Central Methodist vs William Jewell

Not much that can be said about the game last night between CMU and William Jewell so will I leave that to the Recap and the Box Score .  The weather was perfect, a pretty lively crowd especially those supporting William Jewell and did I mention the weather was perfect.  The Eagles didn't have much to cheer about as all aspects of their game was lacking. They seem to lack the "chemistry" to put it all together for a entire game.  Meredith started but was pulled 22 minutes into the first half and all three goalies saw action in the game.

What a Neat Idea

I ran across the below article this morning and thought I would learn the process to post and embed a YouTube video. This ball could finally achieve the statement of "I wish I could bottle up all that energy and use it later."

BOSTON, MA – A soccer ball that generates electricity that could help light African homes has won recognition in the sixth annual Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Awards, the magazine announced today.



The ball, developed by Jessica Lin, Jessica O. Matthews, Julia Silverman, and Hemali Thakkar, when they were still undergraduates at Harvard University can generate enough energy during 15 minutes of play to provide three hours of LED light, which could come in handy in sub-Saharan Africa, where less than 25 percent of the population has reliable electricity, the magazine said.

The sOccket ball has an embedded DC jack and weighs only 5 ounces more than an official ball. A future model could generate enough power to charge a cellphone, the magazine said in a news release.

On the Road Again

We have decided to go to Meredith's game tomorrow.  It is a 5:00 pm match in Fayette so we can leave when Debra gets out of school.  With the nice fall weather we will have to be watchful for deer, combines and farm equipment on the way.   I finished up the mowing and weed-eating early enough today that I was able to go watch the Chillicothe boys soccer team play Lafayette.  The game was a little slower after watching college games, but I believe that the overall play is improving.  Varsity won 2-1 but I didn't stay to watch the JV.  The game could have very easily went the other way except for a couple of plays.  It is hard for me to tell from the bleachers if the coach is totally playing to win or if he is trying to raise the skill and experience level of the entire team to prepare for future seasons.  In my opinion he has a unusual method to his substitutions and the team can not create any rhythm or flow and develop any consistant player relationships.  The midfielders and forwards ability to perform attacking runs especially off the ball is a problem and is probably created by selfish play (unwilling to pass).  

Two Views of the Same Game

Well my promised Sunday evening post turned into a Tuesday morning one and for a couple of reasons. The first was my state of tiredness and the second was I wanted to see what Coach McGowan had written before I posted.  He was not happy after the UNI game and the post game discussion with the team lasted about 20 minutes.  Madeline was very closed-mouth about it but the thoughts that she expressed was that he was not pleased with their on field effort.  I saw an entirely differ game from the bleachers so I wanted to see what he wrote after a day or two reflection.  In my opinion, the effort and desire to win was expressed throughout the entire game by IC.  There were moments of questionable decision-making and poor execution on the field but never a lack of hustle and effort.  The UNI team was more mature (IC has 5 sophmores and the rest are freshman) and had more game experience with several 3 and 4 year college players.  UNI's defense was very strong and yet IC was able to make several more attacking runs and controlled the flow of play, they just lacked the quality final touch to put the ball in the net.  There was a noticeable deterioration in the quality of play and fitness in the overtime periods but fortunately it was with both teams and is something I am sure that the coach will address in the next few practices.  I  know that the coach knows what this team is capable of and is working hard to find the best way to get it on the field and to get them at the place they need to be for the end of October.

Below is what Coach McGowan posted on Facebook and below that is the recap of both games.

Won against Iowa lakes, now looking for another against UNI Club team today. I know we are tired and sore, but we need to push on through all that stuff that goes away after time. We win today and we extend our win-streak to 5. That will not go away but will remain with you forever!! Go get 'em. TEAM!!!!!

ended up tying UNI's club team today. A lot of chances were created with some good openings but we couldn't take any of them. 0-0. We need a quick bounce-back for Tuesday's game and need to WANT to win and show us that YOU are the one that should be on that field playing.

Recap of Both Games 

 

 

 

Win Some-Lose Some Part Two.

Debra and I drove through a couple hours of rain to watch Madeline play this afternoon in Ft. Dodge.  Fortunately, the rain stopped an hour or two before her game started but the pitch was pretty muddy and it was overcast and only in the mid 50's.  Madeline played as a forward in the 1st half and as a defender/sweeper in the second.  Her play is getting faster and she makes good decisions with the ball.  She is still not as confident in her ability as she could be but is making progress in each game.  Iowa Central won 4-1 and totally dominated with possession.  They still were have difficulty finishing and I am anxious to see the shot total.  We went out to supper after the game and Madeline and Debra went to the mall.

Meredith was playing Baker University in Baldwin City, KS and I received her text when we were eating that they had lost 0-3.  She played the entire game and thought that she had played fairly well except for the last 15 minutes of the 1st half when all of Baker's goals were scored.  She ended up with 9 saves and from looking at the box score CMU's attack is still pretty anemic.  Here is the Box Score from the game.

