Wow Folks! If that is not the understatement of the year... Did you tune-in and watch the NCAA Selection Show? Did you doubt? Did you waiver in your belief? Did you let the slightest little bit of negativity creep between your toes as they went from bracket to bracket... to bracket... and to bracket... the last bracket... the last chance... before your Drexel Dragons were finally announced?!? Wow, what an absolute delight to hear those words... "And our final first round match-up is here, welcome to the tournament Brown and DREXEL!"
I would be remiss if I did not say this folks... "Let's Dance!"
Go on Donna, sing it for us:
(If you're new to Donna Summer, stay with...after a minute and a half it catches on and you will start tapping your toes and before you know it - BAM, Flash Mob Dance Scene...we just had one in the office with Academics...)
Yea, will you be my Mr. Right?
Can you fill my appetite?
I can be sure that you're the one for me
But all that I ask is that you dance with me
Dance with me, dance with me, yeah yeah
So let's dance, the last dance
Let's dance, the last dance
Let's dance, the last dance tonight
Gotta love that tune, no? As our sports information assistant, Sam Angell, said, "We waited 40 years, what's another few minutes at that point?" Wow Sam! The eruption of emotion was nothing shy of volcanic...the mood, electric....the faces, ecstatic... 40 years in the making and literally the last name called, simply awesome my friends!
(Watch it for yourself, Asst. Coach Cory Roberston caught all of it... Drexel Men's Soccer NCAA Selection Show)
Tournament play is fickle, isn't it? For those that were there, they know how much we did through the Hofstra game to win it. However, when your thoughts are dominated by the premise "survive and advance," you tend to get tight in the wrong moments. Soccer is a silly game. It is played for 90 minutes, the ball is out of play for nearly a third of that time, and then the game can get dumbed down to whether you are good or poor in 6 or 8 moments; albeit in front of the goal you are attacking or the one you are defending.
As our hearts were torn out while the penalties played out, I kept coming back to the fact that there were enough moments prior to then - in the 90 minutes of regulation and the 20 of over-time. Post-game, I told our team this. We did enough through run of play that you can never point to one moment, it is the collection of moments/opportunities that we created and we just were not good enough in those moments. "Good Season"..."Good try Coach"..."Next year"... Some of what I heard post-game Friday night...really? You think this over already? I don't...
Move ahead 3 days...after the longest 63 hours and 44 minutes of our lives, into the best moment yet as a Dragon! I couldn't be more pleased as the coach of this group. I played it out all weekend long with Associate AD, Nick Gannon (did I say Associate...my bad, I meant Deputy Director), my wife, my parents, my assistants...and anyone that would listen! We talked and talked it through... "They can't leave us out, can they? This team has too much, right?" With the help of trusty stat-man, Sam Angell, Nick put the case together for our body of work:
12-3-3 overall, 8-1-1 in the CAA...
Regular Season Championship...
6-0-2 in our last eight games...
Road Warriors: 7-2-1 on the road (5-0 in the CAA)...
Wins over tournament teams...
Top 30 RPI...
"How can they leave us out?" I went to bed Sunday night optimistic and fought my negative-self all day long on Monday. I just kept saying, they have to give this team an opportunity, they can't deny our body of work... Awesome to watch the players responses, to see the nerves build and then to let all that tension go!
So it is time to open a new page in Drexel Men's Soccer History...first time playing Brown University...first time hosting an NCAA Tournament game in any sport at Drexel ...first time in 40 years participating in the College Cup...
I hope you can make it out to Vidas and be a part of this season with us...we want a 1,000 people in those stands, NCAA College Cup Soccer is in Philly folks! If you cannot get out, watch it live web-stream on our website www.drexeldragons.com Game time is 4 pm at Vidas Athletic Complex (43rd & Powelton Avenue), but the memory will last forever!
I could not be prouder to say, I AM A DRAGON!
Regards,
Doug
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Trick-or-Treat....nah nah nah Folks, It's Trick-AND-TREAT!
Well well well, look at me I'm Sandra Dee... the year is 1978 and although only four years old at the time, I knew that Grease was indeed the word (click on that link and go back, and if the song is before your time...click it anyway and get swept away in a time/space continuum...the timeless sound of the Jersey Boy, Frankie Valli!). Sandy, all fine with her bad-self...
Sandra Dee: "Danny?"
Danny Zuko: "That's my name, don't wear it out!"
Sandra Dee: "What's the matter with you?"
Danny Zuko: "What's the matter with me, baby, what's the matter with you?"
(love it Danny, great comeback...a question with a question...when I do that, I usually get the old, "Really Doug..." - remember that's my wife's name for me...)
Sandra Dee: "What happened to the Danny Zuko I met at the beach?"
Danny Zuko: "Well I don't know, maybe there's two of us. Why don't you take out a missing person's ad or try the yellow pages? I don't know."
Sandra Dee: "You're a fake and a phony and I wish I never laid eyes on you!"
WOW! Powerful words...fast-forward... the year is 2012... and Sandy has apparently returned! The greatest storm of all-time, Franken-storm, all the weather nerds in the forecast booths said...
So Sandy got her revenge on Mr. Zuko and pushed all this week's CAA Men's Soccer competition back to Friday (that was a long way to go just for that, a bit of a metaphorical stretch wasn't it...)...what does that mean for us? Well, a little bit of a Trick - we're not gonna play Wednesday - paired with a very large TREAT my friends! That means all those that wanted to use the mid-week/workday excuse not to attend our clash with the JMU Dukes, now have no excuse!!! The potential CAA Championship game (if we win, we win the League folks) is now the start to a potentially delicious fall weekend to kick-off November...(a.k.a. "No-Shave-November" ..."Mo-vember" if you wish - mustaches are an acceptable facial hair choice during play-off runs... this was preceded by "Unkempt" October...a.k.a. my excuse to stop shaving... also known as Red October - only the Phil's didn't make the play-offs - so it's the Hunt for Red October... oh, guess what? You found him, Red October is here! With my red beard and all!).
But before we talk anymore about Friday, let's get a quick re-cap (and by quick, I mean drawn out with senseless analogies) of our Wednesday business trip back to the Island of Strong...a bountiful land mass beneath the afternoon shadows of Gotham City with fertile lands producing two of your present-day Dragons...birth place of one Douglas Frederick Von Hess III (slightly embellished, it's just Douglas Frederick Hess...I was almost Dieter and not Doug, thanks for that last minute switch Mom and Dad...might have been rough growing up on the Island as a Dieter...) and one Matthew Ernesto Massimo DiDomenico (bigger embellishment...actually, it's just Matthew Eric DiDomenico, I think the Italian theme on bus trips - Godfather Trilogoy, Rocky Anthology - is slowly eating away at the slight sense of reality that I behold). So Long Island, the land of the strip mall! A strip mall every other block; a strip mall that always has a bagel shop, a pizzeria, a deli, a cleaners and some sort of 5 & Dime Shop...
Expert travelers at this point in the season (with the exception of my "shoe" incident, but clearly that wasn't my fault...totally a TSA Conspiracy against me...), we left Philly at 12:15 pm for a 7 pm kick-off in Hempstead (a bit early you say? ah, of course...a little thing called traffic - we beat it of course - our driver, Alex, was magic! Oh, and we did take in the next two Rocky films... Rocky III on the way and IV on the way home...double magic! We love to get to our opponent's field 2 hours prior to kick-off on away games...gets us on sight and able to go through our normal routine like we were playing at home...plus an earlier departure would afford Dido and I some of the nostalgic tastes of our youth...the strip mall!). We chose Carlino's Pizzeria & Ristorante...a classic Italian joint on the Island, with a full wall-mural and all! (I think I saw our only real Italian - Michele Pataia - shed the smallest of tears, which is pretty small considering he is just a little guy, as he stared at the mural in bewilderment, taking himself back to the coastal village he was born in, beneath the shade of Mt. Vesuvius...(ummm, now a major embellishment...he was born in Rome, a.k.a. Roma to real Italians).
I digress (is that even possible at this point? Can you say babel???), a good meal and then off to the Pride's Den. The game got off to a great start - 1-0 us early on from yet another Nathan Page strike (for those wondering, yes, we keep feeding him the same thing...hence the scoring streak). He is having a run of it and we are excited that he is scoring goals, six games in a row...eight of the last nine for those counting. The last two games have been interesting...perhaps a little too interesting for my liking, but as I sit and think on it...it's probably my own doing!
