Nov. 23, 2009
So here we find ourselves, 11-6-3 and writing the final words to the novel entitled "Cedarville Men’s Soccer ’09 (Shark Week)."
Our bout against the dreaded Wildcats of IWU confirmed that not one of us would be soaking up the sun at the NCCAA’s in Florida. Despite this misfortune, and the fact that I would pay for the linesman in the first half to have an eye exam, we left Indiana with sure knowledge that we played like our favorite "wild" animal on Planet Earth.
As I reminisce on the past 20 epic battles, Bangfest ’09 at training camp with the Charlotte Eagles, PURSUIT, etc.....a flood of nicknames flood my cranium.
Our team consisted of freshmen Steve Schindler (Who’s Flacco), Steve Ellis (The Wrecking Wingback), Steve Magee (Football anyone?), Tony Franco (AAAHHH!), Eric Newman (Buzz), Ryan Thurman (What to Wear, What to Wear), Nate Wright (Mile Maniac), and Tyler Waltz (Abandon Ship). These little chaps provided a lot of spunk, and thankfully proved that "little guys can do big things too."
The sophomores this year were James Twinem (Canada, nuff said), Jordan Clark (Mr. Photogenic), Mike Johnson (The Legend of Corn), Zak Ziegler (Kodak King), Dave Kemmenoe (Whirls of Curls), Andrew Hartman (Shark Bite), Steve Campbell (PK Priest), and Kolby Gabbert (MLS-My Life is Soccer). These lads are living oxymoron’s in that the Greek definition of sophomore means "wise fool," and after playing with this pod of porpoises for the year, I can attest that although they’re no mensas, it is fact that they didn’t play foolish.
The juniors were Joe Mueller (Weet Weet), Matt Niemiec (Spartan of Zeeland), Ryan Connelly (Let’s Khet it), Jason Bender (Malone Miracle), Jon Blauert (The Triton King), Kevin Bender (Kbeezy on the Track), and myself (I’ll sell it to ya). My mates previously listed are the heated core at the center of our upcoming National Championship season.
Lastly, the seniors this season were Luke Griffith (Bison Boy), Ryan Cheney (Who wants to watch Transformers?), and Jason Cunningham (Purveyor of Pain). These three tiers of tyranny led our team to its first winning season in over three years, and created a team atmosphere that was enough to withstand any vivacious blows of turmoil or trials.
In summation, I would like to leave all the parents/grandparents (who read weekly to see if their offspring was mentioned), students with nothing else better to do, and random browsers who happened to stumble upon this blog, with a poem.
The season of ’09 has come to an end,
To have a winning season we did not pretend.
Our coaches have guided through sunshine and rain,
And made us run sprints, Oh Lisa the pain!
Were privileged to play the game we all love,
Our talents we trust come down from above.
We’re brothers, we’re mates, we’ve been through a lot,
Together we battled, we kicked and we fought.
The seniors we’ll miss, they’re all pretty neat,
Luke’s running has finished, Oh, what a treat.
Looking forward to next year, who knows what we’ll do,
"Hey nationals in Florida, we’re gonna win you."
IWU’s player had a first name of Mitch,
Goodbye for now friends, See you on the pitch.
Nov. 16, 2009
So here we find ourselves, one 90 minute duel from earning our first birth in the NCCAA tournament in three years. With but one opponent firmly planted in the path of the forward-focused Yellow Jackets, we’re poised and ready to change IWU’s name to Iwho.
Unfortunately, we will be short one mate in our battle to be re-birthed, James Twinem (Crimson Chin). In Saturday night’s contest against Grace, James was presented with two dreaded pieces of goldenrod plastic, which resulted in the bestowing of a crimson piece of plastic upon him by the head zebra.
Despite this minor setback, our clan presented Grace with little grace as we dutifully moved on. Freshman Eric Newman (Padfoot) gracefully scooted the ball over the heads of the brokenhearted Grace defense, scoring the only point of the match with ease.
