Wildcat's Stellar Effort Ends in a 1-2 Loss to a Talented Proctor Team
Despite the fact that we received our first snow in the morning, by late afternoon the grass was once more green, and the weather was a breezy 53 degrees. The boys were excited because we were going to play our match on Pope field. This would give us some challenges: artificial turf and added acreage, but the team was ready for the test.
KUA took control for the first few minutes, but Proctor countered and Cam De Tolla earned his first save of the game. Throughout the first half, we saw each of the players move well as individuals but we were even more impressed with the combination work. Jon Bruner and Will Sewell made strong runs up the sides and sent in passes to an attacking Henry Trimpi. Ethan Crandlemire displayed very accurate artillery blasts from several corner or direct kicks. Jacob Rimberg was lightning fast on the wing and Andi Muhlauri was a regular whirling dervish as he moved around the midfield. Also, at midfield, Kurt Olson and Aiden Kelly played heads-up soccer and anticipated where their teammates were moving before sending them a pass. Charlie Johnson and Michael Gratz pulled off key moves on offense. Charlie wisely passed the ball wide to Aiden to draw out the defense and then Michael headed the keeper’s deflected block out to Henry who was able to take a second shot on net.
Our backfield was also busy and played even better together than they did last week. The Wall of Oliver Cozzi, Jacob Hebbel, Michael Jung, and Amir Lesbek were outstanding. Time after time they shut down attacks from a large, quick, Proctor offense. At one point during the game, one of the players on the bench commented, “Jacob Hebbel should get MVP today.” These guys all did a great job. Will Stedina played his toughest. He was matched up against several offensive players about twice his size. He was bounced around the field, but he failed to give up. Eventually, through his determination and tenacity, he gained his own cheering section from the Varsity Boys who admired his sheer grit.
At the eighteen-minute mark, we gained a thrown in. Amir tossed the ball in to Aiden, who dribbled it down the left side before sending a long cross over to Henry who was rushing up the far side. Henry didn’t waste any time and blasted a long shot from well outside the eighteen. The ball rocketed by the goalkeeper and into the back corner of the net.
At half time, Coach Custer and I were very happy with how we had played and complimented the boys for their performances. We learned after the game, that the Proctor coach wasn’t quite as happy and gave his team a rousing speech. We probably should have followed his tack, because Proctor entered the second half much more fired up than we were. For the first twenty minutes, and especially the first five, we were on our heels and playing defensively. Ten minutes in, Proctor got in close and took a shot. Cam dove for it and deflected it out, but another forward was positioned well and finished it off with a blast to the far post. We were tied up and Proctor had gotten a second wind.
At the twenty-minute mark, KUA revived and began to play as we had in the first half. Ethan, Jon, Henry, and Will sent in shot after shot, but we couldn’t place the ball in the net. Then with only four minutes left, something happened in front of our net and the ball dribbled across the line. At first, no one knew what had happened, there was a stunned silence waiting to see what was the result. They Proctor sent up a cheer and celebrated as the referee signaled that it was a goal.
Although we were down, both our offensive and defensive lines played brilliantly; however, we couldn’t tie things back up.
All-in-all, it was a tremendous match and our boys should be proud of how they played. Maybe it is the lack of games to view, but Coach and I are constantly impressed with the plays and performances we didn’t know were in some of our players. These guys are fun to watch.
Next Saturday, we have our first game on the road. We match up against St. Paul’s School at 3:30.
Back
KUA took control for the first few minutes, but Proctor countered and Cam De Tolla earned his first save of the game. Throughout the first half, we saw each of the players move well as individuals but we were even more impressed with the combination work. Jon Bruner and Will Sewell made strong runs up the sides and sent in passes to an attacking Henry Trimpi. Ethan Crandlemire displayed very accurate artillery blasts from several corner or direct kicks. Jacob Rimberg was lightning fast on the wing and Andi Muhlauri was a regular whirling dervish as he moved around the midfield. Also, at midfield, Kurt Olson and Aiden Kelly played heads-up soccer and anticipated where their teammates were moving before sending them a pass. Charlie Johnson and Michael Gratz pulled off key moves on offense. Charlie wisely passed the ball wide to Aiden to draw out the defense and then Michael headed the keeper’s deflected block out to Henry who was able to take a second shot on net.
Our backfield was also busy and played even better together than they did last week. The Wall of Oliver Cozzi, Jacob Hebbel, Michael Jung, and Amir Lesbek were outstanding. Time after time they shut down attacks from a large, quick, Proctor offense. At one point during the game, one of the players on the bench commented, “Jacob Hebbel should get MVP today.” These guys all did a great job. Will Stedina played his toughest. He was matched up against several offensive players about twice his size. He was bounced around the field, but he failed to give up. Eventually, through his determination and tenacity, he gained his own cheering section from the Varsity Boys who admired his sheer grit.
At the eighteen-minute mark, we gained a thrown in. Amir tossed the ball in to Aiden, who dribbled it down the left side before sending a long cross over to Henry who was rushing up the far side. Henry didn’t waste any time and blasted a long shot from well outside the eighteen. The ball rocketed by the goalkeeper and into the back corner of the net.
At half time, Coach Custer and I were very happy with how we had played and complimented the boys for their performances. We learned after the game, that the Proctor coach wasn’t quite as happy and gave his team a rousing speech. We probably should have followed his tack, because Proctor entered the second half much more fired up than we were. For the first twenty minutes, and especially the first five, we were on our heels and playing defensively. Ten minutes in, Proctor got in close and took a shot. Cam dove for it and deflected it out, but another forward was positioned well and finished it off with a blast to the far post. We were tied up and Proctor had gotten a second wind.
At the twenty-minute mark, KUA revived and began to play as we had in the first half. Ethan, Jon, Henry, and Will sent in shot after shot, but we couldn’t place the ball in the net. Then with only four minutes left, something happened in front of our net and the ball dribbled across the line. At first, no one knew what had happened, there was a stunned silence waiting to see what was the result. They Proctor sent up a cheer and celebrated as the referee signaled that it was a goal.
Although we were down, both our offensive and defensive lines played brilliantly; however, we couldn’t tie things back up.
All-in-all, it was a tremendous match and our boys should be proud of how they played. Maybe it is the lack of games to view, but Coach and I are constantly impressed with the plays and performances we didn’t know were in some of our players. These guys are fun to watch.
Next Saturday, we have our first game on the road. We match up against St. Paul’s School at 3:30.
