12:19: Hi, and welcome to what,with several hundred dollars worth of technical equipment, could have been/could be a live report. Such technology is not available to Dal Soccer Live at this time. As such, we're not actually “live” anymore. If you're upset about that, you can go and see our legal department, which would cost several million dollars that we don't have, either.
12:22: CBU have really nice new orange and black kits, so they look like a cross between AS Roma and Jack O'Lanterns. Snazzy.
12:25: Big news! “Eye of the Tiger” has yet to be played and we're 25 minutes into warm-up!
12:26: Pre-game stuff you actually might want to know. CBU are really good, but key striker Kristina Weatherbie has left. Dal weren't so good last year, but have 12 new players and look really good in preseason, which means we're in for a stagnating 0-0 draw here, I'm afraid. Yep, that's my official prediction.
12:33: Kate MacDonald has a substitute pinny on for Dal. Does this mean Jack Hutchison is actually going to sit his most potent offensive player to try and throw off CBU? Not sure I agree there. Let's see if she starts.
Teams: CBU: MacDermid, McNeill, Kavanaugh, Katherine Mills, Lannon, Burke, Shaw, Snow, Rogers, Budhoo, Abenheimer.
Dal: Armstrong, Morrison, Colleen MacDonald, Richard, O'Reilly, Kate MacDonald, Huck, Donald, McKilligan, Landry, Henry.
1min: Dal kick-off and we don't have a clock. For AUS play? Unconscionable!
4min: Not much to report so far. Huck loops one in, but it's high. And Alannah MacLean, who has been, but for 10 minutes against SMU last Sunday, curiously absent, is still listed on the team sheet. She's evidently not dressing today, though, since she and most of the other Dal reserves are sitting two rows in front of me. I'll try and look into that.
6min: CBU free kick, after a chop from O'Reilly, I think. Shaw sends a dangerous ball in, but everyone misses it and it goes out for a goal kick.
8min: It's rather crucial to keep an eye on Erika Lannon. That job falls to Amanda Henry today.
10min: Now a Dal free kick, about 35 yards out. Donald lays a pass for O'Reilly to chase. She never gets to it, though. Sloppy, there.
11min: O'Reilly shoots from 30 yards. MacDermid yawns before catching it.
13min: Ref's a bit whistle-happy at the moment.
17min: It's worth bearing in mind that much of this CBU roster has CIS national experience, and a lot of it at that. Dal look like they're a bit nervous. A lot of debuts today, after all.
21min: Kate MacDonald gets an elbow in the teeth and politely indicates to the ref that a foul was in order. She's right, too. Speaking of which, Dal want to make sure Lannon doesn't get a chance to win a penalty. This ref would call it.
22min: Kate MacDonald with another long range effort, which MacDermid snags.
24min: Henry forces Lannon to tackle from behind. Henry stumbles a bit and keeps running when she should have gone down. That challenge was illegal and would have felled most players—make sure the ref sees it. Any chance to get Lannon booked should be taken, especially if it's legitimate.
25min: Dal's first change, McKilligan out for Blodgett. Capers Kristine Mills in for Snow, possibly. Blodgett's a great player—now she has to conquer the debut nerves.
27min: CBU are dirty. Lots of late kicking and a lot of elbows. Ref's calling none of it.
28min: Huck gets a chance, but CBU escape with a corner. It's cleared.
29min: Great chance for Blodgett, who controls a missed opportunity, cuts to her left boot and smashes a lethal-looking shot across goal, which MacDermid just fingers away.
30min: Lannon gets through, but is inches offside.
31min: To me, Katie Richard is wasted at left back. She's so creative, but she never gets any tocuhes at the back. When Stephanie Crewe and Alannah MacLean are watching the game, it makes no sense. Without Richard linking in midfield, Dal end up booting long balls up to 5'7” Kate MacDonald, which isn't overly effective.
34min: CBU gets a free kick after the ref calls Huck for contact CBU have been getting away with all day. Huck ignores the ref's lecture. CBU's ball in is brilliant, but so is Armstrong, who claims very well.
35min: Free kick to Dal, 20 yards out after O'Reilly is hauled down.
36min: Great strike from Huck, who beats the wall. MacDermid is just able to touch it onto the bar. Capers bring Sabina Solymar in for Tara Rogers.
37min: Dal's corner slices through the six-yard box. There's no contact and it runs out.
38min: Lannon's withdrawn for a rest. Jennifer Sheppard comes in.
43min: Blodgett extends MacDermid with a long range blast. MacDermid misses, but the ball
flashes past the post. CBU bring off McNeill for Cunningham.
