Chicago Trip with IC vs Heartland and IC vs Waubonsee

Just got back from Chicago and thought I would catch up with both games on MVOTP.  It took us a little over 6 hours to get there on Saturday and we arrived about 45 minutes before game time.  The weather was perfect and there were quite a few IC parents attending.  The girls played well for their first real game of the season.  They were upbeat and communicating well on the field but from "my view of the pitch" there were several players that were unsure exactly what their role was in both the offensive and defensive formations.  Fortunately that is a problem that solves itself with game experience and team trust.  The defensive unit and GK were very solid and certainly earned the shutout.  The offense had some problems connecting in the final third and missed a couple of opportunities finishing shots for goals.  Regulation time ended 0-0.  There was a bit of confusion with the officiating crew on how to end the game and after a brief consultation with the rule book they played 2 ten minute overtime periods.  We didn't find out if it was "Golden Goal" because neither team scored in overtime.  It was declared a Draw and thankfully no shootout. A shootout is a cruel way to end a game when both teams have played their hearts out for 120 minutes. Madeline started and played reasonably well, she needs to work on her fitness and the quality of her passes, but it is easy to see her improvement. 

Here is what the coach wrote about the Heartland game on the Facebook page:

"We tied Heartland today 0-0. Delighted to get the shutout after last year's start. Looked pretty good all-round, just needed a little composure and finding the right pass and movement in final third. Great job defensively. Curry and Walgren players of the game. Waubonsee tomorrow. Hopefully get out first W there."

Sunday's game began a little ragged with several missed assignments and communications from the start and went quickly downhill with a lucky goal for Waubonsee 4 minutes into the game.  Iowa Central appeared to settle down in the next 15-20 minutes but really never got into the groove.  They went 2-0 when Waubonsee scored on a solid attack.  IC got one back with a team goal that had great ball movement and several connecting passes in the final third and the first half ended 2-1.  In the second half the IC defense was tested with many scoring attacks.  Waubonsee's forwards and midfielders had the defense on their heels the second half with their demonstration of ball movement, possession and off the ball movement of players.  We were lucky for them to only score 1 additional goal in the second half.  We had a couple of good scoring opportunities but the finishes lacked the quality to put anything in the net and on the scoreboard.  IC got a goal back in the last 10 minutes off a corner kick and a own goal by Waubonsee and it ended with a 3-2 loss.  Madeline started but appeared to be playing a little tentatively, she had great hustle on the defensive side of the ball but was having difficulty with her touch and connecting passes.  Here is what the coach wrote about the game:

"First 'W' will have to wait. Lost 2-3 in a game fraught with mistakes, poor decisions, and poor execution. Some may blame the heat, tired legs, or whatever. Sad truth is we let one slip away. Need to get better all around from the players thru the coaching staff. Thxs to the supporters who traveled out there, much appreciated!!"

Just realized that I was going to try to put a picture on the here, but forgot the camera in our haste to get to Chicago.  I will study up and learn how to do it.  In the meantime I will add the links to the articles that one of the assistant coach writes about the games, the first link is to the Midland Lutheran scrimmage:  http://www.iowacentral.edu/athletics/womens_soccer/soccer_news/2010/8-23-10.asp

The second link is to the Wartburg scrimmage:
 http://www.iowacentral.edu/athletics/womens_soccer/soccer_news/2010/8-26-10.asp

 

 

Spur of the Moment Decision

On a spur of the moment decision, Debra and I have decided to drive to Chicago to watch Madeline's first two official college matches.  We will be leaving about 5:30 in the morning to get there in time to watch Iowa Central play Heartland Community College on the campus of Waubonsee College at 1:00 pm.  They will then play Waubonsee at 12:00 on Sunday.  Madeline said that she will be starting as a holding midfielder.  She watched Waubonsee play Heartland tonight at 5:00 and thought that Iowa Central would match up very well against both teams.  I may try to post results and pictures tomorrow night.

Wartburg vs Iowa Central Scrimmage

Madeline's team lost a tough match with Wartburg yesterday 2-0.  Madeline started as defender the first half and played the central midfielder position in the second half.  Here is what the coach said about the game: 

"Played Wartburg very well. Looked quite solid at times defensively. Had our chances in the second half as we had the wind and held Wartburg scoreless through the first 70 minutes which included 45 against the wind. Silly errors again cost us the shutout, and sadly through a lack of commuication...hopefully, easily fixed."

Now the official season begins with a road trip to Chicago this weekend with a game with Heartland on the 28th and Waubonsee on the 29th.

