Saturday travel Day

This morning the atmosphere at breakfast was great as the players and staff were still on a high from the victory last night.  With about a 2 hour ride ahead of us to UMass we had our team breakfast at 9.30am and straight after we were on the road in our mini van convoy.  Great that we had 4 mini vans as it gives us the flexibility to move around when we want but also gives me a chance to review 4 different styles of mini van should I choose to cave in and get one for the family.

With an early start for me watching Arsenal secure a 2-0 win and stay top of the premier league we were unfortunately on the road driving for the most important game of the day.  For those of you thinking that's the El Clasico, Barcelona v Real Madrid which kicked off at noon you are sadly mistaken as at 12.30pm Southampton played Fulham and a 2-0 win for my Saints saw them rise up the table to third in the league. 

An entertaining van ride with Ranalli, Hinners and Alexandersson (Adewole was in my van also but was fast asleep the whole time) pasted the time away.  With Hinners playing quiz master the 4 of us preceded to put our minds together to answer the numerous and diverse questions that he threw at us.  there was a little language barrier with some of Alexandersson's answers but we quickly overcame that to get the answer right.

When we arrived at Umass a very windy day greeted us at the practice field and after an hour of practice a post session chat with another reminder to the players that last night is in the past and it was time to get our feet back on the ground and mentally get ready for another road war tomorrow.  Back on the vans for a very short trip into Amherst, a nice little town but still 30 minutes from our hotel so it was a quick stop before we finally got to our destination and checked in.  I took advantage of the downtown before dinner to get a work out in and for the 3rd day straight I have run at least 2 miles which doesn't sound like much, and if you looked at my waistline it didn't do much to improve that, but for me its a lot believe me.  A sauna afterwards got me feeling great and ready for our team dinner in downtown Springfield, MA.

Back at the hotel I got a chance to sit down and relax and take in the past few days.  After staying to routine and following my superstitions i am not expecting much for the pregame meal tomorrow as my order for our meal Friday was missing my soup and the sandwich was poor so hopefully i'll get short changed again.  I can take the hunger pains if it brings us another win.

Raise High Moment of the Day
My van ride with the players

Post Game Blog Awesome Win

After getting in late last night it would have been nice to get a sleep in till 930am with a late breakfast at 10am but with 2 kids the body clock wakes me at 7am latest everyday.  It was another restless night for me in our hotel in Rhode Island I got to sleep late, woke early and made the most of it by getting up and getting the day going.  Finalizing my notes for the pre game talk and meeting and returning all emails and catching up on the daily news I was ready for breakfast at 10am.

After our 12.30 stretch and study hall I had some time to kill before our pregame meal at 3pm.  After trying to find a nice route for my usual game day jog I was disappointed that most roads had no pavements and without wanting to risk it I decided to get my    miles in on the tread mill at the mini gym in the hotel.  Got to be honest the 40 degree weather outside had a major part to play in me running indoors today.  Feeling refreshed after the workout it was onto the pre game meal and pre game talk and kick off got closer and closer.

After leaving the hotel for the very short trip to the field the weather man certainly got his/her forecast right as the cold air hit us as we left the bus.  With an estimated temperature at kickoff of 40 degrees some of of guys felt at home notably our Icelandic and UK contingent and probably the majority of our east coast guys except Adewole. 

First half started with URI coming out strong supported by their home fans for the first time this season in the A10 and looking for their first conference win.  We on the other hand started the game slowly and all credit to URI they never allowed us to get out of the funk and continued to put us under pressure.  Their opening goal after just 15 minutes was well worked and we found ourselves on the back foot for most of the first half and to be quite honest I was happy to see the half time whistle and be only one goal behind.

Second half we started better but still struggled to complete that final pass or serve to really create any clear cut opportunities.  As the half wore on we were well in control of possession but were still looking for that equalizer which I thought would never come.  I have to credit my assistant Coaches for some ingenious decisions with players as the game wore on and we threw everything at them to try and score.  Taking their advice the decision to put Tobi Adewole higher up field paid off as with just 40 secs left he rose above everyone at the far post after a super delivery from Hinners to head home the equalizer.  We were once again in overtime and my word, this game is making me grey this season.

