Orangemen Defeat Turtles in Ultra Fun Pre-Season Match

In the second friendly of the off season the Orangemen gathered with their cross-county rivals the Turtles. The game was played at the wonderful pitch at Poplar Tree Park off Stringfellow Road in Chantilly.  By the 6 pm kickoff the temperature had climbed to 59 degrees and the snow from the massive late winter “Snowquester that wasn’t” had been reduced to a few wet spots on the cinder pathways leading to the field.

At game time both squads were at full strength with the Orangemen posting one of the strongest sides they have fielded all winter.  We began the match with Gene between the sticks, Maurcio and Doug playing our two flat in the back, with each sweeper responsible for their half of the field.  Karl and Gooch starting as left and right back’s respectives, with the winter rested Ben playing central stopper.  In midfield we started with Tedd “the Ogre” on the right, Jan “The Judge and Jury” on the left, with Louis “I can fly the wings off a C-130 but seldom can find the right field” starting in central midfield.  Up top Dave N returned from the west coast and Kendall (who rejoined the Orangemen after stepping away from a few seasons) started the match sporting his newly purchased bright orange Lotto Stadio Primato. He claims his purchase of the orange shoes were to show his commitment to us and in repentance for having joined another team after we welcomed him graciously into our family a few years ago.   By the way if you are interested in a new pair of cleats you should look into these shoes.  Lotto makes a quality soccer shoe and these have kangaroo uppers with shorter cleats for hard ground, but work well on the turf.  Best part about these shoes is that they are $33 bucks.  You can’t by quality kangaroo boots for this price anywhere so here is the link to make the purchase.... Lotto Soccer Boots

We immediately settled into a passing game.  Twenty minutes into the game everybody was talking about how much fun they were having.  The game was fast paced, back and forth, with everybody joining the action and passing passing passing.  One of the best players on the Turtles was they young player controlling the central midfield they call Donovan.  At twenty minutes in, even though he is a minimum 20 years younger than most of us, he was huffing and puffing at the work he need to put in to keep us at bay. Without Donovan, the Orangemen would have posted two or more goals by halftime.

But the Turtles kept coming.  Their defense was strong.  It wasn’t until after the game that I realized, despite our possession and pressure in their third of the field, all of our attacks came from the center of the field.  In fact, I don’t think we had a crossing ball from the deep flank played in that wasn’t a corner or place kick.  Had we broadened the attack we quite possibly would have opened up the field and created even more opportunities.  

As it stood we had opportunities but since they played so well in the center, most of our shots came from distance and were easily handled by their keeper.  Our breakthrough goal came midway through the second half.  Louis collected the ball on the right and made a run across midfield.  Jan made a run from center and Louis saw him make the break.  Louis played a wonderful ball over the top, for a moment it looked like Jan would be able to touch the ball ahead of the central defender.  The defender made it first and then made a fatal error.  Instead of clearing the ball to the side he underestimated Jan’s speed and decided to take another controlling touch.  Jan got a foot in on the left, and was able to pop the ball out to the right.  He then crossed back behind the defender and struck the ball with his right foot with the mere inches of space he created.  The ball arched perfectly toward the top right corner of the net and went in.  The Orangemen were in front.  The Turtles came back at us with everything they could muster and placed pressure on our defenders who continued to come up big when it counted.

In the end the Orange held on for a 1 - nil defeat of the Turtles...and off the pitch the Referee commented that it was the best game he’s ever seen the Orangeman play.  On top of that it was one of the funnest soccer games I've participated in for many moons.  There were smiles all around, even on the Turtles faces.

Three cheers for the Orangemen.  And by the way, I am planning to get back to awarding Orangemen-Man-of-the-Match honors as we move into the spring.  For this game, despite Ben’s triumphant return and Louis’s silky smooth touches in midfield, I am giving match honor’s to Jan who seemed to be everywhere on the pitch at once and worked hard to earn a wonderful goal.

Great job on a well earned off-season victory.  Let’s see if we can turn our fortunes this season!

Mt Vernon takes Orangemen to School

One of the Orangemen's oldest rivals come from Mt Vernon.  We've always struggled with Mt Vernon as they've always produced a quality team.  Jon, their captain, a dynamic and vocal entity who demands no less total commitment and focus when his team is on the pitch.

