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Spring 07 Games 6-10 Recap Archive
- most recent to oldest -
Game 10 vs. New Providence Blast @ Jannarone ( W 1-0)
The Ravens and
New Providence
Blast squared off at Jannarone field this past Saturday, in the last game of the season for both team. The Blast is locked into 5th place, regardless of the outcome. Likewise, the Ravens are secured in second place, and the best they can do with a win is to fall one point in back of Long Valley, who finished the season at 7 wins and 3 ties for 17 points. With a win today, the Ravens would finish at 6 wins and 4 ties, for 16 points. But that’s getting ahead of ourselves, there was still a game to play, and
New Providence
has shown in the past to be a formidable side.
The first half of play was a rather uneventful 40 minutes of soccer, with not a lot going on. New Providence managed to keep the pressure on in the first 12 minutes, but then the play settled down, and the Ravens slowly started taking command. However, neither side was able to sustain any offensive flow, and their were no dangerous opportunities for either side.
The Ravens were reminded of what they were playing for during halftime. With the season end upon us, it would be nice to go out undefeated. They also couldn’t get caught up, or worry about some of the tactics used by
New Providence
. We just had to play our game, and use their slow down style of play to our advantage. Additionally, we had to put some shots on net and test their goalie.
The team got the message. In just the 3rd minute (43rd minute) in the second half, the Ravens struck for the only goal they would need this afternoon. Kristen Randolph, as she has done so many times this season, found some open space down the right flank. Beating two defenders in the corner, she was able to put a low service out in front of the goal, about 10 yards out. Alina Vitencz, playing on the left side, was able to collect the ball and put a shot on net, that was initially stopped by the keeper. However, Vitencz smartly followed up her shot, and when the Blast keeper couldn’t smother the ball, Linie was able to get a second chance, and she tucked the ball just inside the post.
This wasn’t the best played game by the Ravens this year, but good teams do what they need to do to win. As long as you have one more goal than the opponent, that’s where you want to be. But when you can hold the other team to “0,” it even feels that much better. This was the Ravens’ 4th shutout of the season, and the team only gave up eight goals over ten games. Additionally, two of those goals were scored against them in the first eleven minutes of the season. So over the last nine games, the Ravens only yielded six goals. When you give up less than one goal per game, you better make sure you get one … and then the odds are pretty good you’ll wind up on top … and in the Ravens’ case … undefeated for the spring season! Great job girls!!
Game 9 vs. Montclair Mystique @ Montclair ( W 4 -1)
On Saturday afternoon, the Ravens pulled into beautiful downtown Montclair for a rematch vs. the Mystique. The Ravens beat the Mystique 4-1 just two weeks ago, and this was the first MIDNJ tilt since then. Most of the Ravens also had tryouts this morning. Combine the potential for being over confident, with the "stress" of tryouts, plus a HOT day, and a bumpy and rutted natural "grass" field, and anything could happen. The Ravens needed nothing short of a win in order to keep in the hunt for the flight championship, while the Mystique were still looking to put their first "W" of the season on the board.
The Ravens came out with a burst. Before the first minute had ticked off the clock, the Ravens were up 1-0. Right striker Kristen Randolph found a lot of space up the right flank, and before running out of running room, she served up a ball into the six. A number of players challenged, and Shannon Wojcik made a dive to make sure the errant ball went in the net. When asked if she got the goal, Wojcik responded, "I don’t know!" Unfortunately, the video replay is inconclusive, but the goal stands.
In the 4th minute, the Ravens struck again. This time, Carly Stagl was the beneficiary of a broken play, and she was in the right spot at the right time for an easy tap into the net. The Ravens were playing well, and dominating the play, barely letting Montclair over the midfield line. However, the Mystique are a big team, and they play a physical game. And on a field like this, momentum can swing on the smallest of things!
But the Ravens kept pushing for more. After a 5-10 minute lull starting out the secnod half, the Ravens again set the tone. In the 60th minute, Kristen Randolph served up another shot from 35 yards out, and this time, it was no contest. 3-0 Ravens with 20 minutes to go.
However, in the 73rd minute, the Mystique got one back. A strong close-in shot hit the post, then at least two players before softly landing in the far side of the net. Now 3-1, the Ravens needed to remain focused for 7 more minutes, and not let any "miracle finishes" get in the way of them vying for the championship next week.