How you ask? Well, we have been watching dramatic endings to dramatic movies every bus trip we have been on and I think the guys are starting to play act...hear me out on this one... Rocky I on the way down to the Towson trip...I use Rocky as my pre-game talk...we watch Rocky II on the way home...home game after that trip with Delaware, but Rocky is on the brain... a late goal against Delaware is needed to tie the game and it goes the full distance, 110 minutes (um, Rocky I - he doesn't beat Apollo, but Rocky goes the distance...hmm, coincidence?)... On the road again to Georgia, but no movie so Rocky stays on the brain...what happens? 90th minute PK save by Tim Washam to deliver a win (ok, Rocky II - both Apollo & Rocky hit the canvas in the 15th round, the last round of the fight...hmm similar to the 90th minute of our game???...Rocky saves the win by getting to his feet while Apollo fails to get up...Tim saves the game with a huge stop and GSU fail to get up... alright, getting a bit erie now...).
Onto Hofstra...we take in Rocky III and IV... as I said we score early in the game, but then we concede a late goal, only to have some late heroics on a Robert "Yes I am Italian and Inspired By Your Movie Choices Coach Hess" Liberatore (strange middle name his parents' gave him...) "strike" a.k.a. a driven service that missed everyone crashing the goal bounced on the overly firm turf and managed to hit the top corner in an un-savable fashion but I will play it off like that is what I meant to do... (Rob is now an "attacking" center back in his mind...notice I said in "his" mind...I kid you Rob, I love that you scored!)... Now the analogy - Rocky has his way with all those chumps and bums / cupcakes that he fights (aka...we score an early goal) then takes the beating of his life by Clubber Lang ("No I don't hate Balboa, but I pity the fool"...what a great character!!!), we get hit on the chin and concede a late goal to Hofstra... Rocky questions himself (he question whether he can h-a-n-g... with Clubber L-a-n-g...you like that little rhyme sauce) reinvigorates, and rematches... similarly, we question ourselves for a brief moment in that second half, can we really dig this out? We start to find our rhythm again... Rocky starts to find his (although his rhythm somehow involves getting smashed in the head with haymakers from Mr. T, I mean Clubber Lang , go on click that one, I dare ya)... he starts to enjoy the beating, "Come on Champ, ain't so bad...ain't so bad..." Rocky comes back - The Dragons come back... ok now this is getting downright theatrical!!!
Folks, all the more reason to join us 7:00 pm this Friday night at Vidas Athletic Complex...it's Senior Night...it's the last regular season game...it's a Title Bout...and I'm wondering if Sly Stalone himself is going to show up!
Get Yo' Facial Hair going and get out to 43rd & Powelton this Friday for Tricks AND Treats!
Happy Halloween,
Doug
Sandra Dee: "Danny?"
Danny Zuko: "That's my name, don't wear it out!"
Sandra Dee: "What's the matter with you?"
Danny Zuko: "What's the matter with me, baby, what's the matter with you?"
(love it Danny, great comeback...a question with a question...when I do that, I usually get the old, "Really Doug..." - remember that's my wife's name for me...)
Sandra Dee: "What happened to the Danny Zuko I met at the beach?"
Danny Zuko: "Well I don't know, maybe there's two of us. Why don't you take out a missing person's ad or try the yellow pages? I don't know."
Sandra Dee: "You're a fake and a phony and I wish I never laid eyes on you!"
WOW! Powerful words...fast-forward... the year is 2012... and Sandy has apparently returned! The greatest storm of all-time, Franken-storm, all the weather nerds in the forecast booths said...
So Sandy got her revenge on Mr. Zuko and pushed all this week's CAA Men's Soccer competition back to Friday (that was a long way to go just for that, a bit of a metaphorical stretch wasn't it...)...what does that mean for us? Well, a little bit of a Trick - we're not gonna play Wednesday - paired with a very large TREAT my friends! That means all those that wanted to use the mid-week/workday excuse not to attend our clash with the JMU Dukes, now have no excuse!!! The potential CAA Championship game (if we win, we win the League folks) is now the start to a potentially delicious fall weekend to kick-off November...(a.k.a. "No-Shave-November" ..."Mo-vember" if you wish - mustaches are an acceptable facial hair choice during play-off runs... this was preceded by "Unkempt" October...a.k.a. my excuse to stop shaving... also known as Red October - only the Phil's didn't make the play-offs - so it's the Hunt for Red October... oh, guess what? You found him, Red October is here! With my red beard and all!).
But before we talk anymore about Friday, let's get a quick re-cap (and by quick, I mean drawn out with senseless analogies) of our Wednesday business trip back to the Island of Strong...a bountiful land mass beneath the afternoon shadows of Gotham City with fertile lands producing two of your present-day Dragons...birth place of one Douglas Frederick Von Hess III (slightly embellished, it's just Douglas Frederick Hess...I was almost Dieter and not Doug, thanks for that last minute switch Mom and Dad...might have been rough growing up on the Island as a Dieter...) and one Matthew Ernesto Massimo DiDomenico (bigger embellishment...actually, it's just Matthew Eric DiDomenico, I think the Italian theme on bus trips - Godfather Trilogoy, Rocky Anthology - is slowly eating away at the slight sense of reality that I behold). So Long Island, the land of the strip mall! A strip mall every other block; a strip mall that always has a bagel shop, a pizzeria, a deli, a cleaners and some sort of 5 & Dime Shop...
Expert travelers at this point in the season (with the exception of my "shoe" incident, but clearly that wasn't my fault...totally a TSA Conspiracy against me...), we left Philly at 12:15 pm for a 7 pm kick-off in Hempstead (a bit early you say? ah, of course...a little thing called traffic - we beat it of course - our driver, Alex, was magic! Oh, and we did take in the next two Rocky films... Rocky III on the way and IV on the way home...double magic! We love to get to our opponent's field 2 hours prior to kick-off on away games...gets us on sight and able to go through our normal routine like we were playing at home...plus an earlier departure would afford Dido and I some of the nostalgic tastes of our youth...the strip mall!). We chose Carlino's Pizzeria & Ristorante...a classic Italian joint on the Island, with a full wall-mural and all! (I think I saw our only real Italian - Michele Pataia - shed the smallest of tears, which is pretty small considering he is just a little guy, as he stared at the mural in bewilderment, taking himself back to the coastal village he was born in, beneath the shade of Mt. Vesuvius...(ummm, now a major embellishment...he was born in Rome, a.k.a. Roma to real Italians).
I digress (is that even possible at this point? Can you say babel???), a good meal and then off to the Pride's Den. The game got off to a great start - 1-0 us early on from yet another Nathan Page strike (for those wondering, yes, we keep feeding him the same thing...hence the scoring streak). He is having a run of it and we are excited that he is scoring goals, six games in a row...eight of the last nine for those counting. The last two games have been interesting...perhaps a little too interesting for my liking, but as I sit and think on it...it's probably my own doing!
How you ask? Well, we have been watching dramatic endings to dramatic movies every bus trip we have been on and I think the guys are starting to play act...hear me out on this one... Rocky I on the way down to the Towson trip...I use Rocky as my pre-game talk...we watch Rocky II on the way home...home game after that trip with Delaware, but Rocky is on the brain... a late goal against Delaware is needed to tie the game and it goes the full distance, 110 minutes (um, Rocky I - he doesn't beat Apollo, but Rocky goes the distance...hmm, coincidence?)... On the road again to Georgia, but no movie so Rocky stays on the brain...what happens? 90th minute PK save by Tim Washam to deliver a win (ok, Rocky II - both Apollo & Rocky hit the canvas in the 15th round, the last round of the fight...hmm similar to the 90th minute of our game???...Rocky saves the win by getting to his feet while Apollo fails to get up...Tim saves the game with a huge stop and GSU fail to get up... alright, getting a bit erie now...).
Onto Hofstra...we take in Rocky III and IV... as I said we score early in the game, but then we concede a late goal, only to have some late heroics on a Robert "Yes I am Italian and Inspired By Your Movie Choices Coach Hess" Liberatore (strange middle name his parents' gave him...) "strike" a.k.a. a driven service that missed everyone crashing the goal bounced on the overly firm turf and managed to hit the top corner in an un-savable fashion but I will play it off like that is what I meant to do... (Rob is now an "attacking" center back in his mind...notice I said in "his" mind...I kid you Rob, I love that you scored!)... Now the analogy - Rocky has his way with all those chumps and bums / cupcakes that he fights (aka...we score an early goal) then takes the beating of his life by Clubber Lang ("No I don't hate Balboa, but I pity the fool"...what a great character!!!), we get hit on the chin and concede a late goal to Hofstra... Rocky questions himself (he question whether he can h-a-n-g... with Clubber L-a-n-g...you like that little rhyme sauce) reinvigorates, and rematches... similarly, we question ourselves for a brief moment in that second half, can we really dig this out? We start to find our rhythm again... Rocky starts to find his (although his rhythm somehow involves getting smashed in the head with haymakers from Mr. T, I mean Clubber Lang , go on click that one, I dare ya)... he starts to enjoy the beating, "Come on Champ, ain't so bad...ain't so bad..." Rocky comes back - The Dragons come back... ok now this is getting downright theatrical!!!
