St. Thomas Aquinas JV Boys Soccer vs. Exeter Blue Hawks 9-27-04
The Saints traveled to Exeter to play the Blue Hawks this afternoon in a non-league rematch. Again we rode with the girls JV team, but this time instead of being late because the girls took too long to get on the bus, it was their coach who was late to arrive. Believe me, if I could have coached both games at once I would have left without him.
We also found out that starting defenders Gabe Perreault and Max Olsen were both out sick from school and would not be joining us. With no Varsity players joining us this time everyone would be seeing a lot of playing time. To add to that - Pat O'Brien would be arriving late because of an after school activity. (Hope you told your parents about it Pat before they read it here)
Game Captains Kevin Schneider and Matt Roginski went out and won the toss to begin the game.
The Saints took the field with Kevin Schneider and Justin Guilbert as strikers. Midfielders Brian Sullivan, Matt Roginski, Jamie Phontharaska and Richard Howard. Jon Campolo at stopper, Andy Stone and Bryan Collins as fullbacks on defense. Chris Rignoli at sweeper and Collin McBride in net.
St. Thomas controlled the ball well against the Blue Hawks. It was tough playing on the smaller field with the baseball infield and pitchers mound running right through the penalty area.
Here Phontharaksa goes up against the Exeter Stopper.
Six minutes into the half Faisal Gurwala and Tom Carroll went in at Strikers. Because of the limited number of subs we needed to start the rotations earlier than normal.
Here Tom Carroll is being fouled as he breaks on net. You can see #20 from Exeter with the upraised arm in Carroll's back. Since this is taking place in the box, if it had been called it would have been a penalty kick. The game was very physical and fouls were called on both teams.
Pat O'Brien showed up about 2 minutes into the game and entered after the agreed upon 10 minutes were up.
Here the Saints line up for one of the three corner kicks they were awarded in the first half.
Here Gurwala and Carroll team up to advance the ball down the left side with Stone ready for support.
The Saints put a lot of pressure on the Exeter keeper. St. Thomas tried some different offensives strategies to work around the Blue Hawks defense.
Here Schneider and Gurwala pressure the Exeter Keeper as he comes out to scoop up the ball.
At 16:08 into the half Carroll sent a lead pass in to Phontharaksa who made a few moves before shooting it up into the upper right corner of the goal to make the net jump and put the Saints up 1-0.
Howard and Gurwala fight for the ball in the Exeter end while Guilbert and Carroll wait patiently for the pass back to the 18-yard line.
24:02 into the game Rignoli sent a clearing pass booming up into the Exeter end. O'Brien charged after it with an Exeter player hot on his heels. The Blue Hawks keeper came out jumping up to reach the ball, but O'Brien timed his jump better. He headed the ball over the keeper into the goal and as he spun to avoid the keeper the Exeter defender collided with his own keeper knocking them both to the ground. The Saints were up 2-0, but held off on their celebration until it was clear the Exeter players were alright.
Roginski gains control of the ball as he is swarmed by Blue Hawk defenders.
The St. Thomas defense held strong in the first half. Rignoli was working well to fill Perreault's spot at sweeper and control the defense. Collins, Campolo and Stone all worked well together to keep Exeter to only three shots on McBride in the half.
The half ended with the Saints up 2-0.
During the Halftime break Mrs. Roginski came over and informed the coach she needed to take Matt out of the game early to make conformation class. Advance notice would have been nicer, but how could I say no to an old college friend.
St. Thomas kicked off in the second half and continued to control play. Exeter got more physical as they became frustrated by the Saints great defensive play.
Collins and Stone each played well pulling up on the attack from their defensive positions.
Gurwala had a great game along with O'Brien and Schneider at striker threading the Blue Hawks defense.
Rignoli clears out another attempt by the Blue Hawks to penetrate the Saints defense.
Everyone played great today stepping up to fill in spots they normally didn't play. Playing longer because there were less players on the sideline for substitution.
Matt Roginski came out with about 14 minutes left in the game so he could leave with his mom. There were now only two subs to rotate in.
With just under 10 minutes left in the game the Blue Hawks broke through the Saints defense and got by McBride as he came charging out to score and take away the shut-out. The score was now 2-1.
We could probably place some blame on Mrs. Roginski, but we won't. We are a team and win or lose we do it together.
The game pace picked up and play got even more physical as the Blue Hawks tried to tie up the game. St. Thomas wasn't about to let them though and pressed on the offensive.
Carroll, Howard and Sullivan all showed great hustle.
The final whistle blew and St. Thomas won 2-1.
The Saints out shot the Blue Hawks 13-7 and Exeter out fouled St. Thomas 11-8
St. Thomas hosts the Souhegan Sabers on Wednesday.