Trying out a "new" hotel didn't work out too bad despite the fact that the soap was about the size of two quarters and crumbled quickly. And it seemed like the hotel swallowed wallets. The trip down to Anderson was a hot one due to the combination of no working AC on bus #3 and 95+ degree weather on Saturday. Fortunately the trip back home was cooler and thus more enjoyable.
But we went to play soccer and that is exactly what we did the first half against Perry Meridian (5A). But when the final whistle blew it became evident that they adjusted well to our first half play. Perry Meridian scored three unanswered goals in a 12 minute period early in the second half to put us away for good. At least we came away with the knowledge that we can do better by looking back at our first half.
For the evening's entertainment, the team selected to go watch "Inception" which turned out to be a great choice.
After a good night's rest the team embarked on day 2. In the morning game we faced Merrillville (5A). With a lack of energy and work rate, we got behind 2-0 due to a couple of miscues and were never able to recover. We probably deserved a PK in the first half but were denied.
Between games the team "carbed up" at Fazoli's (with the exception of the lovely Josh & Eddie who chose an Olive Garden backdrop for their short romantic getaway). Coach Duerksen addressed the workrate -or lack thereof in the first game- and promised a better result against Chesterton (5A as well) if we would work for each other. And that seemed to be the medicin the patient needed. An inspired Trent Jacobs took the ball to distribute and peppered a nice shot for our first goal of the tournament (to quote Trent "Coach, I scored standing up!"). After we gave up the ball on our offensive third, Chesterton came at us by two direct passes on the opposite side of the field from which they scored past last defender Clay Seitz. But shortly after the tying goal, Conner Beckwith got the ball on the left side and with composure and a great move, rocketed a nice shot into the net, 2-1! Josh Ailes played very well and showed a lot of offensive drive with several nice shots. He seems to have recovered completely from ACL surgery. Eddie got his first assist, Noodle played solid. Our midfield did a nice job keeping the gap between offense and defensive to a minimum and our bench did a nice job as well. Kyle had his best game of the tourney and Lincoln and Jake are showing signs of getting closer to the form they want be in as the season starts. All in all, the entire team had a nice game against Chesterton. Certainly something to build on.
It is now important to keep working this week on conditioning so as not to lose any of it by next Monday (Aug. 2) when two-a-days start. The tourney showed us that we have some promise and it also showed us that we have things to work on. No doubt, however, that everyone improved as we played more. After 4 games in the pre-season we are 2-2.
NOTES:
Tell/text your team mates to check the blog, we will post pertinent information here.
Next week we will start two-a-days, times are as follows: 9am - 11am & 1pm- 3 pm, all practices are at the High School practice field on the north side of the school.
We will have an exchange student come out for soccer this year. His name is Tomas and he is from the Czech Republic. Hopefully he will be able to help out the team, make him feel welcome!
Stay or get in shape this week! Two-a-days- will be tough this year.
I will post the information on the car wash and Red/Black game in hte next few days.
Everyone has to have their physicals completed and turned in to either the Athletic Office (open 8am - noon this week)or Coach Duerksen prior to the first practice.
Clay and Kyle will be at the Bethel Soccer Camp this week.
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