Big Games Monday

[DrewVT6]

There were several big games Monday afternoon and evening in Section V, probably the biggest being the "Catholic Clash" between Aquinas and McQuaid.

McQuaid got revenge for their loss just Saturday by defeating AQ 2-0 on goals by Prescod and Stephen Baker (two of the best players in Section V).

Athena, Fairport and Brockport all got wins in AA.

While Freddie Thomas continued to roll against their competition with the help of the Figueroa brothers. They're 4-0 and have defeated several decent teams. They have a small roster, but perhaps their early success can carry them through some late season injuries?

Wheatland Chili got a big 3-2 win in the GR over Holley.

Pal-Mac reminded people that as long as they have at least part of the "Turkish Connection" they're going to cause problems for Finger Lakes opponents.

The second Lamont Super 7 Poll of the season is up on the Section V website: http://www.sectionvsoccer.org/Super7Polls.asp

Thomas and McQuaid are 1,2 in AA
AQ and Victor in A
Hornell and NR-W in B
Red Creek and Wheatland Chili in C
Alfred-Almond and Filmore in D

[Rams15]

Bath ( 4-0 ) travels to HFL ( 2-1 ) tonight in their first real test. Bath has shut out all four opponents but I am willing to guess that the combined won-loss record of Arkport, Campbell-Savona, Watkins Glen, and Marcus Whitman is well below .500. HFL, on the other hand has played FM, CNS, and Webster S. The HFL/Bath series is always one of fierce competition and today should be no different.

[Rams15]

HFL put a dent in Bath's unblemished record defeating them at HFL this evening, 1-0. The game was a scoreless tie at halftime with each team having reasonable scoring opportunities throughout the first half of play.

HFL peppered Bath's goalie with numerous scoring chances during the first 20 minutes of play to start the second half. HFL finally scored on a re-directed header with traffic in the box at about the 62 minute mark. Bath was clearly outplayed and gassed in the 2nd half. The only real shots on goal for Bath in the 2nd half were a couple of direct kick opportunities. HFL continued its onslaught on Bath's goal throughout the 2nd half.

Play was extremely physical with Bath receiving two yellow cards and HFL three. Personally, I thought that HFL was permitted numerous leeway to grab, push, and hold. However, that is probably a biased opinion from my end ! One young man from HFL ( he will remain nameless ) was extrmeley aggressive to the point that he tallied 2 yellow cards and could have easily been thrown out for kneeing a Bath player as time was stopped. However, this aggressive play clearly took Bath out of their game and created a very dominant performance for HFL; particularly in the 2nd half.

Bath drops to 4-1 and HFL moves to 3-1-1, I believe. Should be an interesting re-match in Bath in a few weeks time.

[DrewVT6]

If you get two yellow cards, you are automatically shown a red card and removed from the game. Did you mean to say, he almost tallied 2 yellow cards with the kneeing incident?

I was thinking about driving over to the game in between rain storms. I guess I should have made the trip.

[Rams15]

Well let's see. The HFL player was issued one yellow card. ( he has a wonderfully expressive vocabulary ) Then ( later ) he and a Bath player were escorted to the side line by one official and both sat out 3-4 minutes before half time. It appeared that the official ordered the two players/coaches to have both players sit down and " cool off." ( my interpretation ? ) I do not believe that either was given a card at that time. At least one was not pulled out. Later in the 2nd half, the forementioned player ( from my vantage point ) appeared to be given another yellow. I did not see a red card flashed, but I don't recall him returning to the game either near the end. My notation of cards was to try and emphasize the intensity of the contest and the physical play of both teams.

We will see if Bath can rebound from what was not one of their premier performances. I would like to see them play with more heart when they get down. This was a first for them this year ( being behind ) and I think they " dropped their heads " for a large portion of the 2nd half and it took them too much time to recoup their energy and will. This is a great learning experience and hopefully will make them even stronger. We shall see...

[soccerball]

I saw the "un-named player" play last night in the Mendon game and get one yellow card and almost get a second earlier in the game. He seems to play the game like a time bomb...ready to explode and earn his yellow card at any moment.