Rock Makes a Visit

Game 13 (8-2-3)
13 October at Saint Thomas Aquinas vs. Rockhurst (0-0, 2OT’s)

As we continue playing this no-days off schedule, we were anticipating a full roster once again. It was not to be as Welch got hurt Saturday and could not go. Zayveon could not participate. And after half a shift maybe, Ethan was still having leg problems. 

So I thought we looked a bit lost the first 20. Then we went back into our 4-3-3 and honestly we had the best of the next 80. Now we did not score or even looked as if we knew that was one of the objectives, but we controlled possession 

But the battle in the middle third of the field was so intense by both lineups. Most players played hard when they entered the field and that intensity from both sides is what made this such an entertaining match to watch. 

0-0 was probably fair although the Rockhurst keeper had to make a couple of critical saves and Diggs really did not have any tough saves. 

We did generate 7 corners, but a few of the services did not give us an opportunity. Throws seemed as if they would be possibilities early, but not at all in the second half. 

I very much enjoyed the HALO broadcast of the match. Palazuelos and La Bella brought such knowledge of the students playing and the goings-on around the school that it added this unusual layer of interest to the broadcast. They knew what had come up as a “dis” to Mitchell from the Rockhurst Barstool account—things you are not going to hear on most any broadcast. 

They reacted to what was going on in the stands--Pope's following, exclamations of affirmation for DJ, both side's reactions to ref calls.  La Bella shared he was once locker partners with Garcia—and that all he talked about was soccer. 

And they did seem to get the game. "Aquinas looks pretty solid until they get to the final third." They called for replays of corner kicks where Farrar had just missed or attacks where Eames had dribbled past two defenders to just miss a shot. What a gift to us all to have HALO, and now its expanded coverage of student events.

BWhite had almost the entire team out there for Men of the Match. And his take was a pretty solid take. For our guys to play, yet, another overtime in such a short period of time against such a quality side, says loads about the character of our guys. The Interview.

Hammons said something like "you tell us we are going to have to play as hard as hell for 100 minutes and we are not going to score a goal; well, we say fine let's play." These boys deserve our applause, our respect, and, honestly a goal or two.

STATS:

First Half:

Saints: Shots: 8 (1) Corners: 3 (Kitts. Farrar, Consuegra)

Rock: Shots: 4 (1) Corners: 1

Second Half: 

Saints: Shots: 4 (1) Corners: 4 (Eames 2, Muckerman, Bryson)

Rock: Shots: 2 (1) Corners: 2

Overtime:

Saints: Shots: 2 (0). Corners: 0

Rock: Shots: 2 (0) Corners: 0