This week we played Mt.Vernon in a friendly on our shared pitch at Bryant Alternative School.  The Orangemen looked to be short handed on Thursday evening so I invited some players from Maryland to bump up our ranks. Peter Z is building a team in Maryland and brought down some of his star players, Mark, Eric, Lionel, and himself.

At game time we had enough players, with one to spare (Alfredo) who I gave to Mt. Vernon to come up to full strength.  As a visitor Alfredo has graciously stepped over to the other side on multiple occasions, and mostly to the Orangemen's demise.  He will be transition from being a visitor and onto the Orangemen roster for the Spring Season so we will be seeing more of his all around playing skills in Orange this spring.

The first half of the game was shades of the beating we took from Mt Vernon at the start of the Winter Season.  Mt. Vernon was up 5 to nil.  Our regular defense failed to show for the game so we had to play with modifications that Mt Vernon seemed to exploit on demand.  Up top we failed to keep possession of the ball for the timeless reason that we simply failed to pass.  Since four of the five players we fielded up top belonged to Peter I will let him sort that out on his his new team.  All were quality players, but each played as an individual.  We couldn't string two passes together primarily because Pete's guys didn't have a pass in them.  Countless opportunities went wanting with the Maryland players racing up the field on their own, past their open teammates screaming for the ball.

Mooch approached Peter at halftime and told him his players all just earned themselves defensive responsibilities.  So at the start of the half, all four Maryland players were relegated to defense.  Since they possessed speed and great ball skills they were able to break up the Mt Vernon attack and play the ball forward.  The Orangemen were then able to settle into a passing game where we kept possession of the ball a lot longer than in the first half.  Also, when the ball turned over, we immediately pressed the ball causing Mt Vernon to hurry their attack, which allowed our Maryland defenders opportunities to intervene.

Soon the shots on the Mt Vernon goal began to rain down.  They seemed confused that the game had been turned around.  Karl M, switched from his defensive back position was able to make numerous runs forward.  Maurico #2 played up top and smoothly controlled the ball in their box and looked for opportunities to slot the ball home.  As the second half grew long Maurico scored two for the Orangemen and was working on a hat trick.  Only the skill and quick reflexes of the Mt Vernon keeper kept his team in the second half.  For example late in the 2nd half Karl took a pass outside and put in the cross of the century.  Mooch ran onto the ball and only had to push it straight to score the third goal.  He focused all his attention at making proper contact with his left foot.  He hit it perfectly...but just as perfectly their keeper was scrambling across the goal mouth and made an incredible lunge for the ball and was able to sweep it clear.  Few keepers would have made that save.

In the end, the second half was a far better showing of the Orangemen's abilities as we knock on the Spring/Summer season door.  Final second half score, Orangemen 2 -- Mt Vernon 2 or maybe 3.  I lost count...but it didn't matter as it was a far better showing.

Slide Tackles to Remain in Beautiful Game

Notes from the NOVA Coaches League Sportsmanship Summit

On 25 Feb, 2013 Steven J hosted the Annual NOVA Coaches League, NOVA-CL, Sportsmanship Summit for the Grey Division.  Steve is the CL manager and has been hosting this summit to bring all the managers from the League together to register for the spring season, discuss rules for the season, and to vote on any changes to the league.  

Manager’s representing sixteen of the eighteen team’s in the grey division were present.  As attendance goes, this seemed like a fabulous turnout, so Steve should be commended for how well he manages this event.

Steve started the meeting bringing up the most important item on his agenda, namely, his decision to require all teams in the league to sign Liability Waivers releasing the NOVA-CL and himself from any personal liability if anyone is injured during a league sanctioned game.  You can find a copy of the signed Team Liability Waiver on our Blog or clicking on the link.

Steve further went on to say that if the teams didn’t sign these waivers they would not compete in the league this season.  Also, in years past we have allowed many players under the age of 30 to play in our games with the approval of both managers at game time.  Specifically, we allowed for the children of team members to play with their father’s, for instance.  Going forward the League has changed this policy and will now prohibit any player under the age of 18 from playing in a League sanctioned match.

