Wednesday's rematch with Lebanon started on an unusually warm, bright and sunny day. This would
play a role we soon found out. The players were there, but something
seemed off. There was strong individual play, but there were miscues
and a sense of the team not being there. These remarks wouldn't be made if
we knew the team was not capable of more. This team is capable, though.
There was some moments of hope in the first half. Theo Sparks was doing good
work in the middle moving to width as well using the fullbacks. Daniel
Felde and Tenzing Rumrill were creating some long balls down the side line.
Daniel Felde also had a notable run down the line where he beat the
defender cut inside and placed a slick little chip off the outside of
his foot. It was on frame, but the keeper got in time. The threats
continued down both sides Lebanon forced to kick the ball out. There
was a wonderful ball served by Gabe Loud to Ian Surat-Mosher
Alas, Lebanon was no pushover, They were fit and organized. They
challenged for the ball and capitilized on mistakes. This was no more
evident in the first 15 minutes when the defense got caught off guard
with the sun in their eyes, and Lebanon broke through for the goal. The
pressure would be felt by Hanover a number of times with corners and
near misses on goal. Though both sides were attacking, it still
remained only 1-0 at half-time
At the break, the seniors acknowledged their lack of intensity and
seemed to come out with more focus, and composure. It started with the
defense. The hustle from Dan Wilson and Dimitri Somoff, Calm leadership
from Avery Wallis, and fearlessness from Wilson Rimberg resulting in some
critical defensive headers and some collisions reminiscent of last year.
Andrew Enelow was solid as ever with ever steady hands and courageous
well timed charges from the goal line.
The defensive work allowed the midfield to get into the game. The
midfielders started winning challenges, communicating, and connecting
passes with good work from everyone including Aidan Connolly and Liam Abbate.
Then, with about 15 minutes to go the ten seniors and one freshman went
from being 11 individuals working hard to a team of players who have
been playing together all season or in some cases the past four years.
It was just in time as well. With less than 10 minutes left Harry
Olszewski collected a pass from the defense where he then astutely played
it forward to Sam Lutz, and with his magic left boot put the ball to
save the honor of what could be the Senior Reserves' last home game.
An overtime was agreed upon. Though no goals were scored it proved
that the Reserve team has the capacity to play really good soccer. The
chances really started to come. This unity culminated in what be called
the play of the day Tenzing Rumrill made a spot on throw to Gabe Loud, who turned
and played an arching cross with Sam Lutz running near post and Daniel Felde driving
toward toward the far post to arrive at the goal just in time to meet
for a header that just went over. Even though it was not a goal, it was
a beautiful demonstration of passing and movement. Now we just need
that for 80 minutes.
Next up for the Reserves is an away game Wednesday at Kimball Union.
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