The Kings' mens soccer team is beginning to take shape for the season.
They play a preseason match tonight (Thursday, 9pm, Wickwire Field) against local NSSL side Halifax City.
"Not worried about the result. Just a tune-up for the weekend," said Kings coach C.J. Young.
The real match is Saturday's season opener away to Holland College. Young doesn;t quite know what to expect from the team Kings beat in the ACAA finals last year.
"They're programs are only 2-3 years, so they have a lot of turnover of players," said Young.
Kings' defeated Holland College on penalties in last year's final, with departed keeper Mike Beazley proving crucial.
"It's a bit of a grudge match," said captain Greg Bathe. Bathe returns as team captain after making the CCAA tournament all-star team last year.
The starting keeper spot is up for grabs, with last year's back-up Josh Viner perhaps having a bit of an edge over two others trying out.
Kings will also look to rookies Nino Kovacevic and Ken Wallingford to contribute.
Kovacevic plays central midfield and if Wednesday's practice is anything to judge by, he can move the ball around.
"Should be a good pivotal player," said Young, meaning he can defend and attack. "The league isn't full of talented centre mids, so it's nice to have one."
The Blue Devils have already played an exhibition game against AUS' Acadia Axemen soccer team. Kings' won 2-1. For an ACAA team, technically a level below AUS, that's a significant accomplishment.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Dalhousie Women Preseason Update
The Tigers women soccer team practised last night (Wednesday), in preparation for hosting Cape Breton in a tough home opener on Saturday (1pm, Wickwire Field).
"It's been really intense this week," said striker Kate MacDonald after practice. "Just getting the feel for how we play because we've got 9 new people."
The practice involved a lot of positional practice and tactical work, with coach Jack Hutchison frequently interrupting scrimmages to reposition players and work out runs.
Hutchison has a few more options up front this year, with the additions of Emma Landry, Beth O'Reilly, Joanna Blodgett, and Brianna Ford, all players who can contribute offensively.
"Our rookies are very, very good," said MacDonald, mentioning O'Reilly and rookie keeper Taryn McKenna, as well as transfer players Laura Johnstone, Ashley Donald, and Teresa Morrison.
Johnstone is a former Queens University player in the very competitive OUA. Donald captained Saint Mary's last year and Morrison was captain of St. FX.
All three are defensive players. Morrison is the only one to score so far this year, but she spent most of Sunday's 4-0 win over SMU shutting down the Huskies in a holding midfield role. Donald was used similarly, and Johnstone is listed as defender, although she has yet to play much.
With a lot of experience at the back, MacDonald will be relied upon to provide scoring, along with help from the rookies.
This year, she has moved to a more central role, from the wing where she was the team's leading scorer last year.
"It's a lot more of holding the ball, linking through balls," said MacDonald. "I like the striker more--it's a little more intense and you score more goals."
"It's been really intense this week," said striker Kate MacDonald after practice. "Just getting the feel for how we play because we've got 9 new people."
The practice involved a lot of positional practice and tactical work, with coach Jack Hutchison frequently interrupting scrimmages to reposition players and work out runs.
Hutchison has a few more options up front this year, with the additions of Emma Landry, Beth O'Reilly, Joanna Blodgett, and Brianna Ford, all players who can contribute offensively.
"Our rookies are very, very good," said MacDonald, mentioning O'Reilly and rookie keeper Taryn McKenna, as well as transfer players Laura Johnstone, Ashley Donald, and Teresa Morrison.
Johnstone is a former Queens University player in the very competitive OUA. Donald captained Saint Mary's last year and Morrison was captain of St. FX.
All three are defensive players. Morrison is the only one to score so far this year, but she spent most of Sunday's 4-0 win over SMU shutting down the Huskies in a holding midfield role. Donald was used similarly, and Johnstone is listed as defender, although she has yet to play much.
With a lot of experience at the back, MacDonald will be relied upon to provide scoring, along with help from the rookies.
This year, she has moved to a more central role, from the wing where she was the team's leading scorer last year.
"It's a lot more of holding the ball, linking through balls," said MacDonald. "I like the striker more--it's a little more intense and you score more goals."
A Few Things Clarified and Dal Women's Roster
As you may know if you've been following our reports, we've been working without rosters for the last few days. Good news is, they're out now. Here are a few of the more glaring corrections:
Dalhousie Tigers Womens Roster (from Dal Atheltics website):
Some thoughts on this team:
It looks a good team, from what we've seen on the field. 12 new players coming in by my count.
It is perhaps a group that will score a few more goals than last year. Both Emma Landry and Beth O'Reilly look promising and have seen some considerable preseason playing time from coach Jack Hutchison.
Stephanie Crewe has looked poised at left back and may give Alannah MacLean a little bit of a fight for her spot. Ashely Donald will give tremendous depth to a back line that was already very, very good last year. The loss of Stephanie Collins will hurt, but Donald is a more than adequate replacement.
Dal were second only to CBU in the least goals conceded in AUS last year. That was due in large part to the Capers Jessica MacDermid.
The biggest weakness, though it is probably a small one, is the central midfield. Reika Santilli was playing with Donald, who more often played defense for SMU last year. It remains to be seen if that combination works out.
The Tigers lack a striker over 5'8, and most of their regulars are shorter than that, which means balls will need to come on from the midfield on the ground more so than in the air from the defense. Look for a lot of wing play from Huck, MacLean, Crewe, and Richard to make-up for the lack of depth at central midfield.
-Dylan Matthias
- Using last year's rosters as best we could, we incorrectly identified Ashley Donald as a SMU player. She has since transferred to Dal and is wearing number 14 this year, which means she was labelled as Sarah Lye--who is not returning--in previosu posts.
- Alannah MacLean has switched to #12 which means she's been listed as Emily Cox for a few posts.
- Katelyn Grechuck is in fact Brianna Ford.
- Taryn McKenna was incorrectly idnetified as Hanna Bebb.
- The mysterious #8 is Beth O'Reilly.
- #7 is Stephanie Crewe.
- #4 is Teresa Morrison, formerly of St. FX.
- Joanna Blodgett's name is not spelled Boldgett.
Dalhousie Tigers Womens Roster (from Dal Atheltics website):
# | Name | Position | Hometown | Major |
| | Louise Yeon | Keeper | Ottawa, ON | Science |
| | Rebecca Holm | Keeper | Calgary, AB | Science |
| | Taryn McKenna | Keeper | Calgary, AB | Arts |
| | Haley MacDonald | Striker | Tsawwassen, BC | Science |
| | Lesley d'Apollonia | Striker | Dartmouth, NS | Kinesiology |
| | Teresa Morrison | Midfield | Halifax, NS | Dentistry |
| | Colleen MacDonald | Defence | Elmsdale, NS | Arts |
| | Katie Richard | Striker | Halifax, NS | Arts |
| | Stephanie Crewe | Defence | Dartmouth, NS | Science |
| | Beth O'Reilly | Striker | Dartmouth, NS | Science |
| | Kate MacDonald | Striker | Elmsdale, NS | Kinesiology |
| | Jeanette Huck | Defence | Hatchet Lake, NS | Commerce |
| | Laura Johnstone | Defence | Dartmouth, NS | MREM |
| | Alannah MacLean | Defence | Vancouver, BC | Arts |
| | Joanna Blodgett | Midfield | Ottawa, ON | Science |
| | Ashley Donald | Midfield | Hamilton, ON | Law |
| | Kim Hardy | Defence | Dartmouth, NS | Science |
| | Kyla Gunderson | Midfield | Vancouver, BC | Arts |
| | Anna McKilligan | Midfield | Vancouver, BC | English |
| | Reika Santilli | Midfield | Halifax, NS | Commerce |
| | Emma Landry | Midfield | Ottawa, ON | Science |
| | Gillian Clarke | Defence | Calgary, AB | Arts |
| | Brianna Ford | Striker | Halifax, NS | Arts |
| | Amanda Henry | Midfield | Winnipeg, MB | Science |
| | Heather Armstrong | Keeper | Ottawa, ON | Engineering |
Some thoughts on this team:
It looks a good team, from what we've seen on the field. 12 new players coming in by my count.
It is perhaps a group that will score a few more goals than last year. Both Emma Landry and Beth O'Reilly look promising and have seen some considerable preseason playing time from coach Jack Hutchison.
Stephanie Crewe has looked poised at left back and may give Alannah MacLean a little bit of a fight for her spot. Ashely Donald will give tremendous depth to a back line that was already very, very good last year. The loss of Stephanie Collins will hurt, but Donald is a more than adequate replacement.
Dal were second only to CBU in the least goals conceded in AUS last year. That was due in large part to the Capers Jessica MacDermid.
