Etown vs Hobart: NCAA Tournament Round One

Wednesday November 8th
Elizabethtown College Blue Jays vs Hobart College Statesmen
1:00 pm Cozzens Field
Conditions: Upon further review...upstate New York should really be called upstate Pennsylvania seeing as the weather is exactly the same...crappy and rainy.

Starting 11

Etown - 11-5-2 (overall)
GK- AJ Fleisher
4- Michael "Sunshine" Terry
5- Mike Helsel
7- Mike McCabe
8- Brennan Reichenbach
11- Wes Bunting
14- Rick "King Richard" Winstanley
16- Bryan Holt
18- James Runyon
25- Owen Friedrich
27- Zach Galbriath
Coach- Skip Roderick

Hobart- 12-3-2 (overall)
GK- Peter Van Dellon
2- Brad Weinberg
6- Matthew Schwartz
7- Matthew Foley
14- Matt Geswell
16- Tyler Webster
17- Thaddaus "Keenan" Simons
18- Peter "Jamie" Smith
20- Samuel Wisner
21- Benjamin Crosky
23- Tucker Crockett
Coach- Shawn Griffin

Pre-game Notes: Well, here we are....it seemed like only yesterday we were praying for a Widener defeat of Albright just to QUALIFY for the conference playoffs. Then a good finish to the end of the season, a hard fought victory over #1 Messiah, a quality thrashing of Susquehanna to capture the Commonwealth for the second time in three years, and the Jays are flying high. Hobart on the other hand, is trying shake off some suspect play of recent, and regain the form that had them ranked #8 in the nation. The biggest item of interest are two Hobart injuries...the Statesmen will be without leading scorer Dan Riso, and their tall German playmaking mid-fielder, Philipp Schoeniger. They were injured in Hobart’s conference playoff game against St. Lawerence. Although this will undoubtedly have some impact on the Statesmen game plan, they are a very well balanced team, who should be able to rebound with the lost of their two leaders. The Blue Jays made the four and a half hour trip yesterday, leaving at 9 am, so they would get an opportunity to practice on the field, and get a good nights rest before today’s big contest. Also of note was the fantastic pasta dinner we had last night. If the boys play anything like they eat, I’m predicting a five-nil victory for the big bellied boys in blue.

1st: Pitch is definitely going to be a factor in this one....very slippery.

1st: Loose ball in the Blue Jays box, but AJ comes flying out to win the ball.

2nd: Hobart free kick from 35 yds out...they play it short to the side then send a long one in the box, but it’s headed out of danger.

3rd: There are two female Hobart College students calling the game on the radio...they are the "Wes Mantooth" to WWEC’s Jim Pollak’s and Bill Welliver’s Ron Burgandy...I’ll keep you posted on a possible rumble.

4th: Blue Jays free kick 30 yds out on the far flank....King Richard sends it back post to Wes’s feet, after a skirmish it’s booted out of play for a goal kick.

5th: Hobart with a great look early on...Webster sends a left-footed rocket off the crossbar...goalkick.

6th: Blue Jays with a great counter at the other end....Helsel with the ball in the corner sends it across the goal mouth, Runyon has his defender beat, but his shot just misses it’s mark.

9th: Hobart looking to be the aggressors early....4 fouls to Blue Jay’s 1.

10th: Footing is a serious issue, players are being very cautious with every move...there’s no room for error in a game of this magnitude.

12th: Brennan has a Blue Jays throw, but the ball slips out of his hands...oh Bubs.

13th: Ball played deep into Blue Jay Territory...Richard and Crockett going head-to-head....Crocket gets off a shot, as Richard bodies him off...Crockett looks for a foul, all he gets is a "wanker" from Richard.

13th: Hobart Corner...Webster’s cross sails out of bounds...goal kick.

14th: Brennan with a tough tackle at the top of the box....yellow for Bubs.

14th: Statesmen free kick goes into the wall.

17th: Owen taken down from behind right outside the box...Blue Jays free kick.