We will watch Madeline play again tomorrow at 2:00 and I will post the results of that tomorrow evening.

You Win Some, You Lose Some

Both girls had games on the road yesterday, Meredith in St. Louis against Missouri Baptist University and Madeline in Bettendorf, IA against Scott County College.  Debra's brother Ron and his wife Nancy was traveling through St. Louis on their vacation and was able to watch Meredith's game and was texting Debra on what was happening.  The facility where they were playing the game was in Chesterfield and in the river bottom so Ron was texting in between swatting mosquitoes. CMU lost 3-2 but from the description sounded like a hard fought game.  Here is the game Recap and the Box Score

Madeline's team won but in less than a solid manner.  Here is what the coach wrote on the Facebook page, I am really anxious to read the recap.  Debra and I are going to Ft. Dodge this week end to watch Madeline play two games.  So I will have a more complete report on how the Iowa Central team is doing.  

"defeated Scott in a less than convincing fashion. After more than 40 shots at goal, 14 recorded corner kicks, and probably more than 80% of possession in the game we won 1-0 scored on a PK. Ask yourselves what YOU need to do to LIFT your game up to new heights!! Three games now we have been really flat. You ALL need to bring your 'A' game to EVERY game from here on out."

Madeline texted after the game  "We won 1-0.  We should have beat them by a million.  We were not playing as a team.  We are going to die in practice tomorrow."

Here is the Recap of the game.

Iowa Central vs Rochester College and Technical

Not many details on this match that was held on Friday at 2:00.  One of Madeline's roommates dad was texting me the essential facts on this 2-1 win.  We scored first about 30 minutes into the first half, with the goal by Kate Murray, assist by Rachael Cook.  Rochester equalized on a PK about 30 minutes into the second half.  End of regulation time 1-1.  Early into first overtime PK saved by IC, short time later Stephanie Gale scored on a PK.  These sketchy details may be changed when the game description is posted.  Madeline called and talked to Debra while we were watching Meredith's game so I only heard Debra's half of the conversation.  But she said the coach said that they used up all their luck to post this one in the win column.  Here is what he wrote on the Facebook page.

"We won an ugly one in overtime versus Rochester. Kate Murray and Stephanie Gale on target for us. Need to play with a little more shape going forward. Set pieces did look dangerous but failed to capitalize on them. We did win them but were in the wrong position to finish properly. Alumni weekend commences tonight. Enjoy the Fishheads!!"

Addenum: The Recap is now posted and the facts I received via texts were pretty accurate.

 

CMU vs University of St. Mary

Debra, Betsy and I attended the game in Fayette Friday evening with a perfect day for soccer.  I was particularly excited about the game because two girls that Madeline and Meredith played a lot of soccer with, Ivory Baldwin and Erin Crotty are on the USM team.  As it turned out Ivory and Erin were the only two of "my girls" that played, Meredith was nursing a very swollen and bruised hand from a practice injury and didn't play.  Not a good injury for a goalie.  Ivory and Erin played well although the USM team didn't.  CMU got the win and looked pretty good.     Here is the Recap and the Box Score

Ottawa University at Central Methodist University

Debra attended Meredith's game so any extra details about the game are missing.  The only thing not mentioned in the recap or box score is that two Ottawa players bumped heads in the first half and they were taken off the field by ambulance.  One of my friends was texting me about the game and said that the first Ottawa goal the attacker beat the outside defender to score and on the second goal Meredith blocked/deflected the shot from the left and Ottawa score from the deflection.  Here is the Recap and the Box Score.  Meredith is looking forward to Friday's game with the University of St. Mary because two of her St. Joe Express and Northwest Express teammates play on the team, Erin Crotty and Ivory Baldwin.

Iowa Central vs Indian Hills in Ottumwa, IA

I have decided to write about yesterday's games separately, in my fatigued (mental and physical) state it is difficult to keep the facts straight.  I picked up mom about 10:30 to go to the game and we took the scenic route to get there because we had some extra time.  I enjoyed the ride and the conversation and even the forced detours because of road construction.  We arrived in Ottumwa in time to watch the IC mens game and was able to talk to Madeline quite a bit before her game.  IC's goalkeeper had talked to Madeline on the bus ride down and wanted me to work on a problem in her right midback/shoulder.  We found a empty players bench and I was able to get her fixed up, so perhaps I should get an assist in the box score for her shutout.  Coach McGowan has the team organized very well on the defensive side of the ball and IHCC was unable to mount any meaniful attack throughout the game.  I don't believe that they keep possession stats but I would hazard a guess that IC controlled the ball 80% of the time.  Stephanie Gale scored all three of IC's goal but several of the girls had shots and on frame.  The team must have been working on their finishes.  Madeline started and played a very good game.  She is connecting with more of her passes and she had a couple of quality crosses and shots. Talking with her after the game she felt that this may have been her best game so far.  Final score IC 3  IHCC 0.  The bus got stuck in the parking lot and they didn't leave until about 8:30 and it was about midnight when they got back to campus.  Here is what the coach wrote on Facebook about the game:

"We remain undefeated versus IHCC as we finally rolled to a 3-0 win. Steph Gale had all 3 goals so she may be wearing a hat tomorrow!! Well done ladies. I'm proud of you all. Good team effort."

