6th September 2009
First Game, First Win
The club team beat U Delaware 3-1 to start the season on a strong note
By Chris de LaiglesiaWith pre-season and close-to daily training as a unit, the club team had plenty to prove this season on the field. Yes, they have the sickest parties, and personalities of gentlemen, but nothing was seen on the soccer side of it all. This would essentially be the first hurdle of the season.
Kickoff was at 11am on the JHU practice field. It was a warm day with no wind, and possibly a hint of humidity, making it a great day for soccer. With the crowd chanting and singing their hearts out, it was difficult to even communicate on the field. After the opening ceremony and events (fireworks, parade, and Papo Mieles' one man show) we were off.
The game certainly had a fast tempo to it, with both sides pressurizing on both ends. U Delaware started off strong, getting two corners in the first five minutes but it wasn't long until Hopkins broke through. Macgriff pressured the defense and won the ball on the edge of the area, gave the ball to de Laiglesia, who beat a man on his left then slotted it through the keepers' legs for 1-0. Hopkins continued to keep up the attacking up top, with Tait and Ruppel providing options from behind, while Khan and Mandel gave options on either side, which then, inevitably, led to the second goal. Ruppel gave the ball to Macgriff, who lofts the ball onto the right side of the area, over the defensive line. Ruppel then brings the ball down and chips it over the keeper to the other side, into the goal. The attacking continued throughout but Hopkins were not able to get a goal in the half.
On the other end, the defense were staying strong, as Edwards kept a clean sheet over the half. Dunlap and Hamilton were sound in the center, with Henry and Contijoch preventing too much from happening from the wings. U Delaware were creating chances, and hit the post late in the half, but the defensive unit proved to be too difficult to break down.
Depth was not a problem for Hopkins, as Balfour and Plover terrorized the defense in their introductions (a debut game for both players). Wyatt Roscoe was solid, and was invaluable in attack, and Johnson contributed to the defensive side of the team.
In the second half, freshman Jack Morgan was brought in to play in goal for the half and was solid all around. The tempo had certainly slowed down, but U Delaware were not looking to lose the game. They managed to get a goal early on, due to the defense not clearing the ball completely, their striker had a chance from 5 yards, which he then converted. A penalty was then given to Delaware, whose captain managed to kick over the goal, and left Hopkins with some breathing room. However, minutes later, there was another challenge in the area, which may have been a penalty, but the pleas were denied by the official. Hopkins were under heavy pressure and the defense were dealing with it marvelously as the attack tried to find an opening. Then, later in the second half, Plover took the ball down the wing, and with great strength and effort, managed to give a low cross to Balfour who one-timed it with his left foot into the bottom right essentially ending the game. Hamilton also had a great chance late in the game that was cleared off the line. The whistle was then blown and the game ended 3-1.
Although it is still early to tell how the team will fair this season, this is a great start for any team.
