"After each game, I want to be able to say:
I gave it all I could, I gave it my best"
unknown
How many of us can really say that?
Round one is over and we're still standing, but round two is next week and the winner will be the team that wants it more. We've given Holy Child some inspiration. The impression that they can run with us and beat us if they had their full squad. It was a tough game, but we were the team that made it tough on ourselves. We dominated play, but again had trouble finishing.
As many approached the field, they saw a ghost of the past...Coach Austin made a guest appearance to check on our progress and offer some constructive criticism as to how we could improve. He wasn't happy with our late arrival, and didn't seem too impressed with the pregame warm up either, but he was reserving comment until after we took the field.
The game started as most this season have... our team dominating play in their end. The HC coach was quick to make adjustments to our attack and marked our left midfielder, but Vicky Roda took it all in stride, taking the ball to the net and the defender too for the first goal at the six minute mark. Chances to add to the lead were missed, and before you knew it, Eddie Rosario's aggressive play gave them a free kick from the 30 that arched over a leaping Gaetano Sciove to tie it up. They were back in the game, and after a Cardinal back pass to an uncovered midfielder actually took the lead and the momentum.
Entering the half on the losing side was a new experience. Changes needed to be made to spark the offense and the fix came from Coach Mark, who's vision of the game saw just what was needed.
As the team took the field for the second half, a last minute switch was called in, moving Greg Molina to forward and pushing Ryan Hapuarachchi back to defense. A risky move, knowing how this team resists change, but one that would pay off on both ends.
Greg was able to make some much needed runs that opened up the offense and after a few near misses, Katrina Wiesner, blasted one into the back of the net to bring us even. Two minutes later, the team's hustle paid off again, as Greg banged in the go ahead goal to put us on top for good.
Wasted opportunities followed for the rest of the game. First, an on target Molina header off a classic Roda corner was negated because of a careless pushing penalty by a player who's head wasn't in the game. Then an open netter was put high and wide because fundamentals were forgotten.
Rematch is next week...They will be ready...will YOU?
Practice: Monday - 5:30 - 7:30 Scrimmage - wear colors
Practice: Tuesday - 2:30 - 4:30
Practice: Thursday - 4:30 - 6:30
Game: Sunday 9:00 - (Arrive no later than 8:30)
Photos after the Game - Bring your envelope and your $$
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Each Half is a Different Game...
Victory belongs to the most persevering.
Napoleon
Maybe we’re just slow starters…
This makes 3 out of 4 weeks that we went into the half leading 1-0, which leads me to believe that the team starts slow just so they get to hear one of those inspirational speeches from me at half time.
No confusion this week as all the chess pieces were in their right spots, but 20 minutes passed before Gaetano Sciove push in a Victoria Roda cross for the only scoring of the first half. It wasn’t like we didn’t have chances, the ball was bouncing our way more than not, but it just didn’t find the net. One volley went from Chris to Eddie to Greg to Ryan to Guy to Dan to Richard to Vicky to Katrina to BJ then out…The only one that didn’t touch the ball was Dean…zzzz fast asleep in net. We were making the plays but not making the goals. We were in control….kind of….
Yellow cards are never a good thing, and threats of RED are even worse. As Under 14 Division 1 Undefeated Champions, we are targets and targets get hit. Our job is to retaliate, not with our mouths but with our feet. Goals win games not words!
As in the previous games, the second half belonged to the Panthers with five more goals from 5 more players….
BJ Bifalco started it off when he scissored past the defense and taps a soft shot past the keeper. He was followed up by a Michael Marotta, who connected on an Eddie Rosario pass to put us up 3-0. Ryan Hapuarachchi trusted his talents, has he looping shot found the net from 40 yards out and a Jimmy DeMartinis header off Victoria Roda’s cross made up for all his misses in the first half. But the best goal of the day was when Greg Molina drove down the right side broke through the defense and with a clear shot at the net passed to Katrina Wiesner to complete the 6-0 rout.
It wasn’t the goal that made it special, it was Greg’s unselfish team play….
You are never really playing an opponent.
You are playing yourself,
your own highest standards,
and when you reach your limits,
that is real joy.
-- Arthur Ashe
Napoleon
Maybe we’re just slow starters…
This makes 3 out of 4 weeks that we went into the half leading 1-0, which leads me to believe that the team starts slow just so they get to hear one of those inspirational speeches from me at half time.
No confusion this week as all the chess pieces were in their right spots, but 20 minutes passed before Gaetano Sciove push in a Victoria Roda cross for the only scoring of the first half. It wasn’t like we didn’t have chances, the ball was bouncing our way more than not, but it just didn’t find the net. One volley went from Chris to Eddie to Greg to Ryan to Guy to Dan to Richard to Vicky to Katrina to BJ then out…The only one that didn’t touch the ball was Dean…zzzz fast asleep in net. We were making the plays but not making the goals. We were in control….kind of….
