Alexander Cole
Sports Writer, Etownian
Heartbreak is the only word that can describe the way last season ended for the Blue Jays as Hobart College knocked the Jays out of the NCAA Tournament with penalty kicks.
“It was miserable to play that hard and lose like that to a team we knew we were better than,” junior captain Wes Bunting said. “It was a hard way to end the year.”
But that was the past. The team has put the loss behind them and is ready to defend their Commonwealth Conference Championship.
“We’re farther ahead this year at this point in time than we were last year,” coach Arthur “Skip” Roderick said of his team’s preseason training.
The boys in blue and gray will need to be at the top of their game at the sound of the first whistle this season, as they have one of the most challenging lists of opponents in the nation.
“I think we have one of the toughest schedules in the country,” Roderick said. “It’s going to be a challenge for this young team.”
The Jays’ schedule features three of the four Final Four teams from last season: New York University, Wheaton College (National runners-up) and Messiah College (National Champions). They will also face other quality out-of-conference opponents, like Franklin and Marshall College and Arcadia College.
Roderick isn’t trying to beef up his strength of schedule to impress the committee that gives out the at-large bids into the NCAA Tournament.
“I’ve had seasons where my teams have gone 18-2 and 19-1 and haven’t gotten an at-large bid,” Roderick said. “It’s a computer system that doesn’t even take into account the strength of schedule. I’m just trying to play good soccer.”
“If you want to be the best you have to beat the best,” All-Mid- Atlantic-First-Team Bunting said. “We will be battle-tested from day one and it will only make us stronger as a unit for the playoffs.”
Last season the Jays’ (11-5-3, 3-3-1) defense was their strength, only allowing 13 goals in 19 games. But they graduated two key players to that defense, Brennan Reichenbach and Rick Winstanley.
“The thing that made the defense so strong last year was the relationship we all had back there,” Bunting said. “We have just as much talent this year and if we can build the chemistry that we had last year we can be just as good, if not better.”
Offensively last season the Jays struggled, only scoring on 10.7 percent of their 270 total shots (29 total goals). Reichenbach was a co-leading scorer on the team with four goals. Junior Matt Diller was the other leader and has already shown a knack for finding the goal this year with two pre-season goals against Millersville University.
“We are hoping to score by committee,” Roderick said. “Matt Diller, George Severini, Mike Helsel and also three first years — Brian Gallagher, Tony Pacella and Taylor Helsel — all can score for us.”
The first-years have been very impressive for the Blue Jays in pre-season. Of the 26 guys that will dress for the team almost 10 of them are first-years.
“Talent-wise they [first-years] are very good and if they can pick up the system and believe in the system we will be very deep,” Roderick said.
The first-years aren’t the only ones who will need to pick up a new formation, as the Jays will be playing in a 4-2-2-2 this season, rather than the 4-1-4-1 that they played last season. The team had success with the new formation in spring season but is having some problems with it early in the pre-season.
“The upperclassmen forgot how to play the system,” Roderick said. “We had to start all over, so it has been frustrating as a coach that from last spring they forgot what to do.”
But Roderick is very impressed by his team’s work efforts in the two-a-day practices they have been having for the past two weeks.
“We are extremely fit,” Roderick said. “Early in the season our fitness has to win the game.”
The Jays will travel to Stevens Institute of Technology this weekend for the Stevens Tech Classic. They will face New York University in the first game and Skidmore College in the second.
“We want to come back undefeated,” Roderick said, “but we have our hands full.”
New York University (15-4-4) only lost three starters from last year’s Final Four team. They also return with an All-American and their leading goal scorer.
8.28.2007
8.25.2007
Lighting Halts Game, still something to Blog about
Alumni who came back that I can recognize (sorry to those that I forget):
Jeff Boushell
Coach “Z” (looking very cheeky in his 1980 Etown throwback jersey)
Brennan Reichenbach
Rick Winstanley
Peter Moore
Jame Runyan
AJ Fleischer
Brian Nolls
Andrew Krummer
Etown’s Starters
(not necessarily the starters come game day, a lot of guys are in there to prove something)
Dirty (FW)
Chris Sinclair (Left half)
Wes Bunting (right center back)
Luke Mitchell (left center back)
Steve Petrovsky (center defensive mid)
Greg Snow (GK)
Brian Raveling (FW)
Brian Kuppe (right back)
Mike Helsel (Right half)
Sunshine (center back)
Sean Tyree (left back)
During pregame warm-ups Mullen and Snow invite AJ over to warm up together. There just so cute at this age.
Hopefully AJ is imposing even more wisdom upon them as both are fighting to become the starter.
