NorthWood JV @ Mishawaka 3-0, pictures

Check out all the pictures (>180!)on the NWSoccerpics link.

NorthWood @ Mishawaka pictures

NorthWood @ Mishawaka 6-1 (3-0)

On a cool August day, the first controversy presented itself before the ball was even kicked. The Cavemen wore similar looking and dark colored jerseys like the Panthers and were reported to the IHSAA for not having light colored ones. In what looked to turn in to a grunt fest (Kronk's counterpart today was Mishawaka's #21) actually turned into a goal scoring fest.

FIRST HALF
It became obvious early on that NW could have their way with Mishawaka if they would work hard and pressure the Cavemen's defense. In the 9th minute a pass from Josh landed in front of Lincoln in the box. After some attempts at shots at the goal, Daniel "Edgar" Villa got a foot on the ball to score the first goal of the day.
Only three minutes later, Cesar hit a thru ball to Eddie on the ground who went one on one with the keeper. Eddie kept the ball low and hit the ropes to put the Panthers ahead 2-0. In the 16th, Cesar headed a thru ball to his little brother who took a great shot that hit the uprights. The next minute was Roman's best moment of the day. After a nice dribble up the right, Roman crossed the ball to Lincoln in the box who, in turn, heeled the ball to "Big Grunt" Kronk who finished the play to put the men in black ahead to 3-0.
In the 38th minute Eddie dribbled near the box and dropped the ball back to Cesar who took a great shot to only hit the right post. An indecisive AR had trouble with a ball going over the line and needed a pirouette to position the flag in the right direction. Apparently the AR must have been a family friend of Bobby's since he called him by his name,Patty McFatty.

SECOND HALF
Eddie got hurt seven minutes into the second half. He re-aggravated his MCL and will be re-evaluated Monday. Ryan had a great opportunity in the 50th but missed.He made up for it four minutes later with a shot from the left side of the box to the right of the goal, 4-0 (the scoreboard read 5-0 in error).
Bobby, Patrick, Jake, Trent and Michael all got significant playing time in the second half and in the 60th minute a redirected shot in the box ended up near Pancho Villa who tried a nice technical push shot over the keeper but hit the crossbar.
Mishawaka finally got the ball in the NW box and one of their players collided head to head with Kasey which was interpreted by the ref as a foul resulting in a PK. The PK was just inside the left post and unstoppable for Balogh, 4-1.
I just want to make the point that the officiating today was again below par, actually way below par, and that my opnion in no way has anything to do with the outcome. So just because we win does not mean that the officiating was any good, and it wasn't.
In the 69th, Villa passed the ball to Trent Jacobs who connected for the 5-1.In the 70th, the NW coaches tried to put together a short officiating seminar for AR Mr. McFatty, explaining when a ball is out and when it is not. But Mac flunked the test. In the 77th minute Cesar crossed the ball from the right to Lincoln. His shot found the net as did he; he got stuck in it! This goal was the final one of the contest which thus concluded shortly thereafter with the final result 6-1. The Panthers are now 2-2.

JV match
The JV played well and distributed the ball well, especially in the first half. Two goals by Dutchman Justin Frikandel and one by Sean "Grunt JR" Thompson resulted in a 3-0 win over Mishawaka. Mattern's Mighty Men are now 2-1. Kyle and Jordan combined for the clean sheet. Kyle also scored a goal that was disallowed for a foul by Tim that occured after the goal (see my notes above about horrendous refereeing).

NOTES
Next up is the game versus and at Bremen. This will be a Varsity game only. We are also working with Elkhart Central to set up another game for the JV with the Central's JV.

Directions to Baker Park Mishawaka for Saturday's game

Take the US 20 Bypass west to the Elm Road exit. Go right or North on Elm. Take a left or go West on Harrison Road and then take a right or go North on South Byrkit Avenue. Baker Park will be on your left.

NorthWood JV @ Northridge

NorthWood @ Northridge pictures

Next up

Tomorrow's game will be in and against Mishawaka. The bus will leave the AC at 8:30 am. The JV playes at 10 am and the Varsity at Noon.