The first half of OT came and went with no significant chances for either team so it was on to the second period and the hope we could finally win a game in OT.  A long ball over the top from Adewole to find Eddie Painter on his run was collected on the bounce and with probably still 30 yards to goal and a lot of work to do to score it finally came.  Just as the URI defender drew level with Painter in the box he faked and cut back onto his left foot and just when I thought the chance was over struck the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards out.  Absolute pandemonium ensued with the bench cleared to race to get to Eddie first and celebrate a great road win and one that I will remember for a long long time.  I've been waiting for a chance to pull a Jose Mourinho and slide on my knees in celebration and tonight was the night.  Well done to the players on a great team performance

Raise High Moment of the Day
Both goals today giving us the Win

Back on the Road for a big Weekend of Games

For me it was good to be finally back on the practice field being in the thick of the action and watching the guys get ready for the weekend.  A cold morning in DC greeting the players as they left the locker room but we can't complain too much as the Fall weather so far has been rather mild.  Hope I didn't just jinx it.  As always the last session before a game day has been generally lighter and shorter where we are just getting the fast twitch muscles firing and fine turning some areas of preparation.  A warm up with Coach Irizarry with the GK's getting ready with coach Pasquinelli and we were into a shooting game and finishing with 15 mins 11v11 and the practice was over.

With our flight leaving later this evening the players got a chance to go about their daily routine and hopefully today not missing too many classes due to travel.  With the forecast for the game on Friday to be very cold I was to go home and pack the winter jacket and gloves.  To my despair I couldn't find my GW bobble hat but luckily Liz soon saved the day by finding it and relieving my anxiety.  After having to change some flights and add some new ones to our travel party I found myself traveling alone to Providence as the team flew out of Baltimore and I was out of DCA.  Felt a little weird not travelling with the group but as I write my blog here at the airport I definitely got more work done.

With a 7pm kick off tomorrow at Rhode Island the players will get a chance to sleep in a little after the travel late this evening.   After midday snacks its then onto our usual routine of pre game meal about 4 hours before and getting to the field about an hour in advance.  Game preview csn be seen here from our GW Sports website and sport media staff Weekend Preview and you can follow our live stats during the game and catch up with my post game comments through our social media outlets.


My brita filtered water bottle is certainly value for money as I once again fill it up after security check point saving me $3.50 for a bottle of water (day light robbery)

Raise High Moment of the Day
Not getting pulled at security, seems every time I travel alone I get picked for a routine/random search but not tonight!! Happy Days!!!

oops And Liz finding my GW Hat

Player Selection / GW Sports relaunch

Unable to attend practice today due to some prior commitments it was left to Coaches Ouimet and Irizarry to oversee practice.  With the off day yesterday it was the first chance we had to assess some of our potential injuries and start to finalize our travel roster for the weekend.  Not travelling with all the players on the roster, the day before we leave for our road trips or the day of in tomorrows case, is a difficult day for me as the news is broken to some players that they will not be travelling.  Injuries can make the decision for you but this season we have been fortunate so far that our injury list has been minimal so some tough decisions have to be made.

Aside from practice it was a chance for the staff and I to finalize the travel itinerary and make sure everything is in place for the trip as we leave tomorrow night.  Another improvement to the program this year has been the ability, with our increase in budget, to fly to places that in the past we have chartered a bus for in the past.  (Just so we're clear we don't fly everywhere and have been on some pretty long road trips this year already.)  Tomorrow's trip to Rhode Island is a perfect example where 2 years ago we travelled by coach taking over 8 hours and quite tiresome as you can imagine especially when you play the next day.  Hopefully we will at least be a little fresher after flying but any road game is difficult and all forms of travel take their toll on your body.

It seems that this weekend is a BIG weekend for most GW fall sports.  Volleyball have started A10 play 5-1 and lie 3rd in the standings with a match up against 2nd place Duquesne and local rival Mason this weekend.  Womens soccer lie 7th but tied with five other teams on 7 points so they'll be hoping to take advantage of being at home for 2 games.  For us, we need to get some more wins but know it'll be even harder on the road this weekend but hopefully we can take another step forward.

