Spartans Senior Boys Soccer 2007

2007 ETIAC Regular Season and Playoff Champions

Friday, September 21

ETIAC League – Stanstead College at BCS

In many ways, this game versus Stanstead’s oldest rival was similar to that of MVR. The team came out flying from the opening whistle, dominated ball possession and territorial advantage, outshot the home side by a considerable margin, yet could not find the back of the net. Only Ryan Bedard’s goal gave Stanstead a 1-0 halftime advantage despite some tremendous saves by the BCS goalkeeper.

In the second half very sloppy defensive play by the entire team allowed BCS to threaten on a handful of chances. Their pressure was rewarded with a free-kick from outside the penalty area, which was struck like lightening, and was in the goal before goalkeeper Frank Riddle could get up to make a morning assembly announcement. Sparked by this sudden surge of BCS, the boys regrouped, started to run and applied the offensive pressure with at least 6 to 8 breakaways. LeFort, on a most determined run, finished off a chance that could only come from relentless hustle and an incredible desire to score, as he fought off three challengers and then smashed his own rebound past the goalkeeper. Logan Vanasse’s late breakaway goal thankfully solidified the 3-1 victory.

Stanstead’s inability to score coupled with a determined BCS effort to make a comeback once again made this score too close for comfort. More work on creating and finishing scoring chances will be the theme of the next few practices in hopes that confidence and improvement will result.

- Coach Chandler

Wednesday, September 19

ETIAC League – Massey-Vanier at Stanstead College

On a very hot Wednesday afternoon the senior boys opened the ETIAC league season with a 4-1 home victory over the Vikings from Massey-Vanier. With two very competitive pre-season games under their belts the Spartans were well prepared for this encounter.

Stanstead gained possession of the ball early in the match and, for the most part, did a good job of dominating that component of the game. Despite out-shooting MVR 12-5 in the first half, only Jesse Halikis’s goal midway through the period was able to beat the Viking keeper. The half drew to a close but not before an MVR forward was allowed to head a ball, unmarked, past a stunned Frank Riddle in the Stanstead goal.

The stern half-time talk concerned the Spartans’ drop in intensity and running off the ball despite the superiority in possession and shots. The home side turned the game in their favour early in the second half as the northern Vermont trio of Ryan Bedard, Garrett Donnelly and Halikas, with his second of the day, put the game out of reach.

Given the noticeable difference in play Stanstead did not capitalize on its 24-11 shot advantage. The game really should have been decided earlier on in the first half and the Spartans will need to become more determined in their finishing and attacking the goal if they want to gain control of their matches. However, there are signs that this team could be a force in this league if they are committed to working hard and improving every day in practice.

- Coach Chandler

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Sunday, September 16

Stanstead College at Hebron Academy

With the opening game of the ETIAC season coming up in mid-week, the Spartans completed their pre-season schedule on the road against the tough Hebron Academy who were out to exact revenge following last year’s 2-0 home defeat by their Canadian counterparts.

Following the three-hour journey to western Maine, the team shook off the travel cobwebs and immediately pressed into action as they bombarded the Hebron penalty area with crosses and shots from all ranges and angles. At the 30-minute mark and against the flow of play, Hebron pounced on a loose rebound directly from a free-kick and deposited the ball in the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. The goal was disputed as one of the two game officials ruled that Spartan goalkeeper Frank Riddle had held the ball only to have it kicked from his possession. After some consultation the goal stood in Hebron’s favour.

After the halftime break, a revitalized Spartan unit took the field and once again displayed dominance in terms of possession, shots at goal and quality of soccer. The boys were rewarded for their efforts in the 60th minute when co-captain Julian Perrotta’s powerful shot from just outside the right-hand side of the box took a slight deflection and flew past the Hebron keeper. At this point Stanstead looked well in control of the game and pressed forward for the lead.

However, following a through ball into the Spartan penalty area Riddle was forced to take down an on-rushing Hebron forward and the resulting penalty shot was safely put into the lower corner for a 2-1 Hebron lead.

Determined not to give up hope for a positive result, Stanstead once again applied tremendous pressure as they changed from a 3 defenders, 5 midfielders and 2 forwards formation to a 3-4-3, with hopes that the extra forward’s presence would produce the tying goal. Although they left it very late co-captain JF LeFort’s spinning 12-yard side volley, with only six seconds remaining, enabled the Spartans to come out with a 2-2 tie. The game was played at a super pace for the entire 80 minutes and was a most significant improvement following the Tilton game.

-Coach Chandler

Wednesday, September 12

Loss against NH team shows where the potential is

After a bus breakdown and an hour delay, the team arrived in New Hampshire and played our first game of the year against Tilton Academy. After a brief warm-up we faced a very competitive team that capitalized on a few defensive mistakes and scored two goals in the first 20 minutes. After this we settled down, made some substitutions and carried the edge in play for the next 50 minutes.

Score at halftime was 2-0.

During the halftime talk we made a few more adjustments and this made a difference as we created more scoring chances and forced Tilton deep into their own territory. An unfortunate bad bounce on a missed clearing attempt, against the flow of play, made the score 3-0 in favour of the hosts. However, shortly thereafter some great passing between our midfield of Julian Perrota, Jesse Halikas and Garrett Donnelly and our forwards Logan Vanasse and Olivier Charette resulted in the first goal of the year for the Spartans. Charette cleanly beat the Tilton goalkeeper with a low shot into the far corner of the goal.

Although the team began to tire they continued to work hard and created a couple of excellent scoring chances that Tilton managed to turn away. Tilton completed their scoring just before the final whistle to make the result stand at 4-1.

Although we weren’t pleased with the result there were many positives to be taken from the game:

- We played a very solid opponent who exposed some weaknesses that we must work hard in practice to improve upon.
- Our core of returning senior players led by co-captains Julian Perrota and J.F. LeFort, along with Julian Ronsse, Jesse Halikas, Paul-Emile Baetsen, Andrew Smith, Nick Lapointe, Ludwig Ritter and goalkeeper Frank Riddle provide solid leadership and positive direction on the field.
- Junior team graduates from last year Colin Delabruere, Ryan Bedard, Andrew Cho and Cedar Georgevich all demonstrated the ability that they can play and contribute at the senior level. Cho had a particularly strong game while much is expected from Bedard once he fully recovers from an ankle injury.
- Newcomers Ismail Benjelloun, Michael Sinnott, Logan Vanasse, Olivier Charette and Garrett Donnelly have all made a significant impression in a very short period of time. They are excellent additions to the team.
- The team has potential to play a very solid brand of soccer with every member contributing in some way.

- Coach Graham Chandler