Here is the Recap from the college website.

Separate Directions

Today Iowa Central has an away game in Ottumwa, IA against Indian Hills Community College which is the closest game they have to Chillicothe.  Fortunately, it is my off day and I can travel the three hours to get there.  I will pick up Mom in Trenton and my sister Nancy in Chariton to watch the game.  Debra will be going to Meredith's  5:00 game in Fayette against Ottawa University and will be leaving as soon as she is out of school.  I will let you know how these dual road trips turn out.

CMU vs Tabor

A little quiet time this early Sunday morning and will try to catch up on posts.  Meredith's team looked much better on Friday evening and are improving each game.  However, their opponent  Tabor College is again one of the weaker teams that they will play.  Meredith started and played all 90 minutes but only touched the ball 4 or 5 times and most of those were pass backs from teammates. But it is her first collegiate shutout and she was pretty happy.  I will link to the college Recap but the Box Score is not on the college site yet.  I will also link to the DakStats3000 Websync site for CMU    This web site covers all NAIA colleges and is somehow hooked in live to the scoring table at the game and can give you a play by play of the action and stats.  If you click on the (((W))) by the game result, a visual graphic of the game will appear.  It is not quite like watching the game but the stats are really cool for us bleacher coaches.

Both girls are home and perhaps we will all have a meal together today before they go back and Betsy goes to work.  Madeline has a 6:00 pm practice and will need to leave early afternoon.  Meredith has some homework to do so she will be leaving mid afternoon.

I had the Elks Soccer Shoot yesterday from 9:00 to 12:00 and had spent Thursday morning and after work getting ready for it.  Yesterday afternoon I mowed the field in preparation for over-seeding and fertilization.  Last week in my "spare time" I  triple aerated  and applied fall broadleaf weed control.  This afternoon I will also work on the goal mouths by filling in some holes and over-seeding the repairs.

Next scheduled post will be Wednesday the 15th with reports on both Madeline's and Meredith's games.

CMU vs Harris Stowe and Iowa Central vs Iowa Western

I finally found some time to post about yesterdays matches,  CMU vs. Harris Stowe and Iowa Central vs. Iowa Western.  Debra and I attended Meredith's game in Fayette, we have found that if Debra leaves right after school and picks me up at the office by 3:05 that we can be in our seats at the CMU stadium 4 minutes before game time.  We had been on the road just a few minutes when Meredith texted that she would not be playing, but we decided to go anyway.  Harris Stowe is the doormat of the conference and the coach had met with the GKs and told them that it would be a good opportunity to get the #2 and #3 some game time.  His prediction was correct and CMU won 9-0.  CMU had 43 shots to Harris Stowe's 1.   Here is the Recap and the Box Score

Madeline's game on the other hand was against the top team in their conference and their fiercest rival. IC ended up losing 0-4. Here is what the coach wrote on the team's Facebook page before the game.

"3 hours to kick off. Weird how I still get butterflies before the game after all this time. Love this time of year. We get to play and say "this is OUR year and you're NOT going to make it a poor one. C'Mmmmonnnnnn!!!" Go get 'em ladies, do us all proud!" 

And after the game:

"You all played a great and gutsy 70 minutes today. Unfortunately a good team like IWCC will capitalize when we make mistakes and being unable to clear or attack the ball in our own 6 yard box. All 4 goals came from errors in that area. Now that we know where the weakness lies, we can now address it. See you tomorrow!!!"

The father of one of Madeline's roommates was texting me updates of the game, but I guess that either Fort Dodge or Fayette (or perhaps both) are in a time warp because there was about a 30 minute delay in the transmission of the texts.  Madeline's game started at 4:00 so I knew approximately what time the half would be and roughly the time the game would end.  I was optimistic to the end because all 4 of Iowa Western's goals were scored in the last 20 minutes of the game.  They should have a softer part of their schedule in the next few games.  I plan to go to the next game on the 14th at Indian Hills in Ottumwa, IA.  Debra will go and watch Meredith at Fayette the same day and they play Ottawa University from Ottawa, KS

We are going to Fayette tomorrow and watch CMU play Tabor University.  So more to report Friday night.  Both girls are coming home this weekend, Madeline will leave Ft. Dodge after her practice on Friday and Meredith will have a practice on Saturday morning and then come home. I think they miss Zoey.

