Dear Friends, dear Netters,

here is the account of yesterday's game, in a slightly different form than usual. Having become the team's captain, I feel I must be more direct in giving you my impressions and conclusions, and my suggestions (which are absolutely open to debate and criticism!). So here's my first-person narrative, plus some considerations.

Yesterday's game was unusual in that it had to begin on time at 9.45, since the field was needed at 11 for rugby. Unfortunately some Netters were late, so in order to have a full team we had to loan a couple of players from a nearby pick-up game. I cannot say that this in itself damaged our play, since we scored our first goal with the help of those gentle strangers (but it was once again Eichi's feline paw that corrected a nice assist into the goal). However, we started the game without some key players, and others had to play in positions to which they were not fully accustomed. This resulted in some tactical confusion that we were not able to figure out before the intermission.

We were also plagued by the absence of a goalie; even if Bill, who stepped in with his trademark generosity, did a very fine job, we could have used his skill up in front. Hopefully this issue should be resolved by the next game (we are interviewing candidates for the job). Finally, we overly suffered the roughness of some of Geology's players, especially their forwards. The referees were not of much help, but they were young undergrads who had graciously accepted to ref this rescheduled game, so we cannot really complain...

In the first half, Geology scored two goals, both on fast actions that pierced the center of our defense. In the second half, we managed to find a better disposition of our players, and Bill and Rafi took possession of the center of the field, which in the first half had been Geology's undisputed turf. Geology scored again, on an action which was probably vitiated by a Geology foul in our penalty area. Just two minutes before the end of the game, we shortened the distance with a beautiful combination that saw Bill make a cross from the deep right field and Hideo skillfully keep the ball into the field, providing Eichi with a beautiful assist that he mercilessly put into the net.

This was a bitter defeat, and I apologize if I seemed upset at the end of the game. I do think that all Netters did a nice job on the field, and I was very happy with the performance of two new acquisitions, Marc and Cristoph. To turn this discomfit into something positive and useful for our future, I like to think that yesterday we learned two lessons (or at least that I did!):

a) Let's be on time!

b) Let's keep our calm, and not be intimidated by the roughness of our opponents. Since this is Caltech intra-murals, not the Italian Serie A, there is little risk of physical damage; and we should be able to take care of the rougher opponents by committing them to the care of our heavier-weight paladins (I guess I am one of those...)

So, Netters, have an entertaining Superbowl day, and see you in two weeks, or a bit earlier if we can set up a week-day practice.

Cheers,

Michele

Webmaster: Michele Vallisneri