The biggest weakness, though it is probably a small one, is the central midfield. Reika Santilli was playing with Donald, who more often played defense for SMU last year. It remains to be seen if that combination works out.
The Tigers lack a striker over 5'8, and most of their regulars are shorter than that, which means balls will need to come on from the midfield on the ground more so than in the air from the defense. Look for a lot of wing play from Huck, MacLean, Crewe, and Richard to make-up for the lack of depth at central midfield.
-Dylan Matthias
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Player Ratings: Saint Mary's Huskies (W) 0 - 4 Dalhousie Tigers (W)---Preseason
Here are our informal player ratings for SMU-DAL. Remember, this is a work of opinion. Please add your own interpretations in the comments section below.
Heather Armstrong-B+: Didn't miss any shots (mainly because she didn't face any shots) but commanded the box very well and was always yelling, which is good for a keeper.
Rebecca Holm-B: No glaring errors, but not a commanding game.
Hanna Bebb-B+: Faced SMU's only shot, which wasn't a bad one. Not very vocal, but claimed the ball well.
Jeanette Huck-A-: Scored a solid, if slightly easy, goal, though her positioning was excellent. Never afraid to get forward, linked well with her wingers. Had some trouble containing Rostaert at times, but never let her free.
Amanda Henry-A: Very solid tonight. Also very good int he box and very strong. Just a dominant performance.
Colleen MacDonald-A: Stephanie Collins who? This centre back combination worked wonders tonight. Never breached, never even wobbly. Positionally excellent, confident on the ball, very poised.
Kyla Gunderson-B-: Never really showed much, but didn't make any glaring errors. Just about gave Rostaert a breakaway, but recovered well.
#7-B-A quiet performance, though she gets forward well. Nothing spectacular, but solidifying her spor very nicely.
Katie Richard-C-Played left back tonight and seemed frustrated at times. Got to play the right side of midfield late and looked more comfortable, but never got into the game there. Certainly capable of better games and I would expect much more on Saturday.
Emma Landry-A-If she looked good on Friday, she looked great today. Terrorized the SMU defense on the right and the left. Faded at times, but scored a whopper of a goal and was always lively when on the ball.
#8-B-: After a great game on Friday, she seemed invisible today. Ball-watched a lot and didn't really carve out any chances.
-Teresa Morrison-B+ Played as a holding midfielder and shut SMU down, taking lots of pressure off of the centre backs. Will be essential against Cape Breton who are very fast and dangerous upfront.
-Sarah Lye-B-: Looked okay in transition and wanted the ball, but never seemed to do much with it. Failed to impress in a game where a lot of players impressed for Dal. A number fo bad tocuhes and gave possession away a lot, but never egregiously.
-#4-B: Didn't do a great deal today, but hit some good passes and caused problems for SMU, which is all one can ask.
-Katelyn Grechuck-B-: Ran around a lot and certainly worried the defense at times, but lacked killer instinct or the potency to find and/or take a chance.
-Joanna Boldgett-B-Another solid performance. Moved positions a bit too much, and she might have done better finding a space to operate and continually attacking SMU. Instead tended to fade based on where she was. Excellent on the wing, invisible at central striker.
-Emily Cox-B+: Invisible at times today bu worked very hard when she was on the pitch and got Huck her goal. Constantly beat SMU defenders on the right flank and was unlucky not to create another goal or two.
-Kate MacDonald-B+: Almost slightly higher this game, but her goal was almost 100% fluke and when she did get chances she often failed to beat a defender or tried to do too much. She can score from distance and would do well to just smash one goalwards every once in a while. Improved today, but there's still room for a bit more.
Jack Hutchison (Coach)-A: For once, I think I understood his tactics. And they were very solid. Dal were a pleasure to watch today, which I put back on the coach. Quick passing, movement off the ball, and a nose for goal. He'll have to make sure things stay very much in perspective--this was preseason. A solid outing today, though.
Referee-B+: Called a decent game, though at times I thought a card might have been warranted to control the game as the score got a bit high. The assistants made a few wonky offside calls, but nothing major. It took a lot of guts to award the goal for Kate MacDonald as it hovered ont he line, but it looked to be a good call.
Saint Mary's-D: Preseason or not preseason, that was awful. I'm sure Mark Sweetapple, as he said he would, will take positives from this game, but he should also remind his players that this is AUS. SMU failed to generate any offence against a listless Dal team on Friday and barely held them out. Today, at home, they generated even less offence and got smoked for four goals. The defending and marking in the box was weak and they could have conceded more. The only reason this isn't an F is because it was preseason. That was perhaps the worst outing from an AUS side I've seen.
Heather Armstrong-B+: Didn't miss any shots (mainly because she didn't face any shots) but commanded the box very well and was always yelling, which is good for a keeper.
Rebecca Holm-B: No glaring errors, but not a commanding game.
Hanna Bebb-B+: Faced SMU's only shot, which wasn't a bad one. Not very vocal, but claimed the ball well.
Jeanette Huck-A-: Scored a solid, if slightly easy, goal, though her positioning was excellent. Never afraid to get forward, linked well with her wingers. Had some trouble containing Rostaert at times, but never let her free.
Amanda Henry-A: Very solid tonight. Also very good int he box and very strong. Just a dominant performance.
Colleen MacDonald-A: Stephanie Collins who? This centre back combination worked wonders tonight. Never breached, never even wobbly. Positionally excellent, confident on the ball, very poised.
Kyla Gunderson-B-: Never really showed much, but didn't make any glaring errors. Just about gave Rostaert a breakaway, but recovered well.
#7-B-A quiet performance, though she gets forward well. Nothing spectacular, but solidifying her spor very nicely.
Katie Richard-C-Played left back tonight and seemed frustrated at times. Got to play the right side of midfield late and looked more comfortable, but never got into the game there. Certainly capable of better games and I would expect much more on Saturday.
Emma Landry-A-If she looked good on Friday, she looked great today. Terrorized the SMU defense on the right and the left. Faded at times, but scored a whopper of a goal and was always lively when on the ball.
#8-B-: After a great game on Friday, she seemed invisible today. Ball-watched a lot and didn't really carve out any chances.
-Teresa Morrison-B+ Played as a holding midfielder and shut SMU down, taking lots of pressure off of the centre backs. Will be essential against Cape Breton who are very fast and dangerous upfront.
-Sarah Lye-B-: Looked okay in transition and wanted the ball, but never seemed to do much with it. Failed to impress in a game where a lot of players impressed for Dal. A number fo bad tocuhes and gave possession away a lot, but never egregiously.
-#4-B: Didn't do a great deal today, but hit some good passes and caused problems for SMU, which is all one can ask.
-Katelyn Grechuck-B-: Ran around a lot and certainly worried the defense at times, but lacked killer instinct or the potency to find and/or take a chance.
-Joanna Boldgett-B-Another solid performance. Moved positions a bit too much, and she might have done better finding a space to operate and continually attacking SMU. Instead tended to fade based on where she was. Excellent on the wing, invisible at central striker.
-Emily Cox-B+: Invisible at times today bu worked very hard when she was on the pitch and got Huck her goal. Constantly beat SMU defenders on the right flank and was unlucky not to create another goal or two.
-Kate MacDonald-B+: Almost slightly higher this game, but her goal was almost 100% fluke and when she did get chances she often failed to beat a defender or tried to do too much. She can score from distance and would do well to just smash one goalwards every once in a while. Improved today, but there's still room for a bit more.
Jack Hutchison (Coach)-A: For once, I think I understood his tactics. And they were very solid. Dal were a pleasure to watch today, which I put back on the coach. Quick passing, movement off the ball, and a nose for goal. He'll have to make sure things stay very much in perspective--this was preseason. A solid outing today, though.
Referee-B+: Called a decent game, though at times I thought a card might have been warranted to control the game as the score got a bit high. The assistants made a few wonky offside calls, but nothing major. It took a lot of guts to award the goal for Kate MacDonald as it hovered ont he line, but it looked to be a good call.
Saint Mary's-D: Preseason or not preseason, that was awful. I'm sure Mark Sweetapple, as he said he would, will take positives from this game, but he should also remind his players that this is AUS. SMU failed to generate any offence against a listless Dal team on Friday and barely held them out. Today, at home, they generated even less offence and got smoked for four goals. The defending and marking in the box was weak and they could have conceded more. The only reason this isn't an F is because it was preseason. That was perhaps the worst outing from an AUS side I've seen.
Tigers' Santilli likely to return for Saturday game against Cape Breton
Dalhousie Tigers midfielder Reika Santilli will likely return for Saturday's home opener against two-time reigning champions the Cape Breton Capers, confirmed Tigers head coach Jack Hutchison on Sunday.
