ODAC Week 2: Eastern Mennonite and Hampden-Sydney

Week two saw the Generals play host to Eastern Mennonite University on a rare Tuesday game and then faced rivals Hampden-Sydney College on Saturday afternoon. After only taking one point away from two games in week one, the Generals needed some valuable points to get back up the ODAC table.

Tuesdays game versus EMU started with dismal first half performance. We were caught on our heels, unorganized in the back, and gave them way too much time on the ball for most of the 45 minutes. The Royals took advantage late in the first half off  a direct free kick from 18 yards out.The boys responded well in the second half and battled hard to get us on level terms in the 75th minute. James Paldino (leading scorer so far with 5 points) scored far post off a blocked shot inside the 18 yard box. The Generals continued to up the pressure in the remaining 10 minutes and saw a few chances fall our way, but could not slip one in in regulation. As soon as overtime started it ended. 50 seconds in OT, EMU flicked one after a defensive miscue between the center backs and keeper. It was a tough way to lose the game especially after a dominate second half performance.

Saturdays home game was the biggest game to date this season. In desperate need of 3 points and some much wanted revenge on a team that has ended the Generals post season the past couple of years. The Generals opened up flying scoring early in the 6th minute with a Conor Starr rip from 12 yards out. The generals continued to play well for the remainder of the first half, limiting Hampden-Sydney to one shot on goal. The second half  lead to a more defensive mindset to continue to limit their chances in the midfield and to preserve our lead.To defend a 1-0 lead for 45 minutes is a daunting task but Parker Wolfinger provided some relief in the opening minutes of the second half to score his first goal of the season (FINALLY!). The 5-8  140 lb beast climbed in the air to head home a back post cross from first year Al Organ.
This was an incredible win for the team and coaches and we look to continue our great play as we travel to Ferrum College on Wednesday and then again play on the road against #25 Randolph College.

GENERALS CLUB

We want to encourage our supporters to help our program by making a contribution to the Generals Club. We can not run a first class program without this fund.

Our annual recruiting data base system fees, our video editing system, our video camera for filming, our small practice goals, the rain suits the players have for practice and games, team practice attire, our end of the year team dinner, and much of our special practice equipment have all been funded by the Generals Club.

Please go to the Athletic Giving tab on the athletics main page at generalssports.com if so inclined.

Thanks you for those that have already donated!

ODAC Week 1: Randolph-Macon and Roanoke

The Generals first week in the ODAC was a tough one, as the team pulled away with one point from two games. The 0-1-1 mark in ODAC play is a harsh reflection of how the team has actually performed over the past two matches. The Generals opened up with an away visit that saw them draw 0-0. A great second half performance followed a slow unmotivated first half performance, that resulted in 14 shots alone in the second half to R-M 6. Parker Wolfinger and Dave Phillips lead the Generals with 7 great chances combined, but was unable to convert. It was a frustrating draw, that should have seen the team walking away with 3 points at the end of the day.

On that Saturday the Generals faced arguably one of the toughest opponents of the season Roanoke College. The Generals came out hard with an inspired first half performance. We takled hard, won headers in the midfield, and created great chances going forward. We were rewarded for our efforts with a great overlapping run by Zach Clarke, who then sent the ball across the box to First Year midfielder Max Quelhorst. Max finished on his first touch to earn his first goal of the season. In the final minutes of the first half the Generals were caught too far forward. Roanoke took advantage on the counter attack, which lead to an unfortunate own goal. The second half both teams played evenly until Roanoke struck late in the game on a set piece to take the 2-1 lead. The Generals continued to fight to the end with 3 quality chances in the dying minutes, but were again unable to finish.

Season Opener

The Generals opened up their season on September 1. Our opponent, Bluefield College, is a NAIA Division I school. We entered the game not really knowing what to expect from them. A quick goal from James Paldino, gave the Generals the spark that made a big difference. Our game was on. David Phillips scored a second goal to give us a 2-0 halftime lead. The second half, we scored a quick goal by Connor Pierce.  Dylan Norvell finished the scoring. All in all, it was a strong outing by the Generals. A very young defense did a solid job; offensively we were creating lots of chances( and even finishing a bunch!). We moved the ball around very well.

Blue Jay Classic

 Day 1:
The Generals soccer team dropped both games over the weekend to two tough opponents. The weekend tournament was almost called off due to the severe flooding in the Harrisburg, PA area. After 15 inches of rain in two days the tourney was moved to a field-turf, off campus location. We faced Elizabethtown College in the opening game of the tournament and suffered a hard fought 0-1 decision. E-Town opened the scoring early in the game off of a corner kick. The ball was sent back post to an unmarked man who then sent the ball back across the box for an easy finish from 6 yards out from goal. The Generals pressed hard towards the end of the first half and gained a few half chances on goal. The second half again saw the Generals pushing to even the score. There was great service in the box in the box box but we just seemed to be a step behind unable to get on the end of it. The team battled hard and the coaching staff felt we deserved to even the match towards the end of the game.
Day 2:
With a quick 12 hour break from the first game, the Generals faced 2011 NCAA tournament team Desales University. Desales proved to be a tough physical opponent that played very direct. They had a Strong set of forwards that were very effective in the air. As a result we went down early again after they buried a great headed from a cross. Soon after we had a man red carded and we down and struggling with 1o men on the pitch. On the resulting free kick Desales scored again. down 2-0 and with 10 men the Generals pulled together and got one back after a great headed off the dome of sophomore center back Colin Hagenbarth. The second half looked more promising as we gathered more chances in the final third but we were unable to convert. The rest of the game was a struggle with 10 men and we dropped the game 4-1.

We are now 1-2 and head into conference play this week against Randolph-Macon and then play host to Roanoke College at 1pm on Saturday.

Pre-season Wrap Up

A new era initiated the men’s soccer team with the arrival of pre-season 2011 on August 18.  This reporting date was a whole week earlier than any previous pre-season.  This allowed the team to have the same period of preparation as our competitors.  In years past, we have opened up against teams who had at least 2 games under their belt.  Now we are able to open without the handicap of inadequate preparation.

          The extra week allowed a much healthier approach to pre- season. This extra time allowed the coaches to prepare the team in a more progressive and thorough manner, rather than cramming so many things in so little time.

          The fully engaged agreement we committed to inorder to get the extra week, had us experiencing some interesting approaches to team building.  A team frisbee golf outing on the school’s 12-hole course was a big hit.  (Only 2 of our 37 frisbees came back intact; so much for the Dollar Tree $1 specials!).  Our team hike to St. Mary’s Wilderness had us arriving at the waterfalls just as a major thunderstorm cracked above us, and poured a torrential rain on us.  James Dick, W&L’s Outing Club Director, led the team on a ropes course initiative.  He was extremely complementary on the team’s performance: he had never had a large group complete the activity before!

          A real big hit in pre-season was our use of a caterer, Effie, to serve most of our meals.  Our Dining Hall meal schedule did not suit our practice schedule so we gave this a shot. The players were able to plan their menus, and loved her cooking.  No doubt we will do so again! 

                                (Robert Wiseman)