So after waiting through 6 league games, we finally got our first win of the season and were able to follow it up with a second win two days later. This past weekend was the so-called weekend of death as all the teams in oour league played in a home and home series of games vs. another team. This is typically where there is significant movement in the standings after the two games and in past seasons has played a bir part of determining the final league standings. This weekend also represents the bridge between the first and second halves of the season.
We were matched up with UQAM a team who was going through pretty much the same situation as ourselves, young team, frustrating losses and inconsistent play. Friday's game found us travelling to Jarry Parc, former home of the Montreal Expos at their inception and current home of the Tennis Center where ATP events are held. UQAM doesn't not have on-campus facilities and is forced to practice and play at public venues. We got a late start with our warm up and I didn't know how we would start the game but as fate would have it, we are able to get up 1-0 very early after Andrea converted on a direct free kick in the 3rd minute. Getting up a goal is always a benefit as it puts the pressure right on the opponent, however as I learned the hard way this summer (at FISU vs. France) looking to defend a lead for 87 minutes isn't always easy. We continued to presure but could not convert on a few great chances. This allowed UQAM to re-gain some confidence and the play was great even with chances at both ends. We started the 2nd half a little flat but not giving up any really scoring chances...and when we did, Fanny was up to her usual standard and kept us in the lead. While still 1-0, following a missed clearance of a UQAM corner, fate and luck were on our side as Catherine cleared a ball off the line (by way of Fanny's face) in what really the best chance UQAM mustered in the game. Not long after, following 5 or 6 corners and a shot of the crossbar, we finally added to our lead. Alli converted a Molly knock down after yet another corner kick and directed the ball into the net giving us a 2-0 lead. There were a few close calls around our box but no real significant scoring chance and when the whistle blew, we had secured the first win of 2009. Two days later, UQAM came visiting to Concordia and we were hoping to get a great start to the game and out the game out of reach as early as possible. Things didn't go quite as planned and play was quite even and the game was played mostly in the middle third of the field. We managed to create a few opportunites around the UQAM box, but nothing the really finished with a quality scoring change. As often happens when you let a team hang around and given them hope, a poor clearance attempt in our box provided UQAM with a clear shot on goal which was quickly buried....and in 1st half injury time no less. Going into the locker room after 45 minutes 0-0 would have been bad enough, going down 1-0 was unacceptable. Feedback was not tender in the room at half time and Remy was able to bring out a great illustration to the players about wanting to take charg on the field and it woudl appear it had its effect. We quickly tied the score within the first 3 minutes as Izza jumped on a loose rebound and buried it. We continued to push forward and had quite a few chances in and around the box when finally at the 65 minute, Burge got on the end of a through ball and lobbed the UQAM goalie. From that point on, we played with confidence and presence (although not always great execution) and really didn't give up any quality chances for the remainer of the game. I am happy for the two wins but not yet satisfied with our play as I am sure we are still capable of even better. We need to be more effecient on our on-field decision making and better execute the technical side of the game... we get ourselves into trouble with poor first touch and off target passing.... not to mention not putting away chances when we get them. We now have 2 weeks before welcoming Montreal and Sherbrooke at home, and the coaches will spend the time, sharpening the skills and focusing on execution so that we can give a better account of ourselves against these two teams. We are not the same team we were in the first weekend of the season, but we will need to be at our best to look for a result in those two games.
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AuthorAfter many years of coaching at various levels and with different teams, I thought I would share some of my experiences and thoughts about coaching. Archives
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