After the Team Managers signed the required waivers in order to register, they then have the option to pass the liability down to individual team members.  You will find the Orangemen Liability Waiver also posted to this blog site, or just click on the link.  My policy for the agreeing to the player liability waiver will be as follows.  If you plan to play in an Orangemen match you must click “YES” or “Maybe” on the Orangemen invite.  Agreement with the eVite is an acceptance of the liability waiver as it currently reads on this website.

This decision was not put to a vote for the team managers.  The decision was made unilaterally by the league management and cannot be negotiated.  Several points were made by Team Managers that will be addressed in subsequent seasons.  The most important point made by Dick C of the Chantilly Casuals, that the waiver should not intermingle league rules with the release of liability.  The document should not be a specification of rules.  Rules should be contained in a separate document.  Steve has promised that since this is a new policy, we will continue to review and get better with how the waivers are handled.

Steve then went over a general review of how the league works and what his responsibilities are to us as Teams and Players.  He is compensated $55/Team in the Spring/Summer and again in the Fall season.  Each team also pays $25 in the Spring/Summer to pay for the hosting of the league Website (NOVA Coaches League).  You will also find the rules for Grey Division play on this link, and I recommend that you review the rules before our first game...

As you all know, during the Winter Season, we agreed to play with no slide tackling.  There was enough positive push for the no slide tackle rule that the League Felt the teams should vote on whether or not we should continue the no slide tackle rule into the Spring/Summer season.  Steve led the managers in a discussion of the pros and cons of slide tackling and also stated up front that it would take a ⅔ majority to implement such a rule.  Discussion centered around the dangers of slide tackling for those of us growing slower in our old age.  Proponents of slide tackling argued that if safety was a concern we should also eliminate headers in the box and that the elimination of slide tackles changes the beautiful games competitive nature making it harder for us to recruit younger players into our league.  The change to the rule was put to a vote.  Seven (7) managers voted for the “no-slide tackle” rule, nine (9) managers voted against the rule, with Two (2) managers not present.  The Orangemen vote, cast by your’s truly, was to keep the slide tackle in our games.  I’m willing to discuss with any of you if you disagree with my vote this season.  All this said, at any individual games, the managers can agree to no-slide tackles and the referees will support the rule game by game.  Personally I think this is a dumb add as it will confuse everyone...are we sliding or not sliding game to game.  It will have to be pretty significant reason for me to say we will not slide during any given match...extremely cold weather being one, and horrendous field conditions being two.

The season begins in two weeks.  We have one Friendly this weekend against the Turtles.  I have decided to continue collecting dues through the Spring/Summer the way I did so during the Winter Season, that is, to collect $10 per player at each home game.

Ever the Sportsmen, the Orangemen Fall to Metros

The Vienna Metros remain the top team in the NOVA Coaches League.  Their core, team familiarity, and commitment to passing the ball are unchanged.  The only weakness in the Vienna Metros that has ever been observed is the criticism they lodge at one another when they don’t attack a 50/50 ball and let their opposition win it in the air, or when they are put under pressure and their frustration begins to show.  The Orangemen put in a valiant effort and looked good for large portions of the game.  In fact at the start of the second half the Orangemen put so much pressure on them in their third of the field the they began to criticize one another.  That does a heart good when you hear it welling up from within their ranks.  We were unable to score, which would have frustrated them even more and could have produced the type of pressure we need to create mistakes on their part.  It was not meant to be.

The game finished without a break through.  The final was Orangemen nil and the Metro’s seven.  Not as bad as the defeat we suffered at the start of December when we dropped 10 unanswered goals and the ire of Mooch descended upon the team.  This effort, despite it’s lopsided nature, was much better because we did have some great passing moments, we did create opportunities, unlike in December when the Metro’s ran through us like a pinball machine.

Some highlights from the game include a wonderful free kick from Jose, that although swung wide, was very close and very well struck.  Also, Greg Z has improved his defensive awareness considerably.  Whereas two months ago he was left in his tracks only to wonder where the ball was going next on he played perhaps his best game ever against an attacking side with literally 30 plus more years experience, per player.  He was congratulated during our pizza and beer at Bertucci’s after the match.  

Along with those congratulatory words Jim Landoll pointed out that he had successfully made it through yet another season of soccer...and has all the intention of continuing into yet one more Spring/Summer season.