Folks, all the more reason to join us 7:00 pm this Friday night at Vidas Athletic Complex...it's Senior Night...it's the last regular season game...it's a Title Bout...and I'm wondering if Sly Stalone himself is going to show up!
Get Yo' Facial Hair going and get out to 43rd & Powelton this Friday for Tricks AND Treats!
Happy Halloween,
Doug
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Money, It's Gotta Be da' shoes!
Remember '91 (the year, not this silly blog)...Schwartzeneger strikes back with the riveting sequel, T2: Judgement Day (his actorial renaissance...his coming of age..."Hasta la vista baby!"), it smelled like teen spirit as the Seattle Grunge scene took over thanks to Nirvana,and his airness took off in Chicago winning his first of six titles...segue... remember the Air Jordan shoes? Better yet remember Spike Lee doing commercials with Jordan... "Yo Money, it's gotta be da' shoes right?" (go on click that link, it's a great commercial!)...
So we head to the airport for our one day "business trip" as we deemed it with the guys (I wanted to create a difficult environment and difficult conditions, in order to test our team down this final stretch...why?...because we need to see what we are made of as we prepare for this final push). An early rise, the 5:34 a.m. train waits for no man..and we had to be on it for our 7:25 a.m. flight to Atlanta. As we came through security, Cory baited me with an "I bet I can get through security before you can" (I can't resist, I latch onto that hook every time...plus I think I am a 5 year old at times...and always up for competition). So I slice in front of him and quickly race to get my shoes and belt off, throw the lap top in a bin, throw my carry-on up on the conveyer belt, empty my pockets upon which I realize my driver's license is loose so I wrap it in my boarding pass and launch in the bin so I can beat Cory (1-0 me). At this point, Malcolm LeBourne "Identity" realizes he didn't take his coat and other things off as he was in front of me, so he throws his things on top of my gear into my bin...I don't think anything of it.
We get through the scan and as I wait on the other side for my stuff, Cory comes through and waits next to me. Our things roll out of the x-ray machine, and Cory entices me yet again..."race to see who can get themselves together first?" GAME ON! Shoes first...bam...then belt...boom...laptop into the bag...bing...collect loose things...hmmm... I notice my boarding pass dangling over the edge of the bin, but where's my driver's license? I look through the bottom of the bin, nothing. I search my coat, nada. I look to Malcolm, he checks his coat...nope. At that point, the TSA attendee, Charlton, sees my panic search and offers his advice. "Check your shoe, it might have fallen in your shoe on the way through." I don't say anything, but I give him a look that my wonderful wife knows all too well...a look that says, ah I'm not an idiot dude. I think I would know if there was an ID in my shoe, I would feel it. I decide to entertain him. I take the shoes off and glance in them (Malcolm can attest to it)... I shoot another look as if to say, see buddy no idiot here...can you believe this guy, my shoes, does he not realize I was a soccer player and know precisely when something doesn't feel right in my shoe, come on dude, who's an idiot now...
It is important at this point in the story to offer up some inside info on myself. I could be the worst "looker" in the world. I am that guy that when my wife says can you get me such and such from the fridge and I say, sure babe (that's what I call her) and after a token look I say, not in there. She comes in, opens the fridge, looks for 2.2 seconds and responds, really Doug (that's what she calls me...really Doug) as she finds such and such with ease.
The panic begins to set in and a crowd begins to gather and take in my scramble. Coach Green aka "The Riddler" begins the questioning... "Hmm riddle me this Doug, did you put it in your wallet? Did you put it in your coat? Did you have it when you walked through the scanner? Did you...Did you...Did you...Did you...????" I love Bryan Green, but in this moment I can't help but think I would like to back over his face with a tank. Really man? I had the ID when I wrapped my boarding pass around it! I search my laptop bag...books...folders...papers... you name it! The beads of sweat begin to show on my forehead. I realize in this moment that I will not be able to get back on the plane this evening if I can't locate my license. Charlton offers his advice again, "Check your shoes, I've seen people find keys in their shoes..." Keys? Really Charlton!?! Come on buddy, I was once a finely tuned athlete that lived on the feel of his feet!!!!
Ok, I search the wallet again and find my social security card (that's smart to travel with Doug...Johnny Expert Traveler there...hey, who wants to steal my identity, um nobody dude your life is so non-glorious) and Dragon ID...hmm, perhaps they will let me check back in with that...of course they will, they'll understand and I am with a group after all. Bam...it hits me, I won't be able to rent a van down in Georgia...no one else can drive...DANG IT, now what? I am in heavy panic now...scramble scramble...I start to search everything now again! Suddenly, Cory steps up to the scene..."Doug, did you check"... "Cory, I'm 38 flipping years old, I think I know where I put the darn ID (Only I wish I said flip and darn...Cory puts his tail between his legs and scampers off to the corner...he got the hair dryer routine and unfortunately, ran into the red mist...1-1, Cory didn't deserve that). I search a little more and think, why not check the shoe one more time for a laugh...
Ta da..."Yo Money, it's gotta be da' shoes!" A great start to the day (ended up being a 2-1 loss to Cory, I'm convinced I will never live that loss down)!
Two games since we last chatted, a 1-1 draw along the I-95 Corridor with local rival Delaware and a 1-0 win down at the soon-to-be-departing-the-CAA Georgia State Panthers. We conceded first against the Blue Hens, so great to see us pull back level and take the game to them...however, with the possession we had and chances...hmmm, in my opinion we should have taken full points. Credit to our opponents they made themselves tough to break down as the game went on and we seemed to struggle with the final ball.
Onto Georgia for our one day business trip. It was awesome walking down Market at 5:15 in the morning and then returning to similar darkness at 10 pm with three points secure under tough conditions. Thought our guys showed resolve throughout the 90 minutes and truly managed the adjustments we made during the game. No greater resolve than by Tim Washam in the last moments...a penalty save! For those that are not schooled in the game of soccer, penalty kicks are from 12 yards out and the shooter is at the greatest advantage - that is as long as they don't have a Dragon standing in front of them guarding the net!
The emotional roller coaster over those last five minutes of play...the last minute penalty and ensuing red card to Tal... I think I lost 5 years of my life in Panthersville that day! Great to see Ray Williams make the trek down from North Georgia and share some time with our guys. Ray played on the 1947 and '48 teams here at Drexel...and he's on Facebook! Ray, you were an inspiration to the guys and we thank you for your service to our country (served in both WWII and the Korean War).
Big week folks...on the road...another one day business trip...in the mecca of business...in NY...at Hofstra...have not beaten them as a program since 2005...three very large points on the line... Looking forward to seeing our response!
See you soon,
Doug
So we head to the airport for our one day "business trip" as we deemed it with the guys (I wanted to create a difficult environment and difficult conditions, in order to test our team down this final stretch...why?...because we need to see what we are made of as we prepare for this final push). An early rise, the 5:34 a.m. train waits for no man..and we had to be on it for our 7:25 a.m. flight to Atlanta. As we came through security, Cory baited me with an "I bet I can get through security before you can" (I can't resist, I latch onto that hook every time...plus I think I am a 5 year old at times...and always up for competition). So I slice in front of him and quickly race to get my shoes and belt off, throw the lap top in a bin, throw my carry-on up on the conveyer belt, empty my pockets upon which I realize my driver's license is loose so I wrap it in my boarding pass and launch in the bin so I can beat Cory (1-0 me). At this point, Malcolm LeBourne "Identity" realizes he didn't take his coat and other things off as he was in front of me, so he throws his things on top of my gear into my bin...I don't think anything of it.
We get through the scan and as I wait on the other side for my stuff, Cory comes through and waits next to me. Our things roll out of the x-ray machine, and Cory entices me yet again..."race to see who can get themselves together first?" GAME ON! Shoes first...bam...then belt...boom...laptop into the bag...bing...collect loose things...hmmm... I notice my boarding pass dangling over the edge of the bin, but where's my driver's license? I look through the bottom of the bin, nothing. I search my coat, nada. I look to Malcolm, he checks his coat...nope. At that point, the TSA attendee, Charlton, sees my panic search and offers his advice. "Check your shoe, it might have fallen in your shoe on the way through." I don't say anything, but I give him a look that my wonderful wife knows all too well...a look that says, ah I'm not an idiot dude. I think I would know if there was an ID in my shoe, I would feel it. I decide to entertain him. I take the shoes off and glance in them (Malcolm can attest to it)... I shoot another look as if to say, see buddy no idiot here...can you believe this guy, my shoes, does he not realize I was a soccer player and know precisely when something doesn't feel right in my shoe, come on dude, who's an idiot now...
