Senior Night vs. Blue Valley 8 October (3-1)

Game 13 vs. Blue Valley on Senior Night 8 October

Well we could probably have anticipated the Hey-we-can-relax-now approach that we saw in the first half after the grueling, but excellent, weekend the boys put in while in St. Louis.

But I was a little surprised that they could turn that switch to on so emphatically for the second half of the match. We had a character check tonight, and we passed it.

Janet Kutey, with some help, put on a great senior night (how about Jamie's senior video!). But after first half, I was not sure how that reception might go.

Well, the BWhite Player of the Match, Luke Kutey, had something to say about that. He like so many other boys was a focused and determined player during the second half, a half where we completely shutdown the Tiger offense and where we really generated some movement towards goal.

We did move Matthew Brown back to defensive center midfield, a move that really jumpstarted the attack, but a move that would not have worked if Blake Heying did not get after it at the centerback position. Our kids were back in shutdown mode, allowing only one shot the entire second half. (BTW: I need to watch that free kick a few hundred times!)

I am not sure we have had so many of our players all playing closer to their maximum as we did in the second half of the match. Jay attacked the baseline in a way we need him to for the rest of the year. I just wish someone would have finished one of his balls across the face of the goal. They were just excellent.

Brownie Mix did create all 3 second half goals —his highlight real one—but also the chip to Kutey that got the thing tied, and he did start the go-ahead goal that Hagenkord flicked. Brownie puts the ball perfectly into the mix. His movement back to defensive center midfield changed are whole attack for the better as well.  

We can catch our breath tomorrow. But Saturday we will be back at it against BV West. 

Tonight was a key win and a good way to say goodbye to 5 fine young men: Nick Hagenkord, Skyler Martin, Colton Ropson, Ben Moss and Spencer Driscoll. Thank you guys for four great years with STA Soccer.

STATS:

First Half: STA: Shots 5 (1) Corners: 1

BV: Shots: 5 (3) Corners: 1

5:08 McDonald (PK)

Second Half: STA: Shots: 9 (5) Corners: 4

23:45 Kutey (Free Kick from Matthew Brown)

6:39 Younger (Brown free kick for a Hagenkord flick)

0:05 Brown (direct free kick: MY MY)

Corners created: Kutey 2, Ropson, Hagenkord, Johnson
Shots: