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2013 week 4

Posted by Jerry Randolph on Sep 13 2013 at 05:00PM PDT

Week 4 for the Vikings had its highs and lows.

 

  The first game of the week was at home against Xenia the defending GWOC south champions. Both teams were in a must win game for the league title chances in their first league game of the season. Coach Randolph had a game plan to shut down their best player (player of the year as a junior in GWOC south last season) of man marking him where ever he went on the field with one our top defenders Carl Cardenas. The starting 11 was Roark in goal, Siroki, Zech, Schacherer, and Bussard on defense, Affini, Eshbaugh, Schenck, and Teaney in the midfield, Alsalhi as the lone forward, Cardenas in man marking. The game began at a fast pace with both teams trying to keep possession and not give up anything early. Cardenas had his hands full with the bigger player and at one point got a twisted ankle. The Vikings adjusted well moving Bussard into the role of man marker. Cardenas did return and was effective at his role. The Vikings brought in a new player this season in a German exchange student Constantin Wunderlin. With 29 minutes to play in the first half Wunderlin collected a throw in and dribbled past 2 Xenia players and placed a great shot past their keeper for a 1-0 Viking lead. The lead did not last long just 3 minutes later the Xenia player proved to be as good as expected and got his first goal off of a nice cross beating the defenders to the ball with his size and quickness. With a 1-1 tie both teams tried to get the momentum with a furios pace. Xenia and their key player got their second goal with 10 to go in the half off a corner kick. The Vikings would not quit though just 3 minutes later Wunderlin attacked the defense and earned a penalty kick when taken down inside the 18. He finished easily to tie the game at half at 2-2. This game was so exciting to be a part of and watch. Coach Randolph encouraged his team to keep playing hard and passing with pace to each other’s feet. Keep possession as much as possible and take as many shots as possible. Roark had been busy in the goal with 9 saves in the half, Coach Randolph felt he needed to come get more balls in the air to minimize their crosses. The Buccaneer’s struck first in the second half off of another corner kick. 3-2 Xenia with 26 minutes to play. The Vikings attacked and played with a ton of heart on this night. Each player gave everything he had. Schenck collected a pass and beat the Xenia keeper to tie the game once again 3-3 with 15 minutes left.  Both teams felt an immediate urge to go for the win and the intensity picked up again. With 12 to go Bussard took a pass from Schacherer at 25 yards out and hit a long range shot to put the Vikings in the lead at 4-3. With the lead Coach Randolph instructed his players to have 2 men on their stud at all times now. The game ended 4-3 Vikings as a huge victory for them this season and a lot of happy player’s coaches and fans. Good games were had by all that played but I do not want to leave out those that did not. Their contributions at practice leading into this game were also a big factor in getting the victory.

 

   The second game of the week the Vikings traveled to Wayne. The Warriors had an all-time record over the Vikings of 9-0-1 but were having a tough season coming into the match. The Viking starting 11 was Roark in Goal, Siroki, Zech, Bussard, and Cardenas on defense, Eshbaugh, Schacherer, Schenck, and Brundage at midfield, Teaney and Alsalhi up top. The Vikings seemed to have the better play in the first half but couldn’t find the back of the net. Bussard hit the post off a great head ball from a Schenck corner kick and Teaney just missed a tap in on a great cross from Wunderlin. The Vikings had most of the possession but the Wayne defense held its own.  Coach Randolph told his team at half to keep up the pressure but play a quicker passing game. He felt the Vikings were playing to slow and giving them a chance to take away the ball when we dribble too much or hold onto the ball too long. Both teams were playing with composure and the ref seemed to have good control of the game. Coach Randolph felt confident his team would pick up their pace and make team history on this night. The Warriors began the second half with possession of their own and a renewed confidence after a 0-0 first half score. The Vikings just could not get the same pace and passion of play as earlier in the week and as the half continued the Warriors got more confident. The Warrior keeper had 11 saves in the first half but only 5 in the second as the Viking attacked slowed tremendously. Wayne earned a free kick 20 yards out and their senior captain placed a nice shot past Roark to take the lead 1-0. The Vikings pushed hard to tie the game up but Wayne’s defense held for a disappointing loss for the Vikings. Coach Randolph Stated “I felt we were the better team tonight even though we did not play close to our potential. Without Murrie Affini in the lineup it changes how we play. I will be glad to get our captain back for next week. “Good games were had by Bussard, Schenck, Zech, Roark, McCoy, Alsalhi, Eshbaugh, and Cardenas.

 

   The JV is gaining a lot of personal growth. Their team record isn’t great but our focus as a coaching staff is to develop these young men in positions they will play at the Varsity level. We believe these players are doing an excellent job learning new positions and the Viking style of play. Please keep encouraging them to work hard and not focus on their win loss columns.

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