Kent lost a tough one to Hudson 3-0. From the outset, it was hard to ever control the ball for even a short period of time. It seemed every time Roosevelt got the ball, there were three Hudson players ready to strip the ball from her. Their passing on offense was enviable, for sure. Their offensive scheme, which was to effectively drew the double team and just in time, pass to the open man, worked very well. It seemed the ball was on Roosevelt's half nearly the entire game. Bradford did what she could, but in the end, faced some tough one-on-ones and, unfortunately, you're gonna lose some of those.
Mitchell got on his team at halftime about chasing the ball, being more aggressive. He cycled in and out players who normally sit on the bench, presumably to bring in fresh legs, though he may have also known the game was a lost cause, and was giving his "next generation" some playing time. Libby Bradford (yet another one) impressed on left attack with some nice runs down the side and a few nice shots. Hannah Sampson had a great game, not being afraid to be physical, and ensuring passes were put in the right place.
One spot of weakness, immediately seen, was the Roosevelt right side of the field. Hudson was able to beat our players on many occasions and dribble into the box with relative ease. Roosevelt defense needs to work on stepping in on dribbles and trying to disrupt the attack plan. Too often were the defense allowing Hudson to own the lane.
One bright spot was that we only allowed three goals. The defense stayed mostly solid through the game. For a team that had about a billion shots on goal, the fact that only three went in is a testament not to just to Bradford's skill, but also the defense's resilience. Offense, well, we've had troubles all season here. We are really improving our ventures down the field, but Mitchell should work the team on crosses from the corners into the box. While the crosses may land in the box, scorers in the box are getting beat on positioning, ending up behind the defense who has an easy clear out.
Game's like this are good. They reveal hidden weaknesses that are sometimes not so evident when you play teams like Southeast or Field. They also build our skill level. To have seen skill like this not just in the Hudson game, but in the Cloverleaf before that, will build our talent level, as well as give us an idea what we might face in the second or third round of the playoffs. This is what non-conference games are meant to do for a team. Mitchell knew that in the beginning.
The Ravenna game has been rescheduled for Wednesday at 5:00 (JV) and 7:00 (V). Be there to see the Riders take on the rival Ravens!! This game has enormous implications for the league title. If Roosevelt can get this one, and they should, (Ravenna lost previously to Cresty 3-0), the league should be wrapped up in a pretty pink bow. I like pretty pink bows. Let's get it! Respect this house!!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Kent defeats Crestwood 3-2!!!
In the most exciting game of the season, Kent DEFEATED league rival Crestwood 3-2 in a match that surely could have swung both ways. Both teams entered the game with a lot of anticipation and expectation for theirselves. For Crestwood and Kent, this was a chance to knock off their next closest rival and secure the 2009 PTC league title (assuming they can defeat the other teams). Both teams started off fighting hard, being physical whenever possible. Where I think this Kent team has improved is its physicality. This is huge. Kent for a long time has been known as a nicer, less physical team. While this is all good in terms of sportsmanship, they were allowing themselves to get beat by sacrificing that physical element. Kent brought the shoulders to this game, in particular in Erin Waples, who threw a couple of hard shoulders to the disdain of Red Devils fans. This had two effects: one, it immediately alerted the Red Devils that Kent was a team to be reckoned with. They were intimidated, for sure. The second effect was it took Crestwood's physical advantage out of the game.
The game did not lack drama. Crestwood scored first, early, scooting a ball in the box by goalie Abby Bradford. This spoke to the drive the Red Devils had entering the game. They were ready. But not to be stopped, Roosevelt scored soon after, tying the match at 1-1. Roosevelt would score once again, this one by Michaela Kline, to go up 2-1 at the half. The second half was full of drama. Crestwood tied the game at 2-2, and several times had goals annulled by the refs for offside penalties. With about twelve minutes left, Kline again buried a ball into the net to take the 3-2 lead, which they would never relinquish. Give Roosevelt defense some serious credit for holding Crestwood in those last pressure filled minutes.
Rahs to the junior and senior class for coming out and supporting their Lady Riders. This charged up the crowd, and undoubtedly charged up the team, to see such a large contingent of supporters in the stands. Plus, my mother brought her cow bell, which echoed across the stadium nicely. This was harkening back to the Crestwood game of last year, in which THEIR fans brought a cow bell and drowned out Kent home fans. We will never let this happen again, we said then, and true to our word, we murdered their noise with our own.