Santilli took an elbow to the head in the 45th minute of Friday's preseason match against Saint Mary's. She left the game after being checked for concussion symptoms and, according to Hutchison, suffered a mild concussion.
She is expected to return to training Tuesday and would likely be available for selection on Saturday.
Santilli took an elbow to the head in the 45th minute of Friday's preseason match against Saint Mary's. She left the game after being checked for concussion symptoms and, according to Hutchison, suffered a mild concussion.
She is expected to return to training Tuesday and would likely be available for selection on Saturday.
Saint Mary's Huskies (W) 0 - 4 Dalhousie Tigers (W) ---Preseason---
4pm, September 6th, 2009: Husky Stadium
The Tigers women's soccer team answered any questions raised by a disappointing 0-0 draw last Friday by thumping the Huskies in the return leg of the home and home series tonight (Sunday).
"We played well, better than the last game," said Tigers 'keeper Heather MacDonald, echoing what her coach had asked of them.
[I'm] "really pleased that every half of the two games got better each half," said Tigers head coach Jack Hutchison, who had been quite upset by his team's lacklustre start on Friday.
New acquisition Teresa Morrison--the former captain of the X-Women soccer team who transferred to Dalhousie for its dentistry program--opened the scoring after considerable pressure from the visiting Tigers.
After a corner was cleared Morrison was on hand to finish into the bottom corner past Saint Mary's goalkeeper Justine Caldwell.
The goal failed to spur either team on to greater things and the first half petered away.
Dalhousie controlled the second half, though, and scored three goals in ten minutes to seal a win.
In the 51st minute, Emily Cox beat substitute goalkeeper Ashleigh Bellefontaine to a loose ball and found Jeanette Huck who sidefooted into an empty goal.
Two minutes later, Ottawa native and rookie Emma Landry floated a shot over Bellefontaine for her first goal.
Dalhousie completed the barrage when last year's team-leading scorer (with nine goals) Kate MacDonald chipped a long-range shot over Bellefontaine. Although it looked as though the 'keeper had saved it, the referee awarded a goal after Bellefontaine fumbled the ball and it crossed the line.
"It's never good when you lose 4-0," said Huskies head coach Mark Sweetapple. "Over the two games that we played, there were still quite a few positives to take from it.... Dal has been one of the top two teams the past two years, so I look at it as a good thing that we've played them twice."
Sweetapple will have to build on those positives quickly. Reigning two-time champions Cape Breton come to Halifax on the weekend and the Huskies will be tested by striker Erika Lannon and goalkeeper Jessica MacDermid.
Match Stats (Strictly Unofficial)
Goals: SMU-0; DAL-4
Shots (On Target): SMU-1; DAL-7
Attempts: SMU-1; DAL-9
Fouls: SMU-9; DAL-5
Cautions: SMU-0; DAL-0
Ejections: SMU-0; DAL-0
Corners: SMU-2; DAL-4
Offsides: SMU-1; DAL-2
Injuries: SMU-0; DAL-0
The Tigers women's soccer team answered any questions raised by a disappointing 0-0 draw last Friday by thumping the Huskies in the return leg of the home and home series tonight (Sunday).
"We played well, better than the last game," said Tigers 'keeper Heather MacDonald, echoing what her coach had asked of them.
[I'm] "really pleased that every half of the two games got better each half," said Tigers head coach Jack Hutchison, who had been quite upset by his team's lacklustre start on Friday.
New acquisition Teresa Morrison--the former captain of the X-Women soccer team who transferred to Dalhousie for its dentistry program--opened the scoring after considerable pressure from the visiting Tigers.
After a corner was cleared Morrison was on hand to finish into the bottom corner past Saint Mary's goalkeeper Justine Caldwell.
The goal failed to spur either team on to greater things and the first half petered away.
Dalhousie controlled the second half, though, and scored three goals in ten minutes to seal a win.
In the 51st minute, Emily Cox beat substitute goalkeeper Ashleigh Bellefontaine to a loose ball and found Jeanette Huck who sidefooted into an empty goal.
Two minutes later, Ottawa native and rookie Emma Landry floated a shot over Bellefontaine for her first goal.
Dalhousie completed the barrage when last year's team-leading scorer (with nine goals) Kate MacDonald chipped a long-range shot over Bellefontaine. Although it looked as though the 'keeper had saved it, the referee awarded a goal after Bellefontaine fumbled the ball and it crossed the line.
"It's never good when you lose 4-0," said Huskies head coach Mark Sweetapple. "Over the two games that we played, there were still quite a few positives to take from it.... Dal has been one of the top two teams the past two years, so I look at it as a good thing that we've played them twice."
Sweetapple will have to build on those positives quickly. Reigning two-time champions Cape Breton come to Halifax on the weekend and the Huskies will be tested by striker Erika Lannon and goalkeeper Jessica MacDermid.
Match Stats (Strictly Unofficial)
Goals: SMU-0; DAL-4
Shots (On Target): SMU-1; DAL-7
Attempts: SMU-1; DAL-9
Fouls: SMU-9; DAL-5
Cautions: SMU-0; DAL-0
Ejections: SMU-0; DAL-0
Corners: SMU-2; DAL-4
Offsides: SMU-1; DAL-2
Injuries: SMU-0; DAL-0
As It Happened: Saint Mary's Huskies (W) v. Dalhousie Tigers (W) ---Preseason--- 4pm September 6th, Husky Stadium
Welcome along again to what has already happened for me, but is currently happening for you and will hopefully work out grammatically. All the past, present, and future tense gets a bit confusing depending on your point of view.
Husky Stadium may be falling apart (the construction tape and hastily scrawled "Off Limits" sign actually enhance its image) but the pigeons are still here, uncaring as ever while they drop their payloads on unsuspecting fans and minute-by-minute writers. I'm currently hiding under the press box.
Dal coach Jack Hutchison was pretty livid after his team came out very limp against SMU on Friday. He's made a few changes based on what I can gather fromt he warm-up: Katelyn Grechuk (or, at least, someone wearing the number 22) is starting. Emma Landry--apparently of Ottawa--gets a deserved second look as well. The mysterious #8 is also starting. Reika Santilli, who probably has a concussion, is not starting.
Teams:
In no particular order: SMU: Holland, Scott, Peters, Jen Caldwell, Turner-Chaisson, Nizio, Justine Caldwell. No Rostaert tonight, at leats to start.
Dal: Landry, Colleen MacDonald, Kate MacDonald, Huck, #8, Henry, #4, Cox, Richard, Armstrong.
1min: Kick-off. Nothing else.
3min: Special thanks to SMU for using a clock tonight. The Tigers are so grateful that they almost let SMU score. Rostaert (whoops, she is starting) with half a chance. No shot, though.
4min: Kate MacDonald breaks in and sizes up a shot, but then decides to break past Jem Caldwell, who wins the ball.
7min: Dal will need to keep the ball on the deck to break down SMU. So far, it doesn't look too bad.
8min: Kate MacDonald turns down my tactical advice and controls a long ball from #4. She's a hair offside, though.
10min: Dal will make an early change, withdrawing #4 for Teresa Morrison, a former St. FX captain before she transferred to Dal for dentistry.
11min: Landry sends a nice through pass to Kate MacDonald wide left. She drops it back to Richard, who misfires her cross straight out of play.
14min: GOAL! (Morrison 14') Corner to Dal after some solid work from Landry. As Cox comes off for Joanna Boldgett the ball breaks to Morrison who streaks in down the right and finishes cooly into the far corner. 1-0 to Dal.
18min: Boldgett works a chance downt he right but Kate MacDonald can't shape to finish.
19min: SMU get a chance as Rostaert cuts into the area on the byline. Huck slides in and puts it behind perfectly.
20min: The corner is claimed by Armstrong. The goal is bad news for SMU--they didn't come close to scoring on Friday and Dal look a changed team. Now Dal attack off a free kick but Landry strays offside.
23min: Cutting pass from Morrison finds MacDonald, but Ashley Donald clears confidently for SMU.
25min: Landry chases a ball into the box and keeper Justine Caldwell clears it off of Landry. It took a dangerous bounce for a moment but SMU bail their stranded keeper out.
26min: Dal are bringing off Richard, who had been playing left back for #7.
31min: Game's settled a bit. Whether SMU have adapted or Dal plateaued I'm not sure. Dal are still pressuring but not getting much on goal. Landry off for Kyla Gunderson, possible. Boldgett shifts wide to make space.
39min: It's becoming much more of a midfield battle. It's getting warmer and I'm getting sleepier. Dal sub: #8 off for #4, as two mystery players change places.
41min: The ha;f is petering out now. The goal seemed to kill of momentum rather than spark it.