It is important at this point in the story to offer up some inside info on myself. I could be the worst "looker" in the world. I am that guy that when my wife says can you get me such and such from the fridge and I say, sure babe (that's what I call her) and after a token look I say, not in there. She comes in, opens the fridge, looks for 2.2 seconds and responds, really Doug (that's what she calls me...really Doug) as she finds such and such with ease.
The panic begins to set in and a crowd begins to gather and take in my scramble. Coach Green aka "The Riddler" begins the questioning... "Hmm riddle me this Doug, did you put it in your wallet? Did you put it in your coat? Did you have it when you walked through the scanner? Did you...Did you...Did you...Did you...????" I love Bryan Green, but in this moment I can't help but think I would like to back over his face with a tank. Really man? I had the ID when I wrapped my boarding pass around it! I search my laptop bag...books...folders...papers... you name it! The beads of sweat begin to show on my forehead. I realize in this moment that I will not be able to get back on the plane this evening if I can't locate my license. Charlton offers his advice again, "Check your shoes, I've seen people find keys in their shoes..." Keys? Really Charlton!?! Come on buddy, I was once a finely tuned athlete that lived on the feel of his feet!!!!
Ok, I search the wallet again and find my social security card (that's smart to travel with Doug...Johnny Expert Traveler there...hey, who wants to steal my identity, um nobody dude your life is so non-glorious) and Dragon ID...hmm, perhaps they will let me check back in with that...of course they will, they'll understand and I am with a group after all. Bam...it hits me, I won't be able to rent a van down in Georgia...no one else can drive...DANG IT, now what? I am in heavy panic now...scramble scramble...I start to search everything now again! Suddenly, Cory steps up to the scene..."Doug, did you check"... "Cory, I'm 38 flipping years old, I think I know where I put the darn ID (Only I wish I said flip and darn...Cory puts his tail between his legs and scampers off to the corner...he got the hair dryer routine and unfortunately, ran into the red mist...1-1, Cory didn't deserve that). I search a little more and think, why not check the shoe one more time for a laugh...
Ta da..."Yo Money, it's gotta be da' shoes!" A great start to the day (ended up being a 2-1 loss to Cory, I'm convinced I will never live that loss down)!
Two games since we last chatted, a 1-1 draw along the I-95 Corridor with local rival Delaware and a 1-0 win down at the soon-to-be-departing-the-CAA Georgia State Panthers. We conceded first against the Blue Hens, so great to see us pull back level and take the game to them...however, with the possession we had and chances...hmmm, in my opinion we should have taken full points. Credit to our opponents they made themselves tough to break down as the game went on and we seemed to struggle with the final ball.
Onto Georgia for our one day business trip. It was awesome walking down Market at 5:15 in the morning and then returning to similar darkness at 10 pm with three points secure under tough conditions. Thought our guys showed resolve throughout the 90 minutes and truly managed the adjustments we made during the game. No greater resolve than by Tim Washam in the last moments...a penalty save! For those that are not schooled in the game of soccer, penalty kicks are from 12 yards out and the shooter is at the greatest advantage - that is as long as they don't have a Dragon standing in front of them guarding the net!
The emotional roller coaster over those last five minutes of play...the last minute penalty and ensuing red card to Tal... I think I lost 5 years of my life in Panthersville that day! Great to see Ray Williams make the trek down from North Georgia and share some time with our guys. Ray played on the 1947 and '48 teams here at Drexel...and he's on Facebook! Ray, you were an inspiration to the guys and we thank you for your service to our country (served in both WWII and the Korean War).
Big week folks...on the road...another one day business trip...in the mecca of business...in NY...at Hofstra...have not beaten them as a program since 2005...three very large points on the line... Looking forward to seeing our response!
See you soon,
Doug
Monday, October 15, 2012
Bagels on Da' Bus...
Perhaps it is my Long Island roots, but there's nothing like fresh bagels on a bus ride with a dab of strawberry cream cheese...ahhh, delightful...not too much cream cheese though, just a dab...which is a little more than a smidgen and a touch less than a dollop...I think you get my drift, just the right amount is what I'm saying...
Perhaps it was the bagels that were the key to our most recent road victory down at the Towson Tigers' place or perhaps it was the most influential man in all of sport for the great city of Philadelphia, Meseur Rocky Balboa (suddenly Sly Stallone is French...the Don would not be pleased with me...sorry Don, I meant Signore Rocky Balboa). That is right, I said it...Rocky Balboa the most influential Philly athlete... ok, that is silly it is a movie and Wilt, Dr. J, Schmidt and Reggie all were fantastic...but you get my point and Rocky was never booed (false, even Lil' Marie gave it to him when Rock-o did a good deed and walked her home from hanging with the "coconuts" on the corner).
But you must admit, the Italian Stallion gets the blood flowing through the old ticker and has inspired many a men (side note; I run by him just about every time I run in Philadelphia, he gives me a wink, raises both gloves over his head and with a curdled upper lip, whispers to me "Yo Doug, do it!"). We watched Rocky I on the way down to Towson (and II on the way back...had ten minutes to go when we arrived back at Vidas and no one stood up to get off - I think they were just appeasing me - but regardless, the boys were able to take in one of the greatest speeches ever made...or not really made, it's a movie right?...(false, Rocky's life)...by a Philly sports legend (that never really was)...after Rocky takes down Appollo in Part II in a rematch that was never supposed to happen...simply awesome!).
Four simple life lessons from the no-good bum (a bit harsh Pauly)... I have to tell you, the end of Rocky I gets me every time. From the point when he wakes up, heads down to the arena, back to the apartment, and lies down next to his beloved Adrian. The self doubt that creeps in... "I can't beat him...He may punch my head off..." And then, the words - "I just need to go the distance, no one's ever gone the distance against Appollo..." AWE-INSPIRING!
1. Immediacy / Urgency - "There isn't going to be a rematch," says Appollo as they hang on one another after 15 round war. "I don't want one," replies Rocky.
Lesson for Us - Embrace the opportunity of the day!
2. The Commoner... A man with absolutely nothing, from no-where fighting the Heavy Weight Champion of the World.
Lesson for Us - Picked 10 of 11 in the CAA...
3. Pursuit!!! From Adrian (the love of his life) to Appollo (his protagonist)
Lesson for Us - You see something you want, you must be intentional in your pursuit of it...it won't just happen!
4. Belief...Desire...Will "I can't beat him... I just want to go the distance."
Lesson for Us - The Distance is measured one step at a time!
A huge week for us grabbing 6 points on the road in the CAA; never an easy task for those of you that have experienced life in the Colonial. It was pleasing as a coach to see our guys grind through the ebbs and flows of both games, as well as the UNCW game the week prior. Soccer is a ninety minute game of near continuous motion, so it goes without saying that you will have moments of positive play and others of...hmm, let's just call them less than positive moments... If you can bend and not break in those times, you will find yourself on top more than not. This is precisely what we have managed through this most recent stretch. We know we have conceded opportunities to our opponents, but we have stayed with the game and been fortunate to keep them just as that...opportunities, not results.
Some solid play from our entire team, but I would be remiss if I didn't highlight Nathan's goal per game in this stanza, Tim's three clean sheets (and our back four), Kenny's strong midfield play, the ability of our front six to keep the ball for stretches time and not just keep it but create forward play.
Also, been great to see some of our Alum's get out and support us...a solid showing at the Alumni Game on Oct. 6th (40+ in attendance)... some supporting emails (Bruce Etter is an absolute wizard of encouragement, I'm sure those that played with him know full-well what I am talking about) ...and some of our former Dragons have been getting in the cars to track us down on the road... Justin Johnson, Bryan Ruff... even Fish (Brandon Fischer) got out of bed Saturday morning for the Towson game, thanks Fish! Oh and a family affair down in Charm City...Mike Pellegrini came out with his family and Brother (Towson Soccer Alum)... Mike you have bragging rights!
So if last week was huge, this week has got to be humungous (which is slightly bigger than huge and a touch shy of monumental for those keeping track...). Two more CAA opponents (including the Blue Hens - which my oldest, Abby informed me that we have nothing to fear, they are a chicken basically and you are a Dragon - just burn them and eat them), the RPI coming out on Tuesday, Top of the Table looming, Blood Drive on Thursday (that was for you K'OB...subliminal messaging, now you will have like a million thousand sign-ups - no need to thank me, first one's free), our pets heads are falling off (just seeing if you were still with me...)!
Get Red (that mean's wear Red clothing) and Get out to Vidas (a.k.a. 43rd & Powelton Ave.) with us on Wednesday night, 7 pm...Drexel and Delaware have a date...don't be late...or I will send Buddy the Blood Drop out after you!