 

 

CMU vs Doane College

Spent a pleasant Sunday watching Meredith play, Mom was able to go with us and the weather was perfect.  CMU was playing Doane College from Fremont, Nebraska in Fayette.  We were excited that Meredith got her first collegiate start, (however I told Debra that she would after her performance on Saturday against Hannibal-LaGrange)  We were pleasantly surprised that she played the entire 90 minutes because the coach had been giving both keepers time.   CMU looked very flat and the offense couldn't connect with any meaningful passes against a very energetic and well organized Doane team.  Meredith had 10 saves and looked very good.  Doane's score came from a 25 yard shot into the far upper 90.  Nothing Mere could do about it and the player was well defended, just an excellent shot.  Doane had 15 shots and 11 on goal, CMU only had 2 shots and neither were on goal.  Here are links to the college Recap & Box Score

Hannibal LaGrange vs CMU and Iowa Central vs Lackawanna

Just made it home from Hannibal and Meredith's game.  The CMU-Hannibal LaGrange match ended as a 1-1 draw after two overtime periods.  Meredith started the second half and played both overtime periods and didn't allow any goals.  CMU looked pretty good except for about a 10 minute period early on in the first half.  HLG's goal was a result of a defensive breakdown with a 40 yard breakaway and was scored by Raelene Blanton who is from Cameron and played for a while in GHSC and on the St. Joe Express and the Northwest Express with M & M.   CMU plays tomorrow at 3:00 in Fayette against Doane College.  We plan to be there.

Madeline's team finally had a great outing and won 3-1.  I believe that they had a team meeting at 10:00 last night and got everyone's head put back on straight.  Madeline started and played most of the game in defense and was thankful that she wasn't knocked to the ground on her very sore backside.  Here is what her coach wrote about the game on Facebook:

"What a turn-around!!! Teamwork always prevails. We went out and demolished Lackawanna. Scoreline was 3-1 but their keeper was outstanding. We could have easily won by 6 or 7 all said and done. Excellent job ladies. You've showed what can be done. Iowa Western next...no surrender. Every one does what we did today and we are very much in the hunt for a victory!!!"   "Goals scored by Kate Murray and Steph Gale (2). Tritons outshot opponents 26-7. 14 shots on target. The stats don't lie ladies...pure teamwork and dominance!!! Need more of it...please!"

 

 

Iowa Central vs Navarro in Rosemont, Minnesota

Madeline played yesterday in a tournament in Rosemont, MN against Navarro.  I received text messages from a parent of one of her teammates updating me on the game which they lost 0-5.  Below is what the coach wrote on the Facebook page:

"Started game today with 5 forced changes to the squad. Sadly, we lost 0-5 against a good Navarro side. Hope we can put the negativity behind us, start afresh tomorrow and really pull together as a TEAM. We need players to lead by example and lead by their actions, not their words. Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow needs to be a new beginning!! Lackawanna at 1.30pm"

The forced changes were a result of team rule violations, and I know a difficult decision by the coach but very necessary.  The discipline applied will make a far stronger impression on the team than the number in the win/loss column.  I am happy to say that Madeline played most of the game and only came out when she was injured.  Evidently she was on the ground and an opposing player stepped on her backside.  We talked to her on the phone last night and she said that she had an ice pack on the injury and wasn't sitting because it hurt and planned to sleep on her stomach.  Hopefully, she will be recovered enough to play today.

Debra and I will be going to Hannibal to watch Meredith play at 3:00 and then we go tomorrow to Fayette to watch her in the first home game.  So there will be additional posts tonight and tomorrow.

McKendree University vs CMU

I have not talked to Meredith about last nights game at McKendree University at Lebanon, Illinois but evidently it was not pretty. She did not start but played the second half.  Here is the recap from the college web page and below that is a link to the box score:

Sophomore Kennedy Seifert (Moberly, MO) scored the first goal of the season for the Central Methodist University women's soccer team, but the Lady Eagles were unable to keep up with No. 11 McKendree University as McKendree topped CMU 6-1 in the season opener for both teams Tuesday.

McKendree scored three goals in the first 11 minutes of the match, which remained 3-0 at halftime.  In the 54th minute, Central Methodist on the board after a shot by sophomore Jenny Mosley (Chatham, IL) was deflected to Seifert, who kicked it past the McKendree goalkeeper from the top of the box for the fourth goal of her CMU career.  KcKendree added three more goal in the final 15 minutes of the contest to pull away for the 6-1 win.
   
The Central Methodist women fall to 0-1 this season, while McKendree moved to 1-0.  The Lady Eagles will travel to Hannibal, MO, Saturday to take on Hannibal-LaGrange College in a 3 p.m. contest.
   
http://athletics.centralmethodist.edu/documents/2010/9/1/WSOCvsMcKendree0831.htm