Throughout our practices this past week, it seems as though someone cranked the intensity dial from "Hard work" to "Alright everyone, let’s totally release a hyper-drive amount of Chutzpah." Drills are more intense, scrimmages are more veracious, and the Gatorade tastes more like Pepto Bismol. My fellow lads have clearly decided that it’s time to make ripples in this pond known as the NCCAA, and there ain’t nobody who better try and stop us.
This week’s Freshie of the Week award is awarded to Nate Wright (Silent but Deadly). Nate commutes from Dayton daily, attempting to balance soccer, a mechanical engineering degree, and the barrage of females he is constantly shooing away. Nate’s fame is a direct result of the epic shot he scored in practice, tying the score between the two sides.
When interviewed concerning Nate, one player mentioned, "Nate is like the spinny fireworks that you buy on the fourth of July. Once he’s lit, he’s a whirling blur of tenacity and speed."
See you on the pitch.
Nov. 9, 2009
So here we find ourselves, foaming at the mouth and ready to unleash a world of hurt on our NCCAA opponent, Grace. Our match has been officially scheduled for Nov. 14, one 24-hour period after Friday the 13th.
Our battalion of brothers has been preparing ourselves in a manner that can only be described by comparing ourselves to a famished grizzly bear, peering into an aquarium full of tender salmon, waiting anxiously for its chance to feast on the bounty unexpectedly swimming in its grasp.
We are mentally, physically, and emotionally preparing ourselves to confidently annihilate any opponents who might happen to stumble in our way, much like an infant monkey who unknowingly wanders in front of a stampede of powerful wildebeasts ("bear" with me concerning the animal analogies, my birthday was this week and my Mom and Dad (Madre and Padre Verde) lovingly gifted me with the entire Planet Earth series).
This week’s Freshie of the Week award goes to Eric Newman (Ramsies). Eric, who is currently studying the art of strategically configuring numbers to manipulate them to communicate what you would like (Accounting), was a Honorable Mention nominee within our American Mideast Conference.
Newman, known for his keen sense of knowing how to use his head, has been nothing less than an integral part of the Cedarville waistline (midfield). When asked what animal Newman most reminded him of, one player noted, "Eric always using his head to get ahead, this most reminds me of a mountain ram. Why you may ask? Because a mountain ram butts heads with other male rams in a desperate attempt to win the heart of its lover. Both Eric and the ram smash their heads to get what they want, goals and love."
Some other nominees for All-Conference Awards included Kevin Bender (Spida fingaz), James Twinem (Deer Slayer), Matt Niemiec (The Ox), and Tim Green (Rrreeeaaaptor). All-Conference awards are given out at the conclusion of each season, all of which, are voted on by opposing pack leaders (the coaches).
See you on the pitch.
Nov. 2, 2009
So here we find ourselves, 10-5-3, and no longer in contention for the conference playoffs. This week, we experienced two crushing defeats to our dreaded conference foes, the Cavaliers of Walsh and the Cougars of the Mount called Vernon. As a result of these series of unfortunate events, we have now set our sights on the highly-anticipated NCCAA Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida. For those readers who are currently asking themselves, "Self, what’s the NCCAA?" fear not, I will explain.
Last I checked, the NCCAA is an acronym for the National Christian College Athletic Association. In addition to currently participating in the NAIA (and soon trading our allegiances to them for the prestige culminated within the NCAA Division II) we are but a confident mahi mahi in the vast sea of Christian colleges that consider themselves our fellows within the NCCAA.
This tournament is held in the high UV index location of Florida, the week after we all gather with friends to indulge in tryptophan. To earn a highly coveted qualifying spot in the eight-team tournament, we must first win our region, which consists of fellow educational institutions: Grace, Indiana Wesleyan, and the proud home of Cedarville Soccer Alumnus Joseph Potter (Rack Ball) Spring Arbor University.
Despite the rather despairing setbacks we were included in this past week, the Freshie of the Week award goes to none other than Tony Franco (The Italian Stallion). Tony Franco, pronounced Toh-Knee, has been chosen to be the recipient of this chalice of honor due to his relentless spirit. This past week, Tony contracted the flu, and I’m not talking about the nasty black rod you have to lift when you want to have a fire, no, he had the real deal.