One final note of positive news, as the referee gave us his pregame lecture he made it clear to me that the Orangemen are one of his favorite teams to officiate.  He said that he never has a problem with the Orangemen.  More than any other team in the League the Orangemen exhibit not only a true love of the game but the spirit of sportsmanship that should be the hallmark of a recreational league.  That sportsmanship showed up on multiple occasions as we fessed up to balls that nicked us last etc.  I was never more proud to wear Orange when the ref spoke those words.  Thank's for making it easy to manage this team Orangemen...And I’m looking forward to the start of the Spring/Summer season.

Orangemen Victorious!

Hetalia Fandom - Katsucon 19

A very cold Saturday for the 19th Annual Katsucon being hosted at the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor...where Mooch ran into Orangemen Scott R in the Dealer’s room.  Scott will return to Orangemen play when his foot fully heals.  Scott hasn’t played since the summer and whereas he has read about  our 2 flat in the back system..it will be interesting to see him play in that formation.  

At 3 pm Mooch left from the Katsucon to get to the game in Herndon as snow and sleet began falling all round...he worried that the game might be called if it didn’t let up.  By the time he reached Fairfax it was dry...but still cold and it looked that it would hover right around 34 degrees at game time. 

Let’s cut right to the chase...the Orangemen defeated the Turtles in a 3-1 victory that further defines the 2 flat in the back formation as one we should play in the future...at a minimum begin the games until we have settled in and understand what we are facing.  As we prepare to face the Vienna Metros this Saturday, this formation will be key as the Metro’s crushed us last December 9th scoring 10, unanswered goals and prompting much consternation among the team as to the Orangemen future.    The Metro’s game this weekend will be a true test of our the Orangmen Meddle and hopefully we can rally around our latest success and redeem ourselves as footballers in some small way.

Onto the game.  Our first game goal came from a spectacular move Emile made inside the goal box.  He settled the ball, side stepped a tackle and adroitly slotted the ball with the outside of his right foot to beat a sliding Jeff H, the spectacular Turtle's Keeper.  It was a magically goal which the keeper decided to call back due to his belief that Emile was in an offsides position when he first received the ball.  This was a questionable call since there were so many jammed into the goal box...but the good news is that Emile was on target.  Mooch forced Emile to take warm-up shots on goal this game...since his only problem recently has been his finishing accuracy...

Although the goal called back the Orangemen we nevertheless lifted by the attempt.  Within minutes they were putting pressure on the Turtles.  Louis, a guest player for the Orangemen who Tedd recruited off the Pentagon squad joined us for the game.  After his performance we are thinking about putting him on contract. Louis lifted the ball over the defense and Emile, using his long legs, ran onto the end of it.  The play was almost identical to his previous run.  This time he was a few yards further out, but the motions were the same.  He controlled the ball, beat the first defender, and using the outside of his right foot, slotted the ball past the same keeper sliding out of the goal again.  This time Emile was judged to be onside so the goal countered.  The Orangemen we up 1 - 0.

Play continued with the Orangemen controlling the ball and passing extremely well.  We were stringing three and four passes together before losing possession.  And most of the time we lost possession was when we played it forward for an attack. 

With two flat in the back our defense was solid.  Doug and Mauricio were running down most of the leakers, with Karl, Alfredo, and Chris B breaking up  the play before it could progress smoothly.  The Turtles #32 play a ball forward to his winger.  Chris B closed him down.  The winger tried to beat Chris on the outside and the ball rolled over the sideline.  Chris raised his hand because the ball was six inches or more over the sideline, Mooch raised his hand as well.  The the winger actually slowed his run.  #32 for the Turtles, clearly in a position to see the ball cross over the sideline, screamed for the winger to “keep going”.  I say he was in a clear position because he was forward of my position and I saw it clearly.  The referee, however was further behind the play and didn’t blow his whistle.   In fact, if anyone was paying attention, this ref rarely blows his whistle.  He is one of the better refs in the league and can always be counted on to keep control of a game.  When the ball rolls out of bounds, or over the end line, you pick the ball up and look in his direction, and he indicates which way play should continue.  He typically only blows his whistle for fouls or close calls.  Whereas I can’t speak for him in this instance, he definitely believes in the sportsmanship of the players in this league.  And aside from this instance, we saw at least 2 or 3 times during the game when a player called the ball out on himself.