45+min: Morrison is plowed in the back of the head with an arm, and fails to draw a card. That was yellow, at least.
45+min: Kate MacDonald finds Landry, who tries to head home from 15 yards out. She doesn't.
45+min: Corner to Cape Breton. It's put out and they'll do it again. This one is played aorund a bit before Solymar mishits a two-yard tap-in. CBU should be 1-0 up. Great cross from Burke to find Solymar, but utterly wasted by the CBU striker.
45+min: Kate MacDonald is dropped from behind with a nasty challenge. No foul.
Half-time: The ref calls the half, which is possibly the first reliable thing he's done today.
And we're back. Here come as many subs as I can find. Santilli has replaced O'Reilly as Dal play 3 deeper midfielders. Lannon's back in, I think for Solymar. McNeill's back in, too.
48min: Armstrong robs Lannon! Dal's 4th year keeper dives to her right to deny CBU's dangerous scorer the low corner of the goal. Pure reaction at point-blank range.
50min: Richard gets lots of possession down the left, but doesn't make much of it. She's great getting forward, though.
51min: Katherine Mills just about catches MacDermid on a back pass. They survive, but concede a free kick.
52min: Morrison kind of wastes the shot.
53min: Corner to Dal, which MacDermid drops, but Dal can't convert.
56min: Landry is withdrawn for McKilligan again. Kate MacDonald gets flattened again. Free kick to Dal.
57min: Cleared off the line! Twice! The free kick comes in, MacDermid steals the first header from Santilli, and Kate MacDonald follows up only to see Cunningham clear again.
61min: Cool goalkeeping from Armstrong, claiming well under pressure from Solymar. CBU now withdraw Solymar for Sheppard and Burke replaces Lannon.
62min: Dal sub, with Kate MacDonald coming off for Emma Landry.
63min: Good-looking CBU cross flies narrowly past three attackers before Dal clear.
64min: Snow is booked for pulling back Landry in the midfield. That was deserved.
65min: Dal looks sharp—but not much like scoring.
66min: Santilli's been a beast for Dal in midfield after her concussion last week (albeit a mild one). CBU remove Sheppard for Kristine Mills.
68min: Landry has a pop, which MacDermid watches sail wide.
71min: Corner to Dal. Donald controls, but she can't get her shot through.
72min: Dal narrowly miss as Blodgett screams one across the face of goal. Dal have to be careful: wasted chances can hurt if CBU snatch a winner on a set-piece. Dal should get three points here—they deserve it—but they don't have forever. McKilligan is off Kate MacDonald. Sheppard is replaced by Solymar.
74min: Morrison has a shot, but it's off her weaker foot as MacDermid claims.
79min: Budhoo out for Lannon as CBU get a corner. Watch out: Lannon can score quickly. It only takes one mistake.
81min: CBU get a ball in the box off another corner, but Dal hustle it clear.
83min: Kate MacDonald goes down in the box. Snow throws her arms up in the air as MacDonald tumbles and the ref buys it.
85min: Santilli stings MacDermid's palms with a free kick and Landry somehow misses the wide open rebound before MacDermid can claim it.
87min: Donald takes her time, meditates on the matter, consults Aristotle's “Ethics” and thrashes a shot over MacDermid and off the bar. Landry misses another gaping rebound as MacDermid was lying helpless.
90min: Corner to CBU as Sheppard replaces Lannon, I think. Dal clear the corner and bring on McKilligan for Santilli. Landry then goes on a mazy run looking for a shot, which she never finds.
90+min: The ref's tagged two minutes on. Huck launches a cross-shot which MacDermid pulls in.
90+min: Burke is borught off for Tara Rogers.
Full-time: And my prediction comes true, with a 0-0 scoreline, although it wasn;t as boring as I predicted. Solid showing, but both teams—especially Dal—will be disappointed with a single point.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
UKC Blue Devils (M) v. Halifax City (M)---Preseason
8:30-something: Hi everyone. It's a cool, but not uncomfortable night here at Wickwire Field. Kings' men take on Halifax City in a friendly. It'll be a bit of a touch and go affair round this notebook, since I don't have current rosters for Kings' yet and City are using a combination team best described as experimental. In other words, their coach is playing. Bear with me.
Dal played City on Tuesday and while details are sketchy, the City players tell me it was a pretty one-sided scoreline for Dal. They won't tell me any more than that.
There's a pretty massive rugby practice going on now, although they should be gone soon.
Halifax City are, if possible, taking this even less seriously than Kings', who have already admitted they don't care about this game. City are going to senior men's nationals in November. All in all, that means a couple of players might actually run for a few seconds tonight.