All the best,
Doug
Perhaps it was the bagels that were the key to our most recent road victory down at the Towson Tigers' place or perhaps it was the most influential man in all of sport for the great city of Philadelphia, Meseur Rocky Balboa (suddenly Sly Stallone is French...the Don would not be pleased with me...sorry Don, I meant Signore Rocky Balboa). That is right, I said it...Rocky Balboa the most influential Philly athlete... ok, that is silly it is a movie and Wilt, Dr. J, Schmidt and Reggie all were fantastic...but you get my point and Rocky was never booed (false, even Lil' Marie gave it to him when Rock-o did a good deed and walked her home from hanging with the "coconuts" on the corner).
But you must admit, the Italian Stallion gets the blood flowing through the old ticker and has inspired many a men (side note; I run by him just about every time I run in Philadelphia, he gives me a wink, raises both gloves over his head and with a curdled upper lip, whispers to me "Yo Doug, do it!"). We watched Rocky I on the way down to Towson (and II on the way back...had ten minutes to go when we arrived back at Vidas and no one stood up to get off - I think they were just appeasing me - but regardless, the boys were able to take in one of the greatest speeches ever made...or not really made, it's a movie right?...(false, Rocky's life)...by a Philly sports legend (that never really was)...after Rocky takes down Appollo in Part II in a rematch that was never supposed to happen...simply awesome!).
Four simple life lessons from the no-good bum (a bit harsh Pauly)... I have to tell you, the end of Rocky I gets me every time. From the point when he wakes up, heads down to the arena, back to the apartment, and lies down next to his beloved Adrian. The self doubt that creeps in... "I can't beat him...He may punch my head off..." And then, the words - "I just need to go the distance, no one's ever gone the distance against Appollo..." AWE-INSPIRING!
1. Immediacy / Urgency - "There isn't going to be a rematch," says Appollo as they hang on one another after 15 round war. "I don't want one," replies Rocky.
Lesson for Us - Embrace the opportunity of the day!
2. The Commoner... A man with absolutely nothing, from no-where fighting the Heavy Weight Champion of the World.
Lesson for Us - Picked 10 of 11 in the CAA...
3. Pursuit!!! From Adrian (the love of his life) to Appollo (his protagonist)
Lesson for Us - You see something you want, you must be intentional in your pursuit of it...it won't just happen!
4. Belief...Desire...Will "I can't beat him... I just want to go the distance."
Lesson for Us - The Distance is measured one step at a time!
A huge week for us grabbing 6 points on the road in the CAA; never an easy task for those of you that have experienced life in the Colonial. It was pleasing as a coach to see our guys grind through the ebbs and flows of both games, as well as the UNCW game the week prior. Soccer is a ninety minute game of near continuous motion, so it goes without saying that you will have moments of positive play and others of...hmm, let's just call them less than positive moments... If you can bend and not break in those times, you will find yourself on top more than not. This is precisely what we have managed through this most recent stretch. We know we have conceded opportunities to our opponents, but we have stayed with the game and been fortunate to keep them just as that...opportunities, not results.
Some solid play from our entire team, but I would be remiss if I didn't highlight Nathan's goal per game in this stanza, Tim's three clean sheets (and our back four), Kenny's strong midfield play, the ability of our front six to keep the ball for stretches time and not just keep it but create forward play.
Also, been great to see some of our Alum's get out and support us...a solid showing at the Alumni Game on Oct. 6th (40+ in attendance)... some supporting emails (Bruce Etter is an absolute wizard of encouragement, I'm sure those that played with him know full-well what I am talking about) ...and some of our former Dragons have been getting in the cars to track us down on the road... Justin Johnson, Bryan Ruff... even Fish (Brandon Fischer) got out of bed Saturday morning for the Towson game, thanks Fish! Oh and a family affair down in Charm City...Mike Pellegrini came out with his family and Brother (Towson Soccer Alum)... Mike you have bragging rights!
So if last week was huge, this week has got to be humungous (which is slightly bigger than huge and a touch shy of monumental for those keeping track...). Two more CAA opponents (including the Blue Hens - which my oldest, Abby informed me that we have nothing to fear, they are a chicken basically and you are a Dragon - just burn them and eat them), the RPI coming out on Tuesday, Top of the Table looming, Blood Drive on Thursday (that was for you K'OB...subliminal messaging, now you will have like a million thousand sign-ups - no need to thank me, first one's free), our pets heads are falling off (just seeing if you were still with me...)!
Get Red (that mean's wear Red clothing) and Get out to Vidas (a.k.a. 43rd & Powelton Ave.) with us on Wednesday night, 7 pm...Drexel and Delaware have a date...don't be late...or I will send Buddy the Blood Drop out after you!
All the best,
Doug
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Just when you thought I was out...
That's right folks... They pull me back in! (Michael Corleone gives his best). I tried going legit, but proper, law-abiding sentence structure isn't my thang (ewwwww, you didn't realize this edition of the 91st Minute was going to be so edgy did you?...that's right, I'm a Grammar Mafioso.... oh this is an awful start, I must hit reset...).
I digress, we watched all 583 minutes of Mario Puzo's The Godfather trilogy on our recent road trip to William & Mary and suddenly I think I am the head of the Cosa Nostra...a ginger-boy from Long Island, not quite!
So a great run of recent for the Drexel Dragons since I last wrote and not just us, Women's Soccer and Fieldhockey (is that one word or two, I think it's two but it's fun to make it one MEGAWORD! Oh boy, I gotta ease off the coffee..oh, and I know Field Hockey is two words) are crushin' it - props given...I'm assuming props are still being given out these days or is that dated? (well, since I last wrote it was pre-season and everything was grand...we had the crash and burn at LaSalle opening night to our season - roughest loss in my time here at Drexel...and we haven't looked back since, nor have I written - coincidence? I think not! I don't like to write when we lose, I'm 38 and still a sore loser I think, I'm a work in progress...well to an extent...like when I lost to Tal in ping-pong out at Kenny's place in Colorado, the guy is like flipping Forest Gump when it comes to ping-pong - it's a sight to see folks really, and he's so nice when he beats you "Yes, good try..." Seriously, he's good people...not like my assistants. We have a little pong ritual going on for home game days up in the North Side Gym of the D.A.C. - it goes something like this...they try their hardest, I laugh, and they never take a game off me... but not Tal, I must train harder...I lie awake at night, one eye open, in anticipation, of that day...the day that I take down my Israeli friend and then will never play him again, but don't tell him that... oh and I love to win, mmm, I love it! Like when I crushed a certain someone on Ryder Cup Friday in a little skins game in the hotel arcade--yeah you read that right, there was an arcade in our hotel in Williamsburg and it had Golden Tee '99!!!--sorry about that Rhino, but I'm just too good when it comes to the Golden Tee...not to worry though my English friend, we caved on Sunday or did we just get out-played by the Europeans...hmm, we'll save that for another time).
Wow, I just took a step back and realized after three paragraphs (most of which are run-ons) I have managed to say absolutely nothing about nothing - that there is impressive folks, it's a skill...a gift if you may. Here we are at the half-way point in our season and sitting 6-2-1 overall with a 2-0 start in the CAA. Not bad, but not a time to rest.
After the big win over ODU the other week (which I think losing down at UVA earlier in the week was the biggest confidence boost we could get strangely enough - we dominated much of the stats and it showed us that we could play with anyone), it was all about preventing the Big Win Hangover. While Penn is having a rough go this fall, they are no slouch (and our history against them isn't the best). The funny thing about college soccer is the moment you think you have "arrived" well, that's the day you get turned over by your opponent. A little bit of sleep, a little bit of slumber, a little folding of the hands and poverty will come on you like a thief... time to keep working!
So we billed the 8 day test after UVA (ODU, Penn, W&M) as a week of changing history... 1-8-2 all-time v. ODU, 8-28-2 all-time v. Penn, and 1-11 all-time v. W&M...tough numbers to swallow, but they are our numbers and we have to embrace them. While we know changing those numbers will take time, we thought why not get started on it now...after all, there's no time like the present.
What a solid run of games it was! 3-0 stretch, 9 goals for, 2 goals against, and 7 different goal-scorers. I think the last one is what I love the most...I love the excitement of showing up and not knowing which guy is going to undo our opponent, it's kind of like a choose-your-own-adventure story (remember those, they were great...moment to reflect.......one more sec....and...ok, I'm back). We have won six games and had 5 different players provide game-winners...we've scored 18 goals thus far and had 9 different goal scorers...that's exciting and a pleasure to coach.