Fortunately for him, extensive probing and tests revealed that he did not have the feared H1N1 Virus (The Hiny Flu), but it was no easy feat for our little Tony to overcome. After spending a whole night sweating, dry heaving, and feeling a lot like the residue that builds up in the cup holder of your car, Tony was sent to the room for Emergencies. At which, the trooper was put on an IV, due to the fact that liquid was leaving his body at the rate of a drying raisin.
Tony battled on, totally releasing every last ounce of energy to reinforce the white blood cells that we’re currently clocking overtime hours for the work they were having to accomplish. When interviewed concerning Tony’s return from his sickness, one player mentioned, "Tony’s grit and determination fills my life with a new sense of meaning, in fact, I think I’m going to name my first two children after him."
Although we were not victorious in our efforts, two players were able to snap their knee hard enough, that the force exerted on the ball caused it to move from its current state of rest, into the back of the finely threaded net. Ryan Chaney (Dr. Phil) calmly placed his second penalty kick of the season to the side (I’m not saying which one just in case future opposing goalkeepers try to use this blog to gather information on our PK master) of the Walsh goaltender. Later in the contest, Matt Niemiec (Clydesdale) tooled yet another defender before finding the innermost side of the net, to tally yet another score for the Jackets.
See you on the pitch.
Oct. 26, 2009
So here we find ourselves, 10-3-3, and vying for a potential co-conference championship. Before I continue, I would like to publicly recognize a crucial male within the soccer program for men at Cedarville, Jeremiah Frasier (The Wraptor). Jeremiah is the student athletic trainer for our team, and as such, sacrificially gives of his time and anatomical knowledge to nurture our always nagging injuries.
Jeremiah specializes in the Titanium Tornado, a tape job that strengthens any ankle against the blows from our foes. When interviewed concerning Jeremiah’s impact on his life, one player answered, "Jeremiah is the mender of my muscular sinews, and the brewer of my Gatorade, I’m nothing without him."
This week’s player of the week award is presented to a Mr. Jonathan Blauert (Whirling Dervish). Blauert is awarded this prestigious symbol of awesomeness, not only for his relentless determination on the field, but for the feat he accomplished at TGI Friday’s.
Due to the fact that our Italian friends at Olive Garden left us hanging and hungry on Friday night, Coach decided to treat us to TGI Friday’s. After strict guidelines as to what we could and could not order from Coach Belleman (Coach Benson of the Tiger’s) and an explanation to Zak Ziegler (Studs) and Mike Johnson (Ambrose) about how to order off something other than the kid’s menu, we all sat in anticipation to glean from our feasts that were being prepared.
As we waited, Blauert peered to the table next to us, and noticed that the pre-teen who had just left with his middle class family, had left half a pizza and a plate of seasoned fries to be thrown away. Never one to overlook such an opportunity, Blauert confidently rose to his feet, meandered over to the table, and grabbed the plate from the confused busboy.
Deciding to share of his bounty with the rest of the table, we all ate the leftovers, understanding that the child could very well have had a communicable disease that was now entering our weakened bodily systems due to the freezing downpour we had just finished playing in. But we didn’t care, we were satisfied, unlike fellow onlookers Luke Griffith (Clowns) and Steve Magee (Martin Gramatica).
This past weekend, we matched up against conference opponents, Daemen and Malone. Like lions, we trotted onto the field with one thing on our mind, "Prima la carne". The goals were scored by Matt Niemiec (The M in M&T Bank) and Ryan Chaney (Foxtrot) who each scored twice, and James Twinem (The Impenetrable Flying V), Eric Newman (The Sequoia), and Jason Bender (Sam), each of whom scored once.
Despite horrible weather on the savannah known as Daemen’s and Malone’s pitch, we clawed and ravaged our way through the tough conditions to seal yet another two conference victories.
See you on the pitch.
Oct. 19, 2009
So here we find ourselves, 8-3-3, and hitting notes we knew not possible. But before I expound, I must first mention our feast we took part in at the Clifton Mill.
Due to the fact that all other non-athlete students had scurried away to their homes for fall break, we as a group of hungry lads decided to indulge in the local breakfast eatery known as the Clifton Mill.