CMU vs Quincy University Scrimmage

Meredith texted last night on the bus ride home that they had lost 2-0.  She played the second half and let one of the goals in early on.  However she tightened up and thought that she played pretty well the remainder of the game.  Both the head and assistant coach thought that she had a pretty good outing.

Madeline's coach has written on the Iowa Central site today:   "Wartburg scrimmage today in Waverly, IA. Going from last few days practice I think we'll do well. Quietly optimistic!!!"

We will know later this evening how they did.

M and M's First Collegiate Road Games

Meredith has her first away scrimmage against Quincy University tonight at 7:30 in Quincy, Illinois.  Madeline's first away match is tomorrow at Wartberg College in Waverly, Iowa.  I will post updates as they come in.


Betsy starts classes tonight at NCMC, Meredith's classes start tomorrow, and Madeline's classes don't start until the 31st.

Watched a most entertaining EPL match this weekend with Manchester United at Fulham.  There was a little bit of everything in the match, great goalkeeping, excellent combination play, good defensive work and above average officiating and it ended in a 2-2 draw.

First Scrimmages for both girls

Both Madeline and Meredith had scrimmages yesterday against other teams.  Madeline started as a forward and played about 20 minutes until she had a injury (bump to the head).  She was able to go back in later and played as a sweeper, defender, and midfielder in the rest of the game.  The below quote is what the coach wrote about the game.  

"Delighted with the performance today against Midland Lutheran College. I saw a lot of positives and most of all delighted with how hard you all worked together. Congrats to Jordan Walgren on scoring the first "unofficial" goal for the Tritons on the 2010 season. Excellent movement, followed by a composed run through the defense and shot...." 

Meredith played 45 minutes of the game in goal and did not allow any goals while she was between the pipes.  She hasn't given me to many details about the match, other than it was a game full of a lot of contact.  I am anxious to watch their games.  The first we will be able to attend to see Meredith is September 4, and it will not be until September 14 when I will get to see Madeline play.

Madeline's First Start

Madeline called today and told us that she will be a starting forward in tomorrows scrimmage against Midland Lutheran (a 4 year college).  I believe that her ability and willingness to play all positions has given her a boost in making the starting lineup for this first game.  Still she will have to be effective there to maintain her spot because they have several talented players that will be competing for it.

Meredith also has their first scrimmage tomorrow against a strong club team from Columbia, but have not heard the starting lineup yet.

The Privilege of Playing College Soccer

 Over the last several weeks many people have said to me how lucky for both of my daughters to be able to play soccer in college and I never know how to reply to that.  Fortunately, I get a lot of time to think about things as I mow the yard and soccer field and this is the statement that I have come up with:   The privilege of playing college soccer is earned in the high school classroom, however the player’s athletic ability is gift from God.  The skills to play are cultivated on the practice field with the knowledge and educational expertise of all past coaches but the desire to play must come from the player’s heart.  The connecting point for everything  is the support and dedication of the athletes parents to provide the motivation to learn, the opportunity to practice and the passion to love the game.

Off to College and Practices

Meredith heads off to CMU today.  She is going a couple of days earlier than the fall athletes because of her major, Athletic Training.  The fall athletes report on Friday.  She is in fairly good shape because of her summer job and with her fairly frequent summer workouts.  She had better be in shape because starting the 16th she will have 4 a day practices. (One conditioning, two training, and one GK sessions.)  She appears to be a little more nervous than Madeline when she left, but I think that it is because that Madeline spent 3 weeks on campus this summer taking a class and eliminated the "fear of the unknown".

Madeline has been having 3 a day practices since the 6th, but they have had to work them in around the heat and a lot of thunderstorms.  From her communications it appears that the team is a lot of fun and although it has been pretty tough she has enjoyed it.

End of an Era, Last games on the same team

Today is the end of family era, as it is the last time that Madeline and Meredith will probably  play on the same team.  We are at a College Showcase in Overland Park, KS and the girls are playing on the Missouri Valley Strikers, their traveling team.
We played two games yesterday in the heat on these 18 beautiful turf fields.  We won the first game against a team from Salina, KS 2-1 and tied the second game against a team from Pella, IA 2-2.
Madeline's college coach is here scouting prospective recruits and we were able to talk to him after the last game and have dinner with him.
They only have one game today at 2:15 against a tough team from Topeka, KS and it is guaranteed to be HOT!  I have decided to end this era as it started when they played their first soccer game in the Fall of 1997 when they were 6 years old and promise them ice cream if they play hard and do the best that they can.