Travelers (4) vs HO Penn/HS United (0)

June 13th, 2007 - LP Wilson, Windsor, CT

OUR 1st shutout of the season goes to RICK! Well deserved since he's the most capped player on the team, have been serving the Travelers Soccer team for more than 15 years. Not to take anything away from Rick, his most dangerous shots were our pass backs. That goes to show you how much we have grown into a better team. The first time we met this team we held on for a 3-2 win.

If you noticed in the first half they were kicking and chasing, and they barely got past half field. In the second half, once they calmed down and started passing they actually held possession in our half a little. I hope we can all realize that we do that too. When we kick and run we can't create scoring chances. When we pass and posses the ball we create chances. Like my first goal of the season! I CRUSHED it in, just kidding. Seriously, what was beautiful about my goal, certainly not the shot, was we had the kick off and held possession, at least 8 guys were involved with passing it around and through their defense. They never had a chance to touch the ball. It was finally crossed into the middle for me to neatly and strategically place it in the far corner with enough velocity that the goalie couldn't get to it. TRUE they started with only 8 players to our 11 but the point is we passed and played keep away with them, we controlled the game for the whole 1st half, even after their other players showed up to even it out at 11-a-side.

It was great to get one right before the half time whistle too. Me again! But this time it was one of those garbage goals. A shot from Kalee that the goalie bobbled and I was there to clean up. That's what we need to do though is take advantage of the other teams mistakes. What if it was a playoff game and we won 1-0 with a garbage goal - who cares we scored we advance end of story. In a game like this it's tough to keep composure because everyone wants to score a goal, but as I mentioned with my first goal, and the majority of the game the whole team touched the ball, we held on to it and then who scores doesn't really matter, this is a team effort and game. Like when LT ran for 28 TD in 2006, he didn't do it alone, he used his fullback to lead the way and of course his offensive linemen.

The second half was a lot like the 1st, we controlled and they didn't. They did play a little better but we kept our form and created more chances. Patrick slipped one by the keeper, and missed a few others too. We set up some good chances, their goalie made some good saves too. Derek had some effect in the last goal. If he actually touched it in, I don't think so, but without his hustle and determination their goalie and/or defender would have been able to clear the ball out of danger. We started to have fun in the 2nd half too, you could hear the oohs and aahs from the bench.

I haven't kept track of how many games we get fans to come and join in on the fun, but I promised Nolan I'd give his dog a shout out. What up Trixi! The first thing it did when it got there was pee on the new uniforms. That's why they were all wet and I told everyone that they were damp from me washing them - LOL

Record:
3 - Win
2 - Lose
2 - Tie

Goals:
2 - Marco DeMarco
1 - Patrick Nevins
1 - Derek Cedar

Goals to date:
5 - Patrick Nevins (1 pk)
2 - Brian Zehnder (1 pk)
2 - Gordon Hines (1 pk)
2 - Kalee Moore
2 - Marco DeMarco
2 - Derek Cedar