Upon our arrival, we were delighted to realize that the pancakes were better described as "pan loafs". Knowing of this anomaly prior, I informed Steve Magee (Little Tum Tum) that if he was able to consume two pancakes, I would pick up his tab.
Confident of his digestive abilities, Tum Tum began masticating away. To increase the hype of the competition, Luke Griffith (Defensive Diva) reminded us all that it takes roughly 20 sets of 60 seconds for the stomach to signal the brain that it is full. With this new time limit ticking away in the back of his cranium, Magee was only able to consume one pancake before, with tail between legs, he admitted defeat and paid for his meal.
With two integral parts of our squad still injured, an update is needed. Ryan Connelly’s (Toadster) anterior cruciate ligament surgery went as planned, and with a new ACLl, that consists of a piece of his hamstring folded over 4 times and attached, in place, Connelly is cruising in his Jeep down the road to recovery. When interviewed concerning his post-surgery condition, Connelly passionately responded, "Fine."
Jason Cunningham (Half-man Half-machine) is still recovering from a hamstring tear that requires him to have his personal hemoglobin removed from his upper torso by way of sharp metal, and then reinserted into the precise location of the muscle fiber tear in his upper leg. The point of insertion is currently a deep purple and has yet to send the much desired message of his date of arrival to the doctors.
The air was a crisp 41 or so degrees Fahrenheit, with a constant drizzle leaking across the field on Saturday at Point Park. This is the scenario we were faced with as we prepared to conquer yet another conference pawn. Throughout the battle of wits, Matt Niemiec (The Rearing Rook), Joe Mueller (The Kicking Knight), and James Twinem (The Burly Bishop) all positioned themselves on the board of the field, to strategically send the ball over the end line for a goal. The Jackets had placed Point Park in checkmate.
Due to the joyous victory, and another opportunity to raise anarchy (Hydizzle) on a bus with the women’s team, we decided to join our vocal chords together in melodious sonnet to pass the time. Jason Cunningham (Fernando Botticelli) conducted the choir of masculinity. There is not a increase in elevation high enough, and no crevice in the earth low enough, to keep Jon Blauert (Gary Bertier) from getting to you. As the mood softened, James Twinem (Nala) and Matt Niemiec (Simba) were just a bit curious as to whether or not anyone else can feel the love this evening.
And as the night came to an abrupt close due to the inefficiency of the text, the entire team would like to convey that when you haven’t worked out quite enough, when you have no companions around, and no one to help you bear the burden of everyday life, you can tilt your body at a 30 degree angle towards us, and we’ll be there.
See you on the pitch.
Oct. 12, 2009
So here we find ourselves, 7-2-3, and anxiously awaiting the release of the NAIA national rankings to see if we have been glanced at favorably by any more coaches than the wise eight who voted for us last week.
Our practices last week were focused on defending in our "box," as we both mentally and physically prepared ourselves for the treacherous mountains (Roberts Wesleyan and Houghton) we were to climb over the weekend. But before I enlighten you concerning just how steep these increases in elevation actually were, the Freshie of the Week needs to be awarded.
The Freshie of the Week award, which happens to be the most prestigious award any of these young pups have ever had their name associated with, goes to Steve Ellis (Bullseye).
Steve Ellis hails from a little Quaker village in Eastern Pennsylvania. Known for his valuable frontal lobe with which he confidently clears the soccer ball, Steve has been dynamic in accepting the challenge of a starting defensive position, after Jason Cunningham (Fro-Zone) was injured earlier this season.
When interviewed concerning the impact Steve has had on his life, one teammate replied, "Steve is the rock that I cling to when the waves of life continually crush my bruised and battered body." (Again, teammate wishes to remain anonymous.)
Every once in a blue moon, a recruit will inquire of Coach Belleman (Longo Santa) the opportunity to come and personally evaluate our learning institution and soccer team for themselves. One such recruit arrived at school on Friday night to watch our game, and spend the night with a team member. That team member just so happened to be myself (Mr. Responsibility).
After we had finished our game at Athletes in Action, (we played there because our field was at maximum saturation and AIA is field turf) we had dinner as a team. It was a splendid evening of feasting, fellowship, and friends, which ended with a lost recruit.