17th: Off the kick...Runyon sends a blast at the goal...Van Dellon looks shaky but makes the save.

18th: Another Hobart foul from behind...not sure when the ref is going to start showing the Statesmen a yellow or two.

19th: Runyon gets the ball played deep into the box at his feet, turns to shoot, but his shot is blocked.

20th: "Jamie" Smith with a low free kick...outed by the Jays.

21st: I’ve decided that if Peter Smith can refer to himself as "Jamie"...then I wish to be called "Henry" for the remainder of today’s blogging.

21st: Etown- Matt Diller and Pete Moore for Owen and Runyon

23rd: Helsel with the ball on the goal line...sends a dangerous ball across the mouth, but it’s safely cleared by Hobart’s defense.

23rd: Hobart- Troy Miller and Thomas Moulton for Crosky and Crockett.

27th: Webster with a harsh tackle from behind on Richard

28th: McCabe with the ball on the far corner...dribbles circles around the Statesmen defense...sends a nice cross in, but it’s cleared.

29th: Ball played in the air right around Hobart’s 18....Diller wrecks the keeper, but can’t possess the ball...good hustle up front by Dills.

29th: Hobart- Grant Morrison for Moulton...Etown- Josh Hoffman for McCabe

29th: Blue Jay free kick from 30 yds out...low kick by Richard cleared by Hobart defense.

29th: Hobart- Matt Vesonder for Foley.

31st: Great through ball finds Helsel behind Statesmen defense...Helsel’s cross can’t find any Jays...goal kick.

33rd: Hobart- Greg Davidson for Wisner...Etown- Brain Raveling for Diller

37th: Hobart free kick 30 yds out....quick ball to Geswell....sniffed out well by Blue Jay defense.

39th: Galbraith sends a ball in the box to Ravs feet...Ravs can’t quite get enough on it, and it’s saved by Van Dellon.

40th: Morrison with a nice rip from 25 yds out....right at AJ.

42nd: Etown- Tommy Reinmiller for Helsel

44th: Hobart with a late chance from 25 yds out....Smith sends a low-driven ball into the box...cleared by Galbraith.

45th: Weinberg unmarked at the top of the box...sends a shot that sails just over the cross bar.

End of Half.

First Half Recap: Teams have been pretty even in the first 45. I think the Blue Jays are the better skilled team thus far, but the wet field has definitely played a big role in this game. The Statesmen currently hold a 7-5 edge in shots, but I feel the Jays have had higher quality looks. Both teams are pretty equal at the half. I’m really afraid however that the Statesmen are going to capitalize on a quick counter. Jays defense is looking solid, but AJ hasn’t really been tested yet, so I’m a little leary. I’m very excited for what the second half has instore.

Stats at the Half-
Shots 7-5 Hobart
Corner 1-0 Etown
Saves 2-2
Fouls 9-6 Hobart

Start of 2nd: Highlight of halftime was definitely the PG-13 Streaker that bustled across the field.....Picture Skip 20 lbs. heavier in a pair of ill-fitting boxers and a bright red cape....Hopefully no players or fans were permanently scarred during this incident....In related news Warusz gets the nod to start the second half.

47th: Blue Jay fans who made this hellacious trip to Geneva try to get a "Let’s Go Blue Jays" chant going.

49th: Off a Blue Jay throw....ball trickles to Hoffman at the top of the box...Hoff unleashes a shot, but it’s blocked by a Statesmen defender.

50th: Hobart with a very dangerous look right outside the 18...Webster sends a rocket but it flies just wide of goal.

52nd: Jays sending long balls from the back up to the lone forward...they need to start linking with their middies.

54th: Holt sends a long ball in the box from the far side...Van Dellon uses his size to snag it out of the air.

54th: McCabe with the ball deep in the far corner...taken down from behind by Smith...Smith shown a yellow.

54th: Blue Jays free kick...Hoffman’s cross cleared out.

55th: Ball played through the crowd and into the box to Owen....O tries to flick it on goal, but a great block by a Statesmen defender.

55th: Blue Jay corner..low driven near-post...knocked out for another corner.

