Coach's Corner - Men's Soccer - Week #2 Update
SEPTEMBER 19: UNB HOSTS DALHOUSIE
It was a rematch of last year’s AUS Championship game and what a difference a year makes! Or not. Just like their last match-up in November, this game proved to be a tight defensive effort played in windy conditions. And again, there was not much in the difference between to two teams.
Dalhousie started the game with the stiff breeze at their backs. The Tigers looked to get behind the UNB backline while the Reds focused on weathering the storm. When the teams switched ends at the half, the roles were reversed.
The V-Reds had to make some changes going into the week-end to their personal and their formation due to some injuries. At times, Dalhousie had a slight edge in the middle of the field, but the Reds backline (Ashley Crook, Karel Prickett, Rod Ramsden, Ben Law) and keeper (Matt Lally) never were in danger of conceding on the day.
The V-Reds showed at times that they were capable of advancing the ball, but too many times lacked the composure to create any good chances at goal.
FINAL SCORE: UNB – 0, DALHOUSIE – 0
UNB PLAYER OF THE GAME: ASHLEY CROOK
UNB IRVING HARD HAT WINNERS: BEN LAW & GALEN SMITH
SEPTEMBER 20: UNB HOSTS SMU
Again on this day, the wind played a factor on the game. Again UNB defended against it first half and attacked with it in the second. The game was the tight hard fought battle, with a bit of nastiness, that one would expect from these two teams. Amir Razak continued his fine play as he beat SMU defenders or drew fouls. At the 19th minute, it was off of one of the resulting free kicks, that Ken Morrison curled a ball into the box and Razak flicked it past the SMU keeper and into the corner of the goal. A few minutes later, team leader, Ken Morrison, was on the receiving end of a vicious tackle and had to come out of the game. The Reds stayed focused and Keagan Marcus stepped in nicely for Morrison to finish off the half.
The second half saw the Reds for the most part continue to lack composure and creativity in the attack. There were occasional signs of what they are capable of. Two nice full-field build-ups led to rookie winger Shea Nordheim getting behind the SMU defence but the Reds would not get another goal on this day.
SMU pressed hard in the final ten minutes and almost capitalized on some lacklustre play by UNB. Matt Lally secured the win and the shut-out with three huge saves over the final minutes.
FINAL SCORE: UNB – 1, SMU – 0
UNB PLAYER OF THE GAME: MATT LALLY
UNB IRVING HARD HAT WINNERS: ROD RAMSDEN, KEN MORRISON
COACH’S COMMENTS:
I am relatively pleased with how we have played defensively up to this point. As some of the injured players return and we get a more consistent line-up on the field then we will look better in the attack.
ALUMNI WEEK-END
This past week-end saw over 30 alumni take part in the UNB Soccer Alumni Week-End. The Alumni Games were spirited affairs with many spectacular goals(small field, large goals, suspect goal-keeping).
Saturday’s Varsity Reds – Dalhousie Tigers game was the first annual Memorial Game. We were honoured to have Pierrette, Tracey, and Keith Harding on hand as we recognized Dave Harding and his contribution to UNB soccer. The Harding Family also presented the first Annual UNB Soccer Memorial Award to team captain, Ken Morrison.
Close to a hundred people attended the Generations Reception after Saturday’s game where the old players got to welcome the new players to the UNB Soccer Family.
UPCOMING
SEPTEMBER 26: UNB AT CBU
SEPTEMBER 27: UNB AT STFX