Weekly game reports and comments about the previous weeks games and tournaments
Jersey United Rage vs. Toms River Force Final score: 4-1 Half time: 3-1
A great overall team performance lead to the Rages’s first league win of the season against a very competent Toms River team. The Rage demonstrated good possesion and speed of play on a very small field and were in front of the goal. Goals from Lacey Kappus and Leah Posella as well as a double from Abby Ousouljogilou completed the scoring. Kimmie Cook in goal received the 2nd half shut out. The game MVP was Sam Orecchio who was a constant attacking threat with her powerful runs and movement in and around the goal.
Jersey United Rage vs. SJ Elite Vipers
Final Score 2-0 Half Time: 1-0
The Rage started the game slow on a large field in South Jersey but began to gain rythm 20 minutes into the game. A great individual goal from Abby Ousouljogilou before the break sent the Rage into the half at 1-0. The Rage completely dominated the 2nd half with great possesion of the ball in attacking areas and created a number of good chances to score. Abby Ousouljogilou scored her 2nd goal of the game from a Lacey Kappus free kick after the impressive Cami Calafiore was fouled just outside the 18. The shut out was shared by Caroline Babis and Paige Schneider. The game MVP was Leah Posella who showed a great defensive work ethic without the ball and demonstrated great composure and attacking flair when in possession.
Jersey United Rage vs. NJ Dynamo (State Cup 1st round)
Final Score 3-1 Half Time: 2-1
The Rage started the game on fire and scored two early goals from Hayley Soriano and Abby Ousouljoglou. A lapse in concentration and inability to deal with air balls let the opponent back into the game with a goal just before the break. The Rage produced a much better showing of winning 50/50 balls and keeping possession in the 2nd half and after creating a number of good chances, Leah Posella scored the winning goal and put the game to bed. The team felt there was no game MVP due to the lack of concentration and team work in the middle 3rd of the game.
Jersey Utd Rage Vs. BOM Dolphins (State Cup 2nd round)
Final Score 5-0 Half Time: 1-0
The Rage started the game well and dominated the play from opening whistle. A few problems with offsides and some good GK play kept the score at 1-0 for the break but a rejuvenated RAGE after a lightning storm break kept their composure and found the net 4 times in quick succession. Goals from Abby Ousoljoglou (2), Hayley Soriano (2) and Caroline Babis secured the win. The shutout was shared by Babis, Cook and Soriano. The team decided that no player stood out for the game MVP and the whole team deserved a special mention.
WAGS Tournament 2010 - Finalists
The Rage competed well against some great NE competition. Each game posed a different problem for the girls and they reacted well and changed their style to accomodate the problem. The Rage deserved to reach the final but started out very slow and found themselves 3-0 behind after 10 minutes to a very attacking West-Mont team. After the 1st 10 minutes the game was very even and the Rage had a number of chances to score but the damage was allready done. The entire team performed well over the course of the weekend but special MVP honors goes to Cami Calafiore, Gina Dello Russo, Rima Patel and the impressive Kimmie Cook in goal.
Jersey Utd Rage Vs. BOM Dynamite
2-0 Half time 1-0
The Rage started the game well and create some good scoring chance after some great combination play and slick ball movement. The breakthough goal came from the opurtunistic Caroline Terns who found herself in the right place at the right time. The Rage had to deal with some very aggressive play from the opposition but kept their composure and lead going into the half. After the break the Rage came out strong dominating the midfield and a breakaway goal from Abby Ousouljogilou put the game out of BOM reach. BOM threw everything forward for the last ten minutes but the Rage held strong and deserved their win. The game MVP was shared by Caroline Terens and Cami Calafiore who remained impressive for the whole game. The shutout in goal was shared by Kimmie Cook and Caroline Babis.
Jersey Utd Rage Vs. Freehold Spirit
1-0 Half time 0-0
After changing their formation to 4-4-2 and a number of positional changes the Rage started the game slowly but soon got their rythm and dominated the possesion of the Ball. The Rage created a number of good goal scoring chances through some great attacking play and use of the ball in wide areas. If it wasn’t for a number of great saves from the Freehold GK then the Rage would have been leading at half time. The breakthrough finally came in the 2nd half when the predatory Cami Calafiore pounced on a loose ball in the 18 to give the Rage their deserved win. A great team performance of passing and possesionas well as a great work ethic without the ball made it hard to find an MVP but a special mention goes to Hayley Soriano who Bossed the midfield and created a number of good chances with accurate through balls. The shutout was shared by Kimmie Cook, Paige Schneider and Hayley Soriano.
Jersey Utd Rage vs. Watchung Hills NJE Crush
0-0
After an impressive start to the game the Rage allowed NJE back into the game. The Rage failed to react to the 4-3-3 played by NJE and didn’t react to having a player down in the midfield. After the break the Rage did a better job of solving game problems but need to show more cutting edge in the final third, too many through balls were overhit or mistimed.The game MVP was Erika Lepik who made some great defensive plays and show good composure when under pressure. The shutout in goal was shared by Kimmie Cook and Caroline Babis.