Probably the biggest disappointment to me as I get my first look at the Blue Jays is Zach Galbraith’s hair. Last year he looked like a girl his long ponytail. Nothing has changed. Some other noticeable hair cuts: Michael Terry (aka Sunshine from now on) a sick little Mohawk. Bunting is going with the buzz cut this year opposed to last years mop top, looks very Beckham like minus the accent and boyish good looks…
One thing you notice right off the bat about this team is their size. Very imposing, the younger guys are tall and skinny while the upper classmen are big and muscular (minus Brian Raveling, kid will be skinny forever).
Sad bit of news to report as Thomas Reinmiller has informed me that he won’t be able to play this year due to several back injuries, he remains hopeful for senior year comeback, and will remain on the team as a manager.
There must be about 40 Blue Jays on the roster; the team won’t be caring all 40 so tonight is big for many of the players. Skip is not here due to family priorities but will be watching the game film.
The game will be three 30 minutes halves.
30 mins left…Graham questions weather Winstanley has graduated, he responds by calling him a wanker, way under his breath.
28:00: Desention between the alumni as to who will take a throw in, this could be bad for morale.
27:24: Krummer taunts Bunting about how his Oakland Raiders will suck this year, Bunting decides who he should two-foot.
26:30: Nice pass from Helsel to Raveling who gets a shot on goal, wide right, good start for the Jays.
24:34: Alumni are taking the game to the boys in Blue, too bad they will lose their wind soon otherwise this could be a great game.
24:00: Snow takes command of his box and makes a nice call of the ball to avert danger.
22:10 Cheeky touch by Krummer gives Winstanley a decent opportunity that gets wasted.
21:21: Sinclair has a shot on goal go wide left.
19:02: The crowd has finally settled in. Estimate around 250, not too bad consider no one is on campus until tomorrow.
18:02: Lightning strikes. Game is halted. Everyone sent to seek shelter. I would hold my post in the press box but lightning and laptops don’t mix, plus it looks like doomsday is coming.
Well as of right now the game doesn’t look like it will be played…
Awards for the 10 minutes of play that did happen
Sticking with Timmy the Tooth’s traditon…
Golden Boot: the weather, it kicked everyone’s ass
Buffalo Bills award (aka the 2nd best player award): Blue Jay Blogger, not only was I blogging the game but I also took over as scoreboard operator.
Jeff Boushell
Coach “Z” (looking very cheeky in his 1980 Etown throwback jersey)
Brennan Reichenbach
Rick Winstanley
Peter Moore
Jame Runyan
AJ Fleischer
Brian Nolls
Andrew Krummer
Etown’s Starters
(not necessarily the starters come game day, a lot of guys are in there to prove something)
Dirty (FW)
Chris Sinclair (Left half)
Wes Bunting (right center back)
Luke Mitchell (left center back)
Steve Petrovsky (center defensive mid)
Greg Snow (GK)
Brian Raveling (FW)
Brian Kuppe (right back)
Mike Helsel (Right half)
Sunshine (center back)
Sean Tyree (left back)
During pregame warm-ups Mullen and Snow invite AJ over to warm up together. There just so cute at this age.
Hopefully AJ is imposing even more wisdom upon them as both are fighting to become the starter.
Probably the biggest disappointment to me as I get my first look at the Blue Jays is Zach Galbraith’s hair. Last year he looked like a girl his long ponytail. Nothing has changed. Some other noticeable hair cuts: Michael Terry (aka Sunshine from now on) a sick little Mohawk. Bunting is going with the buzz cut this year opposed to last years mop top, looks very Beckham like minus the accent and boyish good looks…
One thing you notice right off the bat about this team is their size. Very imposing, the younger guys are tall and skinny while the upper classmen are big and muscular (minus Brian Raveling, kid will be skinny forever).
Sad bit of news to report as Thomas Reinmiller has informed me that he won’t be able to play this year due to several back injuries, he remains hopeful for senior year comeback, and will remain on the team as a manager.
There must be about 40 Blue Jays on the roster; the team won’t be caring all 40 so tonight is big for many of the players. Skip is not here due to family priorities but will be watching the game film.
The game will be three 30 minutes halves.
30 mins left…Graham questions weather Winstanley has graduated, he responds by calling him a wanker, way under his breath.
28:00: Desention between the alumni as to who will take a throw in, this could be bad for morale.
27:24: Krummer taunts Bunting about how his Oakland Raiders will suck this year, Bunting decides who he should two-foot.
26:30: Nice pass from Helsel to Raveling who gets a shot on goal, wide right, good start for the Jays.
24:34: Alumni are taking the game to the boys in Blue, too bad they will lose their wind soon otherwise this could be a great game.
24:00: Snow takes command of his box and makes a nice call of the ball to avert danger.
22:10 Cheeky touch by Krummer gives Winstanley a decent opportunity that gets wasted.
21:21: Sinclair has a shot on goal go wide left.
19:02: The crowd has finally settled in. Estimate around 250, not too bad consider no one is on campus until tomorrow.