Raise High Moment of the Day
The Launch of the New Look GW Athletics website www.GWsports.com

Easy like Monday morning

Keeping to our usual schedule, todays session was more of a recovery/regeneration session for those that played substantial minutes yesterday and a harder work out for the non players followed by everyone at our strength and conditioning session in the gym.  With the tough game yesterday we had some players sitting out the session as a precaution with injuries and after treatment we hope to reevaluate them on Wednesday.  With tomorrow being an off day for the players we have 2 more sessions before we leave for Rhode Island and UMass on Thursday for our games on Friday and Sunday.   Every game now is going to be a war as teams scrap for points with the top 8 qualifing for the A10 tournament everone still has a chance after only 3 games.  URI has yet to win in the A10 so an obvious incentive for them to beat us in front of their own fans.  UMass won this past weekend so a win for them Friday and Sunday will put them in a very good position.

After practice it was time to review the video from the weekend and set the plans for the rest of the week.  That included not just the training sessions but also our travel itinerary with flights, buses, hotels and meals to deal with on a 4 day road trip in can be quite a challenge coordinating everything.        When the guys have the day off tomorrow the staff will be finalizing our plans for the trip and hopefully I'll be getting out a little early to pick up the kids from school.

In between the soccer and planning I made the trip to our local post office for our passport appointment for Dylan's first passport.  Pretty strict rules with both parents having to be there and the necessary paperwork that accompanies it.  The family in front of us did not fill out the paperwork in black ink so we sent away to redo it which allowed us to get in early.  The passport lasts 5 years and if its like Cerys' the photo now looks nothing like her.

Raise High Moment of the Day
Could have been watching The Wizard of Oz for the fifth time in 2 days with Cerys in charge of the TV but I think not.
Gonna have to think about it!

Game Day and Post Game Comments

Last night I seriously considered getting a hotel room ready for our game today.  Not that i dont like my house or family but due to the fact that I'm superstitious and a believer in routines that work.  With us losing our last 2 home games and starting the A10 with 2 ties on the road I wanted to keep my preparations just like a road game.  I already had the same warm up pants, socks and polo ready to wear.  I did wash them so I'm not too crazy.  Anyways, after deciding against that, probably more to do with the price of a room I'd have to pay I actually got a good nights sleep at home. 

I was very thankful of a little sleep in as Liz saw to the kids and the rest of the morning I relaxed catching up on UK news and college soccer scores from Saturday.  I left the house 1130 knowing I would get to the field about 1150 just like a road game.  With our team briefing yesterday all that was needed was a quick recap of our strategy and the guys would be into their warm up.  

The first half was a cagey affair with Fordham coming out strong and trying to put a lot of pressure on the ball and getting in behind our back four quickly.  We started well also and some good offensive play was not rewarded with at least a shot on goal as we seemed reluctant to shoot even from the top of the box.  The closest either team came to breaking the deadlock fell to the Rams as Farrell seemed to stumble when retreating back to his line but somehow kept the ball out of the goal with a double save from his backside. 0-0 at the half and just as I thought it was gonna be a tough game to win and the first team to score would probably win it by that lone goal.  

With a couple of minor adjustments we were ready for the second half.  Jonny Forrest starting the Second half after a good spell coming off the bench in the first would prove significant.  A positive start was rewarded on five minutes with a goal from Forrest.  Great serve from Shaban off the free kick and Jonny was there to nod home and get his third goal of season.  After missing some games due to injury it was good to have him looking back to 100% but unfortunately he would leave the field later with what we hope was a little cramp and tightness from his time on the sidelines.  The rest of the half we defended well and without looking in too much trouble we continued to turn the ball over and concede way to many corners and throw ins which continued to put pressure on us and Fordham started to sense we may cave in after a good 10-15 minute spell from the Rams.  We were able to ride the storm out and as the clock ran down we scored again 5 minutes from the end.  Great decision  from Valencia to press high forced the turn over and Summerlin scored to get his first collegiate goal and give us a little cushion to see out the game.  

Great win and a much needed 3points in the A10.  I'm very happy for the players as they've worked extremely hard the last few weeks to correct some mistakes both individually and collectively so tonight they can know that the hard work paid off.  There's a lot of soccer to be played and we need to get some results on the road next week to keep pushing for a spot in the A10 tournament.  Tomorrow it's back to the field planning for next weekend and a 2 game road trip 

Raise High Moment of the Day

Getting the win on a great team performance

 U