Game Day V Howard

The second game of the DC College Cup saw us playing at Noon in 90 degree heat and I was sweating just watching the game so I can only imagine how tough it must have been on the players.  We knew from the game Thursday that we had to respond and be more positive on the field so I was very pleased to see the way we started the game.

A superb start on how to pass the ball saw us earn a corner and our best chance early on fell to Alexandersson who meet the corner with a great header only to see the keeper pull off a magnificent save to keep the game at 0-0.  Despite our early pressure we we shocked to find ourselves 1-0 behind after a header from open play found the back of the net.  The key then was how do we respond?  Unlike the last game we came out and attacked again and showed the confidence and belief I asked for before the game.  After being frustrated time and again in our attacking build up the equalizer finally came through Captain Ranalli (2 goals in 3 games) who has thrived on the addition responsibility of team captain and lead by example throughout.  The half finished at 1-1 and I knew we were in for another tough game going into the second half as Howard showed a resilience that I was only to familiar with having not beaten them the past 2 years.

Second half with Howard a man down after a red card at the end of the first half proved to be a game of patience and frustration at times as we probed and moved the ball well but lacked that final pass, goal that would ease the pressure.  Step up Hinners who during practice had put more balls into the ravine at Mount Vernon than anyone else with his shooting but had shown against LIU that he was more than capable of striking a great ball.  Unlike Thursday when we had similar opportunities to shoot Hinners took his touch, looked up and what a laser beam (always wanted to say laser beam in describing a shot after hearing it many year ago) and it found the back of the net.  The dive from the keeper was only a token gesture as not even Tim Howard would have stopped it.  It was pleasing to see the way we continued to play the ball around but we definitely made it hard for ourselves at the end as we panicked to see the game out.

Bottom line, we got the win and in doing so bounced back from Thursdays game and gave ourselves some confidence going into next weekends road trip to the VMI tournament in Lexington VA.

For me it was a frustrating and very nervous game to coach.  Our pressure and possession didn't give us the goals we deserved and so kept it close until the very end.  That being said I was absolutely delighted with the final score and proud of how we came back from a goal down to win the game.

To the players:
Raise high and go colonials!!
Please let me relax by getting a win in the bag before the final minute or OT
Lets get after it this week and keep getting better and better each game
We didn't ALMOST do it second half, we DID IT!

Magic moment of the Day
Hinners Goal, need i say more!