Also, cheers to the men and women working the concession stand. You provide a valuable service. Yummm. Go Kent!
The game did not lack drama. Crestwood scored first, early, scooting a ball in the box by goalie Abby Bradford. This spoke to the drive the Red Devils had entering the game. They were ready. But not to be stopped, Roosevelt scored soon after, tying the match at 1-1. Roosevelt would score once again, this one by Michaela Kline, to go up 2-1 at the half. The second half was full of drama. Crestwood tied the game at 2-2, and several times had goals annulled by the refs for offside penalties. With about twelve minutes left, Kline again buried a ball into the net to take the 3-2 lead, which they would never relinquish. Give Roosevelt defense some serious credit for holding Crestwood in those last pressure filled minutes.
Rahs to the junior and senior class for coming out and supporting their Lady Riders. This charged up the crowd, and undoubtedly charged up the team, to see such a large contingent of supporters in the stands. Plus, my mother brought her cow bell, which echoed across the stadium nicely. This was harkening back to the Crestwood game of last year, in which THEIR fans brought a cow bell and drowned out Kent home fans. We will never let this happen again, we said then, and true to our word, we murdered their noise with our own.
Also, cheers to the men and women working the concession stand. You provide a valuable service. Yummm. Go Kent!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Kent tops Cuyahoga Falls 2-0
Goals scored: Michaela Kline, Rebecca Thomas
I wasn't able to attend this game, thus the short post. Looking towards Crestwood tomorrow, a team that looks threatening coming off a 3-0 win against Ravenna. Big game tomorrrow!
I wasn't able to attend this game, thus the short post. Looking towards Crestwood tomorrow, a team that looks threatening coming off a 3-0 win against Ravenna. Big game tomorrrow!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Roosevelt tops Coventry, 5-1
Roosevelt took down visiting Coventry on Tuesday night, 5-1, in a game that was largely unintriguing for both players and fans. Coach Mitchell recognized early on that Coventry's varsity squad was roughly equivalent to his JV team. Mitchell put in the "B" part of the varsity team in order to get some playing time and practice for some of the players accustomed to not getting a lot of it. The defense was solid all game. Coventry was able to take advantage a bit of weak left side defense, executing some nice crosses, but in general these gains were minimal. Passes were well timed, and fifty fifty balls more often than not were won by the good guys. Bradford was denied her fourth shutout mid way through the first half when Coventry poked one in from inside the box. Aw, we'll let her off this time (ha).
The only point of real, ahem, non tedium, was when Bradford, defending from the north side, slid out from the goal to try and knock the ball out. She accidently hit the Coventry attackwomen coming from the right, gutting the poor girl in her stomach. Bradford, to her credit, immediately went to the girl, upset over the hurt she had laid upon her. The girl got up soon enough. The ref gave Bradford a yellow card, (re the rules of the OSHAA), sending her off the field for one series of play. You would think Coventry would have been granted a direct PK, but no, the ref granted Roosevelt a goal kick, as the ball had last been touched in bounds by the visitors. Now, we in the Roosevelt stands, and the Coventry fans in their stands, were both like "Say what?" Boos echoed across the stadium and verbal tirades rained upon the heads of the referees, who in the words of Mr. Mitchell, "clearly hadn't played soccer in their lives." Mitchell said after the game he had never seen anything like it. Mr. Bialik in the stands blamed it on the poor institution of American soccer. And Paul Sampson just sat there, blinking in disbelief. Now, we'll take it, but let's just hope we don't get this field referee again. Mitchell, who's had experience with the errant ref in question before, said of past games with him, "He's consistent". Mitchell worried that a mutton headed soft in the brain call like this would come at a big time, say during a close match or a playoff game.
What's important here, the broader point is (and there are rarely times to find broader points!), referees end up being responsible for outcomes of games. Just like our Supreme Court justices need to rule over American citizens with decency, respect, and a firm knowledge of the law, so too do referees need to have the same reverence for the rules of soccer when officiating games at any level. Just like we saw with Serena Williams in her U.S. Open tennis semi final loss to Kim Clijsters, refs determine a lot. They can swing a game. Referees need to make sure that when they do swing a game, one way or the other, they are doing them with full knowledge of the rules and customs of the game. This was ludicrous.
