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. 

Semifinals in Iowa

Game 11:  vs. Mt. Carmel out of Chicago in Iowa (0-0 2 OT’s but lose in a shootout, 4-2). 

Well, we shutout a very technical Chicago team but could not finish numerous chances, especially those created in the first 20 minutes. We continue to leave goals on the table, and this time we couldn’t cash a dead ball to bail out our lack of scoring from the field. 

BWhite named Esteban Arias as his Player of the Match. He is having a nice weekend. He played a lot of minutes mostly at the 6, but he also went wide for the last portion of the match. And he’s playing plenty defense now to go along with his soccer magic. 

PJ had a nice match in goal with Carta, Payne, Howard, and Vance in front of him. Parker gave us 90 minutes at that defensive mid spot. Just great. 

And Shae returned for the shootout where he was oh so close on two. He is not at full strength but he can garner a few minutes now. It was good to see him up and playing some goal. 

We will try to rebound tomorrow to claim a bracket 3rd. 

We are now 7-3-0.

STATS: 

First Half: Saints: Shots: 13 (4) Corners: 4 (Stoecklein, Caragher, Neely, Reid)

MC: Shots: 4 (1) Cornes: 0

Second Half:  Saints. Shots. 7 (2) Corners: 3 (Caragher, Welch, Mason)

MC: Shots: 2 (1) Corners: 1

Shootout

Parker and Joey score in the shootout

We Hit Iowa Running!

Game 10: vs. Quincy in Burlington at 4:00 (3-1)

We may have had a little bus leg during that first half, but we played solid D, and we cashed an early deadball.

BWhite recognized Joey Caragher as his BWhite Player of the Match.  He was very good in the midfield, and he just gave us a great shift at the "9." We created a lot during the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Next—we need to score on that type of play.

We did cash 3 deadballs—two corners and one a la Parker.  We love the fact that we can play solid defense, score no goals from the field, but still win the match because we have taken our deadballs seriously.

We have moved into the Winners' bracket now, looking to make it to the finals. We will take on Mt. Carmel out of downtown Chicago tomorrow at 10.

We probably have lost Mitchel for tomorrow but hope to have Payne back.

We are now 7-3-0.

STATS:

First HAlf:  Saints: Shots: 5 (1) Corners: 3 (Arias, Welch, Bryson)

30:00 Mason (Parkers long throw squirts out)

Quincy: 1 (0) Corners: 0

Second Half:  Saints: Shots: 9 (5) Corners: 5 (Zee, Bryson 2, Connor, Welch)

(19:38 Stoecklein) (Mason bends it in)

12:45 Vance (Joey bends the corner in as it scoots out to the trash)

Quincy:  Shots: 3 (1) Corner: 0

:10 Smith

First Meeting With Southwest

Game 9: 25 September vs. Southwest at Southwest. (1-3)

We were very, very close to getting the match tied at 2 when Lawrence launched one from beyond midfield just to see if we were paying attention, and I guess we weren't. That made it 3-1, virtually ending the match with about 2 minutes left. It could have been worse as we were called for a late PK as well, but Bates hit that one wide.

I liked a lot about how we played tonight.  I think we match up pretty well with them.  And when you think about the fact that we lost Payne, 5 minutes into the match for the entire rest of the match, that makes you like a lot about how we played even more.

Reid had to move to centerback, and he did a phenomenal job there, but he wasn't playing right back any longer.  I can't believe the T-Wolves would have even gotten off that long cross that ended up going in the net for the second goal with Reid wide. 

BWhite thought Jacob Vance was phenomenal on that left side tonight; he had his hands full and he played flawlessly.  He was the BWhite Player of the Match.

We got a lot of good effort out of most everyone who hit the field, but we have to make better decisions of where and at what angle and whether in the air or on the ground our crosses happen.  We also have to make better runs on our corners.  We failed to make use of a lot of our weapons on corner kicks.

We will see Southwest again, and I think we found out some things about ourselves tonight that will help us later on.

STATS:

First Half:  Saints: Shots: 4 (1) Corners: 4 (Carta, Mason, Joey, Neely)

37:30 Mason (DJ White launches the D-Ball into the box).

T-Wolves: Shots: 3 (1) Corners: 1

Second Half:  Saints: Shots: 2 (0) Corners: 1 (Connor)

T-Wolves: Shots: 7 (3) Corners: 1

36:15 Bates

29:41 Pendelton (he crosses it and it goes in)

2:05 Lawrence (sees keeper off his line and shoots from beyond midfield)

Turner Returns for Homecoming Week!

