In the final game of the tournament, the Cats came out flat against host New Trier, going to halftime down 9-4, the most goals the Cats allowed in any two quarters all tournament. Afterwards, the boys all felt like they were not focused before the game, having just played eventual champion Loyola very close. New Trier came out blazing and it took until halftime for the Cats to finally bring their intensity around to match New Trier's.
The second half was won by the Cats 5-2, but it was too little, too late as New Trier held off a late surge to claim the victory and second place in the tournament. Your Jungle Cats took third with a 2-2-1 record.
Thomas Morgan was named offensive player of the game for his strong offensive effort and best defensive effort so far this summer.
The boys learned a lot this weekend. We improved each game (except for the 1st quarter of the last game) and we came together as a team. The boys got to know each other and their coaches a lot better and the "deer in headlights" look in their eyes were gone by haltime of the first game (as observed by Mr. Savio). The crash defense has come a long way in just a few short weeks and we are starting to figure out when to stay and when to go. Offensively, we have also made leaps and bounds by moving the ball down to the wing and generating ball-side drives. 6-on-5 needs a lot of work as we had over 20 chances and only one or two conversions. But, you don't draw 20+ ejections without doing a lot of things right.
Tidbits:
- One field block makes you part of the "Swat Team". Five field blocks is a "Block Party", although Michael Slaughter may just call out "Yahtzee"
- The "wing-out club" is still stuck at two members
- Michael Bowers was apparently born with a beard
- Peter Buelter looks good in sunglasses, even indoors or in the middle of the night
- Savio, Sullivan and Slaughter are the worst morning people and cannot be in the same rooms in California
- Most people walk away from a group when they get a phone call, Aaron Adcock stand in the middle of the group and just talks louder
- We hit a major thunderstorm on the drive back. In our car, we popped on the radio because we weren't sure if we were about to run into a tornado. The emergency broadcast system warned us of 60 MPH winds and to seek shelter immediately. The storm was described the storm as full of "dangerous winds, damaging hail and deadly lightning". We experienced these things for about 90 seconds of terror driving 30 MPH through the chaos, but then the storm dissipated and we just kept driving. Quite exhilarating.
- In my car, we listened to a rap CD put out by Macho Man Randy Savage. It's hilarious. The title track "Be a Man" might have to be the theme song for the team.
Showing posts with label New Trier Tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Trier Tournament. Show all posts
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Loyola 8 - JCWP 4
6 first half goals by Loyola proved too much to overcome. Goalie and player of the game Sean Sullivan counted only two counter-attack goals, the rest were half-court, three of which came in the first 3 minutes of the first quarter.
Loyola had bigger and stronger players than even Mundelein, so it would have been hard to execute a press. After the first three outside bullets by the two studs on Loyola, the Cats really clamped down defensively. Goals came more from Loyola's good plays than Cat errors. Most impressive was the shutout in the third quarter with Loyola shooting deep.
The Jungle Cat offense was the best it had been all summer as our spacing was tremendous as we moved the ball down to the wing. Drivers found themselves either ball-side with a man on their back or open weak-side after picks and we had many open looks. I think the fatigue of the 4th game in 24 hours caught up to us as open shot went wide or at the goalie, mostly due to lack of kicking up.
The biggest weakness of this team right now is 6-on-5 as we had mutliple oppportunities (as well as two 6-on-4 chances) with zero conversions.
All-around a very good game and we head into the game against New Trier with a chance for second place.
Loyola had bigger and stronger players than even Mundelein, so it would have been hard to execute a press. After the first three outside bullets by the two studs on Loyola, the Cats really clamped down defensively. Goals came more from Loyola's good plays than Cat errors. Most impressive was the shutout in the third quarter with Loyola shooting deep.
The Jungle Cat offense was the best it had been all summer as our spacing was tremendous as we moved the ball down to the wing. Drivers found themselves either ball-side with a man on their back or open weak-side after picks and we had many open looks. I think the fatigue of the 4th game in 24 hours caught up to us as open shot went wide or at the goalie, mostly due to lack of kicking up.
The biggest weakness of this team right now is 6-on-5 as we had mutliple oppportunities (as well as two 6-on-4 chances) with zero conversions.
All-around a very good game and we head into the game against New Trier with a chance for second place.
JCWP 12 - Brother Rice 5
Brother Rice had some issues fielding a team and only 4 guys could make it, so New Trier pitched in 8 guys off their bench so we'd have a game.