The only point of real, ahem, non tedium, was when Bradford, defending from the north side, slid out from the goal to try and knock the ball out. She accidently hit the Coventry attackwomen coming from the right, gutting the poor girl in her stomach. Bradford, to her credit, immediately went to the girl, upset over the hurt she had laid upon her. The girl got up soon enough. The ref gave Bradford a yellow card, (re the rules of the OSHAA), sending her off the field for one series of play. You would think Coventry would have been granted a direct PK, but no, the ref granted Roosevelt a goal kick, as the ball had last been touched in bounds by the visitors. Now, we in the Roosevelt stands, and the Coventry fans in their stands, were both like "Say what?" Boos echoed across the stadium and verbal tirades rained upon the heads of the referees, who in the words of Mr. Mitchell, "clearly hadn't played soccer in their lives." Mitchell said after the game he had never seen anything like it. Mr. Bialik in the stands blamed it on the poor institution of American soccer. And Paul Sampson just sat there, blinking in disbelief. Now, we'll take it, but let's just hope we don't get this field referee again. Mitchell, who's had experience with the errant ref in question before, said of past games with him, "He's consistent". Mitchell worried that a mutton headed soft in the brain call like this would come at a big time, say during a close match or a playoff game.
What's important here, the broader point is (and there are rarely times to find broader points!), referees end up being responsible for outcomes of games. Just like our Supreme Court justices need to rule over American citizens with decency, respect, and a firm knowledge of the law, so too do referees need to have the same reverence for the rules of soccer when officiating games at any level. Just like we saw with Serena Williams in her U.S. Open tennis semi final loss to Kim Clijsters, refs determine a lot. They can swing a game. Referees need to make sure that when they do swing a game, one way or the other, they are doing them with full knowledge of the rules and customs of the game. This was ludicrous.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
It's Pancakes and Waples Syrup for Rough Riders!
With the team trailing 1-0 with fifteen minutes left to play, the Riders, nearly all of whom were off their game for one reason or the other, needed a big lift. Despite sloppy passing, bad defense, and an offense that had no trouble getting the ball into the goalie box but a lot of difficulty getting it past the Boardman goalie, the Lady Riders were only down 1-0, a bouncer scored by a Boardman attackwoman with under a minute left to play in the first half. The normally pragmatic and unemotional Coach Mitchell at halftime told his struggling squad at the break, "for the first time in seven years, I have nothing good to say..." Continuing, (paraphrasing) "we're not playing our best... correction, you're not playing you're best." Harsh words, but words the Riders apparently needed coming out of the half. The Riders seemed to control the tempo the minute the ball was put into the play that second half, making some nice runs into the box, and taking some of the pressure off of Rider goalie Abby Bradford.
The "big lift" came with fifteen minutes to play. Erin Waples, a sophomore attacker, whose brother plays on the boy's varsity team, approached the goal from the left sideline. With an amazing thwack of her left foot, the ball, bending like Beckham, flew just over top of the goalie's hand and into the goal to tie up the game with just under fifteen left to play. AND THE CROWD WENT WILD! But she was not done. Waples, on the next Rider possession, would shoot it past the goalie, again with her left foot. AND THE CROWD WAS INSANE. 2-1 Riders. We were just recovering from hooting and hollering in the stands, hyperventilating and all, when Waples took the ball once more on the left side, from a nice feed from Hannah Sampson, and bent it again into the top left part of the goal. 3-1 Riders. A hat trick in less than one minute, about fifty seconds by my calculation. This must be one of the fastest ever recorded. Yahoo! Answers says that the fastest hat trick by professional players came in 1964, when Ross County player Tommy Ross scored three goals in 90 seconds versus Naim County F.C. By this, Waples abolished Ross' record.
After this "miracle minute," the Riders nor Boardman ever threatened again. Though the Riders should be happy to come away from Boardman with a win, they should be concerned with the lack of spirit and drive they had during the majority of the game. They'll need to improve if they want to stay competitive come playoff time. Waples won't be able to score three goals so easily again. Though I think she deserves more playing time... !