18:02: Lightning strikes. Game is halted. Everyone sent to seek shelter. I would hold my post in the press box but lightning and laptops don’t mix, plus it looks like doomsday is coming.
Well as of right now the game doesn’t look like it will be played…
Awards for the 10 minutes of play that did happen
Sticking with Timmy the Tooth’s traditon…
Golden Boot: the weather, it kicked everyone’s ass
Buffalo Bills award (aka the 2nd best player award): Blue Jay Blogger, not only was I blogging the game but I also took over as scoreboard operator.
Alumni Game Tonight
The annual Etown Alumni game will be played tonight at 7pm on the turf field this year. The reason for the change of venue is all the rain has soaked the grass field.
If you plan on going here are some key things to look out for...
Etown Rookies
This is one of the strongest recruiting classes in a very long time. I have heard rumors of as many as four freshman starting this year right off the get go. The rookies even beat the Varsity team in a scrimmage at one point during the preseason. The rookies also had there way with DeSales University's varsity sqaud in a recent scrimmage only losing 1-0.
Goalkeepers
With only two on the squad (Jeff Mullen and Greg Snow both juniors) it will be interesting to see which one Skip goes with. Mullen has the intensity and will sell out his body for every ball. Snow has the height advantage and extremely long arms making him a very solid candidate to start. It will be interesting to see which one is able to control the back 4 as well as A.J did last year. Right now I think the inside edge has to Mullen, but we shall see...
4-2-2-2
A new system in place, interesting to see how well the Jays execute with it so far so good as there preseason games thus far have gone well... Etown 1 Gettysburgh 0 (goal by George Servini), Etown 2 Millersville 0 (both goals by Matt Diller)
I will be blogging the game, so check back tonight to read all about it.
If you plan on going here are some key things to look out for...
Etown Rookies
This is one of the strongest recruiting classes in a very long time. I have heard rumors of as many as four freshman starting this year right off the get go. The rookies even beat the Varsity team in a scrimmage at one point during the preseason. The rookies also had there way with DeSales University's varsity sqaud in a recent scrimmage only losing 1-0.
Goalkeepers
With only two on the squad (Jeff Mullen and Greg Snow both juniors) it will be interesting to see which one Skip goes with. Mullen has the intensity and will sell out his body for every ball. Snow has the height advantage and extremely long arms making him a very solid candidate to start. It will be interesting to see which one is able to control the back 4 as well as A.J did last year. Right now I think the inside edge has to Mullen, but we shall see...
4-2-2-2
A new system in place, interesting to see how well the Jays execute with it so far so good as there preseason games thus far have gone well... Etown 1 Gettysburgh 0 (goal by George Servini), Etown 2 Millersville 0 (both goals by Matt Diller)
I will be blogging the game, so check back tonight to read all about it.
8.06.2007
Schedule thoughts and predictions
Sat., Sept. 1 vs. NYU
NYU was the biggest surprise in the final four from last year. This is a great opening game to gear where you are as a team, NYU only graduated four of their seniors so a good portion of the final four team is still around.
Prediction: NYU wins 1-0, Jays will probably dominate the game but struggle to score.
Sun., Sept. 2 vs. Skidmore
Skidmore is traveling to China for ten days in the preseason from August 15-25 and to come back with the time difference and play two games a week later spells disaster for them.
Prediction: Blue Jays major bounce back game 4-0.
These opening games are in the Stevens Tech Tourny
--- ---
Fri., Sept. 7 ST. VINCENT
First home game of the year in the Blue Jay Classic, typical push over competition. St. Vincent, an NAIA team will have their heads spinning with the Blue Jays.
Prediction: 5-0 Blue Jays flying high. Important thing to watch out for here is who scores the first HOME goal of the season for the Jays. As is tradition first goal gets their name put up just under the scoreboard. Last two years it's been Wes Bunting. I'll predict he doesn't get it again.
Sat., Sept. 8 HAMPDEN-SYDNEY
Tough opponent from Virginia in this game.
Prediction: 2-0 Blue Jays
The Blue Jay Classic (hats off to the scheduling on this tourny, Friday and Saturday so we can all watch the opening weekend of the NFL without having to worry about the Jays against a so-so team)
---- ---
The rest of the games I will just make a quick prediction on, when we get closer to the actual game I will revisit an make more accurate prediction.
