A Promising Start

Sunday August 31st:

Today we had our first preseason games of the year- always an exciting moment for all the players. Vassar began its 2008 campaign with the toughest opponent we could face off against, the 2007 National Champion Middlebury Panthers. We actually played Middlebury in preseason last year and tied 2-2 (and we were denied a late winner when we hit the post in the final minutes), giving us the opportunity to tell people back home that we tied the national champs. However, Middlebury played a lot of subs in that game, and it was the second game of the day for both squads. This would be the first game of the preseason for both teams and we were expecting to see Middlebury’s starters, at least in the first half. As Coach Jennings kept pointing out to us, this was Middlebury’s first match since the National Championship game in Florida last fall.

The first half went extremely well for us and though we didn’t have too many good chances, we also gave Middlebury very little, and the score was 0-0 at halftime. Both teams put in substitutes after halftime, and I went in goal for the beginning of the second half. I was a bit worried about how composed our new players would be in their first taste of college action, but I shouldn’t have been. Given the circumstances, I thought everyone met or exceeded expectations, and we continued to play the defending national champs equally, even going on the attack a few times (only to have a few offsides calls ruin our best possession). However, Middlebury finally broke through with about 25 minutes to play. It was an unlikely goal for us, and it was frustrating given how composed we had been all game. A cross came into the 6-yard box to a Middlebury player making a run at the near post. I had to stay in my goal as it appeared he would get a touch on the ball, but somehow he completely missed and it went through to an unmarked Middlebury player at the back post for an easy tap-in. There was little for either side late in the game, and Middlebury escaped with a 1-0 victory.

I was extremely pleased with everyone’s effort in the Middlebury game, and I am very excited for the season as everyone agrees that if we play like we did against the defending champs then we will have a decent chance against any team in the Liberty League.

We were much less successful in our second game, as we seemed to be worn out from the great effort against Middlebury. Everyone looked a bit flat, and there wasn’t the same amount of communication, movement or general energy. Williams scored twice in the first half and added two more in the second for a 4-0 lead. The bright spot for us came late, as a perfect cross from the right side set up our lone goal, making the final score 4-1.

Overall, it was a good day with positive performances from a lot of players, both in the starting lineup and farther down the bench. The new field was incredible as well, with perfect grass, nice bleachers, and professional-style box nets that make every goal look awesome (good motivation for us to score a lot this season!). We have a lot of work to do before our opening game against Mt. St. Mary’s a week from Tuesday, but I feel we are further along than we ever have been at this point in my previous three seasons.