Sparta Rotterdam - FC Groningen 1-3

Stefan Nijland scores two goals at the Spangen Castle against Sparta

With two Nijland goals and a Lovre goal and assist the FC pulled off the 4th Eredivisie win in a row and with one day to go until the Dutch winterstop, FC Groningen is in 3rd place (moving ahead of Ajax!) and assured of nothing worse then 4th until the competition resumes. For FC Groningen that will be January 12th against Excelsior. With the 1-3 win at Spangen Castle (an actual castle that is part of the stadium as well as the oldest football ground in the Dutch Premier League)FC Groningen also has as many goals scored as goals given up. FC Groningen ended 2007 very strong and look to stay in the top 5 to contend for a spot in UEFA or Champions League competition in 2008.

FC Groningen - PSV 2-1

Berg scores against PSV Eindhoven.

On 2nd Christmas Day/Boxing Day it was FC Groningen who were able to overcome a 0-1 deficit to beat the rich boys from the south. Despite falling behind in the first half, FC Groningen was able to play with inspiring motivation in front of a sold out Euroborg. With 2 goals in the second half the FC won again at home while moving up to 4th place behind the three perennial dutch powers with only one game to go (against Sparta Rotterdam this weekend) before the Dutch soccer winterstop.

Heracles - FC Groningen 1-2

FC Gronigen celebrates the winning goal in Almelo.


Polman Stadium was the backdrop for another away win. After getting behind early on, the FC scored the equalizer in the first half. After the tea, Koen van der laak scored the matchwinner. With the win, the FC moves up to 6th place. The win had consequences for Heracles as well, as their head coach got fired after the game. Next up is the 2nd Christmas Day (yes Holland has two christmas days!) matchup with PSV Eindhoven in the Euroborg Stadium.

Rudy

How about a feel good story to end the year?

Let's go back to 1998, I believe. NorthWood fielded a team that might not have had the greatest record but did have a lethal outside defender with a #4 on his broad back. Known as "the destroyer" and compared by one of the coaches to Theo"the Tank" Laseroms from the 1970's Feyenoord squads. "The destroyer" (just ask Chris Roelandts if he would agree with that nickname and he will probably tell you that "launching pad" might be more apporpriate but "destroyer" will do)had played three years of varsity soccer (his freshman year was an attempt at playing football for the Panthers but he saw the light and switched to the real football) and never scored a goal. Now "the destroyer" will tell you it's because his coaches,he played for 3 different ones, had him focus on defense alone and there is no reason now to dispute that.The opponent of the day was LaVille and NW was expecting a blow out. With the score 6-0, "the Destroyer" still had not scored despite some good opportunities but after all, finishing was not his expertise. By this time quite a few of #4's team mates had sored. With not a lot of time left on the clock, coach Duerksen put the destroyer in at a forward position. Now the entire team was trying to feed him with a great pass in order to put him in position to score. And it finally happened, "Rudy" scored and in the process injured the goalie who had to leave the game!!!!His first and only goal for NorthWood. With a new nickname and the assurance that he would be in the NorthWood soccer records book forever, his soccer life was complete. So, I need to apologize to "Rudy" for not putting him in the soccer records section on this blog. I will correct that and I need everyone to know that there are others obviously who fall in the category between Josh Corwin and "Rudy" but "Rudy" is mentioned as a sort of a book end.

Update on NW soccer records- OG/AC done for 2007

Changes have been made to the NW soccer records to reflect the true school records.

Open Gym in the AC concluded Monday for 2007. The next OG will take place on January 7, 2008 at 7 pm. If the starting time needs to change due to basketball, an announcement will be made that day.

FC Groningen - Willem II 1-0

After losing to SC Heerenveen last weekend (no report on blog) 4-2, the FC got back on track this afternoon by beating Willem II 1-0. A 53rd minute bend it like Bruno Silva (photo left) goal put the Tilburgers away. In attendance at the Euroborg stadium was my brother in law Jan. Coach Ron Jans was extremely pleased considering the club could not field all starters. Seven players were injured at game time. The three points earned today give the FC a total of 24 points. The club moved up to 9th placein the standings.The FC travels to Almelo to face Heracles next weekend. Heracles is currently in 16th place, one spot above Willem II.

