Spring Break
MSOCCER: Midfielder to the rescue--Ezer returns
by Charlie Gandelman
Sports | 9/5/06
Posted online at 3:03 AM EST on 9/5/06
/ Last updated at 8:29 PM EST on 9/5/06
Although the Judges took an early lead Saturday, Ezer said the team showed some signs of rust, particularly in their passing and decision-making.
"In the beginning of the game we should have held the ball more, played more
composed, distributed it to the flanks," he said.
Premo suggested that early-game nerves and the presence of four first year starters on the Judges caused the first-half rust.
"We had some jitters in the first half, we started some [first-years] and they were nervous, and I was also nervous," Premo said.
However, Coven made the necessary second-half adjustments, including the substitution of Murphy into the game, to improve the flow of the midfield and allow the Judges to take over.
"In the second half we controlled the midfield a lot better, and that helped out defensively," Skolnick said.
Coven said he was extremely pleased with the play of his rookies Saturday, particularly Murphy and goalkeeper Taylor Bracken '10. Bracken looked more like a seasoned veteran than a newcomer in net, making several impressive saves to earn a shutout in his debut.
"Our goalkeeper made some terrific saves," Coven said. "For a freshman playing his first college game, he was very composed."
Murphy's play also impressed Coven, and the coach raved about the midfielder's potential.
"He's a horse out there," Coven said. "When he gets the ball he knows what to do with it. He was dominating play on the air and ground and his physical presence turned the tide out there."
The 3-0 victory propels the Judges to a start that is all too reminiscent of last year, when the team began the season 4-0 before going winless in the final nine games.
However, Coven cites the superior depth of this year's squad as a reason to expect significant improvement.
"I think we played better [Saturday] than we did all season last year," he said. "We used 16 players last night and didn't lose a beat. Having the depth is a huge difference this year."
Ezer, especially after his momentous return to open the season, is particularly optimistic.
"It's the first game, but I think it's getting there," he said. "It's a positive [start]. Everyone's very excited and passionate about the season."
"In the beginning of the game we should have held the ball more, played more
composed, distributed it to the flanks," he said.
Premo suggested that early-game nerves and the presence of four first year starters on the Judges caused the first-half rust.
"We had some jitters in the first half, we started some [first-years] and they were nervous, and I was also nervous," Premo said.
However, Coven made the necessary second-half adjustments, including the substitution of Murphy into the game, to improve the flow of the midfield and allow the Judges to take over.
"In the second half we controlled the midfield a lot better, and that helped out defensively," Skolnick said.
Coven said he was extremely pleased with the play of his rookies Saturday, particularly Murphy and goalkeeper Taylor Bracken '10. Bracken looked more like a seasoned veteran than a newcomer in net, making several impressive saves to earn a shutout in his debut.
"Our goalkeeper made some terrific saves," Coven said. "For a freshman playing his first college game, he was very composed."
Murphy's play also impressed Coven, and the coach raved about the midfielder's potential.
"He's a horse out there," Coven said. "When he gets the ball he knows what to do with it. He was dominating play on the air and ground and his physical presence turned the tide out there."
The 3-0 victory propels the Judges to a start that is all too reminiscent of last year, when the team began the season 4-0 before going winless in the final nine games.
However, Coven cites the superior depth of this year's squad as a reason to expect significant improvement.
"I think we played better [Saturday] than we did all season last year," he said. "We used 16 players last night and didn't lose a beat. Having the depth is a huge difference this year."
Ezer, especially after his momentous return to open the season, is particularly optimistic.
"It's the first game, but I think it's getting there," he said. "It's a positive [start]. Everyone's very excited and passionate about the season."
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