The JV will try to get back on track after its 5-0 loss to Northridge. They are now 1-1-0 with 5 goals for and 5 against.

The varsity is 1-2-0 (0-1 NLC).

NorthWood @ Northridge 1-4

Northridge played a different style soccer then we have been used to in the last decade or so. Despite fielding a team with technical skill, it is also a team that resorts to less desirable tactics. Add to that a referee (at least that is what his badge said) who seemed to worry more about what was going on around the field then on it and you have almost all the ingredients of a night that has potential for disaster. Credit the NorthWood varsity for averting that disaster. It could have been a night with consequences but the only person who got send off was a spectator who offered his (and a lot of other people's) opinion on the member of the blue men group who occupied the middle.

After two miscues in the back, the Panthers were facing a 2-0 deficit before the 20th minute of the game. The Raiders added another goal to that before the half. During the halftime adjustments the coaches spoke about not getting caught up in the Raider's fans behavior but use that as positive energy.

The second half saw an energetic and hard working Panther side that did not back down from the way Northridge played. And if an occasional ball ended up in the Northridge stands, that probably was an accident.Proof of a Panther side working hard and not giving up came when Northridge scored in the 46th minute and NW returned the favor in the 47th and scored off a free kick in the right corner. Cesar's direct free kick ended up near and inside the right post.

Despite the referee's threats directed at the NW coaches, despite the way Northridge conducted themselves, we saw a NW team mature and handle itself well and play well. With good performances by all players, especially in the second half. I do have to mention the hard work rate during the entire game from Cam, Ryan, Maliq and Josh. And the rest of the team caught up with them in the second half.

A valiant effort by one member of the officiating crew to try and incite the NW players and coaches did not have the desired result but does proof the point that the level of officiating in this area is far, far below the acceptable level.

NOTES
Coach Duerksen was logically to caught up in the game last night but wanted to say "happy Birthday" to Michael!!!!

Check out the Elkhart Truth friday edition for two pictures in the sports section and etruth.com with 14 pictures of last nights game.

Frikandel & Kroket

NorthWood-Lakeland Christian Academy pictures

Check out the NWsoccerpics link for all pictures from last night's game.

NorthWood- Lakeland Christian Academy 0-1

The Panthers loose their first game of the season on a 48th minute LCA free kick. Yellows for the Salinas brothers (is there an echo in here?).

The JV did a nice job defeating the LCA JV 5-0 with goals from Tim (2), Jake, Taylor and Clay (all one goal). Kyle and Jordan combine for the clean sheet with 0 shots on goal.

Next up: NorthWood @ Northridge on Thursday 8/27 (NLC).

UPDATE! Tonight's Game- new starting times for games vs. Lakeland Christian 08/25/09

The starting times for tonight's games are listed at 4:30 pm for JV and 6:00 pm for Varsity on some schedules but the actual times are 5 pm for JV and 6:30 for Varsity.

VVV Venlo - FC Groningen 2-2 (2-2)

The outcome could have been 6-6 with all the chances both teams had. The FC still occupies 16th place and hosts PSV Eindhoven coming Sunday. The video starts with a look back at the coaches from both teams. Jan van Dijk (VVV) and Ron Jans (FC Groningen) were teammates years ago when both played for FC Groningen.

Central Noble- NorthWood pictures

Team photographer Lindy Seitz has posted the pictures from last night's contest on NorthWoodSoccerpics (under "Links" on the right of this blog).

Central Noble - NorthWood 0-2 (0-1)

Central Noble's set up was a -almost too obvious- 4-3-3 from the kick off. But the team lacked the talent to utilize the three forwards in those positions. It also became clear early on that the Cougars had worked on a quick pull up off side trap. And with NorthWood not adapting that well, it worked fairly well for the Central Noble defense for the most part.