Yellow cards are never a good thing, and threats of RED are even worse. As Under 14 Division 1 Undefeated Champions, we are targets and targets get hit. Our job is to retaliate, not with our mouths but with our feet. Goals win games not words!
As in the previous games, the second half belonged to the Panthers with five more goals from 5 more players….
BJ Bifalco started it off when he scissored past the defense and taps a soft shot past the keeper. He was followed up by a Michael Marotta, who connected on an Eddie Rosario pass to put us up 3-0. Ryan Hapuarachchi trusted his talents, has he looping shot found the net from 40 yards out and a Jimmy DeMartinis header off Victoria Roda’s cross made up for all his misses in the first half. But the best goal of the day was when Greg Molina drove down the right side broke through the defense and with a clear shot at the net passed to Katrina Wiesner to complete the 6-0 rout.
It wasn’t the goal that made it special, it was Greg’s unselfish team play….
You are never really playing an opponent.
You are playing yourself,
your own highest standards,
and when you reach your limits,
that is real joy.
-- Arthur Ashe
Practice Scrimmage - Wed 4/23 5:30 pm Vs. Vicky's Team
Practice Scrimmage - Fri 4/25 10:00 am Vs HS Girls
Practice Workout - Sat 4/26 11:30 am
Game - Sun 4/27 9am vs. 1st place Holy Child Cardinals
Sunday, April 13, 2008
"We didn't underestimate them...they were a lot better than we thought" WC'90
Some of the team must have stayed in Washington...because we played like we were still on the bus.
The most common mistake in history is underestimating your opponent. It happened to the British in the American Revolution, It happened to the Patriots in the last Superbowl and it almost happened to the Petrides Blue Panthers in Game #3 of their final season.
I've talked before about the importance of a pregame warm up and arriving early to "Beat them before they get out of the Cars", but with game time fifteen minutes away, half the team had yet to arrive and the other half was enjoying the spring breeze as they lounged on the turf. The other team however, was busy warming up and talking about how they were going to bring down the giants...and they almost did.
The game started with some confusion about position assignments. "I'm on the left", "who's on the right", "I don't play here"...but sometime the coaches see things that the players don't. This team has been trained as a complete package and positions are sometimes changed to help the team.
The game got off to a slow start with the ball in our end in the first 20 minutes more then it was for the entire first two games. Malik Archer covered the whole field for the White Panthers and played against us as hard as he played for us this winter. Our ball handling was sloppy and Malik tried to capitalize on every mistake we made. Without the girls to cross, the team just couldn't get into a rhythm. It wasn't until Ryan Hapuarachchi took a shot from the right side that dropped short and a hustling Benjamin Bifalco barrelled it into the net for the first goal of the game, that we started to resemble even a shadow of the team that we knew we were. As the first half ended 1-0 the confidence of the White Panthers started to grow and they saw a chance to obtain bragging rights at the school.
As the ball rolled to start the second half you could see the change. The giant had begun to awaken. The team was developing momentum as the ball movement was crisp and the play became aggressive. Players started to shoot the open gaps and passes started to hit their marks. When another shot from Ryan was knocked down by the goalie and hand balled by a defender inches from the foot of Dean Ferrezza the insurance goal we were looking for was within our reach. But after Ryan's first PK was called off because of a slow Referee whistle, his second attempt sailed high into the crossbar and the White Panthers seized the opportunity and broke away down field.
A volly of shots on goalie Gaetano Sciove were stopped to save the lead and Richard Avvento cleared the ball to Greg Molina who broke down the right side and rocketed a low shot inside the far left post. Two minutes later , Greg did it again, this time from an impossible angle. Jabari Archer finished the scoring with a soft tap on a Bifalco cross in the closing seconds to end the game.
7 to go....
Practice: Wednesday & Thursday 2:30 - 4:30
Game: Sunday 4/20 9:00am (8:30 Warm ups) vs Richmondtown Jaguars
"The first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy". Corrie Ten Boom
The most common mistake in history is underestimating your opponent. It happened to the British in the American Revolution, It happened to the Patriots in the last Superbowl and it almost happened to the Petrides Blue Panthers in Game #3 of their final season.
I've talked before about the importance of a pregame warm up and arriving early to "Beat them before they get out of the Cars", but with game time fifteen minutes away, half the team had yet to arrive and the other half was enjoying the spring breeze as they lounged on the turf. The other team however, was busy warming up and talking about how they were going to bring down the giants...and they almost did.
The game started with some confusion about position assignments. "I'm on the left", "who's on the right", "I don't play here"...but sometime the coaches see things that the players don't. This team has been trained as a complete package and positions are sometimes changed to help the team.