42min: SMU change keepers (which they did twice on Friday). Caldwell comes off for Bellefontaine, I think.
44min: Henry, under pressure, concedes a throw rather cheaply, I'm afraid. SMU get it in the box but still can't work a shot.
45+1min: Half-time called, and this one whimpered out. Maybe some fatigue involved, with many of these players having played Friday as well.
Dal haven't actually beaten SMU in about six goes, not since the 2007 playoffs, but SMU hardly look a theat over the 135 combined minutes so far that I've seen them. Two shots on Friday and none so far today won't have the Dal keepers worrying. And SMU will need to be far better for Cape Breton, who come here on the weekend to play both Dal and SMU. Dal look crisp and while CBU will test them, the Capers have lost two key veterans from last year. SMY may well be out of their league against CBU. They're too slow to react and not technically gifted enough. Dal will be in tough against the champions of 2007 and 2008, but it's doable for them. Not so much for Saint Mary's.
As I though, Rebecca Holm has entered the goal for Dal--she had been warming up all through half-time. Richard is back in at left back. Landry and Cox also draw back in. #4 and Boldgett make way. SMU bring out #6 and Maddie Clarke, but I didn't catch who they brought on.
48min: Dal start the first attack, but Cox can't catch it down the right.
51min: GOAL! (Huck 51') Cox dummies in downt he right and crosses into the box. It bounces away, but Bellefontaine chases out of the goal in pursuit. Cox beats her to it and drives a low cross straight to Jeanette Huck, who sidefoots into the gaping goal. 2-0 Dal. SMU's back four were missing in action there. Too much ball watching, and Bellefontaine, well, "bad read" is about all you can say.
53min: GOAL! (Landry 53') And Landry scores from just inside the top left corner of the box, lobbing one over Bellefontaine, who looked only semi-interested in saving it. Bellefontaine is now out, having been replaced by Alicia Wilson. Emily Cox, meanwhile, is subbed off for Dal's #4.
56min: Game over for SMU, as Dal have figured their defense out. SMU have a player down with cramp now--it's #18 who everyone keeps calling "Cassia." Wish I had a roster. Anyway, it looks like cramp. Hutchison makes another change as Henry and Richard are withdrawn for Katelyn Grechuk and #7.
58min: SMU aren't even trying anymore. Dal are showing very clearly that I was right at half-time about being able to take on Cape Breton. They look superb.
60min: Huck breaks down the right and drvies a ball in. It's deflected inches wide by Kate MacDonald. Wilson wouldn't have had a chance had it been on target.
61min: GOAL! (MacDonald 61') Apparently, it went out off a defender because Dal win a corner. The initial corner is cleared out wide but Kate MacDonald turns and rainbows a looping effort towards goal. Wilson looks to have caught it and everybody turns back but the referee points for a goal and Dal go 4-0 up. I think he's right, too--Wilson fumbled it slightly and her hand slipped over the line. Dal now exchange Kate MacDonald for Joanna Boldgett. SMY have also made a change, but I missed it.
63min: This game has reached a poitn where sportswriters can start employing clichés such as "ugly," "dominant," "controlling," and the more utiliatarian "very, very good." Or, in SMU's case, "very, very bad." Gunderson off for Landry.
65min: Boldgett cuts inside and smashes her cross of of Stephanie Holland's arm while it was in the box. Perhaps out fo mercy the referee decides not to award a penalty.
69min: There's a new keeper in for Holm. It might be Hanna Bebb, but without a roster, I can't confirm it. This season's rosters should be out late this week.
71min: Colleen MacDonald comes off, along with Lye and #4. Landry comes on, as do henry and Cox.
75min: Cox makes a beautiful move downt he left to win a corner, which Dal waste.
76min: SMY awake Bebb from a deep slumber as she's forced to collect a drifting header that was really nowhere near goal.
77min: SMU get a free kick 30 yards out. Donald drifts SMU's first shot towards goal, which Bebb snags and holds.
78min: Richard and Boldgett link up well until the assistant calls Richard offside when she wasn't. Cox off for Kate MacDonald.
81min: Dal free kick 30 yards out, now, after Morrison is hacked down. Huck hits the wall.
82min: Corner to Dal as Turner-Chiasson come off for SMU's #8. The corner is cleared too easily for my liking. Rostaert nearly beats Grechuk on the counter, but she loses the ball.
83min: Landry is replaced by Gunderson for Dal.
86min: This half is puttering out, too, which is probably better for SMU.
87min: #4 does well in the box to win a corner for Dal.
90min: The ref graciously refrains from adding extra time and blows right on 90 minutes. SMU might want to rethink their aims this season after that one. Ouch. Final score is 4-0 to Dalhousie.
That's all for me tonight. Dal showed their class today. They'll need to play more like this and less liek they did on Friday in order to beat a very tough Cape Breton side on Saturday. See you there.
Husky Stadium may be falling apart (the construction tape and hastily scrawled "Off Limits" sign actually enhance its image) but the pigeons are still here, uncaring as ever while they drop their payloads on unsuspecting fans and minute-by-minute writers. I'm currently hiding under the press box.
Dal coach Jack Hutchison was pretty livid after his team came out very limp against SMU on Friday. He's made a few changes based on what I can gather fromt he warm-up: Katelyn Grechuk (or, at least, someone wearing the number 22) is starting. Emma Landry--apparently of Ottawa--gets a deserved second look as well. The mysterious #8 is also starting. Reika Santilli, who probably has a concussion, is not starting.
Teams:
In no particular order: SMU: Holland, Scott, Peters, Jen Caldwell, Turner-Chaisson, Nizio, Justine Caldwell. No Rostaert tonight, at leats to start.
Dal: Landry, Colleen MacDonald, Kate MacDonald, Huck, #8, Henry, #4, Cox, Richard, Armstrong.
1min: Kick-off. Nothing else.
3min: Special thanks to SMU for using a clock tonight. The Tigers are so grateful that they almost let SMU score. Rostaert (whoops, she is starting) with half a chance. No shot, though.
4min: Kate MacDonald breaks in and sizes up a shot, but then decides to break past Jem Caldwell, who wins the ball.
7min: Dal will need to keep the ball on the deck to break down SMU. So far, it doesn't look too bad.
8min: Kate MacDonald turns down my tactical advice and controls a long ball from #4. She's a hair offside, though.
10min: Dal will make an early change, withdrawing #4 for Teresa Morrison, a former St. FX captain before she transferred to Dal for dentistry.
11min: Landry sends a nice through pass to Kate MacDonald wide left. She drops it back to Richard, who misfires her cross straight out of play.
14min: GOAL! (Morrison 14') Corner to Dal after some solid work from Landry. As Cox comes off for Joanna Boldgett the ball breaks to Morrison who streaks in down the right and finishes cooly into the far corner. 1-0 to Dal.
18min: Boldgett works a chance downt he right but Kate MacDonald can't shape to finish.
19min: SMU get a chance as Rostaert cuts into the area on the byline. Huck slides in and puts it behind perfectly.
20min: The corner is claimed by Armstrong. The goal is bad news for SMU--they didn't come close to scoring on Friday and Dal look a changed team. Now Dal attack off a free kick but Landry strays offside.
23min: Cutting pass from Morrison finds MacDonald, but Ashley Donald clears confidently for SMU.
25min: Landry chases a ball into the box and keeper Justine Caldwell clears it off of Landry. It took a dangerous bounce for a moment but SMU bail their stranded keeper out.
26min: Dal are bringing off Richard, who had been playing left back for #7.
31min: Game's settled a bit. Whether SMU have adapted or Dal plateaued I'm not sure. Dal are still pressuring but not getting much on goal. Landry off for Kyla Gunderson, possible. Boldgett shifts wide to make space.
39min: It's becoming much more of a midfield battle. It's getting warmer and I'm getting sleepier. Dal sub: #8 off for #4, as two mystery players change places.
41min: The ha;f is petering out now. The goal seemed to kill of momentum rather than spark it.
42min: SMU change keepers (which they did twice on Friday). Caldwell comes off for Bellefontaine, I think.
44min: Henry, under pressure, concedes a throw rather cheaply, I'm afraid. SMU get it in the box but still can't work a shot.
45+1min: Half-time called, and this one whimpered out. Maybe some fatigue involved, with many of these players having played Friday as well.
Dal haven't actually beaten SMU in about six goes, not since the 2007 playoffs, but SMU hardly look a theat over the 135 combined minutes so far that I've seen them. Two shots on Friday and none so far today won't have the Dal keepers worrying. And SMU will need to be far better for Cape Breton, who come here on the weekend to play both Dal and SMU. Dal look crisp and while CBU will test them, the Capers have lost two key veterans from last year. SMY may well be out of their league against CBU. They're too slow to react and not technically gifted enough. Dal will be in tough against the champions of 2007 and 2008, but it's doable for them. Not so much for Saint Mary's.
