.  But would it be the game winner?

 The Ravens were clearly rattled by the poor turn of events.  Their level of play dropped significantly for the next 10-12 minutes or so.  But with time winding down, the Ravens would be getting a rather unfair result if that goal was in fact the game winner.

 As it turned out, it was the winner, but not the only goal as well.  As we’ve seen so far this season, the Ravens defense has “leaked” a number of soft goals due to misplays, miscommunication, and letting ball carrier go unmarked from within shooting range.  In the 65^th minute, it was the latter, and the United middie made a picture perfect shot that hit nothing but the back of the net.

 2-0 final, and the Ravens’ now need to correct things at both ends of the pitch.  The defense needs to get back to some “blood and guts” soccer, and put a cap on the leaking faucet.  “Keep your mark” and “when in doubt, get it out!”  Offensively, we need to not let shooting opportunities go untaken.  Think “shots, shots, shots, and more shots!  And once you shoot it, make sure the rebound is collected by US, not THEM!”

 And so it goes.  Again, we were good at times, but just not good enough for long enough stretches to keep consistent pressure on their defense.  Short transition, and we get back to work tomorrow.

 Game 1 (Sept 17) – vs.  New Providence Blast @ Veterans, Parsippany (L 0-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Soccer is a beautiful game.  The movement, fluidity, and the magical blend of simplicity and complexity can amaze, or confuse onlookers.  Soccer is a game where players need the instincts of a combatant, yet the skills of a juggler.  Soccer provides numerous encounters where size is not important.  One team will slick the ball across the grass with the one-touch precision of hockey players.  Other teams will hoof it high and long into the open spaces that their power runners aim to reach first.  The stamina requirement, of mind and body is awesome.  But yet, over the  full 80 minutes, the game can easily go to the fleet of mind rather than the fleet of foot.  Yes … it’s a beautiful game.

 But, not every individual game is beautiful.  In fact, some games are just down and dirty ugly.  Why ? Could be the environment … the field … the weather … the refs (shh … “we are not complaining”) … or just the mindset of the team, or teams.  Today ?  Great Opening Day setting … at home … on turf … beautiful and sunny … and a good reffing team.  Hmm …

 What started appearing as a game between two balanced and even teams, quickly turned sour for the Ravens.  In the 12th minute, a lofted ball to the goal that is corralled 999 times out of a 1,000, rolled nice and gently into the Ravens net.  Enough said .. down 0-1 … long time to go.

 As the half dragged on, it was clear that the Ravens left their commitment, pace and passion at home.  When we needed to push the pace, as planned, we laid back and weren’t aggressive.  Our touch wasn’t tight enough.  We failed to play the ball simply and quickly.  We couldn’t handle defenders that were closing quickly.  We gave away free corners, which would eventually come back to burn us.  We just couldn’t do much! 

 The second half saw some marked improvement overall, but another terrible goal off a broken corner in the 56^th minute made it 2-0 New Providence , and that was pretty much the ball game.  Up until that time, the Ravens had managed one harmless shot on goal, and that isn’t going to win you many games, and it didn’t look as if it was going to get better as the game waned on.  When we did get a break, New Providence did a good job of picking up the lone runner and positioning the spare defenders.  We just couldn’t win the small battles consistently, and we let New Providence dictate the pace and tempo of the game, which was much slower than we wanted.

 So after one week, we have one on the ugly side with nine more to go.  There’s a lot of opportunity to make things pretty … if not beautiful.  We’ve just got to get a little “dirty” to get there!