This week, is local during the week and a week-end in Philadelphia.

Next week is a North Carolina tournament weekend.

Just a reminder, this year, I’m concentrating on just a few players at each game.

 

Richmond, VA – Georgia State won 1-0 propelling them into the Colonial Association tournament and virtually ending Virginia Commonwealth’s post-season hopes.

In a game with these types of season-ending implications, the referee, Ben Jones, unfortunately impacted the outcome by unjustly red carding VCU sophomore Nate Shiffman in the 27th minute. This was a game changing decision. Up to this point, hardly a foul had been called on either team and this was the only card in the entire match. On the 50/50 play, Shiffman pulled his feet back to avoid contact but his foot came up as the player jumped up to protect himself. But, the call was harsh in the flow of the game.

 

F: Caleb Kernan

M: Gimel Gordon, Yasser Majluf, Ayokunle Lumpkin

DM: Stephen McGill, Jamal Keene

D: Michael Nwiloh, Chris Locandro, Peter Vania, Bo Stroup

GK: Vincent Foermer

F: Jason Johnson

W/D F: Yoram Mwila

M: Juan Monge Solano, Joseph Haboush, Nick Rich

DM: Romena Bowie, Nate Shiffman

D: Garrett Harvey, Brad Seymour, Assane Keita

GK: Josh Pantazelos

 

I wasn’t impressed with the Georgia State talent. Until they went up a man, Georgia State was on their heels with an apparent goal in the immediate future. They seemed to be looking for counter-attack chances.

Sophomore Michael Nwiloh works the ball forward and he has some semblance of speed, but he runs awkwardly.

In the 52nd minute, sophomore Stephen McGill hit a delicious free kick that the goalkeeper tipped wide. McGill is a big thick player who plays like a thug. I like physical players who have bite. Taking cheap shots and needlessly elbowing players is going to be long-term liability for his teams. His reputation is going to catch up with him. In the first 10 minutes that was my only comment on Georgia State and my opinion didn’t vary as the game progressed.

Senior Ayokunle Lumpkin is a small quick winger, but he doesn’t have professional skills.

Off the bench, sophomore Evan Scott scored the lone goal in the 44th minute from a freshman Jordan Weise corner kick. On the play, Scott was able to get open on the far post and headed the ball into the top corner. I would have expected that senior Nick Rich would have been able to cover the post better.

Scott almost had another goal right after half-time from a Bo Stroup cross.

 

This game is emblematic of the Virginia Commonwealth season – good chances squandered ending with disappointment at the end. If Virginia Commonwealth did their work, this game would not have ended their season. Losses to Drexel and Northeastern are the primary reasons that they’ll be able to enjoy Thanksgiving at home.

Sophomore Jason Johnson has elevated his game; however, he needs to score more (10g nice, but insufficient). He hustled in this match and he made a beautiful pass to junior Yoram Mwila in the 52nd minute. But Mwila mishandled the pass and it went harmlessly to the goalkeeper. 

If Virginia Commonwealth wants to get back into the NCAA in 2012, an upgrade at goalkeeper from senior Josh Pantazelos is already in house with Canadian youth international Garrett Cyprus. He might be a viable option. Pantazelos played well against Georgia State, but consistency is always my concern.

Additionally, sophomore Romena Bowie needs to be more consistent and take the responsibility for leading the team.

Senior Nick Rich is the primary loss from graduation. The right back provides leadership, bite and an option up the right sideline. He’ll need to be replaced. But, Virginia Commonwealth is losing any other field level players. I expect that sophomore Jose Carlos Castillo returns to school to continue to develop after playing with the full national Guatemalan squad. However, he might find other professional opportunities too enticing.

If the Virginia Commonwealth players continue to develop in the off-season and additional incoming talented players attend, Virginia Commonwealth has a viable chance to make the NCAA tournament in 2012.