This is sportsmanship and if you play with the Orangemen, I expect this to continue, we have been spectacular in this regard, almost to a fault.  This doesn't mean if you are “uncertain” but you felt the ball connected with you, but the ref is calling the play in your favor, do you need to give it up.  This means if you are “certain” you played the ball out of bounds, give it up.  Uncertainty doesn't mean you are unsportsmanlike...it means you are uncertain.  At that point let the ref make the call and back out of the controversy...either way.  Then play on, regardless of the call.  I was proud when this happened on the field.  I was disgusted that #32 fooled the ref and actually coached his teammate to play on.  The League Sportsmanship Summit is next week, and whereas I will not bring up this specific incident, I will be bringing up this type of behavior.  And not so much that individual acts of deception may be a part of the game, outright dishonesty leads directly to confrontation and fights on the field.  That is what has to be avoided.

What happened after the bad call is that the Turtles got the ball into the box and after what looked like field justice, the ball bounced off the post, twice and then Kendall (a former Orangeman) was able to get a head on it and put it away. That goal tied us up 1 a piece at the half.  This was particularly frustrating because we were playing so well.  Maurico must have observed the disgust on my face during half-time  because I was feeling in my bones we could win this match but had been victimized by a bad call once and then flagrant cheating.   Mauricio approached me and said, we can still win this game.  And you know what?  He was right.  And then when I saw the Turtle's #1 keeper Jeff H) take up a field position to start the 2nd half, I knew we had an even better chance.  We had the right side, the right system and the right energy.

We continued our possession play and it seemed like a matter of time before we would convert.  Several opportunities presented and went wanting...including Emile shooting wide on an guaranteed goal.  Now it looks like I will not let Emile rest at half-time...instead he will be using the half-time to take more shots on goal...I say this but Emile is play wonderfully, dishing out a ton of energy and making countless runs forward.  It will not take him long to be our leading striker and perhaps in a few years, the Orangmen's all time leading scorer.  Based on the opportunities he creates, 6,7,8 a game his score tally will sky rocket soon.  

We didn’t have to wait long after this to  go ahead.  With Tedd and Louis commanding the midfield we attacked from the right.  The ball was played into Mooch when he was standing with space at the top of the penalty area.  Mooch turned on the ball and the defense collapsed behind him to block the sure shot that was coming in.  Instead Mooch played a diagonal across the top of the box to an on running Chuck from the left.  The right full back had left his position to protect the back of the goal leaving acres for space for Chuck to work with.  Mooch expected Chuck to blast the ball past the keeper, but instead he took a step to the right as the keeper went to ground.  Mooch thought it was a mistake as it gave the defense a chance to close him quickly, but Chuck remained composed, didn’t panic, and finished the ball straight into the net before the defense arrived.  A classy goal and Chuck’s second classy goal in as many games.

Our third and final goal came from our new player Louis.  Louis seem ansty to shoot most of the game...and kept his head up looking for opportunities when he was near the box.  Late in the second half he lifted his head, observed that he had yards of space outside the right side of the penalty area.  He played the ball to his left, ran onto it, and struck a hard bending ball with ihs left foot into the top right corner of the net.  He was 3 or 4 yards outside the penalty area when he connected...and the ball stayed flat as he hit it very hard.  We seldom see as quality of a strike at that on in our Grey Division.   So Louis just increased the money we will offer him...as of yet I today I haven’t heard from his agent...

All in all it was a terrific match...and the Orangemen should take great pride in this match.  It shows we deserve to play in the over thirty division...even though our team average age is well into the forties these days....closer to the fifty side  of it.

Orangemen Win 3 - Nil, In Second Half!