Don't even ask me for teams.
UKC: Viner, Wallingford, Bathe, Rombault, Pate, Parsley, Kovacevic, Keun, possibly Palmer-Dixon, Straathof, and Karkilins.
I have no idea who the City players are.
1min: City will kick off once someone finds a ball to play with. I told you they didn't care too much.
1min: They find a ball and City kick-off.
2min: No clock, so all times are estimates. Corner to City.
3min: After one mulligan corner for City, they manage to force Viner into a save off a header. He throws it straight back to the City attackers, but they go offside.
5min: Kings' work half a chance but City's keeper claims it.
7min: Keun loops miles over from 20 yards. Blah.
10min: Corner to Kings'. City clear.
11min: City #15, who might be Kevin Steeves, breaks down the right side of the box and crosses for #18 who shanks a tap in.
13min: Karkilins gets by somebody who might or might not be Brian Francis and chips a shot over both keeper and goal. Ho-hum.
17min: Kings' look tested so far, which is good practice for them.
19min: Karkilins misses glorious chance number 6582347 by getting free in the D and walloping wide and high. Yawn.
21min: Shot from City #18 is easy for Viner, but at least on target.
27min: Viner whiffs on a City ball, but it bounces away. Lucky guy, there.
28min: Karkilins spins to make space and somehow contrives not to get a shot. City bring off number 15 for 9, 22 for 14, and somebody else for #4.
31min: Karkilins has a shot deflected wide. Closer.
33min: Pate misses a challenge on the left and Viner is forced to palm the cross dangerously out into space. City fail to create a chance from that.
34min: Corner to Kings'. They go offside and it's wasted.
35min: City get a shot. It sails 5 feet over, but it's still a shot.
37min: Wallingford with soem strong defending on the right. He's looked good so far.
38min: Keun is down with a right leg problem. Might be an ankle, might be some cramp. I think there was some contact late, it was kind of behind the play. City remove #8 for #4. Meanwhiel, Keun is carried off by two teamates.
41min: Karkilins... misses! Though it's on target this time. Nice save from the keeper, but he had all the time in the world and sent it straight at him. The corner is cleared off the line. This is a little better.
42min: Keun has been replaced for Kings', but I can't figure out by whom.
44min: City work a chance, but 19 shoots wide after deflecting the ball off a Kings' player.
45min: Parsley breaks down the right, sizes up the keeper, looks far post, and misses. Apparently the keeper got a piece of it, but the corner comes to nothing.
45+min: GOAL!: Karkilins finally scores, riding more than a few challenges before cutting back, turning, and scoring into the low corner. At last! 1-0.
45+min: Wallingford deals particularly well with a cross and starts a counter-attack, which deteriorates pretty quickly.
45+min: Fegan, I think, off for #8, who may be Budreski.
45+min: Parsley and Wallingford work a good chance, but City #14 claers at the last moment.
Half-time: The ref blows for the half. Missed chances abound and it's beena bit sloppy so far.
We're just about back. Kings' have a few changes. Donal is in, MacIntyre is in. #2 is also in, but we don't have the new roster yet, so I have no idea who he is.
City will have made changes, but I'll never be able to find out who.
47min: Sustained City attack, but Kings' survive.
48min: MacIntyre with his first loud--but legal--sliding challenge. Now Karkilins chases a ball into the box, but can't catch it.
50min: Kings' free kick wide right. It's repelled pretty easily. City counter quickly and catch Viner 10yards out of his box, but he manages to boot it away and scamper back.
51min: Budreski with a wild challenge in the midfield. He's somewhat lucky to avoid the yellow for that.
54min: Karkilins finds #2, but #2 skews the shot away from the goal.
55min: MacIntyre loud and boisterous tackle count: 2.
56min: Corner to City after Rombault defends a cross. City play it short and lose possession.
57min: GOAL!: Fegan equalizes against his other team as Kings' try to move forward, lose possession, and gift City a 3-on-2. Fegan loops the shot over Viner, who got a hand on it, but not enough of a hand.
58min: MacIntyre loud a boisterous tackle count: 3.
59min: Donal flubs on a pass back to him and City #22 breaks in. His cross floats behind over the bar, though.
61min: Fegan gets his head on the end of another Blue Devils defensive blunder, but his shot is just over.
63min: Karkilins races the keeper to a loose ball, but the keeper wins the race. Bedruski off for the coach, #15.
64min: Kings' are through on goal, but Karkilins is offside.
65min: 2-on-1 for Kings' in the box, but MacIntyre loses possession somehow. He makes up for ti with a challenge. Loud and boisterous tackle count: 4.