FIRST HALF
Early in the game, Ryan Lincoln was able to circumvent the off side trap and almost surprisingly ended up in a 1v1 with the goalkeeper but Ryan's shot was stopped. A corner in the 9th minute was cleared by Central Noble but landed in front of Collin's feet. Contending for the highest kick of the night competition (I think he won), his kick ended miraculously on the crossbar and came back in the field of play. The NW trash crashers were not alert enough which resulted in a easy pick up by the GK.
In the 15th minute Eddy gained possession in the middle of the field. He directed the ball to the right flank in an effort to reach Roman. Noodle made a tape measure cross into the box where Lincoln headed the ball into the ropes, 0-1!
A throw in on the left side in the 20th minute landed in front of Conner's feet who took the ball into the box for a one on one with the goalkeeper. The shot was stopped by the keeper. Right before the half Cam took a nice shot from over 25 out that missed to the right.
Earlier in the half, Cesar received a yellow caution for a foul near the NorthWood box after losing the ball.

SECOND HALF
NW started the half opportunistic and was able to get the ball to Lincoln near the side line who drove a nice cross thru the box but the cross was missed by all. A 44th minute throw in by Cam Seitz was directed towards Conner who took a nice shot, unfortunately it went at the Goalkeeper. In the 51st, Eddie went for a ball in the box that was let go by the Cougar's defender but the referee saw it different and presented a yellow to the second Salinas on the pitch. Two minutes later the ball was dinging around the penalty area and the Central Noble keeper was way off his line when Lincoln took possession of the ball and shot a nice low shot into the goal, 0-2 NorthWood.
Josh had a nice pass from the left in the 62nd to Conner on the right. Conner took the shot but the goalie made the save that resulted in a NW corner. Apparently the Fall Blow Out Sale on yellow cards began last night since Kasey Grendys received a yellow from the man in the middle as well. Central Noble must be one of the nicest teams we will play since they were not on the receiving end of any colored card. So NorthWood ended up with a win, 2 goals, three yellows, no reds and no major injuries.

NOTES
Welcome to Baseball Head Coach Davis! He runs the clock and he runs it well. Now if we really want to get our money's worth we will have to get him to announce the goals as well.........GGGGOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!
Speaking of Head Coaches, Coach Hoover will direct the other (American) Football players tonight in his first game as head coach. The man has gotten more face time in the newspapers in the last week then the entire soccer program in the last 13 years but Good Luck nonetheless!
Luckily the rain stopped by the afternoon. Some standing water was spotted on the field and because of that the field had not been mowed before the game. Hopefully the field will be in better shape for the next game.
Speaking of that; Lakeland Christian is the next visitor to NorthWood's home soccer field. Tuesday August 25th marks the season opener for the JV at 4:30, followed by the Varsity at 6 pm.

It's a busy week next week with games on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for both Varsity & JV.
Next week -hopefully Monday- we will need some help from some players after practice to attach the "2008" to the "Sectional Champions" sign on the game field bleachers.

Despite the good weather, the turnout was fairly low, estimated at less then a 100.

Reminders

All unsold Gold cards or the money collected for the sold Gold Cards need turned in to the Athletic Office today (Thursday 8/20/9). Also, don't forget to pay the athletic transportation fee. The new Adidas Toque shorts are in. The shorts have been distributed to the Varsity, the JV players can get their new shorts as soon as they turn in their current black shorts.

Season Opener tonight!

The Panthers' Varsity squad will open their season with a 5 pm game at home versus Central Noble. Yesterday's practice was dedicated to set pieces in preparation for tonight's game. Hopefully we will be able to execute well. It looks like all players are fit for tonight as well. The JV will have a shortened practice and hopefully all of them will come out to support their team mates. The JV opens the season on August 25th against Lakeland Christian at home.

FC Groningen - NAC Breda 1-2

Koen van der Laak scored the only goal for FC Groningen in a 1-2 home loss against NAC Breda. Winless this season, the FC has only one point and sits in 16th position.

Car Wash a big succes; reminders for Monday

Today's car wash was a great succes. The weather was perfect and we washed a lot of cars. Not all pledges have been given to Coach Duerksen so that is the first reminder; bring your pledge money Monday. The tailgate tickets are due Monday as well, either bring the money or return the tickets (or a combination of the two) to Monday's practice as well. Also bring your t-shirt orders for Conner's mom on Monday. If possible make out the checks for the socks ($14.00) and the bags separate from the t-shirt orders. If you raised $40.00 in pledges your Adidas backpack or Adidas bag will be $ 20.00. So write a check for $34.00 for the backpack & socks and another check (or cash) for the t-shirt order.