Game 8: vs. BV North at Saint Thomas Aquinas at High Noon. (2-0)

Coach (Re)Turner brought in a scrappy team as we expected.  We were fortunate enough to cash two of our deadballs to come away with the win.  

Once again we scored early on a nice corner kick.  And we scored late in the second half off, yet another, Parker Stoecklein throw-in as Carta held "trash" and fired.

Once again our defense did a nice job of limiting the attack. North had two opportunities, once in each half.  They hit the post in the first half, and they shot wide in the second.  But we will take two good opportunities in a game. BWhite liked the whole back line and the midfield, but he singled out Andrew Payne as his Player of the Match.

We had another set piece the North keeper made just a great save on, and we had a couple of break-aways we did not come away with anything on.  We just need more from the field.  We did fire some shots, but most were good for field goals, and hardly dangerous.

Turner looks as if he has a team that will stay a part of most any game.  We wish them well as they finish up the regular season and head to post season.

We are now 6-2, after going 4-0 in our second quarter.

STATS:

First Half: Saints: Shots: 9 (3) Corners: 7 (Neely 2, Welch, Connor, Bryson, Payne, Caragher)

37:32 Farrar (Joey bends the corner left)

Mustangs:  Shots: 1 (0) Corners: 0

Second Half:

Saints: Shots: 10 (4) Corners: 3 (Connor 2, Masson)

12:05 Carta (Stoecklein's long throw gets touched back to Carta at the trash for a cracker.) 

Mustangs: Shots: 1 (0) Corners: 1

A Visit to SM South

Game 7: 20 September at SM South (2-1)

For as nice as the remodeled SM South stadium (Video Board, etc.) is, and as hard and as well as they played, they need a horn for that beautiful stadium. As—they actually scored after the game ended—the score should have ended at 2-0. But honestly, they had a few chances during the match, and they could have scored at a couple times, but they didn't.

For matter, how many balls across the mouth of the goal could we not just Happy Gilmore—tap, tap, tap, tap it in. At least 3.

We are running out of players. We lost both Jack, Mitchell and Esty during the game.  (Esty did get hurt scoring the game-winning goal.)  Those three joined Connor, Wirt, Colling, and Martin who were already sitting out. 

We were not as crisp as we have been, but lots of games and lots of injuries will do that to a team. We got the "W," and that is what matters.  But we are playing tomorrow, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  So we will see.

BWhite named Evan Neely the BWhite Player of the Match.  He played every minute, and he was the best player on the pitch, and South had a couple of nominations for that award as well. 

Just watch the game-winning goal to see how hard Evan (or Even if you like) works, and how good he is working.  Esty had quite a gutsy finish on that play as well, but Evan dispossessing South's player and then carrying to the perfect moment,, before chipping it pefectly—it is something worth watching a few times.

We are back home Saturday to see Turner's return and BV North.

We are now 5-2-0, 3-0 in our second quarter.

STATS:

First Half:  Saints:  Shots: 3 (0) Corners: 6 (Mason 2, Bryson, Carta 2, Neely)

South: Shots: 0 (0) Corners: 2

Second Half:  Saints:  Shots: 11 (3) Corners: 7 (Carta 2, Parker 2, Neely, Gabe, Joey)

36:28 Payne (Parker heaves it for a CAragher head flick and a Neely header into a Payne header)

36:28 Arias (Neely chips it in front of him)

South: Shots: 5 (1) Corner: 1

:00 Cisneros (11 on the box ball)

We Travel to Undefeated Bishop Miege

Game 6: 18 September at Miege (2-0)

We felt like we played very well Saturday against Wichita North and that if we could match that effort defensively we would be successful tonight.  We weren't quite as good defensively, but we did limit the Stags to not much.

Deadballs became the difference as we cashed two gigantic deadballs, one early and one late. Parker Stoecklein was part of both of them, scoring the first and assisting on the second one.  And he did not come out of the game much at all. BWhite named him the BWhite Player of the Match.  He was good all over the field. 

Miege is quite skilled and very good at the "9" and the "10," so for us to contain them as well as we did took quite an effort from a lot of our players.  

We probably lost Jacob Colling for awhile as he appears concussed.  He hit his head hard on the turf.

You can see how Miege has been so successful this season. The play some nice soccer, and they are very well organized.  And considering how many they graduated off last year's team, you just have to tip your hat to Huppe and company.

We are starting to make a little push here. We just need to finish off the week now. We have SM South Thursday and then BLue Valley North Saturday in another EKL match.

