Road trip ends with a Loss

After waking this morning for our team breakfast at the hotel the mood had calmed from the euphoria of friday and players seemed a little more relaxed uet focused. After breakfast we were in to our pre game talk and starting line up for the game.  With the ride to UMass 30 minutes from the hotel we left about 11am for our 1pm kickoff.  With Newcastle playing at 930 we had some sorry faces by 1130am as they lost to their arch rivals Sunderland which started the day on a sour note.  

A cold windy day set the mood for how our game would eventually finish.  With 3 changes to the starting line up and a need to start the game better than Friday we did just that.  Early pressure and a great move down the left handside involving Shaban and Valencia resulted  in a cross being deflected straight to Valencia on top of the 18 and he hit it first time to get his first collegiate goal.  We would battle through the half and unfortunately we would concede a free kick on top of the 18 with 4 minutes to half time.  It would prove costly as a wicked deflection saw Farrell do well to get the original shot but they were quicker than us to follow up and got the equalizer.  Terrible time to concede a goal and not only that surrender our lead. 

Second half was a cagey encounter with both teams playing different styles trying to get the breakthrough goal.  Already having some injury concerns from Friday as the game wore on we looked like that game had taken its toll both physically and mentally and with just 4 minutes to go UMass with find the winner.  A half clearance found a UMass player on the top of the box and he hit it first time out of the air on the volley and into the back of the net.  It you gonna get score on leg it be a wonder strike as opposed to giving goals away.  With a faint glimmer of hope that we could again come back all was lost as our last few chances were wasted on poor service in to the box and as the clock trickled down to zero our unbeaten A10 campaign and chance to top the league came to an end.  All attentions now turn to next weekend and a home game v local rivals George Mason.  With other results today the final standings will be determined on the very last day as things are so close right now. 

A Long trip back to DC and after today's road bump we'll bounce back next week

Post game interviews http://t.co/miUyXnj1Jr

http://t.co/LXMJhojtO6

Raise High Moment of the Day

Valencia's first college goal, great strike!!