I am still unsure how the sequence of events actually occurred, but apparently after we ate, the recruit decided to leave the building and walk around the campus. Not an abnormality, except for the fact that I was supposed to be hosting him, and one of coach's few rules for hosting is that we know where the little sheep we are shepherding is at all times.
After calling around to the other players, and realizing that they also had no recollection of where the recruit had gone, I came to the realization that I had lost a person.....but not just any person - a 20-year old person - who of which was my responsibility for one night. After retrieving his number from coach, I found the lost lamb and shepherded him back to the flock known as Brock.
Like I mentioned earlier, if the games we were going to be playing this weekend were hurricanes, they would be classified as level fives. The Friday night game was definitely a bit more "windy" than we had originally expected. Robert Wesleyan brought a "storm" of offense that caused us to realize that we were going to have to "board up the windows" and stand our ground.
With tulips(4 or 5 point) raised high, we rode out the initial wave of the Roberts’ attack, and as the "eye of the storm" approached after half-time, Ryan Cheney (Fox Hunter) "strengthened Cedarville’s shelter" by lacing a goal past the keeper. After one last attempt by Roberts to weaken the security of the Cedarville fortress in the final minutes of the game, Cedarville’s shelter stood, remaining eternally secure.
With one more win notched in our hypothetical notching tree, we faced the Highlanders of Houghton College (Knowlton’s pride and joy). Throughout the first half, both teams poured out literal and hypothetical blood as the battle was initiated. With only a few minutes left on the clock on the primary half, Houghton was handed a gift by the Jackets, a gift that included a goal and the lead.
In the secondary half, James Twinem (The Canadian Mounty) bent a free kick into the box, which (just as he planned) deflected off a Houghton defender and into the goal, sending a ripple through the net. The score remained tied throughout the remainder of the contest, tallying yet another tie for the Jackets.
See you on the pitch.
Oct. 5, 2009
So, here we find ourselves, 6-2-2, and still shaking with adrenaline after the most epic soccer battle any of us has ever fought throughout our twenty or so years on this green earth. But before I expound, there was an epic battle of a different sort that also occurred on the Cedarville pitch this week.
With it being the returning of the alumni to their once known Cedarville College (homecoming), the annual Soccer Alumni Homecoming game was to once again take place. Ah yes, the alumni game, where out-of-shape, middle-aged men hope to score early because they are knowledgeable of the fact that their anaerobic lungs and weakened muscle fibers only provide them with three effective runs throughout the entirety of the game.
As the legends approached the field, a thick fog covered the pitch. The lights clicked on, sending an electric current through the air and through each anxiously awaiting spectator. Suddenly, through the fog, the dark silhouettes of the Cedarville men’s soccer alumni slowly become apparent.
One noticed the likes of Pete Dryer (Mt. Mutumbo), Todd Beall (The Jacket Exterminator), Joshua Radcliffe (The Chutzpah Lad), Phil Ellis (Bonesaw), Jon Taylor (The California Kid aka Belleman’s Disciple), and Ryan Stutzman (Pistol Pete). Missing from the clad of raw talent, was Matt Green (The Real #6), who was too preoccupied teaching his younger brother Tim Green (The Fake #6), everything he knows.
Despite the absence of this anchor in the back line the game begun, and just as was expected, energy was high and the blood and testosterone was pumping…..for the first 10 minutes. Soon after, the runs became increasingly less creative, and the defense less and less intense, and as we close the book on yet another alumni game, it can be said that fun was had by all.
Later in the week, the team of strapping young men (no I’m no longer referring to the alumni), decided to help Coach Belleman (Mr. GQ in the suit) transfer all his possessions to new living quarters in Xenia, Ohio. As we loaded at one house and unloaded at another - and found many intriguing treasures in the process - we were jolly glad to be able to help our coach out, not only because we’re a few good men, but also because we now have a trump card to pull out when he asks us to run sprints.
Not to mention the fact that as a reward for our efforts, we were provided with sloppy joe’s, in which Luke Griffith (Man Among Boys) and I are 99% sure included the secret ingredient….anybody who’s somebody knows exactly what I’m talking about.