On another cold winter afternoon, despite what that Groundhog had to say about it last week, the Orangemen faced temperatures in the mid thirties to meet Braddock Road on their turf, in Oakton Virginia.  Taking the two halves on aggregate, the Orangemen came up a goal short losing to Braddock 3 - 4, however it’s worth noting for the record that despite being down  0 - 4 at halftime, the Orangemen rallied back in the second half to score 3 unanswered goals.  It’s reasonable to point out that despite their domination in the second half, the performance in the first half wasn’t without merit.  The Orangemen were passing and controlling most of the  play, the goals that Braddock scored were the result of momentary breakdowns in defense that were corrected during the second half.  Doug was back from a long winter break to lead the defense and it was his suggestion at the half to try our 2 flat in the back that Mooch recommended during the fall season.  The results speak for themselves.  The defense comprised of Doug and Maurico #2 in the two flat position, with Karl, Greg, Gooch (and Kurt) forming the stopping defense in from of them proved to be a formidable formation...zero, nil, zip, nada, zilch goals were scored against this formation.  The other 5 field players were taking care of business at the other end of the field.  With five players staying at home on defense, that means the other five have to essentially run end to end.  Jan and Tedd proved more than capable of running end to end for most of the game, their fitness was apparent.  That left a combination of Maurico #1 and Floppy G, to play in the sole striking roll, with Mooch and Chuck, playing in the attacking midfield role from the flanks...Jim L made a short appearance in the first half but left shortly thereafter.

With Tedd controlling play in the midfield and with Jan running down balls and breaking up plays we enjoyed a huge amount of possession during the second half, I would personally estimate our possession at around 70%, I would say a record in the modern Orangemen era.  

The first goal came as a result of Jan winning a goal kick bringing the ball straight back into the right side of the box.   As the shot came it and was blocked out and then deflected into the air and landed, with a bit of luck, right at the top of the box.  As the defense had flooded to the right, the entire left side of the box was open, including the goal.  Mooch was standing right where the ball landed, and he sized up the bounce for a volley into the left side of the net.  He attempted hit the ball with his laces but ended up coming across the top of the ball striking it with the inside of his angle.  The result was a weak shot that leisurely carried in the direction of the open left side of the goal. The ball slowly dropped, bounced once, and carried into the net.  It opened the scoring for the 2nd half.

Braddock would continuously try to move the ball out of their end, but the Orangemen were winning it in the air and bringing it right back across the half line.   On one such occasion Gooch came forward into space into the center of the field having won the ball.  He had options left and right.  Mooch who was screaming for Gooch to deliver it left gave up hope because he saw Gooch staring to the right, never making eye contact with him.  Mooch returned to his heels believing Gooch had missed the golden opportunity, just when Gooch played the ball forward into space ahead of him.  Gooch had faked out everyone on the field with his eye movements.  Suddenly Mooch had to accelerate after the ball to catch it.  Knowing the defense was faster than him his opportunity to control the ball and make a run at the goal had passed, but if he could beat the defender to the ball he could still get a cross in.  He arrived a split second before the defender and struck a perfectly weighted pass on the diagonal across the box.  It stayed on the ground and carried behind the last defenders outreached boot, but ahead of the keeper's grasp.  Maurico #1 was a streak of orange arriving in perfect time as the ball cleared the last defender,  but still within the sticks.  If he had any forward connection on the ball it was a certain goal.  Mooch could see the concentration on Mauricio's face as he connected perfectly with the ball, playing it straight forward into the net, the keeper didn’t have chance to react.  Goal number 2 was as sweet as they get.

Braddock Road was frustrated.  They knew they were being outplayed and couldn’t account for it given their success in the first half.  Phrases like, “we can’t let them do this to us in our house”, were heard coming from the lips of some of their frustrated players.  It was good to issue a little humiliation of our own given some of the recent outcomes of games played in our own house.    But the Orangemen were not finished.  We pressed forward keeping the ball in their end.  At one point we had five corner kicks is a very short period of time.  We had numerous shots on goal coming over and over again...a final breakthrough was in the air.  

Chuck, who had a marvelous opportunity go wanting a few moments earlier found himself at the top of the box calling for the ball.  Tedd played the ball into him.  The defense surged around him.  He turned on the ball to his right and created enough space to take a shot.  As he spun he kicked the ball with his left foot and curled it up and hard toward the center of the goal.  It appeared the keeper had it covered and jumped with both hands extended.  The curl Chuck put on the ball carried it above the keeper’s outstretched mitts and it sunk behind his hands and dropped below the crossbar for goal number three.