And focus they did. Stagl struck again in the 76th minute, just three minutes after the Montclair goal. Stagl received a ball off a throw-in, and then almost uncontested, she struck a nice left footer that found the back of the net, and made the final 4-1.
The Ravens now stand at 5-0-4 for the season and with 14 points. Berkeley Heights has completed their season with 16 points ( 6 wins, 2 ties, 2 losses). But the Ravens and Berkeley played to a tie, and a Ravens 3-1 win. So, tie goes to the Ravens, who can finish no worse than second if they win their final game. But Long Valley is at 6-0-3 for 15 points, and is one point ahead of the Ravens. If the Crush wins their last game vs. Montclair, they will take the title.
Stayed tuned for the final chapter of the spring 07 season.
Game 8 vs. Montclair Mystique @ Jannarone ( W 4 -0)
The Ravens are in the hunt for the flight championship, and they control their own destiny for the most part. They will still need a little luck to be bestowed upon them by the soccer gods, but we have to take one game at a time. By all counts, the
Montclair Mystique, today’s opponent, presented an interesting challenge. Still looking for their first victory, but not goal starved,
Montclair had the Ravens right where they wanted them. Coming off a strong Saturday game vs.
Long
Valley (1-1 draw), the Ravens were feeling pretty good about themselves! A letdown was certainly possible, and it would not be surprising if the Ravens had to play catch up again, as they have had to do in “too many” games this season. If we gave the Mystique the first goal, it could spell trouble, with championship consequences.
For the first thirty minutes of the game, it looked like it was going to be one of those days. The Ravens were certainly dictating the pace and flow, but a flurry of offsides calls, and some shooting from poor angles, or off target hits kept the score at 0-0 until the 30th minute.
The Ravens took a throw-in deep in the Mystique third, and somehow the ball found its way across the field and on to the talented right foot of left middie Stephanie Logan. Logan calmly pushed the ball out to setup for the shot, that she calmly and confidently sent over the keeper’s head and dead on into the net. 1-0 Ravens, but we didn’t think that one would be enough today, and we needed to press for more. But that gave the girls the impetus they needed for a strong second half, and put the game away.
Just two minutes in, the Ravens struck again. Striker Shannon Wojcik kept fighting for a ball in the
Montclair box, and found a way to volley a ball over the oncoming keeper and into the net. A beautiful soccer goal by Wojcik.
Fourteen minutes later (56th minute), the Ravens really applied the pressure. Carly Stagl, playing up on the left side, pushed a nice send pass through a seam to Melissa Piccoli. Piccoli, on a partial breakaway, collected and made a dash to the goal with defenders in pursuit. As she took a line to the goal, she spotted that the keeper was laying right, and giving up a lot of room to her left. Piccoli spotted it, and made a perfect shot into the lower right side of the net. At 3-0, the outcome was pretty much sealed, but the Ravens wanted more.
72 minutes in, the Ravens offense struck again. This time, Krystina Hay, playing the right striker position, got some free space down the flank. Deep into the offensive third, Hay made one shuffle step to push the ball out in front, and then sent a strong shot over the head of the goalie and into the long side, and just inside the far post.
4-0 final, but we’ll see the Mystique again in a few weeks. If all goes the Ravens’ way, the stakes could be much higher, and one team will want revenge, while the other will be looking for a shot at the championship! There are no guarantees, because on any given day … “one team can be …” Ah, you know the story! The final chapter is still in the making!
Game 7 vs. Long Valley Crush @ Veterans ( T 1-1)
The
Long
Valley Crush visited the Ravens @ Veterans Memorial Field on a beautiful day for soccer. The temperature was a little on the cool side; the skies were threatening; and a sporadic mist and drizzle was keeping the umbrellas busy. As long as there is a field, another team, and a ref … it’s always a beautiful day for soccer! But as we would find out today, some refs can dampen the festivities!
The Ravens and the Crush were meeting for the third time this season, and for the second time in two weeks. The first meeting was a 1-1 draw at
Long
Valley . Just last week, the Ravens earned a 2-0 win over the Crush in the first game at the
East Windsor Tournament. The Ravens went on to win the tournament championship. So we knew one thing at the outset – the Crush was looking for revenge, and the Ravens were warned – they needed to be mentally ready for the challenge!