56th: Blue Jay corner...Hoffman sends a low drive in...knocked around...Blue Jay foul.

57th: Etown- Helsel for Warusz

59th: Blue Jays look like they are starting to gain a little momentum.

60th: Weinberg wins the ball at mid-field and sends a nice through ball to Crockett whose shot goes just wide...nice look for the Statesmen.

62nd: Holt heads the ball into the box...Sunny slips past the Hobart defense and tries to volley it in, but he’s meet by a Hobart defender.

64th: Helsel with some nice moves on the far side....sends the ball on the ground across the 18 to Hoffman, but a Statesmen defender beats him to it.

65th: Blue Jay free kick sent well into the box...right into Van Dellon’s hands.

66th: Hobart- Morrison for Foley.

67th: Blue Jay free kick 30 yds out....Brennan’s attempt can’t find any Jays.

68th: Crockett with a hard tackle on Holt at mid-field...Radio announcers suggest "Crockett’s just throwing his weight around."....I can assure you, he has been blessed with quite the arsenal to "throw around."

70th: Sunny with a great look to McCabe...but he’s whistled off-sides.

71st: Hobart- Miller for Crockett

72nd: Wisener booked for a tough tackle.

73rd: King Richard with a cheeky English spin quickly followed by a two-footed English tackle that gets him in the book.

74th: Hoffman gets the ball in the box, drops it off to Holt who hits it off a Hobart defender and out for a corner.

74th: Etown- Moore for Owen

75th: Blue Jay corner...knocked around, but eventually cleared

76th: Hobart- Davidson for Crosky.

79th: Hobart defender misplays a ball into the middle of the field....Sunny intercepts and plays a great ball through the seam to Helsel...Helsel settles and fires a point-blank shot....Van Dellon with a kick save.

81st: Hobart- Crockett for Miller. Etown- Owen for Pete

81st: Dangerous ball sent across to Sunny’s head...Hobart defender just edges him away...out for a corner.

81st: Blue Jay corner....low on the ground...knocked out for a goal kick.

82nd: Bunting with a harsh tackle...ref gives a delayed call....Wes gets a yellow.

83rd: Hobart-Crosky for Wisener

84th: Blue Jay free kick 30 yds out on the near side....sent in to the back of the box, cleared out by Hobart.

86th: Galbraith sends a ball deep into the box...everyone goes up for it, Van Dellon goes down...ball at Owen’s feet, but his shot, yet again blocked by a Hobart defender.

87th: Hobart-Wisener for Davidson

88th: Richard sends a ball deep into the box...captured by Van Dellon.

89th: Etown- Runyon for Hoffman

90th: Helsel sends a great ball into the box...but it’s headed out by Hobart defensemen.

End of Regulation.

End of Regulation Recap: Although the Statesmen got a couple good looks, Jays definitely seem to be the stronger team. Etown had a number of chances up close that were thwarted away by Hobart defenders. If we keep chipping away, hopefully we’ll find the game winner.

Stats at the End of Regulation:
Shots- 14-10 Etown
Corners- 7-2 Etown
Saves- 4-3 Van Dellon
Fouls- 23-11

Overtime Rules are as follows: two 10-minute Overtime Periods....Each period is Golden Goal, so the first team that scores, wins. If it’s still scoreless after those two periods, then we go to Penalty Kicks...Ugh.

93rd: Both teams playing a little ping-pong....no one wants to make a mistake.

93rd: Helsel sends a ball across the box...no Jays in position, but it goes to the other side to Hoffman who sends a cross back in the mixer...McCabe’s header sails just over the bar.

94th: Hobart- Foley for Webster.

96th: Breakdown in the Blue Jay defense...Foley picks up the ball at mid-field takes off on a breakaway towards goal....dribbles well inside the 18....his shot hits the post....new life breathed back into the Statesmen.

97th: Etown- Steve Petrosky for Owen.

