Weekly comments about he previous weeks games and tournaments
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
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 PFC Liverpool
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.