Alas, although with valiant effort, the Orangemen could not find the forth and equalizing goal before time ran out.  Another five minutes and they would have.  Regardless, the Orangemen should be proud of dominating the second half, and winning, that portion of the game outright.  Is was a tremendous showing.  It also proves that  two flat in the back is a winning defense when played correctly.

Forgot a special mention to Alfredo who played the entire game with Braddock against us so they wouldn't have to play a man down at the start of the game.  Thanks Alfredo for stepping up into the opposing role...you had a great game coming at us...had you only finished one or two of the opportunities...you might have damaged us in the second half...

Orangemen vs Springfield in Fairy Tale Snow

Weather threatened the Orangemen game with Springfield 74 all week.  Last weeks game was cancelled due to snow and we were worried the same fate would befall us this week.  On Wednesday we were experiencing 70 degrees temperatures but by Thursday the most amazing transition occurred with warmer air out of the tropics colliding with arctic air out of Canada right in the midsection of the country.  The result was tornadoes in January and snow.  The temperature plummeted into the 20’s we awoke to a snow squall on Friday morning.  Friday evening the snow flurries resumed but not enough accumulated to cover the turf field and force us to cancel the match.  But as the temperatures started in the teens on Saturday morning, the warmest temperature we would see by match time was about 25 degrees.  If snow didn’t cancel the game we were afraid players would simply fail to materialize for the match.  By game time we were up to 8 v 8 with an agreement to share the remaining players as they arrived even it that would mean playing 12 v 12 to keep people from standing on the sidelines.

The Orangemen didn’t make it to 11 so we needed one player from Springfield.  Rob, their manager, came over to our side to lend us a hand.  In the second half we did play 12 v 12 and Alex, the Springfield sweeper, graced us on our side of the field.  After defending well and keeping us to a single goa.

Orangemen drew first blood in a comical fashion.  The shot on goal was nothing special but came early so it startled the keeper who retreated backward onto his line and then stumbled.  As he fell backward the ball swerved to the right on it’s flight and carried past the keeper as he scrambled to his feet.  A first goal was a good sign.

Springfield quickly recovered and mounted several counter attacks.  It seemed that most of the Springfield players are very fast.  Rob, had several attempts on goal but failed to stretch the net for us as he was visiting us from Springfield as an honorary Orangeman.  At halftime the score was 3 to 1.  Orangemen had given ground but it was insurmountable.

At the start of the second half more player had arrived so we agreed to play 12 v 12 so only one player, for Springfield, needed to stand-off in the cold.  Springfield knew what to do with the additional player and was able to pass through us repeatedly and scored a few more times taking the game seemingly out of reach for Orange.  We were down by 5 goals when the first snow began to really fall.

As the snow picked up and the flakes grew larger it was actually hard to breath. If you inhaled one it was like sucking in a giant bug.  But it was beautiful and as the large flakes drifted down against the backdrop of the lights surrounding the field, it looked like we were playing in a fairytale.  Although the temperature was in the twenties there was no place everyone on the field would rather be.  After a goal kick the Orangemen won the ball back and it was played immediately forward to Mooch who turned on it about 25 yards out.  Alex made a run to the left and Jan made a run to the right both drawing defenders away from the center.  Mooch found himself with space and played it forward about five yards.  He ran onto it as he considering a pass to Alex or Jan.  The defense had not yet collapsed on him anticipating a through ball to hit one of the real threats on the field.  Mooch looked up and knew he had enough space to shoot, so he lowered his head and hit the ball in stride with his left foot.  The snow put enough wetness on the ball so it was slick but not heavy.  Striking a slick ball always makes it easier to connect with it in a way where the ball leaves the foot true...and it left Mooch’s foot true.  It was a fairytale strike from about 20 yards out.  It arched above the first defender and traveled high into the upper left corner of the net outside the extended hands of the keeper. The Orangemen had picked up their second goal of the night.

Andres pressured hard all game and was finally rewarded for his energy.  A cross came in and beat the keeper who dove to grab the ball. , Andres charged in and was able to get a touch on the ball and was able to keep it from the keeper’s grasp.  A scramble ensued but Andres kept his cool and was able to poke the ball into the net for our third goal.

Final score -- 6 to 3.  Although we lost it was a wonderful game, full of passing with plenty of opportunity.  We celebrated in normal fashion after the game at Bertucci’s for Pizza and Sam Adams.