7th November 2009
A Comfortable Win Against Towson
The Cleanest Game of the Season Adds Confidence to Hopkins
By Christopher de LaiglesiaHaving received the bid to Nationals, the boys in blue decided to prepare by having a prep game versus neighbors Towson. Ranked pretty low in the standings, it was going to be a game allowing several formations and player changes so that by Nationals, everything would have been worked out. With Mandel and Contijoch still out to injury, Roscoe severely rolling his ankle midweek and de Laiglesia out with the flu, the injury list for this fixture was particularly larger, but as always, the team had plenty of options to win the game.
The weather was great, with very little wind, and not too chilly for November. Towson, who had exactly 11 players and no subs, were definitely not going to last the two 45-minute halves. 12.15pm arrived and the game was started.
Hopkins started the team that won the week prior to U Penn, and hoped to play the soccer they managed the week before. The game as a whole was great, mostly due to the fair play demonstrated by both sides, and very few free kicks were given away. As expected, Hopkins were on top for the majority of the game.
The attack, led by Plover and Olivas, constantly threatened the goal, with Tait and Hamilton providing all around. Several chances were made, as Plover, Tait, Khan and Mieles had shots saved by the keeper. Mieles, the man of the match, was all over their left back, who was powerless to stop him time and time again, as Mieles easily went through and provided devastating crosses and shots. He got the goal that he deserved as Tait put him through against the keeper from the edge of the penalty area, and Mieles finished in the top right side of the net. Although it was promised, the "Single Ladies" celebration that was expected did not occur, even though the crowd chanted several times for this dance.
The defensive side? As sound as ever, as Ruppel commanded the back with Henry, Dunlap and Seebacher along side of him, with Edwards in the net. Sise came on to prove that center back was a role he could perform comfortably, and Yoo, that being in the planned starting eleven for Nationals was no coincidence. Fisher looked awesome in the center as Hage was terrifying on the wings. Macgriff still had a ankle injury he hadn't fully recovered from but looked as deadly as ever in his introduction. Veteran Lontoc also featured, with his touch being as good as that from his good old days.
Hopkins went into the half with the goal advantage, and went back into the second with the same intensity. It wasn't long till Plover got his 5th of the season, as Ruppel gave a beautiful long assist across the field to Plover, who made the run around his defender, then easily tucked it under the keeper. Hopkins then proceeded to make some terrible misses, some of them almost criminal, as Ruppel, Fisher and Tait all got close to increasing the lead by more.
Towson proved that they weren't completely useless, as in a chance in the area, managed to get a great shot on Edwards, who wasn't able to tip the ball above his goal and it gave the Tigers a glimmer of hope. It was rapidly crushed by the Blue Jays, as Olivas tackled to get the ball high up in the opponents half, and had a one-on-one with the keeper. Having his shot blocked, Seebacher collected the rebound from the left side and finished with his right foot into the goal. Seebacher was also a stand-out in the game, and has solidified his position in the Nationals Squad. Henry was then put on the attacking side of the field but was unable to get the goal to overtake injured Roscoe. After a few other great chances, it was game over.
Although not the greatest of performances, its great to see Hopkins getting back to their form, and with Nationals coming up in two weeks, it couldn't have been at a better time.