We are now 4-2-0.

STATS:

First Half:  Saints:  Shots: 8 (3) Corners: 4 (Mason 2, Stoecklein, Bryson)

27:18 Stoecklein (Joey bends the corner in from the left for a Colling to Stoecklein header)

Stags:  Shots: 1 (0) Corners: 1

Second Half:

Saints:  Shots: 10 (4) Corners: 4 (Mason, Carta, Neely, Caragher)

4:56 Farrar (Parker heaves it long from the sideline to the front post) 


Stags: Shots: 1 (0) Corners: 0

Wichita North Comes to Town

Game 5: 15 September at Saint Thomas Aquinas (5-0)

Well, we finally played a complete game against, perhaps, the best team out of Wichita. And even with a 5 goal performance, we still left some goals on the table. 

Our forward play was much much better.  And yes, it started with Jack, but Drew Welch’s 2018 debut at forward came with 2 goals, one being the game-winner (Yes, he was the BWhite Player of the Match, but B gave a huge shoutout for the Team Performance). Zayveon delivered some perfect crosses,  along with one of his what-just-happened goals. Max Bryson was good as well.  And who can outwork Matthew Carta or Reid Howard? Our top 4 continually pressing made it hard for North to get much going forward. 

And the formation asks a lot out of both Caragher and Stoecklein—they delivered. 

Carter Diggs and Brennan Schroeder made their varsity debuts today, and both played well. For that matter, it would be hard to find any player to complain about in this one, and 22 played. 

We are now 3-2 with undefeated Miege next. 

STATS:

First Half: 

Saints: Shots: 9 (4) Corners: 4 (Byrson, Neely, Payne, Mason)

23:18 Welch (Mason takes the Z T-ball and lays it off)

15:30 Mason (Bryson busts through a tackle to push it forward to Jack)

North:  Shots: 0  Corners: 0

Second Half: 

Saints: Shots: 10 (4) Corners: 2 (Carta, Bryson)

26:35 Welch (Howard with box ball to the back post)

19:40 Russell (the video does not do this move and shot justice!!)

13:59 Stoecklein (Mason's corner gets knocked to the ground by Neely)

North:  Shots 2 (1) Corners: 0

At Mill Valley

Game 4: 11 September at Mill Valley (0-2)

We scripted this one for the loss.  We played a pretty solid first half but failed to cash any goals on 3 golden opportunities. We have talked so much about what happens when you leave goals on the table.

And then honestly we got outplayed in the second half, especially at midfield.  BWhite's Player of the Match, PJ Garcia, kept this one from being 0-5.  We opened the second half pretty well but got a strange yellow and then Matthew Connor got hurt down in the corner. We lost him for the game--and probably for quite a while longer. After that, we did seem to lose a lot of momentum.

We did not put a shot on goal the entire match; we did hit a few posts, but still, not a shot on goal.

Mill Valley really played well second half against us, and they definitely earned the win.  Good luck to them as they traverse 6A in post-season.

We are back in action at home against Wichita North this Saturday at 1:00.

STATS:

First Half:

Saints: Shots: 3 (0) Corners: 1 (Russell)

Jags: Shots: 3 (1) Corners: 3

Second Half:

Saints: Shots: 4 (0) Corners: 4 (Russell, Stoecklein, Neely, Mason)

Jags: Shots: 7 (5) Corners: 1

26:14 Ashford (Wesley)

22:11 Carroll 

EKL vs. Huskies

Game 3 at STA vs. BV Northwest (1-0)

We once again played a very crisp opening 10 minutes.  We coulda woulda shoulda scored 3, but we settled for the only goal of the match—just another great Farrar finish.

Probably the most encouraging part of the match was the fact that we turned in yet another match where the opponents didn't really generate much of anything.  Shae really did not get tested all night.

BWhite named Mitchell the BWhite Player of the Match. He not only cashed the game-winning goal but he also played marvelously in the middle of the back.

Both teams threw every ounce of energy the had into the match—so it was quite entertaining.  We just need to cash more goals, have fewer offsides and run smarter corners.

We will now start playing 2-3-4 games a week for the next month.  

STATS:

Saints:  Shots: 6 (3) Corners: 5 (Connor 2, Neely, Mason, Consuegra)

36:09 Farrar: (Parker's throw comes back to him enabling the long chip)

Huskies:  Shots: 1 (1) Corners: 2

Second Half:  

Saints: Shots: 4 (3) Corners: 2 (Connor, Payne)

Huskies: Shots: 1 (0) Corners: 2