As mentioned earlier, we, the Cedarville men’s soccer team of 2009-10 played one of the most exciting Homecoming games a Jacket has ever swarmed in. When interviewed after the game, one member of the team noted, "Today, I became a man", another mentioned with a stoic expression, "I’m hungry for more victories……..and Colonial’s." As the Jackets took the field against the Falcons, it was truly a fight and flight battle.
Special thanks to Matt Niemiec (Azlan) who tallied three goal in this week’s contests, and Joey Mueller (Barber of the Ville), who netted two other beauties with a bit of his own salt and pepper. And a really special thanks to the training room staff, who’s dreaded utterance of "thirty more Green", still brings a salty tear to my eye.
See you on the pitch.
Sept. 28, 2009
So, here we find ourselves, tying the loose ends on yet another week of Cedarville men’s soccer. We loaded the overcrowded bus, and prepared to embark on our journey into the Shawnee State Bear Cave.
Upon our arrival, and having our dying question of where the EMT classes would be located answered, we began to prepare for the game. Coach prefers for us to survey the terrain on which we will be doing battle before the game, so after drudging through the mud, and a plethora of twisted ankles, we concluded that this field was not going to play to our advantage.
For those readers who are just joining us this week, the reason a bumpy field is not our favorite, is because Cedarville men’s soccer is committed to playing a style of play that is best characterized by the adjective "possession" or "dutch" or "knock it around."
As the game began, the Shawnee State Bears were better characterized by the term Mother Bear. They played with a new intensity that we had not yet encountered from them in the past. In preparation for the game, our game plan or "bear traps" had been set, and we continually knocked the ball to flank to attempt to increase the scoreboard number for the guest off a cross.
After a scoreless first half, Matt Niemiec (Gryffindor) crossed a ball in that was deflected off of a Shawnee player, over the keepers head, and into the back of the net. Agreed, it was garbage, but we’ll take what we can get. Later in the heated half, Ryan Chaney (The Seeker) crossed a ball that found the foot of a focused Matt Niemiec (Gryffindor), who obliterated the ball past the keeper.
In the final minutes of the game, James Twinem (Draco Malfoy) crossed a corner kick to Jon Blauert (It’s Fresh Ya) who hit a spectacular volley from the top of the box, past an outstretched keeper, tallying the score to 3-0. We had won our first conference game.
This week, I would like to introduce a new award that will be periodically awarded as to when I see fit, and that is the Freshie of the Week. The Freshie of the Week award, not only recognizes the achievements or random acts of one of our freshman, but also allows you all, the readers, to get to know our guys on a more personal level.
This week’s Freshie of the Week award goes to none other than Steve Magee (The Little Engine that Could). Steve comes in at a towering 5-foot-10, and is currently majoring in the revitalization of injured body parts (Physical Therapy). When interviewed concerning Steve, one team member noted, "He’s a ball of fun, that just lights up your day whenever it seems cloudy and gray, or dreary, or if it’s raining really a lot out." (team member wishes to remain unidentified).
Steve is awarded this prestigious honor, due to his resourcefulness (he provided me with shin guards this week when I forgot them for the game) and his acrobatic skills that he displayed for the team after the game in the locker room.
The highlight of our week was without a doubt our nutrition meeting provided by Lisa Martin (Team Mom). We as a team were informed that soda should not be drank if one plays anything but goalie because it is a dieretic and it does dieretic things to oneself. We also learned that if we are fortunate to have a girlfriend that loves us enough to bring us chocolate milk at half time, we will all play better the second half.
Lastly, we were informed that we as athletes are superior to other students, and as a result, are required to sleep more to ensure we stay superior. The largest epiphany that any of us had, came at the end of the meeting, when Coach Belleman (The Winning Machine - Who received his 100th collegiate win this week) finally explained what a longo point actually is and the effect that it has on our season.
See you on the pitch.
Sept. 21, 2009
Throughout the week, our draining practices were intensified due to the overbearing heat that engulfed us players each day. I doubt any of us would have made it without the constant "waterade" (water-downed Gatorade), the support from our brothers on the team, and Crab Chompers.
