Friday almost the weekend

Upon waking this morning my bedroom was still dark and for a moment I thought it was still the middle of the night.  With Dylan running around and a quick look at the clock I knew it was my normal wake up time but the rain and mist outside had brought a dark start to the day.  It reminded me of when I was a kid and hated getting out of bed in the ose dark wet winter mornings in Wales.  Once I got up I was looking forward to getting to practice but bad weather usually brings bad traffic even so the morning commute couldn't bring me down as it's Friday and the weekend is here.  More importantly the weekend means game days and it's a busy weekend at GW. 

Women's soccer has 2 games and on Sunday playing at 3pm after our game at noon the chance to qualify for the A10 tournament.  With 6 games left Volleyball has 2 home games and has its destiny to qualify in their own hands (no pun intended) as they entertain Dayton and Duquesne.  Women's and men's basketball opens their seasons with scrimmages on Saturday and Sunday respectively and last but not least our game v Mason at noon on Sunday as part of a soccer doubleheader.  These are just the home games so good luck to all the teams competing this weekend. 

By the time practice started this morning the heavy rain had stopped and the temperature was nice and cool as we started our warm up.  With the surface slick from the rain it was a great day to ping the ball around and after some possession we did just that in our 11v11 game.  Building on yesterday we wanted the guys to get the ball moving quickly and enjoy the running and supporting each other as we look to improve our fluidity and communication.  It's great to have the numbers for a full 11v11.  This time last season we didn't have enough fit players for a 7v7 so it certainly helps the group as we set up or team for the game this weekend.  My worry for Sunday is still our reluctance to take shots and being decisive in front of goal.  We are getting into good spots and now I want to see players taking decisions on themselves and getting into the stats column and box score.  One more session tomorrow before the game and we'll be making some tough decisions with the starting line up for Sunday after tomorrow and seeing some guys come through a full session.  

Just as important as winning games to me and the program is our performance in the classroom.  I'm pleased to say that senior forward Tyler Ranalli was named to the Capital One Academic All-District first team and now qualifies for the national ballot and possible Academic All American.  My first official recruit to come to GW seems so long ago but kudos to Tyler as he continues his great Fall season.  The article can be read here

http://www.gwsports.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/103113aac.html

Raise high moment of the Day

Team Co-Captain Tyler Ranalli 

Halloween

A full session today with everyone taking part was the first bonus of the day.  A sharp warm up by Irizarry was followed by  lsome possession with Coach Ouimet and finished off with a 11v11 game.  The game was enjoyable to watch as the guys looked sharp and their heavy legs and tiredness seemed to be a thing of the past.  

After leaving work a litttle early looking forward to spending time with Cerys and Dylan asking strangers for free candy, I mean trick or treating.  I hope the weather and rain to be specific holds off till later this evening. 

After arriving home I was lucky enough to discover that I only had the bottoms to my halloween outfit so you can imagine my disappointment at not being able to dress up as I walked the neighborhood with the kids.  

Kinda taking part in Halloween u know who you are!

Raise high moment of the day

Halloween 

 

Accolades and Practice

After the tough weekend of games and travel I felt it necessary to give the players off practice both Monday and Tuesday this week.  With many guys having little strains, tightness and overall soreness it has been essential the past 2 days that they received treatments and hit the dreaded ice baths as they try and recover.  Hopefully the extra day off will serve them well as we prepare this week for the visit of George Mason our NEW Atlantic 10 local rival and the start of our Revolutionary Rivalry between our schools.

Before we get to practice alot has happened these past 2 days and another reason to be proud of the team this Fall.  Firstly, Eddie Painter after his heroics on Friday night scoring the game winner in OT was named GW Colonial Athlete of the week.  A short interview with Eddie can be found here on RaiseHighTV Interview  Eddie is the 3rd GW Mens soccer player to receive the award this Fall, so far.  Secondly, Tobi Adewole has continued his great season by receiving his second Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week Award after his first collegiate goal on Friday night tied the game and then getting the assist for the winning goal.  The A10 article can be read here Rookie Award or visit our website.
Lastly, the University paper featured a story on goalkeeper Luke Farrell after his impressive displays over the last few weeks and that can be found here Hatchet Story

Okay, back to today and after the weekends results the competition to get into the A10 championship tournament is wide open with every team still in the hunt to qualify so its going to go all the way to the final weekend and probably last day.  For us, we know that we have to get results in all our remaining 3 games to be sure of a place in the top 8.  Anything less and we then leave it to other teams and results to dictate or path so we certainly don't want that to happen if possible.

With injury concerns after the weekend today's session was a chance to see how far those players are away from returning or more positively in some cases seeing them return today was great.  A FIFA 11+ warm up some fitness and possession and we were done for the day.  Not quite they got a light lift in with our strength and conditioning coach.

For me, in between my daily office routine and work I got a great email that informed me a recent parking ticket had been voided and all the hours waiting on the phone had paid off as I won my appeal.  Seems small but anytime you can win when the odds are against you makes me even happier and $30 to the better.

Raise High Moment of the Day
Even though it wasn't officially today that it was announced I gotta give it to Eddie Painter and Tobi Adewole on their weekly awards.

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!!

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