The Annual Aquinas vs. Rockhurst Match

Game 15 (13-2)
15 October on Senior Night at Rockhurst (2-1)

Ok, the problem with sitting in is that you have to move Parker back to help in the midfield, and then you don't have anyone who can really do what Parker can do at the 9—hold the ball; win and hold the ball. (Honestly, Charlie probably did the best job imitating Parker, and I doubt if he has ever played there before.)

So, we definitely did not offer up a very entertaining match to the viewing public. I mean we set in for the entire second half—holding the score at 0-0 for the half. It was quite an accomplishment, but it wasn't particularly pretty.  "Z" did almost score on a breakaway, and there was definitely a handball in the box that went uncalled—but that was about it. 

And Rockhurst kept building down the side, creating long throw-in after long throw-in.  I can see why B interviewed the entire defense, and why he named Mitchell Farrar the BWhite Player of the Match. They were under attack all second half. But our defense, despite all the possession time on our end, despite all of those throw-ins, the 2 corners, only allowed the Rock put up one shot towards goal second half. One.

But the defense wouldn't have had a lead to protect without some nifty set pieces in the first half.  Parker's long throw created the PK as Gabe went up and got it to the backpost on his head-flick, and then Parker buried the PK. 



And soon after, Gabe threw short to Bryson who lifted a one-touch cross to the back post for a Caden Eames header. Beautiful. The Game-Winning Goal. All of a sudden, we had a lead to protect.



And the Rock is as good as anyone we have played, probably outside of Gateway Legacy.  They could easily win it all in Missouri.

We have one regular-season game left against a very good BV West team—a win will mean a number one seed throughout the playoffs. And that won't be easy, but this second half of the season hasn't presented much in the way of easy, and we have responded well. So, let's do this.

We did extend our winning streak over Rockhurst to four in a row. Wow. 


STATS:

First Half:

Saints: Shots: 6 (4) Corners: 1 (Muckerman)

27:37 Stoecklein (Gabe's header creates the handball (elbow))

21:39 Eames (Gabe throws short to Max who one-touches it back post)

Rockhurst: Shots: 4 (4) Corners: 1

20:09 Pileggi (an amazing, falling-out-of-bounds t-ball to the slot)

Second Half:  

Saints: Shots: 3 (2) Corners: 0

Rockhurst: Shots: 1 (1) Corners: 2

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