Jersey Utd Rage vs. Holmdel
0-1 Rage didnt keep the ball well on Saturday and made a poor defensive error allowing the opposition to capitalize. In a very even game we didnt use the ball well enough to create many goal scoring opportunities. We found it difficult to move the ball over bigger distances on the large field. We made a change from 4,4,2 to 4,3,3 to add a layer and reduce the gaps between our team. Unfortunately we allowed Holmdel too much of the ball.
MVP - Caroline Terens
Baltimore Mania Tournament 2010 - Finalists W6-0 Vs. NU Utd
The Rage started slowly against a weaker NU Utd team but found there rythm as the game went on. The girls showed some good individual skills with the ball and were not afraid to improvize in tight areas. I spoke to the team at half time about being more exciting in the final 3rd aswell as looking to switch the field more in 4-3-3 system, they did exactly what was asked of them in the 2nd half and adjusted well to the new style of play and positional changes. The game MVP was shared by Cami Calafiore and Ashley Skayhan, both girls gave a committed performance on defense and were an intregal part of the teams attacks.
T1-1 Vs. Berks Rage
In the battle of the ’Rages’ the JU Rage started extremely flat and deserved to be one behind at the half. The girls showed a lack of commitment when defending and were second to every loose ball. After the half the girls improved dramatically but still had trouble combining passes and dealing with aerial passes from the other team. The JU Rage deserved to tie the game and showed a good attitude to fight when losing. The game MVP was Abby Ousouljogilou for her 2nd half display, her direct movement with the ball caused problems for the opposing team on many occasions.
L2-1 Vs. Junior Pioneers
The girls started the game slowly and went behind to a long range ’Kick’ from the pioneers. After the goal the Rage quickly climatized to their opponents kick and run styla and took the game too them. I was very proud of how the girls played against a very physical and athletic team, the defenders dealt with every aerial ball played forward and the girls where connecting passes and combinations all over the field. Allthough it is not nice to lose I think the girls can take huge pride from this game and the performance was a great testament for their hard work over the past 12 months at team practices.
PDA Tournament 2010 - Finalists
The Rage started the game against Parsippany well and scored a good team goal but after the goal the girls seemed to slow up and allowed the cheetahs back into the game. Constant stray passes and inability to compete left the Rage chasing the game. A last minute goal was disallowed by the referee but a tie was a fair result. Game MVP was Rima Patel and Lacey Kappus who stayed strong under pressure to keep the score line even.
In the 2nd game Vs. South Central Premier the Rage started strong and seemed up for the task at hand. The girls showed good attacking prowess and worked hard without the ball to keep the pressure on the Connecticut team and deserved to score two goals. After the 2nd goal however the team gave up and allowed the opposition an instant reply making a cagey end to what should have been an easy game. The game MVP was Paige Schneider who’s composure on the ball created a number of attacking chances and she was committed in every tackle.
Needing a win against an extremely strong Marlton group the Rage came focused and ready to compete. Sporting an aggressive attacking 4-3-3 formation each player showed their true quality with the ball and worked hard to score the goals needed to progress to the final. The Rage demonstrated great hunger in front of goal and were good value for their 4-0 win. Playing like this, the Rage can overcome any team and totally shocked Marlton. Game MVP was Sam Orrechio who’s constant running and desire to get forward helped the Rage score the goals they needed.
In the Final Vs Holmdel the Rage started extremely slow and gave the opposition the confidence to win the game. The girls were weak in the tackle and 2nd to every loose ball. The team was lucky to go in 0-0 at the half and an improved 2nd half display gave the Rage the edge, a goal against the run of play sparked the Rage into life and the girls finally showed the commitment needed to be champions. Great attacking pressure led to a deserved equalizing goal and the Rage could have sneaked the winner if it wasn’t for some great goalkeeping. Eventually losing on penalties teaches the girls that they need to play tough for the whole game and remain focused throughout. The game MVP was Hayley Soriano who’s dogged defensive play and attitude to attack made her dominate crowed midfield.
US Club State Cup Vs. Whatchung Hill NJE Crush W1-0
The Rage played exceptionally well from start to finish and dominated a very competent NJE team. The girls worked hard all week on competing for all balls and being more effective in the tackle and it showed in their commitment to be first to the ball and aggressive dominance. The Rage created a number of good goal scoring chances and limited the opposition to a few long distance shots. The girls still need to work on their aerial prowess especially when attacking and defending set pieces. Game MVP was Lacey Kappus and Rima Patel for a solid defensive display.
