Saturday Travel Day

Saturday was a travel day with us leaving the total at 9.30am in Indianapolis for a four bus ride to St. Louis.  The ride went smoothly and we made good time to get to the hotel by 1.30pm which allowed us to get some lunch down town and the players a chance to see some of the city and obviously the Arch which is a great landmark as you drive into the city.  With practice for 2pm I decided that the risk of anyone else getting injured in a light session was enough to cancel it and allow the players to stretch their legs and walk around town.

A great dinner this evening hosted by Seth Rudolphs family and some traditional pork steaks, pizza and desserts made sure the players we well fed and for me overfed for the game tomorrow.  Great hospitality and a great evening for the players to get some home cooking.

We will need all of our energies for the game tomorrow with St. Louis looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Charlotte on Friday and with only 13 outfield players somewhat fit for the game its going to require a huge effort.  At this point I can only put the injuries down to a streak of bad luck I have never seen before so I hope we get a little help from lady luck tomorrow to get us through the game with enough players to finish the game.  That being said, I go into every game knowing that on any given day you can get a result when everything seems stacked against you.  The players should be excited to be playing a team in the top 25 at a great stadium that last year brought us some success in the A10 tournament only to fall short on PK's in the final.

Magic Moment of the Day
Watching Bergkamp and Henry 100 goals for Arsenal on the bus.

Fridays Post Game Words

After Thursdays travel we took a walk on the field after breakfast Friday to stretch our legs and check the field for the game that evening.  After the players had a brief tag football game on the field it was back on the vans and to the hotel to relax, get a study hall done and then go for the pregame meal at 3pm.  Before the pregame meal I got the opportunity to hit Wal-Mart to get some extra warm socks and additional layers as the 80 degree weather when we got here had quickly changed to cold, very cold with heavy rain in the morning and potential for more.

After doing our pre game meeting at the hotel we were ready to travel to the field for our 7pm kick off.  Getting to our visiting lockeroom in the old field house at Butler, which hosts numerous sports, was a challenge.  After final preparations by the players we then had to find our way out of the building which was a disaster.  After a 10 minute walk we were finally out on the field.

After a good start to the game in which we competed well the game quickly began to get away from us.  With Khan going down injured and out for the rest of the game and Sundays we adjusted well but knew we were getting frighteningly close to no one on the bench to come into the first half action. 

From a silly free kick for a handball in a dangerous area we paid the price and after a misjudgment by defenders and GK we found ourselves 1-0 down.  A chance to equalize within minutes was wasted and just when it looked like we would go into half time and 1-0 we conceded a stupid corner and from the resulting serve lost spots in our zonal marking at the near post and didn’t jump to compete for the header which found the back of the net for 2-0 just a minute from half time.  Killer blow and terrible time to concede.

With some words at halftime the game plan hadn’t changed much as we had created chances in the first half and one goal and we knew we were back in it.  Then with less then 5 minutes into the second half we saw a shot from distance somehow find the back of the net.  Game plan now well and truly out the window we pushed in vain for a goal but unfortunately found ourselves conceding a PK after another individual mistake in our 1v1 defending cost us again.  A definite PK and things were made worse when Hinners received a yellow card for dissent which sees him miss Sundays game due to suspension through yellow card accumulation.  Disappointing knowing we are already down to bare bones with the number of fit players with what has become possibly the worst season for injuries I have been involved in.

Anyways, we move on with 2 games in conference left again St. Louis and Charlotte with both teams in the Top 25 right now it’s a challenging end to a difficult season.

Magic Moment of the Day

My socks from Wal-Mart worked wonders keeping my feet toasty all night.

Back on the Road

The injury curse which has plagued us all season hit again this morning as Forrest was ill throughout the night and was not able to make the trip after being held at GW hospital for further tests.   Despite asking around the athletic department if anyone wanted to come in his place we were out of luck and would travel without a replacement.  On to Reagan National Airport and the first leg of our road trip this weekend.  Logistically we will be using vans, planes, buses, a coach and shuttles to see us through so fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly.

After checking in and getting through security with ease except for Coach Pasquinelli who had a bottle of water in his backpack we were ready to get to the gate and get boarded.  Once on the plane we sat on the tarmac for 30 minutes as they tried to fix Ripperger-Suhler’s seat.  After a technician came and the seat could not be fixed one person had to leave the plane to make room and we were finally ready to take off and get to Indianapolis.  There was no way I was going to lose another player so lucky another fella volunteered to give up his seat.

Once in the air the flight went well and we were in Indy and on the vans on the way to the Hotel.  A team dinner this evening and back to the hotel for an early night ready for the game tomorrow.  With breakfast at 9am and a walk through at 11am its time for me to hit the sack and get some rest.

Magic Moment of the Day

Getting through the first leg of the trip trouble free.

Tuesday Travel Plans

Good to be back on the training field this morning to get the players going again and focused on Fridays game against A10 newcomers Butler University.  The weather couldn't have been better and with us travelling Thursday and missing practice it was good to skip the strength and conditioning session today and use the extra time to stay on the field.

An energetic warm up and quick possession exercise got the players motivated to win each round and the extra efforts put in this week will help us in our games this weekend.  After working on some shape and again focusing in the final third and getting some quality possession and service the session was all but over.

Big weekend ahead not just the games but the travel involved to get to them.  Starting with a flight Thursday to Indianapolis, bus Saturday to St. Louis and Flight home to DC on Sunday.  Alot of planning involved with the logistics but everythings in place so hopefully the trip will run smoothly and the only thing the players will have on thier minds is the A10 games.

Some articles and photos from the weekend
Fridays Report and Video
Sundays Report
Hatchet Interview

Magic Moment of the Day
Everyday the attitude from Painter as he rehabs from his summer surgery.  Always seems to be smiling despite spending more time in the training room than Marta herself.

Weekend Review

After attending the DC United game on Saturday night and seeing them win 3-2 to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2007 I was feeling rather optimistic for our game on Sunday.  Congrats to my friends Benny Olsen and Chad Ashton on getting there and all the DC United players and staff.

After Fridays great win and watching DC United spirited performance on Saturday night  it was unfortunately followed by a very disappointing loss on Sunday.  It seems our ability to win 2 consecutive games still eludes us and after giving up 3 first half goals we had a mountain to climb to try and get back in the game.  Despite a much superior possession count in the second half it was mainly in our defensive and middle third of the field as we continued to turn the ball over in the final third.  With 3 games to go we will need to win on the road and probably win all 3 games to advance to the A10 tournament.

After the disappointment of the loss there was some consolation as we celebrated senior day with our 4 seniors.  Pre game presentations where Rudoph, Abaie, Ripperger-Suhler and Almodovar received a framed GW uniform whilst being escorted by family was something to remember.  Post game meal provided by the parents was great as always and the players dressed in shirt and ties certainly added to the occasion. 

Its been a pleasure working with our current seniors and I hope they had as much fun along the way as I have enjoyed working with them.  There is still 3 games for them to continue to leave their mark on the GW program and I'll be hoping they can lead the team to success in our remaining games to keep their collegiate careers going.  

Magic Moment of the Weekend

Senior Day.  Its always a special day, to say thanks for thier contributions to the progarm and celebrate thier collegiate careers.