The Crush is a talented side, with some quick and agile athletes, and some skills to boot. But the Ravens match up pretty well, and can play at a high level when they want to. The first half saw the Crush get off some good chances early on, but the Ravens defense stood firm. But the Ravens offense was no where to be found for the first 20 minutes, as the Crush looked like they had a plan to stop any Ravens transition before the midfield stripe, and they were doing a pretty good job executing that plan. The Ravens were stifled for a bit, and couldn’t press forward when the opportunity presented itself. But the final 20 was much, much better, with the play evening out.
However, in the 31st minute, the Ravens were victimized by a horrendous call that resulted in a
Crush PK. Sweeper Krystal MaClean challenged a Crush striker in the box, and clearly got all ball with a great tackle as both players hit the turf as the ball rolled off to the touchline. The Referee kept the whistle down, which was the right call. However, the assistant referee raised his flag to signal a foul. The head referee, who by his own judgment said no foul, then blew the whistle and signaled a PK for the Crush, which was neatly placed to the left of keeper Cynthia Abinader. One of those bad calls that drew some strange looks from the fans, but you can’t worry about it! You just have to get motivated by it, and maybe get a bit angry. The Ravens did both!
Just four (4) minutes later, the Ravens evened up the score. The ball was coming down the left flank, with striker Carly Stagl taking a beat towards the net. The Crush goal got caught thinking and not reacting. She hesitated, and then came out to challenge. But that split second cost her, as the ball was passed to the center, and about 15 yards out in front. Striker Kystina Hay was there all alone, and easily deposited the ball into the net to tie the score at 1-1.
The second half was well played, and just like last week, both teams had the game winner on their feet a couple of times. The Crush’s best chance came of a strong push up the field along the right side, but the strong shot rang just high and away by the far post. The Crush almost converted on a wild goal mouth scramble with about 10 minutes to play.
The Ravens had their best chance when the Crush goalie again got caught in an indecisive mode. The ball, the keeper, and two players from each team converged at about the 18, but the Ravens weren’t lucky enough on this one to have the ball land on someone’s foot, and get a clear look at a wide open goal.
So for the season series, it winds up with the Ravens getting the better of the Crush with 1 victory and 2 ties. The Crush’s goals vs. the Ravens were of the “own goal” and “PK” variety, while the Ravens got four solid goals during the run of the play. However, the Crush are on top of the Ravens by two points in the standings because while ties are better than the lesser option, you leave one point in the unearned column. The Ravens will need to put some outright wins together in the last three games to vie for the flight championship, and hope that the Crush falls short in one of their last few games. No scoreboard watching yet … you still need to play the game … our game!
Game 6 vs. Berkeley Heights Blue Hill United @ Reynolds ( T 1-1)
For the second consecutive weekend, the Ravens and Berkeley Heights Blue Hill United squared off in battle that both teams desperately wanted to win to keep in the hunt for the flight championship. Berkeley Heights has shown that they can put the ball in the net, while the Ravens signature stifling defense keeps them in every game. However, the Ravens have been prone to giving up the first goal, and then having to battle back for the draw or even drive to a win on a couple of occasions.
This game held true to form.
Berkeley came out strong and set the tempo early in the contest. It took the Ravens a good 15 minutes to find their game, and were somewhat lucky to keep United off the board in the first half. The Ravens tried to keep pace, but United definitely had had the run of the play in the first 40 minutes. 0-0 at half was a blessing for the Ravens.
And just like it was scripted, the first goal of the game went to
Berkeley . In the 51st minute, the Ravens defense uncharacteristically let a United middie tee up a shot from about 18 yards out and to the left of the goal. The defense clearly got caught watching, and subsequently watched the ball land in the back of their net. The Ravens would have to come from behind again. Would this be the time they come up short ?
Not likely. Less than one minute later, middie Amanda Fulton stepped up and powered a shot into the United net from about 22 yards out. The Ravens were now energized, and the fans could sense the Ravens might be able to perform some more magic in the final 28 minutes.
Both team pressed forward, and the quality and intensity of the game was raised a few notches. Both teams got some excellent chances, especially in the last five minutes, with both going for the win. But this game wound up in a 1-1 draw, and the Ravens, because of their lackluster first half, could feel pretty good … about the outcome at least … not their overall play. There will be days like this, and if get one point when you haven’t played your best, you’ll take it! Let’s move on!
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