Needed: Game anouncer for 2009 season

If there is a parent interested in reading off the starting lineups and playing the national anthem before each home game for Varsity and run the scoreboard (optional), please contact Coach Duerksen or Dijkstra.

Alumni game & Red-Black Game 2009

Cesar scores the lone goal in the Red-Black game

2009 Alumni Team picture





ALUMNI GAME
More alumni showed up (physically) then any other time in NW soccer history to play the "old timers game". When I "asked" all players to "get on the line" a few were taken aback and thought they must have come back for two-a-days and suggested that this was maybe a good time to just go home. But all of them stuck around and the line was merely the manner in wich the coaches were splitting up the teams. All of the alumni seemed to be in playing shape, at least for one night. A competetive game commenced which at times must have been entertaining to the crowd, judging by the comments during and after the game. Only once did the crowd boo a player when he (Duerksen) missed a scoring opportunity despite the fact that the pass from Nate "the Great" Davidhizar was behind coach.Of course the coaches Duerksen and Dijkstra's team won (for a little while they had "mistakenly" 12 players on the field). Worth repeating next year with a little change where the game will be from 6-7 pm and the Red-Back scrimmage to follow at 7:30 to allow some interaction between alumni, players and coaches.




RED-BLACK GAME
The Red-Black scrimmage started a little late. Both teams were made up of Varsity & JV players and fairly even in abilities. The scrimmage gives the coaches the opportunity to look at the players in a real game format and it also lets the coaches test the field, the scoreboard, the sound system and the lights. All of it seemed to be in working order. The game gives the players an opportunity to play in front of a crowd -and we did have a nice crowd- as well as play on their home field. The game was, all in all, a succes. The coaches realize we have very young teams and not a lot of experience yet but there is potential for sure. The goal for JV is to have a winning season. The team is very young but has a very talented sophomore & freshman class. The Varsity has a lot of starting positions to fill and it will take time to make the adjustments that are needed but hopefully we will improve to the point where we are competetive and hopefully have a shot at a fourth consecutive Sectional Crown

REMINDERS
Sock money - $ 14.00 (for two pair; one white/one black)
Shirt etc. orders due Monday
Tailgate ticktes/money due Monday
RAISE AT LEAST $40.OO PER PLAYER FOR THE CAR WASH
Car wash at LJ Wagner from 10 am - 2 pm tomorrow!!!!

Go to the NWsoccerpic link for pictures from last night.
Check out the Picture recap at the bottom of the site!

NorthWood Soccer pictures

Go to "Links" and click on "NWSoccerPics" to view all of the latest NorthWood soccer pictures. Currently you can view the pictures from the Soccer Showcase tournament but Lindy Seitz will add new pictures after each game for anyone to view. Check it out! Pictures are split up between Varsity and JV.

Roda JC - FC Groningen 1-1

Update on 2009-2010 season Important Dates

Next week will be busy for a lot of the players. Besides three (3) conditioning practices (monday/wednesday & thursday) from 9 am - 10 am (at the track), we will have the afternoon practices at 3:30 pm. The practice will last until about 5:30 pm. These times will be the same for the rest of the season.

Tuesday night (8/11) will be freshman orientation.

Wednesday night (8/12) will be the mandatory athletic meeting in the auditorium and will be followed by a short team meeting.

Thursday night (8/13) will feature the annual Red/Black game (alumni game at 6 pm; red/black at 7 pm). No afternoon practice!

On Saturday (8/15)we will have the annual car wash fundraiser.The car wash will be at LJ Wagner's and runs from 10am - 2 pm.

FC Groningen-Ajax Amsterdam 0-2

A disappointing start of the season for the FC today in Euroborg Stadium. In front of a sell out crowd it was Ajax who scored once before and once after intermission. Denmark footballer of the year and former PSV standout Rommedahl had a hand in both goals; he had the assist in the first and scored the second. FC Groningen also lost its goalkeeper in the 77th minute to a knee injury. Next up is the away game at Roda JC on 08/08/09