66min: The war of words which has been going on more or less since kick-off ebtween Karkilins and City #14 (probably Brian Francis) results in some shouting and a lecture from the ref. Francis refuses to apologize to Karkilins, who is now taken off for Kovacevic. I can't help but notice Kovacevic is a lot taller than Francis.
68min: Pate clears a tap in away from City's coach as Bedruski (who appears to be back on) sens it across. Nice link-up for City but pate made a phenomenal clearance.
71min: Corner to Kings' is claimed. City #10 replaced by City #19.
73min: GOAL! Bedruskim, who has worried Kings' with his pace all night finally gets his goal. City steal down the left and Fegan picks out Bedruski with a low, hard cross. Bedruski taps it past Viner. Fegan's been pretty deadly tonight.
Full-Time, apparently. Whether I lost track of time spectacularly or the ref blew early we'll never know. Certainly my watch didn't suggest 45 minutes had elapsed since half-time, but I could be wrong. It is conceivable, though, that they just called it, given both teams were looking a bit tired and Kings' play Saturday. Final score is a 2-1 win for Halifax City.
Dal played City on Tuesday and while details are sketchy, the City players tell me it was a pretty one-sided scoreline for Dal. They won't tell me any more than that.
There's a pretty massive rugby practice going on now, although they should be gone soon.
Halifax City are, if possible, taking this even less seriously than Kings', who have already admitted they don't care about this game. City are going to senior men's nationals in November. All in all, that means a couple of players might actually run for a few seconds tonight.
Don't even ask me for teams.
UKC: Viner, Wallingford, Bathe, Rombault, Pate, Parsley, Kovacevic, Keun, possibly Palmer-Dixon, Straathof, and Karkilins.
I have no idea who the City players are.
1min: City will kick off once someone finds a ball to play with. I told you they didn't care too much.
1min: They find a ball and City kick-off.
2min: No clock, so all times are estimates. Corner to City.
3min: After one mulligan corner for City, they manage to force Viner into a save off a header. He throws it straight back to the City attackers, but they go offside.
5min: Kings' work half a chance but City's keeper claims it.
7min: Keun loops miles over from 20 yards. Blah.
10min: Corner to Kings'. City clear.
11min: City #15, who might be Kevin Steeves, breaks down the right side of the box and crosses for #18 who shanks a tap in.
13min: Karkilins gets by somebody who might or might not be Brian Francis and chips a shot over both keeper and goal. Ho-hum.
17min: Kings' look tested so far, which is good practice for them.
19min: Karkilins misses glorious chance number 6582347 by getting free in the D and walloping wide and high. Yawn.
21min: Shot from City #18 is easy for Viner, but at least on target.
27min: Viner whiffs on a City ball, but it bounces away. Lucky guy, there.
28min: Karkilins spins to make space and somehow contrives not to get a shot. City bring off number 15 for 9, 22 for 14, and somebody else for #4.
31min: Karkilins has a shot deflected wide. Closer.
33min: Pate misses a challenge on the left and Viner is forced to palm the cross dangerously out into space. City fail to create a chance from that.
34min: Corner to Kings'. They go offside and it's wasted.
35min: City get a shot. It sails 5 feet over, but it's still a shot.
37min: Wallingford with soem strong defending on the right. He's looked good so far.
38min: Keun is down with a right leg problem. Might be an ankle, might be some cramp. I think there was some contact late, it was kind of behind the play. City remove #8 for #4. Meanwhiel, Keun is carried off by two teamates.
41min: Karkilins... misses! Though it's on target this time. Nice save from the keeper, but he had all the time in the world and sent it straight at him. The corner is cleared off the line. This is a little better.
42min: Keun has been replaced for Kings', but I can't figure out by whom.
44min: City work a chance, but 19 shoots wide after deflecting the ball off a Kings' player.
45min: Parsley breaks down the right, sizes up the keeper, looks far post, and misses. Apparently the keeper got a piece of it, but the corner comes to nothing.
45+min: GOAL!: Karkilins finally scores, riding more than a few challenges before cutting back, turning, and scoring into the low corner. At last! 1-0.
45+min: Wallingford deals particularly well with a cross and starts a counter-attack, which deteriorates pretty quickly.
45+min: Fegan, I think, off for #8, who may be Budreski.
45+min: Parsley and Wallingford work a good chance, but City #14 claers at the last moment.
Half-time: The ref blows for the half. Missed chances abound and it's beena bit sloppy so far.
We're just about back. Kings' have a few changes. Donal is in, MacIntyre is in. #2 is also in, but we don't have the new roster yet, so I have no idea who he is.