The "big lift" came with fifteen minutes to play. Erin Waples, a sophomore attacker, whose brother plays on the boy's varsity team, approached the goal from the left sideline. With an amazing thwack of her left foot, the ball, bending like Beckham, flew just over top of the goalie's hand and into the goal to tie up the game with just under fifteen left to play. AND THE CROWD WENT WILD! But she was not done. Waples, on the next Rider possession, would shoot it past the goalie, again with her left foot. AND THE CROWD WAS INSANE. 2-1 Riders. We were just recovering from hooting and hollering in the stands, hyperventilating and all, when Waples took the ball once more on the left side, from a nice feed from Hannah Sampson, and bent it again into the top left part of the goal. 3-1 Riders. A hat trick in less than one minute, about fifty seconds by my calculation. This must be one of the fastest ever recorded. Yahoo! Answers says that the fastest hat trick by professional players came in 1964, when Ross County player Tommy Ross scored three goals in 90 seconds versus Naim County F.C. By this, Waples abolished Ross' record.
After this "miracle minute," the Riders nor Boardman ever threatened again. Though the Riders should be happy to come away from Boardman with a win, they should be concerned with the lack of spirit and drive they had during the majority of the game. They'll need to improve if they want to stay competitive come playoff time. Waples won't be able to score three goals so easily again. Though I think she deserves more playing time... !
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Kent 7, Southeast 0
Kent thoroughly dominated the game tonight, downing the Southeast Pirates 7-0. It was thoroughly a possession game for the visiting Riders, who scored FIVE goals in fifteen minutes. Players were shuffled around, giving defensive players like Savanna Kirtley a shot on offense (she scored!), and bringing in Jocelyn Schmidt for some experience in goal. The game was a bit of a letdown, what with all the excitement surrounding the Ravenna game. Though Roosevelt will be happy with a win, this doesn't feel quite as satisfying as a tight victory over Norton or the Ravens. The silver lining is, Roosevelt improves to 3-2, a winning record!! Cheers to Erin Waples for a two goal night, to Chloe Maxwell (who is really doing well this season) for her goal, my sister Emily for her goal, and to Erin Knopsnider for knocking one off her head into the goal from a corner kick. Niceeeeeee. Good job, Riders!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
An impressive victory over Norton 3-0
Solid defense, and goals from Michaela Kline, Erin Waples, and Annie Kenney, led to a demolition of the Norton Panthers at Norton HS tonight. The field itself posed more problems for the girls than the opposing team did: these problems included an uneven field (meant for football games), and harder soil leading to bouncier balls off the surface. This, not to mention the constant xylophone music from an adjacent field, and no national anthem, all provided deterrents for the girls. They were not to be deterred so easy. The offense rebounded from a ho-hum effort against Stow and really set the tempo of the game. Though passing was made difficult by the surface and touches at times were sloppy because of this, the offense managed to keep the pressure on Norton's goalie all the way through.
I was very impressed by the hustle of the team, especially against a very physical Norton team. The refs weren't making many pushing-and-shoving calls tonight. It took good leadership and good perseverance to keep up the pressure.
Norton had several moments in which they COULD have scored (maybe should have), including some well designed breakaways, though they couldnt ever capitalize. Roosevelt managed to take their opportunities when they could, luckily enough.
This game should inspire a lot of confidence in the girls, defeating their 2008 season rival and only real competition in the league from the last year. This puts them in a solid position to own the PTC as conference play really gets underway. NEXT UP, RAVENNA AT HOME!!!!!
P.S. Let's support Norton (in our hearts) in getting their levy passed this spring... their school could use a facelift! Still though, what a quaint little place it is.
I was very impressed by the hustle of the team, especially against a very physical Norton team. The refs weren't making many pushing-and-shoving calls tonight. It took good leadership and good perseverance to keep up the pressure.
Norton had several moments in which they COULD have scored (maybe should have), including some well designed breakaways, though they couldnt ever capitalize. Roosevelt managed to take their opportunities when they could, luckily enough.
This game should inspire a lot of confidence in the girls, defeating their 2008 season rival and only real competition in the league from the last year. This puts them in a solid position to own the PTC as conference play really gets underway. NEXT UP, RAVENNA AT HOME!!!!!
P.S. Let's support Norton (in our hearts) in getting their levy passed this spring... their school could use a facelift! Still though, what a quaint little place it is.
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