We survived the tight game mid-week against a formidable opponent in Penn, 2-1, and then did the quick turn-around for a game down at Williamsburg, VA two days later. That was a great mid-season challenge - to play at home, wake-up, train and travel the next day on a long bus trip only to play the following evening. The even bigger task? Rain delay for an hour and twenty-five minutes! It was awesome...the guys stayed loose, I got out the Jambox and hopped on the 1's & 2's with a nice mix, they threw some tape down on the floor and got a game of good ol' fashioned Four Square going...only it was soccer-style, they played with a tennis ball and had to use their feet. The favorite king of the court had to be Tim "when my socks get dirty I..." Washam. He was a benevolent king, revered by his people, cheered by the masses, and sporting a smile for one and all - chants of "Tim, Tim, Tim, Tim" could be heard echoing through the cockles of Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field every time he secured his place atop the Four Square...who knows, perhaps this is what lead to Tim's shutting out of the Tribe on that very night...a fairy-tale ending to the young king's evening.
A new week, new challenges...two opponents that we haven't taken points off of in a while... another opportunity to keep making little steps forward ... and both are at home. A truly awesome week lies ahead, Northeastern on Wednesday night followed by a little Alumni Reunion (Never go against the Family Dragons, never go against the family...sorry I couldn't resist) Saturday afternoon as we take on UNC Wilmington, both games at Vidas Complex (hey, when you're here you're family... um, that is Olive Garden, not Godfather...sorry 'bout that, barabing!). No time to rest, there is work to be done!
Speak to you soon...
Regards,
Doug
I Am A Dragon!
I digress, we watched all 583 minutes of Mario Puzo's The Godfather trilogy on our recent road trip to William & Mary and suddenly I think I am the head of the Cosa Nostra...a ginger-boy from Long Island, not quite!
So a great run of recent for the Drexel Dragons since I last wrote and not just us, Women's Soccer and Fieldhockey (is that one word or two, I think it's two but it's fun to make it one MEGAWORD! Oh boy, I gotta ease off the coffee..oh, and I know Field Hockey is two words) are crushin' it - props given...I'm assuming props are still being given out these days or is that dated? (well, since I last wrote it was pre-season and everything was grand...we had the crash and burn at LaSalle opening night to our season - roughest loss in my time here at Drexel...and we haven't looked back since, nor have I written - coincidence? I think not! I don't like to write when we lose, I'm 38 and still a sore loser I think, I'm a work in progress...well to an extent...like when I lost to Tal in ping-pong out at Kenny's place in Colorado, the guy is like flipping Forest Gump when it comes to ping-pong - it's a sight to see folks really, and he's so nice when he beats you "Yes, good try..." Seriously, he's good people...not like my assistants. We have a little pong ritual going on for home game days up in the North Side Gym of the D.A.C. - it goes something like this...they try their hardest, I laugh, and they never take a game off me... but not Tal, I must train harder...I lie awake at night, one eye open, in anticipation, of that day...the day that I take down my Israeli friend and then will never play him again, but don't tell him that... oh and I love to win, mmm, I love it! Like when I crushed a certain someone on Ryder Cup Friday in a little skins game in the hotel arcade--yeah you read that right, there was an arcade in our hotel in Williamsburg and it had Golden Tee '99!!!--sorry about that Rhino, but I'm just too good when it comes to the Golden Tee...not to worry though my English friend, we caved on Sunday or did we just get out-played by the Europeans...hmm, we'll save that for another time).
Wow, I just took a step back and realized after three paragraphs (most of which are run-ons) I have managed to say absolutely nothing about nothing - that there is impressive folks, it's a skill...a gift if you may. Here we are at the half-way point in our season and sitting 6-2-1 overall with a 2-0 start in the CAA. Not bad, but not a time to rest.
After the big win over ODU the other week (which I think losing down at UVA earlier in the week was the biggest confidence boost we could get strangely enough - we dominated much of the stats and it showed us that we could play with anyone), it was all about preventing the Big Win Hangover. While Penn is having a rough go this fall, they are no slouch (and our history against them isn't the best). The funny thing about college soccer is the moment you think you have "arrived" well, that's the day you get turned over by your opponent. A little bit of sleep, a little bit of slumber, a little folding of the hands and poverty will come on you like a thief... time to keep working!
So we billed the 8 day test after UVA (ODU, Penn, W&M) as a week of changing history... 1-8-2 all-time v. ODU, 8-28-2 all-time v. Penn, and 1-11 all-time v. W&M...tough numbers to swallow, but they are our numbers and we have to embrace them. While we know changing those numbers will take time, we thought why not get started on it now...after all, there's no time like the present.
What a solid run of games it was! 3-0 stretch, 9 goals for, 2 goals against, and 7 different goal-scorers. I think the last one is what I love the most...I love the excitement of showing up and not knowing which guy is going to undo our opponent, it's kind of like a choose-your-own-adventure story (remember those, they were great...moment to reflect.......one more sec....and...ok, I'm back). We have won six games and had 5 different players provide game-winners...we've scored 18 goals thus far and had 9 different goal scorers...that's exciting and a pleasure to coach.
We survived the tight game mid-week against a formidable opponent in Penn, 2-1, and then did the quick turn-around for a game down at Williamsburg, VA two days later. That was a great mid-season challenge - to play at home, wake-up, train and travel the next day on a long bus trip only to play the following evening. The even bigger task? Rain delay for an hour and twenty-five minutes! It was awesome...the guys stayed loose, I got out the Jambox and hopped on the 1's & 2's with a nice mix, they threw some tape down on the floor and got a game of good ol' fashioned Four Square going...only it was soccer-style, they played with a tennis ball and had to use their feet. The favorite king of the court had to be Tim "when my socks get dirty I..." Washam. He was a benevolent king, revered by his people, cheered by the masses, and sporting a smile for one and all - chants of "Tim, Tim, Tim, Tim" could be heard echoing through the cockles of Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field every time he secured his place atop the Four Square...who knows, perhaps this is what lead to Tim's shutting out of the Tribe on that very night...a fairy-tale ending to the young king's evening.
A new week, new challenges...two opponents that we haven't taken points off of in a while... another opportunity to keep making little steps forward ... and both are at home. A truly awesome week lies ahead, Northeastern on Wednesday night followed by a little Alumni Reunion (Never go against the Family Dragons, never go against the family...sorry I couldn't resist) Saturday afternoon as we take on UNC Wilmington, both games at Vidas Complex (hey, when you're here you're family... um, that is Olive Garden, not Godfather...sorry 'bout that, barabing!). No time to rest, there is work to be done!
Speak to you soon...
Regards,
Doug
I Am A Dragon!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Let the Games Begin!
Well folks, here we go...back in the saddle again! Ready to take on the ups and down of the roller coaster ride that we know all to well as the college soccer season - it is a swirly, twirly ride! So much to say and so little time... it all gets started tonight in North Philadelphia as we head up to LaSalle University and take on the Explorers at 7 pm in McCarthy Stadium.
We had a solid preseason and tested the group against two viable opponents (2-0 win at home against Villanova and a 1-0 loss on the road at Penn State). The games provided some strong insight into our group and showed where we were strong, as well as where we need to continue to work. Not only that, we had some unique experiences from seeing Real Madrid play live in at Lincoln Financial Field to watching the U.S. National Team make history as they won for the first time in Estadio Azteca (that's in Mexico for those that are wondering...and it's like really, really hard to win there...do yourself a google or Wiki search on it), as well as spending some team time at Bald Eagle State Park. We have been going strong for two + weeks now and I know the guys are eager to start making it count.
Please check out the updates on FACEBOOK (Drexel University Men's Soccer) and our website www.drexeldragons.com (season pre-view and Q&A is up, along with a release on our newest Dragon, Goalkeeper Coach Ryan Platt) ...and if you are really up for it, follow us on Twitter (DrexelSoccer).
Weekly updates this season...I promise and video highlights to accompany (we're getting fancy on ya this year). Hope you can get out and see us!
I Am A Dragon,
Doug
We had a solid preseason and tested the group against two viable opponents (2-0 win at home against Villanova and a 1-0 loss on the road at Penn State). The games provided some strong insight into our group and showed where we were strong, as well as where we need to continue to work. Not only that, we had some unique experiences from seeing Real Madrid play live in at Lincoln Financial Field to watching the U.S. National Team make history as they won for the first time in Estadio Azteca (that's in Mexico for those that are wondering...and it's like really, really hard to win there...do yourself a google or Wiki search on it), as well as spending some team time at Bald Eagle State Park. We have been going strong for two + weeks now and I know the guys are eager to start making it count.
Please check out the updates on FACEBOOK (Drexel University Men's Soccer) and our website www.drexeldragons.com (season pre-view and Q&A is up, along with a release on our newest Dragon, Goalkeeper Coach Ryan Platt) ...and if you are really up for it, follow us on Twitter (DrexelSoccer).
Weekly updates this season...I promise and video highlights to accompany (we're getting fancy on ya this year). Hope you can get out and see us!
I Am A Dragon,
Doug
Friday, April 13, 2012
Spring is Here!