The game got off to a slow start with the ball in our end in the first 20 minutes more then it was for the entire first two games. Malik Archer covered the whole field for the White Panthers and played against us as hard as he played for us this winter. Our ball handling was sloppy and Malik tried to capitalize on every mistake we made. Without the girls to cross, the team just couldn't get into a rhythm. It wasn't until Ryan Hapuarachchi took a shot from the right side that dropped short and a hustling Benjamin Bifalco barrelled it into the net for the first goal of the game, that we started to resemble even a shadow of the team that we knew we were. As the first half ended 1-0 the confidence of the White Panthers started to grow and they saw a chance to obtain bragging rights at the school.
As the ball rolled to start the second half you could see the change. The giant had begun to awaken. The team was developing momentum as the ball movement was crisp and the play became aggressive. Players started to shoot the open gaps and passes started to hit their marks. When another shot from Ryan was knocked down by the goalie and hand balled by a defender inches from the foot of Dean Ferrezza the insurance goal we were looking for was within our reach. But after Ryan's first PK was called off because of a slow Referee whistle, his second attempt sailed high into the crossbar and the White Panthers seized the opportunity and broke away down field.
A volly of shots on goalie Gaetano Sciove were stopped to save the lead and Richard Avvento cleared the ball to Greg Molina who broke down the right side and rocketed a low shot inside the far left post. Two minutes later , Greg did it again, this time from an impossible angle. Jabari Archer finished the scoring with a soft tap on a Bifalco cross in the closing seconds to end the game.
7 to go....
Practice: Wednesday & Thursday 2:30 - 4:30
Game: Sunday 4/20 9:00am (8:30 Warm ups) vs Richmondtown Jaguars
"The first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy". Corrie Ten Boom
Sunday, April 6, 2008
A successful team beats with one heart.
Coming together is a beginning
Keeping together is progress
Working together is success.
Henry Ford
The defending Under 14 Boys Division 1 champions demonstrated teamwork, leadership and success as they came together in their second Spring season game to win another decisive victory over the SJHA Gladiators.
BJ Bifalco started it early as he connected on a Victoria Roda cross at the six minute mark to score the first goal. Twelve minutes later he found the net again after duping the defense and launching a 25 yarder from the left side. He spent the rest of the half feeding balls to Gaetano Sciove who, uncharacteristically, couldn't connect. The half ended with classic corner kick from Victoria that arced inches from the goal and was headed in by Greg Molina with such force it knocked the goalie over.
BJ started the second half with a quick goal to complete his hat trick and put the game out of reach. Then the chess game began.
Coach Mark Murasso...yes he does show up on occasion.... moved the pieces around to show what a well balanced team we have become. After receiving special instructions from the sweeper, Eddie Rosario, BJ moved to Stopper and, to the surprise of many, actually played the position.
After a questionable penalty, SJHA had a rare opportunity to score with a penalty kick. Goalie Dean Ferrezza made the initial stop, but couldn't hold on and the ball rolled over the goal line past his outstretched hand.
The soft goal ignited the Panthers, and Daniel D'Alessandro, who sent a pass from Jim DeMartinis into the upper 90. Chris Ezzo stepped up too, and scored the last goal of the game to complete the 6-1 rout. BJ ended the game as goalie, playing the possition agressively from the 50 yard line.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
"FIFA Soccer Rules · Cleat History ... The general purpose of these soccer shoes are for playing on slick surfaces (i.e. mud, rain) ..."
Do you think the soccer gods made this rule so we could cancel practice because the turf field is unavailable and the grass field is muddy?!?
Fridays practice was attended by eight (8) die hard players! BJ, Greg, Chris, Richard, Katrina, Victoria, Dean, and Jimmy. Four (4) others waited for the coach to show up before deciding they might get dirty and left! If you do the math... that means six (6) players decided that the morning rain meant no afternoon practice....
Players are reminded of our long standing rain rule.... We play unless I call.
After school practices are canceled only if its raining heavy after school. I have no way of canceling the practice and will show up for any stragglers that stick around.
Games are played in the rain...especially on the turf field....No one should ASS U ME that the game is rained out...
"The only way to beat our team...is to beat ourselves"
Do you think the soccer gods made this rule so we could cancel practice because the turf field is unavailable and the grass field is muddy?!?
Fridays practice was attended by eight (8) die hard players! BJ, Greg, Chris, Richard, Katrina, Victoria, Dean, and Jimmy. Four (4) others waited for the coach to show up before deciding they might get dirty and left! If you do the math... that means six (6) players decided that the morning rain meant no afternoon practice....
Players are reminded of our long standing rain rule.... We play unless I call.
After school practices are canceled only if its raining heavy after school. I have no way of canceling the practice and will show up for any stragglers that stick around.
Games are played in the rain...especially on the turf field....No one should ASS U ME that the game is rained out...
"The only way to beat our team...is to beat ourselves"
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