As I though, Rebecca Holm has entered the goal for Dal--she had been warming up all through half-time. Richard is back in at left back. Landry and Cox also draw back in. #4 and Boldgett make way. SMU bring out #6 and Maddie Clarke, but I didn't catch who they brought on.
48min: Dal start the first attack, but Cox can't catch it down the right.
51min: GOAL! (Huck 51') Cox dummies in downt he right and crosses into the box. It bounces away, but Bellefontaine chases out of the goal in pursuit. Cox beats her to it and drives a low cross straight to Jeanette Huck, who sidefoots into the gaping goal. 2-0 Dal. SMU's back four were missing in action there. Too much ball watching, and Bellefontaine, well, "bad read" is about all you can say.
53min: GOAL! (Landry 53') And Landry scores from just inside the top left corner of the box, lobbing one over Bellefontaine, who looked only semi-interested in saving it. Bellefontaine is now out, having been replaced by Alicia Wilson. Emily Cox, meanwhile, is subbed off for Dal's #4.
56min: Game over for SMU, as Dal have figured their defense out. SMU have a player down with cramp now--it's #18 who everyone keeps calling "Cassia." Wish I had a roster. Anyway, it looks like cramp. Hutchison makes another change as Henry and Richard are withdrawn for Katelyn Grechuk and #7.
58min: SMU aren't even trying anymore. Dal are showing very clearly that I was right at half-time about being able to take on Cape Breton. They look superb.
60min: Huck breaks down the right and drvies a ball in. It's deflected inches wide by Kate MacDonald. Wilson wouldn't have had a chance had it been on target.
61min: GOAL! (MacDonald 61') Apparently, it went out off a defender because Dal win a corner. The initial corner is cleared out wide but Kate MacDonald turns and rainbows a looping effort towards goal. Wilson looks to have caught it and everybody turns back but the referee points for a goal and Dal go 4-0 up. I think he's right, too--Wilson fumbled it slightly and her hand slipped over the line. Dal now exchange Kate MacDonald for Joanna Boldgett. SMY have also made a change, but I missed it.
63min: This game has reached a poitn where sportswriters can start employing clichés such as "ugly," "dominant," "controlling," and the more utiliatarian "very, very good." Or, in SMU's case, "very, very bad." Gunderson off for Landry.
65min: Boldgett cuts inside and smashes her cross of of Stephanie Holland's arm while it was in the box. Perhaps out fo mercy the referee decides not to award a penalty.
69min: There's a new keeper in for Holm. It might be Hanna Bebb, but without a roster, I can't confirm it. This season's rosters should be out late this week.
71min: Colleen MacDonald comes off, along with Lye and #4. Landry comes on, as do henry and Cox.
75min: Cox makes a beautiful move downt he left to win a corner, which Dal waste.
76min: SMY awake Bebb from a deep slumber as she's forced to collect a drifting header that was really nowhere near goal.
77min: SMU get a free kick 30 yards out. Donald drifts SMU's first shot towards goal, which Bebb snags and holds.
78min: Richard and Boldgett link up well until the assistant calls Richard offside when she wasn't. Cox off for Kate MacDonald.
81min: Dal free kick 30 yards out, now, after Morrison is hacked down. Huck hits the wall.
82min: Corner to Dal as Turner-Chiasson come off for SMU's #8. The corner is cleared too easily for my liking. Rostaert nearly beats Grechuk on the counter, but she loses the ball.
83min: Landry is replaced by Gunderson for Dal.
86min: This half is puttering out, too, which is probably better for SMU.
87min: #4 does well in the box to win a corner for Dal.
90min: The ref graciously refrains from adding extra time and blows right on 90 minutes. SMU might want to rethink their aims this season after that one. Ouch. Final score is 4-0 to Dalhousie.
That's all for me tonight. Dal showed their class today. They'll need to play more like this and less liek they did on Friday in order to beat a very tough Cape Breton side on Saturday. See you there.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Player Ratings: Dalhousie Tigers (W) 0 - 0 Saint Mary's Huskies (W)
Here's a new thing for us: player ratings after the games. While these are obviously a work of opinion, we'll be as fair as we can. Feel free to offer differing opinions in the comment section. Until we get rosters, we can really only do Dalhousie ratings. This time, we've assigned a team rating to Saint Mary's.
Since this is university sport, after all, we decided to use a letter-grade system for ratings.
Dalhousie:
Since this is university sport, after all, we decided to use a letter-grade system for ratings.
Dalhousie:
- GK-Rebecca Holm-B+: Holm didn't allow a goal, which is always a good thing for a keeper and seemed confident claiming balls into the box. Strong game for her, although not tested ovelry much.
- GK-Heather Armstrong-B: Also no goals conceded, but didn't command the box quite as well as Holm and looked a little uncertain on some long balls in.
- Jeanette Huck-B: At times, easily the best player on the pitch. She'll need to produce a goal to put herself any higher than B, though.
- Katie Richard-B: Excellent creative game, as usual. Lacked finish at times, but not a bad game.
- Emma Landry-B+: Considering she's a rookie in her first game at this level, she looked confident and poised. Wouldn't surprise me if she nabbed a goal on Sunday.
- Colleen MacDonald-B: Broke up most everything Saint Mary's threw forward and looked strong.
- Reika Santilli-C-: Although she was injured for the second half, Santilli was having a bad outing. Lost possession frequently and didn't seem to move around enough to allow the midfield to transition well.
- Sarah Lye-C+: Kind of invisible for much of the game. I've seen her influence the game, but she didn't tonight.
- Kate MacDonald-B+: Not her best game ever, but she is always a lethal mix of creative and dangerous. A goal would have helped.
- Amanda Henry-B: Faded a bit, but that's permissible in a defender--a defender you don't notice isn't making mistakes. Certainly brings strength to the backline.
- Joanna Boldgett-C: Probably gets a higher grade from Hutchison, who praised her after the game. She sent some crosses in, but really failed to influence the game very much. Lots of potential, though.
- Lesley D'Apollonia-C: The difficulty in coming up with a grade is due to the fact I never really noticed her. Could have created up the wing while at left back, but failed to.
- #7 (roster not yet available)-B: Not a band game. Attacked a bit up the left, defended well, which is what needs to happen from a fullback.
- #8 (roster not yet available)-B+: Did everything but score. That's got to change, but a player who seems to know how to score will not find that task hard.
- Coach-Jack Hutchison-B: When I understand his tactics, I'm sure everything will make sense. He keeps winning, so why question that? There must be some secret. Tactics aside, he improved the team at half-time and they came out looking motivated and played much better for it. Line-up selection was fine for preseason. If Dal had come out motivated before the game, the grade would have been higher.
- Referee-B: Called a good game, but for halting play for an injury on a great Dal chance. It's a friendly, so that alleviates some blame, but for once, I'd like to see the head injury rule called properly.
SMU grade: B-: They brought intensity and looked hungry, but they'll need a lot more potency. Once Dal woke up they were overwhelmed quite easily and really should have conceded but for some poor finishing from Dal. If that had been a regular season game, they would have lost it.
Dalhousie Tigers (W) 0 - 0 Saint Mary's Huskies (W)
The first formal match of the 2009 soccer season was played Friday night at Dalhousie's Wickwire Field. It may only have been preseason soccer, but given the teams--the Tigers against cross-town rivals Saint Mary's--fans could expect some intensity.
Sadly, anyone expecting intensity left disappointed with the 0-0 final. They weren't the only ones. Tigers coach Jack Hutchison was vocal in his displeasure post-game.
[We're] "not overly satisfied with the result," he said. "We didn't play with enough sense of urgency. It's like we played a friendly against our long-lost brother."
Even though the game meant nothing in what is anticipated to be a very competitive AUS season, fans turned out to see the turgid display.
The first half had so few talking points that fans could be forgiven for letting their minds drift.
Hutchison's mind, however, was firmly set on his team, upset that at their transition through the midfield.
[We have to] "not try to pass out of the back when it was time to clear and not try to clear when it was time to pass," he said.
It was an experimental starting line-up for Hutchison's team, which features 5 rookies, many of whom saw time. Back-up keeper Rebecca Holm started, along with Emma Landry of Ottawa. The absence of last year's captain Stephanie Collins meant Amanda Henry started and dropped to centre-back.
One of last year's much-discussed rookies Reika Santilli seemed to sum up the game when she tripped over the ball and landed flat on her face, gifting possession to Saint Mary's.