Thu., Sept. 13 DREW 1-0 Blue Jays
Sat., Sept. 15 ALVERNIA 3-1 Blue Jays
Wed., Sept. 19 MUHLENBERG 2-2 Draw
Sat., Sept. 22 at Wilkes 2-0 Blue Jays
Wed., Sept. 2 ALBRIGHT 4-0 Blue Jays
Sat., Sept. 29 ARCADIA 1-0 Arcadia
Wed., Oct. 3 at Moravian 1-0 Blue Jays
Sat., Oct. 6 WILLIAM PATERSON 1-0 Blue Jays
Tue., Oct. 9 at Franklin & Marshall 0-0 Draw - Das Boot goes back to F&M because of a lame rule
Sat., Oct. 13 at Lebanon Valley 3-1 Blue Jays
Wed., Oct. 17 at Lycoming 1-0 Lycoming on the upset
Sat., Oct. 20 WIDENER 2-1 Blue Jays
Mon., Oct. 22 WHEATON (IL) 3-0 Wheaton (National Runners-Up last year just before the National Champions spells let down)
Sat., Oct. 27 MESSIAH 1-0 Blue Jays, major bounce back in Marshmallow Cup
Final record: 12-4-2 (4-1)
Overall thoughts on the schedule: Very challenging with three of the four final four teams from last year. Tons of home games though. They only go on the road back-to-back-to to open the season and once in October for two conference games and the F&M game. That will be a tough stretch but very doable.
Good news for Blue Jays is 8 of their 11 home games are night games, only Homecoming against Widener and William Patterson game are slated for the afternoon. Of course the Messiah game is moved to the early afternoon to ruin the game, whoops, I meant to prevent students from consuming alcohol before the game.
Three words for that plan... Kegs and Eggs.
If the Blue Jays are successful with this schedule and don't win the MAC Playoffs the committee has to show some love to the Jays facing some of the best out of conference teams in the country.
Less than a month till the season...
NYU was the biggest surprise in the final four from last year. This is a great opening game to gear where you are as a team, NYU only graduated four of their seniors so a good portion of the final four team is still around.
Prediction: NYU wins 1-0, Jays will probably dominate the game but struggle to score.
Sun., Sept. 2 vs. Skidmore
Skidmore is traveling to China for ten days in the preseason from August 15-25 and to come back with the time difference and play two games a week later spells disaster for them.
Prediction: Blue Jays major bounce back game 4-0.
These opening games are in the Stevens Tech Tourny
--- ---
Fri., Sept. 7 ST. VINCENT
First home game of the year in the Blue Jay Classic, typical push over competition. St. Vincent, an NAIA team will have their heads spinning with the Blue Jays.
Prediction: 5-0 Blue Jays flying high. Important thing to watch out for here is who scores the first HOME goal of the season for the Jays. As is tradition first goal gets their name put up just under the scoreboard. Last two years it's been Wes Bunting. I'll predict he doesn't get it again.
Sat., Sept. 8 HAMPDEN-SYDNEY
Tough opponent from Virginia in this game.
Prediction: 2-0 Blue Jays
The Blue Jay Classic (hats off to the scheduling on this tourny, Friday and Saturday so we can all watch the opening weekend of the NFL without having to worry about the Jays against a so-so team)
---- ---
The rest of the games I will just make a quick prediction on, when we get closer to the actual game I will revisit an make more accurate prediction.
Thu., Sept. 13 DREW 1-0 Blue Jays
Sat., Sept. 15 ALVERNIA 3-1 Blue Jays
Wed., Sept. 19 MUHLENBERG 2-2 Draw
Sat., Sept. 22 at Wilkes 2-0 Blue Jays
Wed., Sept. 2 ALBRIGHT 4-0 Blue Jays
Sat., Sept. 29 ARCADIA 1-0 Arcadia
Wed., Oct. 3 at Moravian 1-0 Blue Jays
Sat., Oct. 6 WILLIAM PATERSON 1-0 Blue Jays
Tue., Oct. 9 at Franklin & Marshall 0-0 Draw - Das Boot goes back to F&M because of a lame rule
Sat., Oct. 13 at Lebanon Valley 3-1 Blue Jays
Wed., Oct. 17 at Lycoming 1-0 Lycoming on the upset
Sat., Oct. 20 WIDENER 2-1 Blue Jays
Mon., Oct. 22 WHEATON (IL) 3-0 Wheaton (National Runners-Up last year just before the National Champions spells let down)
Sat., Oct. 27 MESSIAH 1-0 Blue Jays, major bounce back in Marshmallow Cup
Final record: 12-4-2 (4-1)
Overall thoughts on the schedule: Very challenging with three of the four final four teams from last year. Tons of home games though. They only go on the road back-to-back-to to open the season and once in October for two conference games and the F&M game. That will be a tough stretch but very doable.
Good news for Blue Jays is 8 of their 11 home games are night games, only Homecoming against Widener and William Patterson game are slated for the afternoon. Of course the Messiah game is moved to the early afternoon to ruin the game, whoops, I meant to prevent students from consuming alcohol before the game.
Three words for that plan... Kegs and Eggs.
If the Blue Jays are successful with this schedule and don't win the MAC Playoffs the committee has to show some love to the Jays facing some of the best out of conference teams in the country.
Less than a month till the season...
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