98th: Another break in the Blue Jay defense gives a breakaway to Wisener...Bunting slides in out of nowhere to knock it out for a corner....Scary to see the Blue Jay defense which has been rock solid so far in the season look so shaky late in this crucial game.

98th: Hobart Corner....hits the outside part of the net. Goal kick.

End of 1st OT.

End of 1st OT Recap: Sloppy Play in the Blue Jay back lead to a couple quality chances for Hobart. Blue Jays had the momentum going into OT, but after that period I’d say the Statesmen definitely looks to be the better squad. Someone is going to have to step it up this period or we’re headed for PK’s..

113th: Wisener with the ball outside the 18...his left-footed shot sails just above the bar.

113th: Ref with another delayed call...Morrison receives a yellow.

114th: Hobart free kick....sent into the box...Wes heads it up...AJ snares it.

115th: Etown- Owen for Pet

116th: McCabe was some nice moves in the far corner...his cross knocked out for a Blue Jay corner.

116th: Blue Jay Corner...sent in to the back of the box...headed out for a Blue Jay throw.

117th: Long throw by Richard cleared out of bounds....corner.

117th: Another Blue Jay Corner...sent well into the box...cleared out by Hobart Defense.

118th: Vesonder has the ball and space around the 18, but he’s eager to get it off his foot...shot sails wide...goal kick.

120th: Richard with a deep throw for the Jays....headed out for an Etown corner.

120th: Etown Corner...sent in the mixer...cleared to Reichenbach at the 18, he rips a blast top shelf...ridiculous diving save by Van Dellon....Helsel with a shot off the rebound...deflected out for another Blue Jay corner.

120th: Blue Jay corner sails wide....we’re heading to PK’s.

End of 2nd OT.

Recap: Van Dellon loooked incredibly strong at the end of the 2nd OT...AJ still hasn’t been tested. I hate PK’s

1st Kick:
Hobart: Tyler Webster’s shot goes low to the left, AJ guesses his left.
Etown: Holt shot nicely struck to his left....Van Dellon guesses his left
1-1

2nd: Kick
Hobart: Smith’s shot hard to his right....AJ guesses right, but can’t get a finger on it.
Etown: Owen’s shot hit low to his left...Van Dellon guesses left.
2-2

3rd: Kick
Hobart: Geswell’s kick solid to the left side-netting...AJ again guesses correctly but no one’s touching this one.
Etown: Richard’s kick goes wide right.
3-2 Hobart

4th:
Hobart: Wisener’s kick goes side-net left side...AJ guess right again...unlucky.
Etown: Runyon shot trickles just inside left post...Van Dellon can’t get to it.
4-3 Hobart

5th:
Hoabrt: Morrison’s kick just inside the post....AJ guesses right, and lays out full extension but he can’t get to it.
Hobart wins 0-0 (5-3 PK’s)

Final Stats-
Shots 18-13 Etown
Corners 7-2 Etown
Saves 4-3 Van Dellon
Fouls 25-12 Hobart

Man of the Match: Hobart’s defense for saving Van Dellon’s bum time and time again
Buffalo Bills Award: Mike Helsel

End of Game Recap: As is the case with most PK results, the better team did not win this one. Blue Jays dominated the stat book and the majority of play. Nothing to be taken away from the Statesmen however, some of the best struck penalties I’ve ever seen. AJ guessed right on four out of five and still couldn’t get a finger on them. As for the boys in blue, their roller coaster season finally comes to an end at 11-5-3. As the season closes I would personally like to thank the guys for a memorable season. Agreeably it wasn’t always the prettiest soccer, but regardless of our opponent we always had more heart. Although I’ve never played a single minute for Etown, it’s that contagious Blue Jay spirit that really made me feel like I was part of the team. I was anxious and nervous before every game, heart-broken and pissed off after every loss, and downright giddy following the victories (I would actually like to credit that giddiness which propelled me past Messiah’s security/lacrosse team and onto Shoemaker Field to celebrate our recent conference championship). But thank you again for playing with such emotion night in and night out, it was a pleasure to be a part of it. You are a tremendous group of athletes and a fine group of gentlemen.