Game Day and Off Day - Day 7 & 8

Day 8 - Off Day

It seems that yesterdays blog did not post so I have copied in below and will take this much needed off day for the players to also limit my blog entry for today.  Its been rather quiet in the office with no one around and I hope the players are having a quiet relaxing day also as they recover from the game yesterday and the first week of preseason.

Raise High Moment of the Day
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Day 7- Game Day

With the game today at 4pm there was no morning session just a pregame meal for the players and then everyone reporting to the Vern for 2.30pm.  Having the AM off practice gave me time to catch up on my battle with getting somewhat in shape so I decided to hit the treadmill and get a work out in.  I enjoy working out the day of games as it takes my mind off the games and no matter how little I work out I feel somewhat better afterwards.  

It seems that every time we play a game someone turns up the heat at kick off.  The weather has been hot but quite cool for DC in August but as we approached the game it became the hottest day we have trained or played in.  No complains from me, I'm not the one running around and it gets the players used to playing in the heat which they will be doing for at least the first month of the Fall regular season.  Anyways, just as expected the game was a physical encounter.  Despite having the better of possession and territory Montgomery always looked dangerous on the break and had the players who could create chances for them so we had to be cautious not to get caught out.  We couldn't convert on several chances in the first half with the 2 best chances falling to Alexandersson and McClearn who both volleyed over from close distance of set plays.  Not complaining too much as they obviously were still thinking they were defending.  We found it hard to get into a rhythm with numerous stoppages for fouls, subs and allowed ourselves to play at their tempo which didn't help us put any consistent possession and quality chances together.   The half finished 0-0.

Second half we stated strongly only to give a goal away less than five minuets into the half.  Going down a goal only seemed to spur on the players more and we finally got some controlled possession and dictated the tempo of the game.  Creating better opportunities in front of goal we were still missing that bit of luck or genius to prize open their solid defence and get the goal our play deserved.  Games like this are a Coaches nightmare as no matter what you do it seems like you'll never score even if you played an extra 2 hours.

Then if finally came.  Great free kick served into the box and Adewole rose at the far post to bravely win the header and take out at least 2 players and McQuitty managing to get the final touch to even the scores.  Now we were certainly on a high and despite riding our luck a little at the back we pressed for a winning goal and were rewarded in the 85th minute when Hinners, who seems to have found his shooting boots this season after hitting the crossbar at Duke he collected a pass and struck another laser that the keeper could only parry with freshman Valencia following in and blasting the ball into the roof of the net from the tightest of angles.  Just when I thought the game was done MC had a great chance to tie it in the final 30 secs but came up short as they shot wide.  Lucky to get away with that chance but overall I certainly thought we deserved the win. 

A gritty performance that again saw us play alot of guys and come through the game injury free.  Its an off day tomorrow and much needed rest and recovery for the players before we start preparing for our final scrimmage against James Madison 5pm kick off on Saturday

Raise High Moment of the Day
Valencia blasting the ball into the roof of the net for the game winner.