Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Mount St. Joseph game

MSJ are a dramatically improved team over the one we first scrimmaged 2 years ago and beat 3-0 at home last year. They play a true 3-4-3, keeping 3 fronts up at all times and setting a high line with the backs. They are sure to take points from good teams this year.

We began without Alex Ferreira (knee) and played a back four (r-l)ofTaye/Mbaya/Nsoesie/
Kabeya; midfield was Elko/Jones/Carroll/Strika; Yusuf/Buitrago front. We had a goal called back early (good call) on a break from Evan and Ameer as the pace of the game was very fast and play was intense. Scoreless at the half---no edge either way.

In the second half we lost Frank Mbaya to a concussion after a collision in the 65th minute. We had to move Tamru to the center and Corey Campbell to right back, giving us maybe our 8th different back four of the season so far. Game now getting really intense as they get some pressure on us. In the 86th minute we get a free kick in the front half which Dave Jones skip heads to Ameer who finishes from close in. Last minutes nervy but they get no real chances. Chris Marshall solid in goal. Guys really pumped to win a late one on the road.

We head to Transy on Wednesday with many injury issues and a thin squad getting thinner but the character we showed here was notable and we must build on it. MSJ was 1-1 in conference coming in and felt they have a chance to get to the postseason tourney just like we do. It was a big home weekend for them (home football, women's soccer before our game--EC won 2-0). Conference will be close: Bluffton (1-0 win for us) who were 0-11 coming in beat Anderson (0-3 loss) 1-0 and Defiance beat Franklin 3-1 at Franklin. We stand 4th but it's way early.


Funny Story: Frank Mbaya is being checked out by the MSJ trainer after the collision and she comes to me saying "He's in bad shape, he doesn't know his name, he keeps saying it's Kumba".
Which, as we know, is correct: Yamukumba Frank Mbaya.

Looking forward to a postgame tailgate in Lexington organized by Paula Hollis.

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