Santilli's game, however, would draw to an early close with an elbow to the head on the stroke of half-time. She left the game with what appeared to be a concussion.
Whether it was Santilli's exit or Hutchison's half-time talk, Dal came out for the second half.
"I thought our back-line played well," said Huskies coach Mark Sweetapple after the game.
The back four for Saint Mary's were certainly tested as the Tigers attacked with a combination of any of six attackers throughout the second half.
They failed to find the net, however, there most dangerous chance coming when Jeanette Huck dribbled along the byline before shooting from a tight angle, forcing a save from the Saint Mary's keeper.
"Dal are considered to be one of the league's better teams," said Sweetapple. "[The result]'ll give our girls confidence."
The Huskies also lost Taylor Mitchell to a knee injury, although Sweetapple is unsure as of yet how serious it is.
The two teams meet again on Sunday afternoon at Husky Stadium. Hutchison would like to see this game's improvement carry over into Sunday.
"If we go from there to getting better on Sunday, then I'll be a happy coach."
Stats (Strictly Unofficial)
Goals: Dal-0; SMU-0
Shots (On Target): Dal-9; SMU-3
Attempts (Total): Dal-15; SMU-4
Fouls: Dal-4; SMU-7
Cautions: Dal-0; SMU-1
Ejections: Dal-0; SMU-0
Injuries: Dal-1; SMU-1 (Dal: 45+' Reika Santilli; SMU: 57' Taylor Mitchell)
Offsides: Dal-0; SMU-0
Sadly, anyone expecting intensity left disappointed with the 0-0 final. They weren't the only ones. Tigers coach Jack Hutchison was vocal in his displeasure post-game.
[We're] "not overly satisfied with the result," he said. "We didn't play with enough sense of urgency. It's like we played a friendly against our long-lost brother."
Even though the game meant nothing in what is anticipated to be a very competitive AUS season, fans turned out to see the turgid display.
The first half had so few talking points that fans could be forgiven for letting their minds drift.
Hutchison's mind, however, was firmly set on his team, upset that at their transition through the midfield.
[We have to] "not try to pass out of the back when it was time to clear and not try to clear when it was time to pass," he said.
It was an experimental starting line-up for Hutchison's team, which features 5 rookies, many of whom saw time. Back-up keeper Rebecca Holm started, along with Emma Landry of Ottawa. The absence of last year's captain Stephanie Collins meant Amanda Henry started and dropped to centre-back.
One of last year's much-discussed rookies Reika Santilli seemed to sum up the game when she tripped over the ball and landed flat on her face, gifting possession to Saint Mary's.
Santilli's game, however, would draw to an early close with an elbow to the head on the stroke of half-time. She left the game with what appeared to be a concussion.
Whether it was Santilli's exit or Hutchison's half-time talk, Dal came out for the second half.
"I thought our back-line played well," said Huskies coach Mark Sweetapple after the game.
The back four for Saint Mary's were certainly tested as the Tigers attacked with a combination of any of six attackers throughout the second half.
They failed to find the net, however, there most dangerous chance coming when Jeanette Huck dribbled along the byline before shooting from a tight angle, forcing a save from the Saint Mary's keeper.
"Dal are considered to be one of the league's better teams," said Sweetapple. "[The result]'ll give our girls confidence."
The Huskies also lost Taylor Mitchell to a knee injury, although Sweetapple is unsure as of yet how serious it is.
The two teams meet again on Sunday afternoon at Husky Stadium. Hutchison would like to see this game's improvement carry over into Sunday.
"If we go from there to getting better on Sunday, then I'll be a happy coach."
Stats (Strictly Unofficial)
Goals: Dal-0; SMU-0
Shots (On Target): Dal-9; SMU-3
Attempts (Total): Dal-15; SMU-4
Fouls: Dal-4; SMU-7
Cautions: Dal-0; SMU-1
Ejections: Dal-0; SMU-0
Injuries: Dal-1; SMU-1 (Dal: 45+' Reika Santilli; SMU: 57' Taylor Mitchell)
Offsides: Dal-0; SMU-0
As It Happened: Dalhousie Tigers (W) vs. Saint Mary's Huskies (W) ---Preseason---
September 4th, 2009 5:00pm F.B. Wickwire Memorial Field, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Sorry we couldn't bring this to you live. We're working on the internet connection for next time.
4:31pm: This is going to be a big, big game. The ref is wearing flipflops. Dal showed up with all the enthusiasm of recently dead corpses and hauled themselves across the field in a thoroughly zombified way.
4:34pm: SMU are now straggling in, looking thrilled to be playing in this heat, on a verys ticky day. There is a light breeze, though, and there won't be any rain.
4:40pm: Building this up.... I'd say SMU have a decent chance. Hard to say, given it's preseason. SMU have beaten Dal before. It'll be close, at any rate. Why? Because it always is. It's Dal-SMU.
4:41pm: Ref update--the flipflops are gone, which is probably good news.
4:49pm: New captain for Dal today, with Stephanie Collins leaving. Jeanette Huck takes over, I think.
Here are your teams as best I can make them out. Bear in mind this is a friendly and I don't have a roster sheet, so I'm combining this from word of mouth, last year's roster, and other such things. I'll just give the jersey number of anyone I can't figure out.
Dal: Holm, D'Apollonia, Henry, C. MacDonald, Boldgett, Lye, Richard, Santilli, K. MacDonald, Landry, Huck.
SMU: Justine Caldwell, Peters, Currie, Donald, Jennifer Caldwell, #18, Turner-Chiasson, Holland, Clarke (?), Hunter, Rostaert. Again, pretty uncertain here without the roster. Anyone could be wearing any number, you see.
1min: We're off. No clock, annoyingly. Bear with me.
4min: The midfield will be very happy with the attention it's getting, with so many players in it early on. SMU's #18 tries a run from which nothing comes.
7min: Very little to report so far. Not even any tactical interest, though if SMU sit back any further they'll fall over.
9min: A SMU long ball sends #18 flying past Lye, but Holm gathers easily. Now a SMU throw pings around before Boldgett clears.
11min: Dal win a free kick, which is repelled very easily and eventually cleared.
12min: Rostaert handled the ball there, before miscontrolling it off her head for a Dal throw. Veyr symbolic of the game so far.
14min: D'Apollonia gets stripped but recovers very quickly.
16min: D'Apollonia now gets lectured by the referee before being withdrawn for #13. Dal coach Jack Hutchison reminds the ref that it's a friendly. The ref ignores him.
17min: As if to vindicate Hutchison, the ref calls three niggly fouls on SMU.
19min: Santilli launches forward in a decent attack before tripping over the ball and landing on her face. Now Boldgett dawdles on the ball and is dispossed. It goes out for a Dal throw, though. It's preseason alright.
20min: I presume, given he got them to nationals last year, that Jack Hutchison knows what he's doing tactically. I've never understood his plan, though. Why try to lob long balls to MacDonald, who's about 5'7"?
23min: Decent break for Richard on a drive into the box, but a push from Donald stops her. All shoulder, and the ref wisely keeps her whistle in the pocket.
24min: Landry comes off for #4, which used to be Meagan Beaton before she left last year. They'll have unlimited subs tonight, what with it being preseason.
26min: This game is being played with what they call "early season form." SMU's Kirbey Hunter comes off for Burgess. Richard is also coming off for Dal, to be replaced by #8. Huck moves out wide to accomodate.
28min: Santilli gets mauled as the ref gives a free kick SMU's way. It's a goal kick as it deflects behind.
31min: Change for SMU: it's #18 out for Hunter, who's back from a brief break.
32min: Santilli gives it away, and SMU break, but Colleen MacDonald puts a solid challenge in to win it.
34min: Boldgett sends a nice pass down the near touchline. #4 can't control it, but a throw results, from which Santilli whips a good ball in. Huck misses the header and SMU hack it clear.
36min: Huck cuts around SMU #6 but can't quite keep the ball in. Unfortunate, there. Dal have finally arrived for this game.
38min: Lye gets the ball near the corner flag and floats a nice cross in. Huck finds #8, who can't quite control before Caldwell smothers it. Best chance so far, though.
41min: SMU break on the counter, but Colleen MacDonald clears. Another sub. It's AMU's Turner Chiasson off to be replaced by Yates, I think, though with these numbers it's hard to know. Off the throw, everyone seems to miss the ball. Two SMU players go for it but neither gets it and Dal put it behind. The ensuing corner is wasted.
43min: Both these teams are showing very well why long-ball tactics are so mind-numbingly boring.
44min: A throw sends Clarke in, but Colleen MacDonald puts it out for a corner. It's floated in and Currie forces Holm to tip over fom the header.