Some of you may be asking yourself. "Self, what’s Crab Chompers?" Crab Chompers is a jolly warm-up game that requires everyone not a crab (the plankton and other matter) to dribble across the grid without getting chomped by the crabs in the middle. Once a plankton and other matter has been chomped, it also becomes crabs, until everyone but the "Premium Plankton" is left. This week’s premium plankton was none other than Luke Griffith (Tinky Winky).
Throughout our practices this week, we found ourselves short one freshman. This warrior, Steve Schindler (La La), fiercely battled the infamous H1N1 (swine flu). After a treacherous week of resisting the urge to wallow in random piles of mud, accidentally squealing when trying to talk, and posing for the newest magazine on the market, "Men in Masks" - Schindler was victorious.
As practices continued on…wait, what was that, thanks I’ll let everyone know. This just in folks, this week’s Practice MVP of the Week is none other than Ryan Connelly (Iowa’s Finest). He is awarded this prestigious award based on the fact that he did nothing other than run in straight lines all week.
Why you may ask? Because it turns out that Connelly, who has been injured for about a week now, actually burst his anterior cruciate ligament in Cedarville’s contest against Grove City a few weeks back. Because he is minus one body part, he is unable to cut side to side, but was told by the doctor that he could run as fast as he wanted in a straight line. When interviewed concerning this season-ending injury, Connelly commented, "it hurt." On a more serious note, please keep Ryan in your prayers because he will have to surgery on his knee to attach something in place of his ACL because it is no longer there (and no, he didn’t really run all week).
Thursday night’s game at Marian was a sheer battle of the wills. We fought hard in the first half but couldn’t find a way to crack the shell of the egg that was the Marian defense. In the second half, the Jackets came a swarmin’ and Matt Niemiec (Po) received the ball on the six and placed the ball by the keeper with authority.
Later in the showdown, James Twinem (Dipsy) also found the ball on the six-yard line and rainbowed over the keeper, setting himself up for a bicycle kick that he placed in the upper 90 corner. Alright, alright, not really, but that would have been sweet, huh.
This time, Twinem decided to take a little off the usual Twinem Twister, and hit the Twinem Trotter, which also found its way past the keeper.
Out of sheer joy from our win, and the fact that he already placed the order, Coach Belleman (The Legend) fed his starving and depleted wasps Chipotle.
See you on the pitch.
September 14, 2009
So here we find ourselves, 3-1-1, after another successful weekend at the Dave Jones Memorial Classic, located in our very own Cedarville, Ohio. In preparation for our games against the likes of Bryan College and Mid-Continent University, our practices throughout the week we’re focused mainly on defending as a unit.
The center backs and wing backs were reminded of how difficult hitting a driven ball actually is, the holders realized just how crucial covering for their companions in the back is to ensuring a zero on the visitor’s side of the scoreboard, and the front line had begun meshing as an impenetrable force that strangles both strong and weak opposing defenses alike.
With the unfortunate news that Jason Cunningham (Big Poppa) and Ryan Connelly (Little Champion) will have to ride the pine for a few weeks while waiting for their extra-muscular bodies to rejuvenate the muscle tissue, we knew we had to join together to defeat our upcoming opponents. We were all encouraged to know that one of our strongest scorers, Joe Mueller (Peef the Schmeeb), would be joining us on the pitch once again after a severe bout with mononucleosis.
As Friday night’s game went from future to present tense, and Luke Griffith (One-Eyed-Willy) had sufficiently e-stemmed his back, we dawned the field for the first game of the Dave Jones Classic against the Bryan Lions. But unlike other Dave Jones Classics, this night was a little more special because as we listened to Lisa Martin (Gatorade Queen) sing the National Anthem, we were all reminded of the September 11th that occurred eight years earlier and the families that were affected by that tragedy.
After going down one goal on a shot from a Bryan player (Luckiest Kid Ever), Steve Schindler (Stevie G) ripped a half volley from the top of the 18 into the back of the net to tie the game just before half. After a halftime of steam pouring off anyone who played, and an occasional pose for the school photographer Scott Huck, we confidently took the field once again.
