NYC / Game Day

After the ride up yesterday we decided to let the guys get a late start and had breakfast at 10am.  The hotel was great although I still didn't sleep that well and woke early.  The game was at 6pm v LIU so we had some time to kill during the day which allowed the guys to get a stretch and light jog and a nice jog for me in the hotel gym.  Pre game meal was at 2.15pm at the hotel and we were loading up at 3.30pm ready to leave at 3.45pm. 

LIU is a pretty unique place to play with the field right in the middle of city blocks so you're enclosed all around by the concrete jungle of NYC.  Having played LIU last season I know that their coach would try to get his team playing and he had one or 2 players I remembered from last season and some freshman that I knew from the recruiting battlefield.  With it being their home opener I knew we would be in for a tough fight and had to match their energy and dictate our style onto the game.

The game couldn't have started better.  We pressured the ball well and within the first 5 minuted we should have been 1-0 up after Ross Higgins raced onto a flick on from Tyler Ranalli and with only the keeper to beat he saw his laser beam strike crash against the crossbar and come back into play.  It wouldn't be long before we were on the score sheet.  Ranalli held the ball up well playing the ball back to Bailey Hinners who's through pass found Jonny Forrest who finished with style into the keepers far right corner.  We had another good chance soon after but as the half progressed we rode our luck a bit after losing our defensive balance and allowed them to come into the game more.  Then with 2.5 minutes left in the half we scored again.  This time it was Phillip McQuitty holding the ball up well and a sublime pass from Sam Summerlin with the perfect weight found Higgins who smashed it into LIU goal.  Great substitution bringing Summerlin on only minutes earlier.  (that was a shameless pat on the back to the coaching staff).

Second half as LIU committed more numbers forwards we found ourselves on the back foot but all credit to the lads they dug in and kept a clean sheet and the lead in tact.  LIU had a great half volley which hit the upright with ten to go but they wouldn't get that goal they needed.  We had some good chances to really kill the game off late on but I think the guys just like messing with me and keeping it close and keeping me on edge.  Lidster hair color will be coming soon if we keep doing this. 

Great to see 2 alumni that I played with at GW all those years ago at the game supporting the lads.  Thanks again to Brian Bulakowski and Jeff Greenspan great to see you guys and glad we could get you a W.
 
Nice video of Jonny Forrest after his Colonial of the Week award if he keeps scoring he may get in again. Video

Raise High Moment of the Day
Getting the win on the road!!!!