45min: The follow-up corner is driven straight at the first defender. It pings around a bit until Dal clear.
45+min: #8 flicks a nice one-touch pass to Huck, who scuffs it to the keeper.
45+min: Yates bundles over Lye, and the free kick is flicked goalwards by #8's head before being cleared for a corner. Kate MacDonald will send it. It's volleyed by Huck and the shot deflects out for another corner. This one is passed around (yes, passed! On the ground!) for awhile before finding its way to Huck, but her shot lacks power and the keeper snags it as it floated to the top corner.
45+min: Donald sends a free kick in from the left, but Holm claims confidently as #6 lurked there.
45+min: And now Huck's in! She cuts by the defender easily but Caldwell comes out to cut the angle and takes the ball away very quickly.
Half-Time: Santilli's just been brained by Rostaert with an elbow. She's still down and the ref's call half. No card shown that I can see, but Santilli's hurt and still not up. The physio is out and working on her. She's moving a bit and holding her head. Ah, wait, there has been a yellow for that. Which is appropriate. Santilli's on her knees now, being checked for concussion symptoms, now. It doesn't look good for her.
She's off, under her own power, with some support. Good to see, but I'd say she's done in this game.
It's been a pretty boring half. It did liven up a bit at the end, and the injury adds something to talk about. I happened to be writing at the time, but judging from the reaction and the location on the challenge, I doubt there was any swinging of the elbow, so the yellow card is the right response. It was just a challenge for the ball, onfortunate, but part fo the game. Santilli hadn't been having a great game anyway, so this might give Hutchison an impetus to change things up.
45min: The ref blows the whistle and the teams take the field. And the subs: Heather Armstrong has taken over from Holm. Santilli is out for Landry, who moves wide left and #8 moves into the middle. They kick off and immediately SMU apply pressure.
46min: SMU give away a free kick on the right. It's headed away for a corner. Kate MacDonald will put it in the outswinger. The resulting header is blocked and Landry sends it easily to SMU's new goalkeeper, this time it's Ashleigh Bellefontaine, I think.
47min: Dal's #8 spreads play wide to Landry, who skies her shot over. The chances are starting to come, now they can work on finish.
49min: A strong opening for Dal here with some sustained pressure in the final third. Better transition through the midfield, too--much faster.
50min: Kate MacDonald starts a chance off and ends it, too. She sent it wide to Huck, who beat her mark and crossed, but MacDonald missed the return pass. Boldgett, I think, off for Richard.
52min: And Richard immediately creates a chance. She pushes it to the byline and tries to cut towards goal. She's held off very physically by Currie, who certainly risked a penalty there. She never really worked the keeper, though. SMU have withdrawn Hunter for Turner-Chiasson and meanwhile Dal remove Henry for MacNeill (?).
55min: #8 strikes one across the goal from 25 yards out. It's a good shot but Bellefontaine deals with it quite nicely.
57min: Shocking decision from the ref! Dal #8 is in the penalty areas staring down the keeper and SMU's Taylor Mitchell keels over. The ref blows play. There had been a tussle for the ball, where, if anything, Mitchell had fouled Dal's #8. It'll be interesting to see what happens, but given they're examining her ankle, I see no reason why play should have stopped, as it wasn't a head injury. And the SMU coach has taken the opportunity to chat with his team on the field. I suppose the defense is that it's a friendly, but tell that to Dal's #8.
60min: This injury looks bad. She's still down, and everyone is standing around sharing a bit of gossip. Ah, she's up now and being helped off, although she's walking easily enough.
61min: Dal sportingly play it out, Waste of a goal, if you ask me. Last I checked, the laws of the game still apply in friendlies.
62min: Huck chips a shot toawrds goal which misses, but not by nuch.
63min: Jeanette Huck! Now she's got it again, turning Peters before driving a shot across the six-yard box. Bellefontaine palms it away. Great chance and the best so far.
65min: Dal had pressure but SMU #18 sends a cross to the top of the box. Rostaert controls nicely and should have carved out a chance, but didn't.
66min: Huck pops up again, cuts inside, jumps a tackle and curls one past the elbow of the net. Huck has taken over this game.
68min: Dal #13 makes way, along with #2, for #7 and Amanda Henry. I can't wait for rosters to be released.
71min: Hutchison looks to rest Huck, I think, bringing in #13 again. Richard moves to right back, and #7 to left back.
72min: Armstrong gets bored and decides to come for a ball she shouldn't have. She nearly gets burned but the clash results in the ball bouncing awya harmlessly. Pressure ensues, and #18 gets a chance before making a bad pass to Rostaert, and it all comes to nothing. Richard's come off for Jeanette Huck, who moves to the back line, now.
74min: Landry has a try from a ridiculous angle. Bellefontaine does well to hold on to it, though.
75min: Dal work half a chance and Huck plays the cross out of play. SMU have just switched to their third goalkeeper tongiht, who I assume from last year's roster is Alicia Wilson, though we'll never likely be sure.
77min: Dal work half a chance and try to find #13. The ball flies loose and caroms off of Kate MacDonald's face, She's alright, after a breather. Now Landry's come off for Richard.
79min: Richard creates down the left, rolling a tantalising cross into the middle. #8 can't control it, though.
80min: Dal #8 swerves a shot into Wilson's chest. Easy save, but the build-up is getting better.
81min: Dal get a three-on-two break, but #4 elects to shoot off the right flank, rather than look for Richard or #8.
82min: Dal win a corner. It's overhit by MacDonald, but she gets to the box and recovers for a shot, which goes wide.
84min: SMU break the other way and Clarke gets a little more space than necessary. She shot was always going wide, but Armstrong was careful.
88min: A SMU long throw forces Armstrong to claim bravely over Rostaert.
89min: Dal withdraw #4 for Landry. More Dal pressure leads to a chance but #8 can't connect on her header. This second half has been much better than the first.
90+min: A nice turn from Rostaert looks to have set her free, but Colleen MacDonald is there, staying right with her to poke the ball away.
90+min: Lye launches a 30 yard shot at goal, but it loses speed quick and is saved easily by Wilson.
90+min: Landry cuts inside the box and is pulled back. There's no call, and Huck decides to have a go from way, way out, which is caught easily by Wilson.
Full-Time comes and it's a 0-0 finish, which is a tad unfortunate. The second half certainly deserved a goal, even if the first half didn't.
We'll be back on Sunday for the rematch at SMU, and then on Tuesday for the men against Halifax City. With luck, they'll be a goal next time.
Sorry we couldn't bring this to you live. We're working on the internet connection for next time.
4:31pm: This is going to be a big, big game. The ref is wearing flipflops. Dal showed up with all the enthusiasm of recently dead corpses and hauled themselves across the field in a thoroughly zombified way.
4:34pm: SMU are now straggling in, looking thrilled to be playing in this heat, on a verys ticky day. There is a light breeze, though, and there won't be any rain.
4:40pm: Building this up.... I'd say SMU have a decent chance. Hard to say, given it's preseason. SMU have beaten Dal before. It'll be close, at any rate. Why? Because it always is. It's Dal-SMU.
4:41pm: Ref update--the flipflops are gone, which is probably good news.
4:49pm: New captain for Dal today, with Stephanie Collins leaving. Jeanette Huck takes over, I think.
Here are your teams as best I can make them out. Bear in mind this is a friendly and I don't have a roster sheet, so I'm combining this from word of mouth, last year's roster, and other such things. I'll just give the jersey number of anyone I can't figure out.
Dal: Holm, D'Apollonia, Henry, C. MacDonald, Boldgett, Lye, Richard, Santilli, K. MacDonald, Landry, Huck.
SMU: Justine Caldwell, Peters, Currie, Donald, Jennifer Caldwell, #18, Turner-Chiasson, Holland, Clarke (?), Hunter, Rostaert. Again, pretty uncertain here without the roster. Anyone could be wearing any number, you see.
1min: We're off. No clock, annoyingly. Bear with me.
4min: The midfield will be very happy with the attention it's getting, with so many players in it early on. SMU's #18 tries a run from which nothing comes.
7min: Very little to report so far. Not even any tactical interest, though if SMU sit back any further they'll fall over.
9min: A SMU long ball sends #18 flying past Lye, but Holm gathers easily. Now a SMU throw pings around before Boldgett clears.
11min: Dal win a free kick, which is repelled very easily and eventually cleared.
12min: Rostaert handled the ball there, before miscontrolling it off her head for a Dal throw. Veyr symbolic of the game so far.
14min: D'Apollonia gets stripped but recovers very quickly.
16min: D'Apollonia now gets lectured by the referee before being withdrawn for #13. Dal coach Jack Hutchison reminds the ref that it's a friendly. The ref ignores him.
