3rd Place Game in Iowa

Game 12: for 3rd Place of Great River Medical Bracket vs. New Trier (3-1)

We tried the new rule where if the defense plays the ball to a player in an offsides position—it is not offsides. So we went down early 1-0. 

And to the boys' credit, we cashed two deadballs before half and another in the second half. And the BWhite Player of the Game, Joey Caragher, was part of every goal with 2 assists and a score. 

The boys had a nice weekend where we gave up virtually nothing while cashing 6 deadballs. We still need to get better in scoring from run of play, but our defense has just been outstanding. 

Carta spent the weekend at right back due to all of our defensive injuries. He did outstanding. And Esteban has grown into a very significant role as his defensive effort and ability is catching up to his soccer skill. He had an outstanding weekend. 

And Reid’s ability to move to wherever we need him (centerback this weekend) and allow us not to lose a thing has been vital. And as Shae nicknamed him—Jacob-the-Rock Vance just keeps grinding. 

We lost Mitchell in game one but got Payne back for games 2-3. So we more than survived there. 

As B says, this weekend was about “us getting better.” And we did. 

Thanks to Mrs. Wirt for organizing hotels, bus snacks—getting the boys into a nice hotel in the city. And we had a lot of families represented on the trip. Can you say The Drake? 

Onward. 

We are now 8-4. 

STATS

First Half:  Saints. Shots. 4 (2). Corners. 2 (Stoeklein, Caragher). 

26:36 Neely (Caragher chips it back on after the first touch off the throw-in)

13:35. Arias (Caragher’s corner rolls out to the trash spot for an Esteban laser, right corner, high)

Trevians: Shots. 2 (1). Corners. 1. 

28:34 Gooze (we mishead it trying to clear it)

Second Half:  Saints Shots: 8 (6) Corners. 4 (Mason. Russell. Bryson. Caragher). 

36:37 Caragher (Parker’s long throw deflects back post for a Joey bury near post). 

Trevians:  Shots. 0. Corners. 0.