Can you feel it
Now that Spring has come
It's time to live in the scattered sun…
Oh touche' Mr. Morrison (such a great way to start the 91st Minute, there is nothing like a sword fight...) no longer do we have to wait on the sun, Spring is indeed here! Azaleas in bloom....another Master's is in the books... MLS in full swing... and of course, we start our spring season playing segment here at Drexel. What a great way to start it off as well last week... 43rd & Powelton (that's Vidas Athletic Complex before you go Google Mapping on me), a lovely 7 pm kick-off under the West Park Towers... a captivating night.... temperature was exquisite... dew point moist... humidity absent... wind northerly... visibility perfect... barometric pressure comfortable... and the moon was a Waxing Gibbous... (descriptive enough for ya?) against last year's USL Pro Division Runner-up, the Harrisburg City Islanders (more about that game in a minute).
Early mornings under the silence of the Towers... three months of training... and now we get to start truly prepping for next fall. I have said it before and I will say it again, these are the months that provide the build for the fall. With the large majority of our roster returning next season, this time is so important to us in developing our culture and who we plan to be in the 2012 season. I understand that the results "don't count" (people love to say that...um, it always counts when you keep score is my response), but it certainly matters...it always matters, otherwise we would not do it.
4/5/12 Harrisburg City Islanders: L 3-2
A respectable result last week, despite the loss (hey it doesn't count right...that would be sarcasm folks, we always want to win). Nonetheless, we must keep it in perspective...and from my perspective, scoring twice against a pro team in one game almost totaled our goal output in the month of September last fall....cricket, cricket... (um, that is sarcasm too folks...paired with the harsh truth of reality). So the City Islanders controlled most of the play through the first half and our guys were a bit overwhelmed by the pace of the game and the speed with which their midfielders closed us down. Our opponent did a solid job of snuffing out our midfield build and causing us to turn the ball over too often. That being said, we managed to score first against the run of play.
First Half Goal Summary:
1st goal – Drexel - 17:38 1-0 Drexel
Michele Pataia was fouled just before midfield. Robert Liberatore served the restart in the air to the top of the Islanders' Penalty Box, Mark Donohue and a HCI defender and the HCI goalkeeper challenged for the ball, the HCI defender won the initial challenge, but it fell to Michele. He calmly controlled the ball and volleyed it from 26 yards out over the keeper into an open net.
2nd goal - HCI – 22:50 - 1–1
HCI cut out a pass in midfield and caught us on a counter-attack down our right side. Their striker finished across the goal in a 1v.1 situation with our goalkeeper.
3rd goal – HCI – 27:30 – HCI 2–1
HCI in possession knocks diagonal ball from midfield toward our left side. Their winger received and ran the ball down the left wing, cutting in around the Penalty box and then finishing at the near post from 17 yards out.
We were able to re-organize at the half and address our inability to adapt to Harrisburg's pressure through the first stanza. It was our first time out, so the biggest issue for us to tackle was minimizing our opponent's opportunities in the transition phases of the game. After that, it was having the confidence that we could indeed play despite the quality of our opponent. We needed to recognize that we were conceding the game to the Islanders a bit too much and needed to get after it more.
Second Half Goal Summary:
4th Goal – 58:20 – HCI 3-1
Drexel deep restart served into HCI's Penalty box, that was cleared and controlled by HCI then countered down our right side. HCI forward picked the ball up and ran at our center back. He used our center back as a screen and bent the ball around him into beating our goalkeeper to the far post.
5th goal – 78:05 – HCI 3-2
Cross by Ridge Robinson to near post headed away to pk spot by HCI defender. Ken Tribbett is first to the loose ball and his first-time shot through traffic was able to be re-directed by Phil Hagerty into the back of the net.
Conceding a third goal in transition gave us plenty of ammo to work on in training this week. A fair amount of sessions keying on the transition phases, so we shall see how it goes this weekend. The best thing on the night was to see our guys grind a bit after we conceded the third goal to the City Islanders. We managed to pull a goal back, as well as create several other goal-scoring opportunities through the remaining minutes of play. A great sign of resiliency and mental toughness.
Some local derbies on tap for the spring, along with maximizing our NCAA allowable 5 days of Competition. Originally we were scheduled to play at Monmouth, but after we lost that date due to a scheduling conflict we were fortunate to be able to pick-up the round-robin play over at UPenn. Now we are going to play multiple games on three of the five dates, which should be great tests for us both physically and mentally.
Hopefully your taxes are in (before you pull a Martha Stewart, and I ain't talking about matching the drapes with a love-seat if you know what I mean folks and I think you do...) and you can get out to support our guys on one or more occasion this April. Go on, give a few friends a call or gather up the family and head out to see us play...two chances to do so this weekend...Saturday at Princeton (2:45 pm & 4 pm kick-off's) and Sunday at cross-the-street rivals Penn (3:00 and 4:00 pm). Hope to see you there!
Weekly updates to come through the month from me, along with game re-caps. All the best and stay in touch!
Regards,
Doug
Now that Spring has come
It's time to live in the scattered sun…
Oh touche' Mr. Morrison (such a great way to start the 91st Minute, there is nothing like a sword fight...) no longer do we have to wait on the sun, Spring is indeed here! Azaleas in bloom....another Master's is in the books... MLS in full swing... and of course, we start our spring season playing segment here at Drexel. What a great way to start it off as well last week... 43rd & Powelton (that's Vidas Athletic Complex before you go Google Mapping on me), a lovely 7 pm kick-off under the West Park Towers... a captivating night.... temperature was exquisite... dew point moist... humidity absent... wind northerly... visibility perfect... barometric pressure comfortable... and the moon was a Waxing Gibbous... (descriptive enough for ya?) against last year's USL Pro Division Runner-up, the Harrisburg City Islanders (more about that game in a minute).
Early mornings under the silence of the Towers... three months of training... and now we get to start truly prepping for next fall. I have said it before and I will say it again, these are the months that provide the build for the fall. With the large majority of our roster returning next season, this time is so important to us in developing our culture and who we plan to be in the 2012 season. I understand that the results "don't count" (people love to say that...um, it always counts when you keep score is my response), but it certainly matters...it always matters, otherwise we would not do it.
4/5/12 Harrisburg City Islanders: L 3-2
A respectable result last week, despite the loss (hey it doesn't count right...that would be sarcasm folks, we always want to win). Nonetheless, we must keep it in perspective...and from my perspective, scoring twice against a pro team in one game almost totaled our goal output in the month of September last fall....cricket, cricket... (um, that is sarcasm too folks...paired with the harsh truth of reality). So the City Islanders controlled most of the play through the first half and our guys were a bit overwhelmed by the pace of the game and the speed with which their midfielders closed us down. Our opponent did a solid job of snuffing out our midfield build and causing us to turn the ball over too often. That being said, we managed to score first against the run of play.
First Half Goal Summary:
1st goal – Drexel - 17:38 1-0 Drexel
Michele Pataia was fouled just before midfield. Robert Liberatore served the restart in the air to the top of the Islanders' Penalty Box, Mark Donohue and a HCI defender and the HCI goalkeeper challenged for the ball, the HCI defender won the initial challenge, but it fell to Michele. He calmly controlled the ball and volleyed it from 26 yards out over the keeper into an open net.
2nd goal - HCI – 22:50 - 1–1
HCI cut out a pass in midfield and caught us on a counter-attack down our right side. Their striker finished across the goal in a 1v.1 situation with our goalkeeper.
3rd goal – HCI – 27:30 – HCI 2–1
HCI in possession knocks diagonal ball from midfield toward our left side. Their winger received and ran the ball down the left wing, cutting in around the Penalty box and then finishing at the near post from 17 yards out.
We were able to re-organize at the half and address our inability to adapt to Harrisburg's pressure through the first stanza. It was our first time out, so the biggest issue for us to tackle was minimizing our opponent's opportunities in the transition phases of the game. After that, it was having the confidence that we could indeed play despite the quality of our opponent. We needed to recognize that we were conceding the game to the Islanders a bit too much and needed to get after it more.
Second Half Goal Summary:
4th Goal – 58:20 – HCI 3-1
Drexel deep restart served into HCI's Penalty box, that was cleared and controlled by HCI then countered down our right side. HCI forward picked the ball up and ran at our center back. He used our center back as a screen and bent the ball around him into beating our goalkeeper to the far post.
5th goal – 78:05 – HCI 3-2
Cross by Ridge Robinson to near post headed away to pk spot by HCI defender. Ken Tribbett is first to the loose ball and his first-time shot through traffic was able to be re-directed by Phil Hagerty into the back of the net.
Conceding a third goal in transition gave us plenty of ammo to work on in training this week. A fair amount of sessions keying on the transition phases, so we shall see how it goes this weekend. The best thing on the night was to see our guys grind a bit after we conceded the third goal to the City Islanders. We managed to pull a goal back, as well as create several other goal-scoring opportunities through the remaining minutes of play. A great sign of resiliency and mental toughness.