17min: As if to vindicate Hutchison, the ref calls three niggly fouls on SMU.
19min: Santilli launches forward in a decent attack before tripping over the ball and landing on her face. Now Boldgett dawdles on the ball and is dispossed. It goes out for a Dal throw, though. It's preseason alright.
20min: I presume, given he got them to nationals last year, that Jack Hutchison knows what he's doing tactically. I've never understood his plan, though. Why try to lob long balls to MacDonald, who's about 5'7"?
23min: Decent break for Richard on a drive into the box, but a push from Donald stops her. All shoulder, and the ref wisely keeps her whistle in the pocket.
24min: Landry comes off for #4, which used to be Meagan Beaton before she left last year. They'll have unlimited subs tonight, what with it being preseason.
26min: This game is being played with what they call "early season form." SMU's Kirbey Hunter comes off for Burgess. Richard is also coming off for Dal, to be replaced by #8. Huck moves out wide to accomodate.
28min: Santilli gets mauled as the ref gives a free kick SMU's way. It's a goal kick as it deflects behind.
31min: Change for SMU: it's #18 out for Hunter, who's back from a brief break.
32min: Santilli gives it away, and SMU break, but Colleen MacDonald puts a solid challenge in to win it.
34min: Boldgett sends a nice pass down the near touchline. #4 can't control it, but a throw results, from which Santilli whips a good ball in. Huck misses the header and SMU hack it clear.
36min: Huck cuts around SMU #6 but can't quite keep the ball in. Unfortunate, there. Dal have finally arrived for this game.
38min: Lye gets the ball near the corner flag and floats a nice cross in. Huck finds #8, who can't quite control before Caldwell smothers it. Best chance so far, though.
41min: SMU break on the counter, but Colleen MacDonald clears. Another sub. It's AMU's Turner Chiasson off to be replaced by Yates, I think, though with these numbers it's hard to know. Off the throw, everyone seems to miss the ball. Two SMU players go for it but neither gets it and Dal put it behind. The ensuing corner is wasted.
43min: Both these teams are showing very well why long-ball tactics are so mind-numbingly boring.
44min: A throw sends Clarke in, but Colleen MacDonald puts it out for a corner. It's floated in and Currie forces Holm to tip over fom the header.
45min: The follow-up corner is driven straight at the first defender. It pings around a bit until Dal clear.
45+min: #8 flicks a nice one-touch pass to Huck, who scuffs it to the keeper.
45+min: Yates bundles over Lye, and the free kick is flicked goalwards by #8's head before being cleared for a corner. Kate MacDonald will send it. It's volleyed by Huck and the shot deflects out for another corner. This one is passed around (yes, passed! On the ground!) for awhile before finding its way to Huck, but her shot lacks power and the keeper snags it as it floated to the top corner.
45+min: Donald sends a free kick in from the left, but Holm claims confidently as #6 lurked there.
45+min: And now Huck's in! She cuts by the defender easily but Caldwell comes out to cut the angle and takes the ball away very quickly.
Half-Time: Santilli's just been brained by Rostaert with an elbow. She's still down and the ref's call half. No card shown that I can see, but Santilli's hurt and still not up. The physio is out and working on her. She's moving a bit and holding her head. Ah, wait, there has been a yellow for that. Which is appropriate. Santilli's on her knees now, being checked for concussion symptoms, now. It doesn't look good for her.
She's off, under her own power, with some support. Good to see, but I'd say she's done in this game.
It's been a pretty boring half. It did liven up a bit at the end, and the injury adds something to talk about. I happened to be writing at the time, but judging from the reaction and the location on the challenge, I doubt there was any swinging of the elbow, so the yellow card is the right response. It was just a challenge for the ball, onfortunate, but part fo the game. Santilli hadn't been having a great game anyway, so this might give Hutchison an impetus to change things up.
45min: The ref blows the whistle and the teams take the field. And the subs: Heather Armstrong has taken over from Holm. Santilli is out for Landry, who moves wide left and #8 moves into the middle. They kick off and immediately SMU apply pressure.
46min: SMU give away a free kick on the right. It's headed away for a corner. Kate MacDonald will put it in the outswinger. The resulting header is blocked and Landry sends it easily to SMU's new goalkeeper, this time it's Ashleigh Bellefontaine, I think.
47min: Dal's #8 spreads play wide to Landry, who skies her shot over. The chances are starting to come, now they can work on finish.
49min: A strong opening for Dal here with some sustained pressure in the final third. Better transition through the midfield, too--much faster.
50min: Kate MacDonald starts a chance off and ends it, too. She sent it wide to Huck, who beat her mark and crossed, but MacDonald missed the return pass. Boldgett, I think, off for Richard.
52min: And Richard immediately creates a chance. She pushes it to the byline and tries to cut towards goal. She's held off very physically by Currie, who certainly risked a penalty there. She never really worked the keeper, though. SMU have withdrawn Hunter for Turner-Chiasson and meanwhile Dal remove Henry for MacNeill (?).
55min: #8 strikes one across the goal from 25 yards out. It's a good shot but Bellefontaine deals with it quite nicely.
57min: Shocking decision from the ref! Dal #8 is in the penalty areas staring down the keeper and SMU's Taylor Mitchell keels over. The ref blows play. There had been a tussle for the ball, where, if anything, Mitchell had fouled Dal's #8. It'll be interesting to see what happens, but given they're examining her ankle, I see no reason why play should have stopped, as it wasn't a head injury. And the SMU coach has taken the opportunity to chat with his team on the field. I suppose the defense is that it's a friendly, but tell that to Dal's #8.
60min: This injury looks bad. She's still down, and everyone is standing around sharing a bit of gossip. Ah, she's up now and being helped off, although she's walking easily enough.
61min: Dal sportingly play it out, Waste of a goal, if you ask me. Last I checked, the laws of the game still apply in friendlies.
62min: Huck chips a shot toawrds goal which misses, but not by nuch.
63min: Jeanette Huck! Now she's got it again, turning Peters before driving a shot across the six-yard box. Bellefontaine palms it away. Great chance and the best so far.
65min: Dal had pressure but SMU #18 sends a cross to the top of the box. Rostaert controls nicely and should have carved out a chance, but didn't.
66min: Huck pops up again, cuts inside, jumps a tackle and curls one past the elbow of the net. Huck has taken over this game.
68min: Dal #13 makes way, along with #2, for #7 and Amanda Henry. I can't wait for rosters to be released.
71min: Hutchison looks to rest Huck, I think, bringing in #13 again. Richard moves to right back, and #7 to left back.
72min: Armstrong gets bored and decides to come for a ball she shouldn't have. She nearly gets burned but the clash results in the ball bouncing awya harmlessly. Pressure ensues, and #18 gets a chance before making a bad pass to Rostaert, and it all comes to nothing. Richard's come off for Jeanette Huck, who moves to the back line, now.
74min: Landry has a try from a ridiculous angle. Bellefontaine does well to hold on to it, though.
75min: Dal work half a chance and Huck plays the cross out of play. SMU have just switched to their third goalkeeper tongiht, who I assume from last year's roster is Alicia Wilson, though we'll never likely be sure.
77min: Dal work half a chance and try to find #13. The ball flies loose and caroms off of Kate MacDonald's face, She's alright, after a breather. Now Landry's come off for Richard.
79min: Richard creates down the left, rolling a tantalising cross into the middle. #8 can't control it, though.
80min: Dal #8 swerves a shot into Wilson's chest. Easy save, but the build-up is getting better.
81min: Dal get a three-on-two break, but #4 elects to shoot off the right flank, rather than look for Richard or #8.
82min: Dal win a corner. It's overhit by MacDonald, but she gets to the box and recovers for a shot, which goes wide.
84min: SMU break the other way and Clarke gets a little more space than necessary. She shot was always going wide, but Armstrong was careful.
88min: A SMU long throw forces Armstrong to claim bravely over Rostaert.
89min: Dal withdraw #4 for Landry. More Dal pressure leads to a chance but #8 can't connect on her header. This second half has been much better than the first.
90+min: A nice turn from Rostaert looks to have set her free, but Colleen MacDonald is there, staying right with her to poke the ball away.
90+min: Lye launches a 30 yard shot at goal, but it loses speed quick and is saved easily by Wilson.
90+min: Landry cuts inside the box and is pulled back. There's no call, and Huck decides to have a go from way, way out, which is caught easily by Wilson.
Full-Time comes and it's a 0-0 finish, which is a tad unfortunate. The second half certainly deserved a goal, even if the first half didn't.
We'll be back on Sunday for the rematch at SMU, and then on Tuesday for the men against Halifax City. With luck, they'll be a goal next time.
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