As the half wore on, and Bryan continued to send a barrage of balls over the top, making life a living nightmare for the defense, James Twinem (Pig Wrangler) hit another Twinem Twister that sailed into the upper right hand corner of the goal, past an outstretched Bryan goalkeeper. The Cedarville Defense, led by goalkeeper Kevin Bender (Spider Fingaz), managed to "shut the lion’s mouths" for the rest of the half and the Jackets won the game.
Saturday morning, we invited Mid-Continent and Bryan to join us for a worship service that included singing together, as well as sharing some cool experiences from over the summer. Jason Bender (J-Beezy) led the teams in worship and shared of his opportunity to spend a few weeks in Honduras this past summer.
When we finished, we treated both teams to a culinary treat in our fine dining facilities known as Chuck’s. While eating, we observed that the majority of the Mid-Continent soccer team was not from our country, not small, and not worried about the Jackets. Later that night, we changed their minds.
The game was an intense battle, with Cedarville and Mid-Continent players flailing and colliding at each contest for the battle, unless they hit Matt Niemiec (The Rock), then it was just Mid-Continent guys flailing. The game stayed tied through the first half, and Mid-Continent was able to slip a goal in about halfway through the second period. Not even five minutes later, Eric Newman (Nuby) headed a cross into the goal, tying it up for the Jackets. The battle continued on and ended in a tie, another exciting weekend of soccer for Cedarville.
See you on the pitch.
September 7, 2009
So here we find ourselves, on our way home from a victorious weekend in Pennsylvania. Friday afternoon’s game was definitely one we players will never forget. After a three-hour bus ride, eating some Quizno’s, and stretching out our bus legs, we began our first game vs. the Westminster Titans.
The game began with Cedarville controlling the play for about 15-20 minutes, when suddenly a ball was played through that eventually found its way into the back of the net, the Titans are up 1. Shortly thereafter, Matt Niemiec (The Tank) won the ball from an unsuspecting defender and placed the ball exceptionally, right over the keeper’s head into the side-net, the Jackets tie it up.
After a re-hydrating halftime of "do’s and don’ts" from coach, we take the field again, only to find ourselves down a man after two questionable yellow cards. After a grueling half in the Pennsylvania heat, we found ourselves deadlocked at 1-1.
As we entered overtime, the Jackets began to play our brand of soccer, possessing the soccer ball around the Titans, gaining confidence with each pass. By the end of the first overtime period, we had outplayed them to the point where they were trying to waste time…..with a one man advantage. We had them on their heels and we knew it.
In the final minutes of overtime, James Twinem (The Canadian Wonder) crushed a left-footed shot (aka The Twinem Twister) that deflected off the face of an unsuspecting Matt Niemiec, and rolled into the back of the net for a win. The Jackets had done it, we had won with a man down. To celebrate that night, we ate a local delicacy called Hoss’s and in the words of our centerback Luke Griffith (Shifty Eyes), it was a "treat."
We woke up the next morning with one thing on our minds, the tournament championship. In the bus on the way to our game, we watched a certain Harry Potter win a certain Tri-Wizard Cup and after tasting his glory, we wanted a championship of our own. The only thing in our way to achieving this victory was the Grove City Wolverines.
Roughly 1 minute and 13 seconds into the game, Ryan Connelly (Sir Khettington) went down hard after a collision and unfortunately never dawned the field again that game. As the half continued on, the Jackets dominated play, only allowing the Wolverines to cross the half a handful of times.
With the score set at an even 0-0 at half, the Jackets started the second half with stingers poised and ready to strike at any minute. The first goal for the good guys came on a indirect kick inside the box that Matt Niemiec slotted to defender Ryan Chaney (Stealth Bomber) who proceeded to send the ball to its home in the back of the net. As time wound down, the ball found its way to a new face for the Jackets, freshman Ryan Thurman (Little Blue Foot), who confidently laced the ball into the upper portion of the net with ease.
Time expired with the Jackets up 2-0. We had done it, we had won the Classic, and the only casualty was one Galaxy Quest, may the cleaning ladies laugh for many years to come.
See you on the pitch.
NCCAA All-America defender Tim Green is a junior from Lakeland, Fla. majoring in accounting. He has started every Yellow Jacket match during his career.
