We were finally able to get a game in this past weekend, just barely. The rains started just as our game against Towson started and continued throughout the game. It was a muddy and slick field, but our boys didn't seem to mind the rain one bit. The game ended up in a 2-2 tie that was definetely influenced by the rain.
We were short four boys due to the flu and had to make several line up changes to accomodate. Many of the boys played in positions they had either not played before or had played very little. The result of the changes was very good as the boys didn't miss a beat in the new positions and several excelled. Our scoring came in the second half, both on goals from Devon as a result aggressive play on the left side of the field forcing the ball in on the inside post.
Our passing game and defensive play was strong. The boys really picked up the triangle offense in the middle of the field and used it to create many passing lanes and options. We had several plays where the passing triangle created three on two breaks and a few one on one break aways. Had it not been for the slow and sloppy field we would have a few more goals off of these opputunities.
Our defense held strong and limited them to only a few scoring oppurtunities. There goals came in the first half, one on a missed clear in the box and another that was a product of the soaking rain. In second half we held them to only one scoring oppurtunity and that they weren't able to capitolize on.
The boys are really starting to come together as a unit more and more each week. I think we have now established a second front line that works together cohesively and will allow us to make full line changes the rest of the way. Our next game is against a dangerous team in Bel Air, they have not won a game yet and the boys know it. My concern is going to be that the boys may take them for granted as we should dominate the possesion and scoring oppurtunites. We will be discussing that at practice this week as well as work on utulizing the triangle offensive to set up more scoring chances.
Thank you to all of the parents who stood in the rain and cheered on the boys throughout the game. And a special thank you to Eric Pearce for volunteering to be a ref (no refs showed up) and having to balance hearing grief from the coaches as well as not cheering on his son, Griffin, during play.