City will have made changes, but I'll never be able to find out who.
47min: Sustained City attack, but Kings' survive.
48min: MacIntyre with his first loud--but legal--sliding challenge. Now Karkilins chases a ball into the box, but can't catch it.
50min: Kings' free kick wide right. It's repelled pretty easily. City counter quickly and catch Viner 10yards out of his box, but he manages to boot it away and scamper back.
51min: Budreski with a wild challenge in the midfield. He's somewhat lucky to avoid the yellow for that.
54min: Karkilins finds #2, but #2 skews the shot away from the goal.
55min: MacIntyre loud and boisterous tackle count: 2.
56min: Corner to City after Rombault defends a cross. City play it short and lose possession.
57min: GOAL!: Fegan equalizes against his other team as Kings' try to move forward, lose possession, and gift City a 3-on-2. Fegan loops the shot over Viner, who got a hand on it, but not enough of a hand.
58min: MacIntyre loud a boisterous tackle count: 3.
59min: Donal flubs on a pass back to him and City #22 breaks in. His cross floats behind over the bar, though.
61min: Fegan gets his head on the end of another Blue Devils defensive blunder, but his shot is just over.
63min: Karkilins races the keeper to a loose ball, but the keeper wins the race. Bedruski off for the coach, #15.
64min: Kings' are through on goal, but Karkilins is offside.
65min: 2-on-1 for Kings' in the box, but MacIntyre loses possession somehow. He makes up for ti with a challenge. Loud and boisterous tackle count: 4.
66min: The war of words which has been going on more or less since kick-off ebtween Karkilins and City #14 (probably Brian Francis) results in some shouting and a lecture from the ref. Francis refuses to apologize to Karkilins, who is now taken off for Kovacevic. I can't help but notice Kovacevic is a lot taller than Francis.
68min: Pate clears a tap in away from City's coach as Bedruski (who appears to be back on) sens it across. Nice link-up for City but pate made a phenomenal clearance.
71min: Corner to Kings' is claimed. City #10 replaced by City #19.
73min: GOAL! Bedruskim, who has worried Kings' with his pace all night finally gets his goal. City steal down the left and Fegan picks out Bedruski with a low, hard cross. Bedruski taps it past Viner. Fegan's been pretty deadly tonight.
Full-Time, apparently. Whether I lost track of time spectacularly or the ref blew early we'll never know. Certainly my watch didn't suggest 45 minutes had elapsed since half-time, but I could be wrong. It is conceivable, though, that they just called it, given both teams were looking a bit tired and Kings' play Saturday. Final score is a 2-1 win for Halifax City.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Kings' Men Add new Assistant Coach
The Kings' Blue Devil's men's soccer team has added Mike Ayyash as an assistant coach for this season.
Ayyash has experience in the Nova Scotia provincial soccer program, where he was an assistant with the under-15 age group, as well as with Bedford and Halifax County soccer clubs.
Ayyash joins Matt Fegan (who plays for Halifax City against Kings' tonight) in head coach C.J. Young's coaching staff.
Ayyash, Young, and Fegan all played for Kings' in the 2001-2002 season, which ended in an extra-time defeat to UNB Saint John's in the ACAA finals.
"[I] had a great time playing for the college and C.J. asked me to come on board as an assistant," said Ayyash.
He's still learning the ropes with Kings', as he's not familiar with the more recent ACAA. He admits that he's still learning who the players are. Given it's his second day on the job, that's understandable.
He has yet to really set expectations, but has a competitive philosophy:
"Any time you go into any season, you want to be competitive and win every game you play."
Kings' first home game is September 19th as St. Thomas University comes to visit.
Ayyash has experience in the Nova Scotia provincial soccer program, where he was an assistant with the under-15 age group, as well as with Bedford and Halifax County soccer clubs.
Ayyash joins Matt Fegan (who plays for Halifax City against Kings' tonight) in head coach C.J. Young's coaching staff.
Ayyash, Young, and Fegan all played for Kings' in the 2001-2002 season, which ended in an extra-time defeat to UNB Saint John's in the ACAA finals.
"[I] had a great time playing for the college and C.J. asked me to come on board as an assistant," said Ayyash.
He's still learning the ropes with Kings', as he's not familiar with the more recent ACAA. He admits that he's still learning who the players are. Given it's his second day on the job, that's understandable.
He has yet to really set expectations, but has a competitive philosophy:
"Any time you go into any season, you want to be competitive and win every game you play."
Kings' first home game is September 19th as St. Thomas University comes to visit.
Kings' Men Practice Report
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.
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.
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.
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