Our crash defense really came together has we carried a shutout into the second half. The goalies split time and both were solid. We had a little trouble getting our offense rolling as not many Cats squared out early to get the ball from the goalie and we refused to get the ball in deep to the wing. However, Zach Smith joined Daniel Maloney as sole members of the "wing out club". Our lefties, Erlinger and Bowers are doing great getting to the right wing and being passer. Thomas Morgan and Michael Slaughter are creating lots of counter opportunities. Player of the game was John Lewis who was dominant in the 2M and was a vocal leader at both ends of the pool.
We have Loyola in 20 minutes essentially for the championship.
Our crash defense really came together has we carried a shutout into the second half. The goalies split time and both were solid. We had a little trouble getting our offense rolling as not many Cats squared out early to get the ball from the goalie and we refused to get the ball in deep to the wing. However, Zach Smith joined Daniel Maloney as sole members of the "wing out club". Our lefties, Erlinger and Bowers are doing great getting to the right wing and being passer. Thomas Morgan and Michael Slaughter are creating lots of counter opportunities. Player of the game was John Lewis who was dominant in the 2M and was a vocal leader at both ends of the pool.
We have Loyola in 20 minutes essentially for the championship.
JCWP 12 - Mundelein 12
Mundelein brought a very good team, and the game was back and forth the whole game. Down 6-4 at half, the Cats played a great third quarter shooting deep and took another lead into the 4th quarter, up 9-8 defending the deep.
The Cats learned from the experience of letting up late against Walrus and fought hard in the 4th despite being at a disadvantage of defending deep against a big and physical team. Mundelein had two big shooters who took advantage of our crash defense with accurate outside shots. We adjusted by playing man-up on those two while continuing our crash. We held those guys at bay and survived a last second play to hold on for the tie.
Maloney was again the king of winging out. Sam Erlinger had a solid two goal performance on top of a few assists. Sean Sullivan had a great game, with great passing, aggressive stealing and some key blocks. Zach Smith was again an obvious choice for POTG for creating his own offense nearly every time down the pool, resulting in a hat trick and numerous assists.
We ended the long day with a giant meal at Maggiano's. Peter Buelter made his case for inheriting John Heafner's title as "human garbage disposal".
The Cats learned from the experience of letting up late against Walrus and fought hard in the 4th despite being at a disadvantage of defending deep against a big and physical team. Mundelein had two big shooters who took advantage of our crash defense with accurate outside shots. We adjusted by playing man-up on those two while continuing our crash. We held those guys at bay and survived a last second play to hold on for the tie.
Maloney was again the king of winging out. Sam Erlinger had a solid two goal performance on top of a few assists. Sean Sullivan had a great game, with great passing, aggressive stealing and some key blocks. Zach Smith was again an obvious choice for POTG for creating his own offense nearly every time down the pool, resulting in a hat trick and numerous assists.
We ended the long day with a giant meal at Maggiano's. Peter Buelter made his case for inheriting John Heafner's title as "human garbage disposal".
Nothing meaner than a wet Cat.
After a 6 hour drive, we arrived on Friday just in time for our 5:30 match against Walrus. On the ride up, Coach Hayes enlightened us with a slogan he saw used by Villanova, which I am going to suggest as the JCWP slogan when we rework the shirts in 9 years: there's nothin meaner than a wet cat. Classic.
Walrus had a couple athletes on their team who were pretty physical. One player in particular made a point to grab and hold anyone who came near. The Cats rose above the physical play and played solid defense to the tune of a 5-2 halftime lead.
Goalie Jake Chisholm played very well at both ends, making some key stops and making good passes. Daniel Maloney filled a crucial role in squaring out early and often to get the counter attack started, which resulted in many counter attack goals, a couple by Aaron Adcock and one by Michael Slaughter.
The solid play, especially in the crash defense, countinued and after three quarters the Cats led 9-5. The Cats let their guard down in the 4th as hips started dropping on defense and passes started getting sloppier. Walrus raged back with 5 goals in the 4th, but the Cats held on for a 11-10 victory.
Player of the game went to Zach Smith for his goal and handful of assists, in addition to his good defensive play.
Walrus had a couple athletes on their team who were pretty physical. One player in particular made a point to grab and hold anyone who came near. The Cats rose above the physical play and played solid defense to the tune of a 5-2 halftime lead.
Goalie Jake Chisholm played very well at both ends, making some key stops and making good passes. Daniel Maloney filled a crucial role in squaring out early and often to get the counter attack started, which resulted in many counter attack goals, a couple by Aaron Adcock and one by Michael Slaughter.
The solid play, especially in the crash defense, countinued and after three quarters the Cats led 9-5. The Cats let their guard down in the 4th as hips started dropping on defense and passes started getting sloppier. Walrus raged back with 5 goals in the 4th, but the Cats held on for a 11-10 victory.
Player of the game went to Zach Smith for his goal and handful of assists, in addition to his good defensive play.
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