Middlebury
defeated RPI 9-5 on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon. I spoke to the team before
the game about being ready to play in different style games and still play at a
high level. The warning seemed justified by halftime. While we were able
to get hot and run out to some big scores the last couple of games, a hot RPI
goalie, a zone defense by RPI, along with some average shooting by us and what
seemed like a lack of emotion, came together to produce a 3-2 halftime deficit.
I
had the definite feeling during the first half that we were "flat"
and it was reflected in the score. However, when I reviewed the game film
last night, without the benefit of feeling the lack of emotion, it simply
looked as if the RPI goalie played very well and we had a couple of turnovers
on our first few possessions, but otherwise generated quality shots and played
very good defense. I am sticking to my feeling of us being flat,
however. I think it was an adjustment getting back to playing a mid-week
game and that we did not shift gears from the classroom onto the field early
enough. There was also a delay to the start of the game as one of the
officials took a nasty shot to the face with a ball and had to be rushed to the
hospital. He ended up with a broken nose and cheekbone, but avoided any eye
injury, so we breathed a sigh of relief.
After
the late start, we began the game with a couple of unforced errors, but then
got untracked on the offensive end in terms of creating opportunities.
RPI was playing man to man and it was apparent we would be able to generate a
lot of offense. There was a promising early goal on which Dave Leach
popped off the crease on a designed play, but then dropped the ball off
perfectly to Jim Cabrera when Cabrera’s man slid to Leach, Cabrera finished the
play nicely. RPI then dropped into zone for the remainder of the day,
which we attacked well, but it certainly does change the tempo of the
game. We generated excellent opportunities but did not finish, as I
mentioned the goalie played very well and we just did not finish well enough on
a few opportunities. I don’t think frustration ever set in, as we were at
least getting our looks. We came out in the 3rd Quarter
continuing to get our looks, but we were able to net 5 goals, at least showing
what we are capable of in that one quarter. They played the same zone, we
played the same offense, we just finished
better. Dave Leach was excellent all day, but particularly in the 3rd
Quarter when you could sense him asserting his leadership as a captain.
He had a goal and 2 assists during our 3rd Quarter run, and finished
with a goal and 3 assists on the day. Jim Cabrera again led us in goal
scoring with 3 goals, and he was denied a number of times by the goalie,
preventing another big day for Jim and a blowout score by us. It is
encouraging that Jim can be off on his scoring a little and end up with 3
goals! Mark Foster was also key in our 3rd Quarter stretch,
netting 2 goals, one on a feed from Leach and one on a heads up play, dodging
off a pick when they changed up by going into a shut off man to man.
The
defense was excellent all day and Alex Palmisano was stella- in goal, coming up with a season high 12
saves. Several of his saves were again on point blank shots. The
most impressive had to be near the end of the game when he lost the ball near
the mid-line on a clear, ran back to the goal and stuffed an attackman 1 v. 1 just after he covered the empty net.
RPI presented some match up problems as they have moved all 3 of their top
players to the midfield. We tried to match up our best long sticks on
their best players and not worry about positions. This sometimes took a
little juggling and led to one or two confusing moments, but for the most part,
it definitely helped us to limit their scoring opportunities. Their top middie is one of the best players I have seen in a couple
of years. I used him as an example to our team after the game of how we want to
play. I believe he also plays football for RPI. He is a short, stocky,
strong midfielder with a great motor and a fantastic shot. He goes hard
to the goal and makes his defender move his feet. He drew several
penalties and he scored 3 of their 5 goals. We matched up Ed Brown on him
any chance we could and Ed limited his effectiveness whenever he was on
ball. Anytime he was matched on a short stick you had to hold your breath
as you knew something was going to happen. He was a warrior also, as he was on
the wing on face offs, played a lot of defense and overall logged a lot of
minutes, and they were a lot of active minutes. He was fun to
watch. All of our close defensemen played well, as did Mike Murray and
Chip Campbell in the defensive midfield. Chip was awarded the game ball
for his outstanding play on-ball, on ground balls, and running the field.
Once
again, Pete Mellen dominated the face offs. I believe
he won 14 of 18 face offs. I should have noted after the Wesleyan game,
and I am sure Pete would be the first to note, that he gets outstanding support
from his wing men. Freshman Long Stick Midfielder James Guay is absolutely sensational getting the ball off the
ground and keeping possession with smart, poised passes. Mike Murray is the
best short stick we have at the wing. Mike plays a ton of minutes and is
fun to watch also, with strong on-ball defense, hustle, ground balls and
running the field in transition. There was one great moment in the game
when Mike Murray and their stud midfielder had a one on one, 20 yard chase of a
loose ball. It was two great athletes hustling their tails off for one
loose ball. I am happy to report that
We
play