 

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College Park, MD – In the final night of the ACC regular season, Maryland and Wake Forest drew 1-1 on a crisp evening. With the #1 ACC seed settled, only ACC seeding was immediately at stake which for Maryland could be critical if they allowed a top 4 seed in the NCAA to slip away with this draw.

Maryland finished the season with a fizzle drawing against North Carolina, Wake and losing to Clemson. Will they refocus and start hitting their shots and stop leaking goals? They have their starters back, so there shouldn’t be any excuses. 

 

F: Andy Lubahn, Sean Okoli

M: Luciano Delbono, Ross Tomaselli, Jared Watts, Ben Newnam

D: Anthony Arena, Danny Wenzel, Tolani Ibikunle, Chris Duvall

GK: Michael Lisch

F: Patrick Mullins, Casey Townsend

M: Sunny Jane, John Stertzer, Helge Leikvang, Jereme Raley

D: Taylor Kemp, Alex Lee, London Woodberry, Widner Saint Cyr

GK: Will Swaim

 

Without a senior, supposedly they’ll return their entire team, but they had a couple of seniors not return for their final year in 2011. The problems start with the support for their talented forwards. In the first half, sophomore Ross Tomaselli didn’t create anything but an invisibility act. Junior Luciano Delbono was better, but I don’t think he’s the answer either.

Junior Andy Lubahn is a known commodity with his speed and strength and his usual reliability to bury his shot. He had a chance to be the hero in the waning minutes with an open goal after a couple of Maryland gaffs, but he plunked the ball off the post. Lubahn is a good passer, dribbler and attacking player. In the 25th minute, Lubahn was able to create separation going horizontally using his quickness and fired a shot that was just wide.

Lubahn’s strike partner is freshman Sean Okoli. Okoli has the proto-typical forward physique – lean, tall, fast and powerful. I saw him play this past summer in Dallas while he was with the Seattle Academy. I was impressed then and it looks like he’s become acclimated to the college game. Okoli still has some development and refinement, but I expect that he’ll be the finished product in a couple of years. 

In the 50th minute, Okoli scored the lone Wake Forest goal. The play began with a long distribution from junior goalkeeper Michael Lisch. With Maryland defender sophomore Widner Saint Cyr ineffectively shielding Okoli from the ball, Okoli took possession, dribbling the ball behind his set leg, he was able to explode past Saint Cyr. With goalkeeper Will Swaim in a poor position, Okoli was able to put the ball over Swaim into the back of the net from 30 yards. 

Junior Danny Wenzel anticipates well, but he lacks quickness to stay with faster players. For example, in the 50th minute, sophomore Patrick Mullins was able to run away from Wenzel. Wenzel gets into the passing lanes. At times, his clearances were wild. Wenzel blocked several shots that were goal-bound.

 

Maryland was much better. But Maryland could flame out in the next 2 matches (ACC & NCAA) resulting in a miserable, miserable season. They are talented enough, but if they don’t start scoring, play better defense and their goalkeeper doesn’t make critical plays I won’t be surprised.

Junior John Stertzer scored the lone goal with his head in the 32nd minute. On the play, junior Taylor Kemp would off a tackle by junior Luciano Delbono before crossing the ball that found Stertzer from 8 yards.

Senior Casey Townsend scored 1 goal in October after scoring 11 goals previously. He needs to slip the ball past the goalkeeper. His headers are on target, but too many seem to be targeting the goalkeeper. If he breaks the seal, Townsend is liable to go on a run, carrying Maryland deep into the NCAA’s. If he doesn’t, Maryland is going to find another source for the scoring. Stertzer has been shouldering the burden with 5 goals in the last 4 games.

Sophomore Widner Saint Cyr was playing scary defense. He was shaky in the back as a continuation of his performance against Clemson. It was no surprise that freshman Marquez Fernandez finished the match. Saint Cyr was victimized by Okoli on the Wake Forest goal.