NW SOCCER -BOYS Records thru 2007 season

NORTHWOOD MENS SOCCER RECORDS
EST. 1997 (updated 11/15/07)

CAREER GOALS:
Rodrigo Dosal 59 goals 2003-2006
Brody Morningstar 36 goals 1999-2002
Tyler Slagle 25 goals 2003-2006
Jon Cook 25 goals 1997-1998
Jeremy Wise 24 goals 2001-2003
Zac Lechlitner 19 goals 2002-2005
Andrew Myers 19 goals 2001-2003
Nate Davidhizar 17 goals 2002-2005
Edgar Villegas 16 goals 2004-2007
Chris Roelandts 14 goals 1999-2001
Seth Douwsma 14 goals 2005-Present
Josh Corwin 12 goals 1998-2000
Ryan Mattern 1 goal 1996-1998

CAREER ASSISTS:
Rodrigo Dosal 33 asst. 2003-2006
Nate Davidhizar 33 asst. 2002-2005
Zac Lechlitner 22 asst. 2002-2005
Brody Morningstar 15 asst. 1999-2001
Seth Douwsma 12 asst. 2005-Present
Jeremy Wise 12 asst. 2001-2003
Tyler Slagle 11 asst 2003-2006
Andrew Myers 10 asst 2001-2003
Edgar Villegas 10 asst 2004-2007

CAREER POINTS:
Rodrigo Dosal 151 points 2003-2006
Brody Morningstar 89 points 1999-2001
Nate Davidhizar 67 points 2002-2005
Tyler Slagle 61 points 2003-2006
Zac Lechlitner 60 points 2002-2005
Jeremy Wise 60 points 2001-2003
Jon Cook 58 points 1997-1998
Andrew Myers 48 points 2001-2003
Edgar Villegas 44 points 2004-2007
SethDouwsma 40 points 2005-Present



MOST GOALS IN ONE SEASON:
Rodrigo Dosal 21 goals 2004
Brody Morningstar 21 goals 2002

MOST ASSISTS IN ONE SEASON:
Nate Davidhizar 13 assists 2004

MOST WINS IN ONE SEASON:
11 WINS 2004 & 2007

MOST GOALS SCORED IN ONE SEASON:
64 GOALS 2004

FEWEST GOALS ALLOWED:
25 G.A. 2004

MOST SHUTOUTS IN ONE SEASON:
Mike Schmitt (7) 2007

OVERALL RECORD THORUGH 2007 season(EST 1997)
82-94-21

FC Groningen - VVV Venlo 1-0

Marcus Berg scored his 7th goal of the season which proved to be the gamewinner.

Marcus Berg scored the lone goal in the 52nd minute to defeat VVV Venlo in a sold out Euroborg. It had been 14 years since VVV made the trip to Groningen for a Eredivisie matchup. The last game resulted in a 0-3 loss but this time around, FC Groningen was the better team. VVV came to the north with high hopes after collecting 7 points out of the last 3 games and not allowing a single goal in the last two. Defensively VVV is improving but a determined Bruno Silva crossed a ball to Marcus Berg who headed it just inside the far post for the winning goal.The green and white pride did not need anymore then that to secure the victory. Next up is the match with arch rival SC Heerenveen. The game is a sell out already. with this win, FC Groningen moved from 11th to 6th(!) place.

SC Loppersum - VV Grijpskerk 1-0

The first loss of the season against a strong Loppersum team combined with a Lycurgus win means that the VV is still in first place but only 3 points ahead of the Lycurgus blue and whites. At 10-1-1, Grijpskerk has only one game to go with the current coach and will start with their new coach for the first mid season coaching change in its history. Next week's game at home against Mamio should be easy, considering they beat Mamio in the away leg 1-12 in the second game of the season.