Post Game Blog Aug 30

Well it wasn't the start to the season that we wanted but we have to move on and get ready for the game on Sunday v Howard at 5pm at Mason. 

I felt that we started the game well and pressured the ball forcing AU to turn it over as we gave them very little time on the ball to try and play.  Winning the ball higher up field allowed us to get some possession in the final third but unfortunately we didn't quite have that final pass, play or shot in the central area and on the top of the box to take advantage of our early play.  Out wide an impressive college debut from Heine on the right saw him create chances and be assertive on the ball leading the way for the rest of the lads to follow.  Hinners marshaled the middle of the field and gave a mature performance that deserved a win, we'll need him to do this again and again throughout the year as the and thrive on the senior leadership on the field.  Our set plays looked dangerous and a great save to deny Alexandersson and later in the half Valencia keep the score at 0-0.  Then just 4 minutes before the break AU scored on a counter.  Something we spoke about but with a hint of offside to start the play we couldn't recover to stop the play and goal 1-0 at the half.

Second half we again started well and about 15 minutes into the half we got our equalizer.  Higgins intercepted a pass close to the half way line and went all the way beating the last defender and blasting a shot into the upper 90.  Great individual goal and the killer instinct in the final third that I mentioned yesterday and lacking in the first half.  Just after the goal we probably played our best sequence of the game stringing passes together and going east west to find Angel in space wide in the box but his serve wasn't quite good enough to get that go ahead goal.  Unfortunately it wouldn't stay that way for long as AU scored off a long thrown in which was not cleared by us and they got to the ball first to shoot past JP.  Disappointed that we would concede again from a set piece with about 15 mins to go to really put us in it.  Despite a late rally we were unable to break AU again and the score finished 3-1.

Some positives from the game included the spells we had in possession and chances that we created.  Also some solid performances from individuals who probably solidified a starting spot for Sunday.  We did suffer some injuries mostly to our back line so I'll be in early tomorrow to get an update and see how much we have to reshuffle for the game Sunday.  Practice tomorrow at 10am so i'm gonna watch the first half of the game tonight and hit the sack then watch the second half tomorrow beofre we meet with the lads.

Raise High Moment of The Day
Ross Higgins Goal - a touch of class from the man from Delaware.