US Club State Cup Vs. MatchFit CJX T0-0 (Lost 3-0 on Pk’s)
The Rage started where they left off and dominated their opponents who were considered the favourites. The Rage proved to be the better soccer team from start to finish and more composure in the final 3rd would have won them the game. The girls limited the opposition to one chance the whole game which was from distance and dominated the possession, CJX barely crossed the hal way line. The Rage cruelly lost the game on Pk’s 3-0 but can be proud of how they played and their improvement over recent weeks. Game MVP was Hayley Soriano who’s dogged midfield display kept the oppositions offense at bay and her passing vision created a number of chances for the Rage.
Columbia Invitational Tournament 2010 - Finalists
The Rage competed well in all four games of the tournament and deserved their place in the final. The girls showed much improved passing and movement to create space when not in possession. The increase in their pass completion led to a lot of scoring opportunities over the weekend and with more composure they could have scored more goals. Defensively the girls looked good especially the back four who limited the opposition to half chances, I still think that the girls can pressure the ball quicker and give immediate chase after loss of possession in the midfield. It was harsh for the girls to lose in the final on penalties but each of the girls need to show more composure and technique when taking PK’s to avoid further disappointment.
JAGS Game HOME Vs Freehold
Rage won 2-0
In intense heat the Rage showed good character in their final JAGS game of the season. The Rage continued with their recent impressive passing displays and created a number of good attacking chances to score. With better movement from the forwards the score would have been higher. The girls put immediate pressure on the ball when not in possession and looked committed to getting the ball back. I was extremely pleased with the girl’s ability to change positions without the breaking the teams rhythm and their thirst for knowledge to improve.
MAPS Cup
Rage 0 - 1 NJSA
The Rage competed extremly well for the majority of the game against an extremly capable NJSA team. The Rage rose to the occasion of playing a tough opponent currently ranked #1 in the country and had a number of chances to score themselves. At times the girls played too slowin attacking areas and allowed the opposition to set up their defense but overall the girls showed good composure and a willingness to work hard.
Rage 2 - 3 SDA
The Rage started the game extre,y slow and found them 3-0 down in the first half. Every girl was slow to the ball when defending and gave the ball away too easily when in possession. The 2nd half showed an improvement and the Rage nearly snaeaked a tie but the damage was done in the first half with some sloppy possession and an unwillingness to compete.
Rage 1 - 2 DTS Ajax
The game was exact replica of the game before and the girls came out flat not willing to compete with their much more aggressive opponents. After going 2-0 down the Rage started to play and dominated the game but due to some good Goalkeeping and sloppy finishing the Rage couldn’t tie the game. The girls looked lost at the end of the game and seemed to b lacking the fire to compete after a long spring/summer season.
Central Jersey Invitational 2010 - Finalists
Rage 2 - 0 Roxbury
A rejuvenated yet undermaned Rage team started the game with a point to prove. The girls demonstrated some good slick passing and movement off the ball to carve open chances against a good Roxbury side. The Rage created a number of great chances to score and showed a willingness to switch the field to create space. The opposition rarely got into the attack due to some stingy defending.
Rage 2 - 1 Wayne Utd
The Rage had a point to prove against Wayne after a dissapointing loss in JAGS earlier this year and the team achieved what they wanted with a comfortable vistory. The girls continued their good passing and movement and even started to involve the outside defenders to add numbers to the attack. The team never gave up on their passing gameplan and got in behind the opposition on numerous occasions. If it wasn’t for a tremendous long range free kick the Rage would have been good value for a 2nd shut out after some great defending. The game MVPs where Paige Schneider and Sam Orecchio for their constant contribution to the teams cause.
Rage 0 - 2 NJSA/Highland Fusion
The scorline doesn’t tell the true story of this even game and if it wasn’t for two goals over the head of the Rage keeper then this game would have been a tie. The Rage continued to pass the ball well and created chances to score but the difference between the teams was the movement of the forwards, the Rage forwards need to check more and show more quality on the ball to create chances something they did more and more as the game went on. The game MVPs are Sarah Harmon and Lacey Kappus who looked comfortable in possesion and also showed a good willingness to break down the oppositions attack.
Rage 2 - 1 Mt. Olive Premier
Against a strong PFC team the Rage continued their good run of form and looked the better team for the whole match. The opposition couldn’t deal with the passing and movement of the Rage and had to change to 3-5-2 formation. The Rage reacted to the change and defended well to remain on top. Again, the forward players need to work on their movement but the switching of play and aggressivness to goal was tremendous and the team was good value for their convincing result. The game MVPs were Rima Patel and Hayley Soriano who showed good adaptation to the conditions and worked hard for their team.
Final: Rage 0 - 3 NJSA/Highland Fusion
Again, the scoreline doesn;t show the true story and the numbers game of only having 12/13 players caught up with the Rage and allthough they competed well for 20 minutes they finally ran out of gas and the opposition took control. Overall, the Rage had an exceptional weekend and showed the level and quality of soccer that is required to succeed at this level.