Some local derbies on tap for the spring, along with maximizing our NCAA allowable 5 days of Competition. Originally we were scheduled to play at Monmouth, but after we lost that date due to a scheduling conflict we were fortunate to be able to pick-up the round-robin play over at UPenn. Now we are going to play multiple games on three of the five dates, which should be great tests for us both physically and mentally.
Hopefully your taxes are in (before you pull a Martha Stewart, and I ain't talking about matching the drapes with a love-seat if you know what I mean folks and I think you do...) and you can get out to support our guys on one or more occasion this April. Go on, give a few friends a call or gather up the family and head out to see us play...two chances to do so this weekend...Saturday at Princeton (2:45 pm & 4 pm kick-off's) and Sunday at cross-the-street rivals Penn (3:00 and 4:00 pm). Hope to see you there!
Weekly updates to come through the month from me, along with game re-caps. All the best and stay in touch!
Regards,
Doug
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Let's go Banqueting!
"Be our guest! Be our guest!
Put our service to the test!
Tie your napkin 'round your neck,
And we'll provide the rest...."
Not quite the theme for the Liberty View Ballroom at the Independence Center, but apropos for recapping our night out in Old City! It was a grand gathering and awesome to see so many out to support the team-parents, staff, and alum's alike. A wonderful time was had by all if I may so myself...(well done self).
I had the great fortune of being the M.C. on the evening (where I allowed myself to introduce myself...once again, well done self), getting the honor of presenting our award winners as well as introducing this year's Alumni Honoree, Fred Gerstenfield '83. It was great to hear from the former Dragon All-American, as he urged the current student-athletes towards hard work, sacrifice and commitment. According to Fred, Drexel University has made him a rich man - rich in memories, rich in friends, and rich in the experiences gained through his time in University City. Because of this, Fred remains involved in the game today whether it be coaching a youth club team or doing his best to get the calls right as a high school official. The Philly native, born and bred, is determined to give back to the game that taught and gave him so much.
We relived the ups and downs of the season in our season-in-review video prepared by Coach Bryan Green: The Good, The Bad...And Rain on Wednesdays... and had the chance to reflect on another year of experience. Coach Cory Robertson allowed us all the opportunity to reflect on the year with his year in review in pictures; some great stills of game action, bus trips, airport delays, train rides and fun around the training ground.
The Friday Banquet was followed by the Philly 6 gathering on Tuesday at the University Sheraton. Ten of us dressed up yet again to enjoy a meal with our fellow competitors in the city and honor the Philly 6 All-Stars. Both Kenny Tribbett (Centennial, CO) and Tal Bublil (Kfar-Mass, Israel) were awarded as all-stars and Pentti Pussinen was recognized for his team of the week selection. I love this tradition, we fight hard against each other during the year on the field, in recruiting and then enjoy an evening with one another celebrating college soccer in the city.
Those of us in attendance got to hear from yet another All-American from Philly, Steve Baumann, who garnered first-team honors in 1973 while playing for Penn. Steve talked about the character traits he learned while being a student-athlete and how each of them applies to his daily life; teamwork, commitment, leadership, confidence, accountability, hard work, respect, integrity and caring about others. He urged the student-athletes to take time to truly think about the age-old question "what comes next," and encourage each individual to stay in the game in some fashion.
So with full bellies here we are at the start of a new cycle now...a year wiser...a couple of pounds heavier (I had way too many cookies at the Philly 6 Banquet, they were delicious)...a large group of returners...raring to go! Hope you can make it out to some of our spring games, dates/times/locations are all listed on the right.
Don't forget, Men's Soccer Alumni Gathering this Saturday at the Men's Basketball game...3 pm in the Dragon Room at the South end of the D.A.C. Drop me an email if haven't RSVP'd yet and would like to attend.
Take care and stay in touch,
Doug
Monday, January 9, 2012
A Long Time, No Talk...
Where are the Dragons you say? Great question...where did all the time go? So much time and so little to do...Wait, strike that, reverse it!
Fitting that when my trusty head assistant, Bryan Green, and I took our seats on our most recent recruiting trip we found this cross-word puzzle leading the way in the complimentary in-flight magazine. A little bit of a wake-up that it was time to write again!
"Chim chim-in-ey, chim chim-in-ey
Chim chim cher-oo,
I does what I likes
And I likes what I do..."
For a brief moment in time, I wasn't so sure I could agree with those lyrics, but I digress. There's nothing like a little "Bert the Chimney Sweep" from Mary Poppins to get this edition of the 91st Minute kicked off (courtesy of my youngest Delaney a.k.a. "Bubba", who wants to watch "Mary and Poppins" just about every minute of every day...).
So a bit silent for the last couple of months....cricket cricket...but let the silence be broken! I will try to keep this brief, but brevity was never a strength of mine...nonetheless, I will do my best to recap the ups and downs of our year in as few words as possible of course... keeping it brief... not saying much... just getting the facts down... the abridged version... short 'n sweet, the old k.i.s.s. principle... bare bones version... no frills... much-a-do about nothing.. Cliff Notes...
Back to keeping it short, the 65th year of soccer is now in the books here at Drexel and although the 2011 season saw a tough start for your young and growing Dragons, a solid late surge was mounted by our team. We came through pre-season flying, but got dealt a dose of reality when three of our players went down with season-ending injuries early on.
No excuses, such is life in the world of college soccer - as I often tell our team, you must be ready to deal with one, if not all three things through a season: injury to a player, a dip in performance of a player, and/or two non-results tied together in a row...and you will still have to play despite these things. We were "fortunate" enough to have to deal with all three! Credit to our team and their willingness to keep battling despite a tough start to our season.
It took us the month of September to realize that we actually had to score to win.... "oh really coach, wow, that's brilliant..." No seriously, perhaps we thought there were some style points for connecting 10 passes or for shooting the ball "near" the goal... You actually have to put the ball over the goal line though is what we learned, and as we did, we had far more success. Scoring a goal is the hardest thing to do in the game of soccer and as we went through games in September scoreless, the nerves and anguish built. It took a city rivalry game to snap that mental block. When Malcolm LeBourne scored our first goal against Temple, you would have thought it was the first goal we ever scored (granted it wasn't the first of the season, but it certainly felt like it)...the celebration of the team, the emotion of the players, it was priceless!
After watching our team struggle through September, it confirmed what I already knew - common belief is the single most important trait a group must have in order to have success. We were so on the fence as to whether we wanted to believe that we could score and when you get shut-out as often as we did, that little light of ours struggled to shine. Amazing what scoring a couple of goals can do for a group.
The Temple game was the half-way point on the season and we managed to go 4-3-2 from that point on, including a 2-1-1 record against the top 4 CAA teams. We showed much promise through October, not in just the results but more importantly how we achieved them. I know we earned great results against the top two teams, beating JMU 2-0 and drawing at ODU 1-1, but the most telling game was VCU. Not only did we miss a penalty (Kenny Trib's hit it with his purse, really...he did), but we went down a goal and then down a man early on in the first over-time. Against all odds, our guys found a way.
Our finish is encouraging to build on, but we know it is not the results against the top teams that matter the most...it is winning when you are supposed to win that matters most. This is what makes the best teams, the best teams. So while 2-1-1 is fantastic against the top four, 1-1-2 against the bottom four just will not cut it. There is more work to be had for this group and the process of getting better is what I love and embrace the most.
We return 27 players next fall, the most I have ever had in my fourteen years of college coaching. We have a huge opportunity in front of us to grow together in the coming winter months, to build our culture, to forge relationships, and to continue to create our soccer environment. The new cycle begins in the new year...looking forward to getting cranked up this coming week as the guys get back for classes...nothing like the brisk Philly winter winds on your face to get you going (that's a lie, I wouldn't mind being tickled by the warm westerly winds of the Cayman Islands...but, I don't think we have a satellite campus there...).
"Winds in the East, mist coming in...
Like somethin' is brewin' and 'bout to begin..."
Thanks for the closing line Bert, but I don't think Mary Poppins is blowing into Philly any time soon...here is what is about to begin, lots of Men's Soccer Events on tap:
Men's Soccer Banquet: Friday, January 27th @ 6:30 pm
Featuring Alumni Honoree Fred Gerstenfield, All-American '81
Drexel University Homecoming Weekend Jan. 27th-29th
Men's Soccer Alumni Gathering at Men's Basketball Game: Saturday, February 11th @ 3:00 pm
Men's Soccer Spring Schedule: TBA, Stay tuned....
If you would like to attend either of the events above, drop me a line...we will be sending out an Evite in the near future for the Alumni Gathering at the Men's Basketball Game.
Thanks for reading and as always, stay in touch!
Happy Leap Year!!!
Regards,
Doug
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