Junior London Woodberry is the most indispensible player on the Maryland squad. With his speed and athleticism, he was able to nullify one of the talented Wake forwards. Woodberry’s left foot needs improvement, but his right is one of the best at crossing the ball. I enjoyed the battle on set pieces between Okoli and Woodberry. It’s going to be a contest for many years to come when both are playing professionally.

The other person who needs to concentrate and tighten his first touch is Coach Sasho Cirovski. He had 3 balls mishandled until he finally competently brought a ball down smoothly. One more mis-touch, I would have started the petition to have him removed from the Wisconsin-Milwaukee Hall of Fame. 

It’s time for the Maryland team (including the coaching staff) to bring their “A” game into tournament season.

 

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Ambler, PA – In a game where neither team played well, Temple won 1-0 over La Salle via a first half penalty kick. The wind was harsh and the cold was bitter in a sunny afternoon game, but the soccer was equally cold. If last night’s match between Wake Forest and Maryland was Lobster bisque, this match was gruel – cold, tasteless and unappetizing.

 

F: Teel Cameron

M: Jason Plumhoff, Jeff Pio, Rob Friskey, Jidell Roach 

DM: Andrew Weyershaeuser

D: Dan Korenyi, Mike Stanton, Nick Dundon, Kevin Pink

GK: John McCarthy

F: Tyler Witmer

M: Jake Lister, Vaughn Spurrier, Homero Rodriguez

DM: Ryan Bradbury, Cody Calafiore

D: Sawyer Hemmer, Nolan Hemmer, Billy Kappock, Sam Heller

GK: Bobby Rosato

 

Some of the La Salle parents are idiots. I’m used to parents yelling at the officials. It’s bad enough when the parents are taunting 20 year old players. I was thoroughly shocked that they persisted at yelling at the 10 year old ball kid who was working his tail off, doing his best. I’d like to see any of these parents working a sideline as effectively. These La Salle parents should be mortified for their behavior and they need to take a look at the bigger picture and the example they are setting for their boys. Embarrassing.

Neither of the senior starters have legitimate MLS chances.

Senior Nick Dundon is a medium sized center back but lacks quickness. He’s a satisfactory passer but not exceptional.

Senior Dan Korenyi is a big bruising left back but lacks technical proficiency. He moves adequately, without quickness.

Both Dundon and Korenyi can make defensive tackles and both are acceptable in the air. 

Sophomore Jason Plumhoff is the best technical player for La Salle. He is quick and his left foot is skilled. I’d like for him to get his head up more and be aware of runners flashing through the box. Additionally, he needs to realize that with his technical skills, teams are going to be focusing physical challenges at him. He needs to concentrate on his game and allow less talented teammates an opportunity to protect him rather than trying to react physically. 

 

Tyler Witmer is the lone senior starter. He’s good on the ball and demonstrated his quickness in the second half, blazing down the sideline. In the 38th minute, Witmer hit a bullet from 25 yards that hit the cross-bar. 

He can be baited into extracurricular activities that detract from his focus of putting the ball in the net. I’m skeptical that he has the either the technical/tactical skills for MLS, but he might be able to play in USL. However, I am not sure what position; I doubt that he’s a professional forward.

The best Temple player is junior Cody Calafiore. He sits deep allowing him to initiate the attack keeping the field in front of him. He’s pretty good. Calafiore scored the penalty kick in the 38th minute that propelled Temple to victory. He’s a slick passer. He ran his mouth to earn a yellow in the 72nd minute. 10 minutes before, he extolled his teammates to keep their mouths shut and play. If he could only follow his own advice, he might be able to raise his game even further.

I have no idea why Calafiore would even entertain responding to the comments from the La Salle parents. He should concentrate on the game because he has more influence than the sidelines do. While he may think himself clever and entertaining, it makes me question his maturity and motivation. Shut your mouth and play the game.

I continue to like the way that junior Homero Rodriguez plays. He’s an honest worker with above average skill crammed in an average sized body.

The Temple defenders are physical relying more on their upper body strength than their defensive skill and quickness.

 

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