Sunday August 22

I woke up to rain, but it seemed to abate around the time I needed to make the go/no go decision. I guess others were in the same situation. We got off to a slow start going cross field on the turf. High school girls were using the other half. We got up to full sides when the high school boys arrived for their 9 AM practice, and kicked us off. We reconvened at the goose farm and changed shoes. The high point of the day was when half the team herded the geese into the corner. It was a standoff for a tense couple of minutes, but the geese finally relented and left.

Not everybody made the switch, we wound up with 9 v 9, so we shortened the field to take the clay infield out of play. Two guests, Eric and ?, two keepers, two Marios, two Dans no Marks, Shamoo, Jay or Dimos. Play on the grass took some getting used to, but when we settled down Blue scored more goals. Keeble got one for the red, Tom got two. Some high school kid came with his dad and played for the last half hour, with dad watching.

We should plan ahead for next week, if we have to start at 7 to get back on the turf, so be it. (IMHO)

Sunday August 15

This is Adam Keeble, filling in for Mr. Gilchrist

On a morning more familiar to October than mid-August, a full-sided game with the newer faces settled in nicely made for a lopsided game.

On paper, the sides looked pretty even. For every Mike and Mario-ito that Red had, Blue had Pennington's buddy and Teddy. The notable difference was between the pipes where Steve took his place in the Red goal and the Blues had a Ted's brother-in-law, a new guy, and Ted's brother taking turns, and that was where it all fell apart.

Not that Steve was particularly busy in the Red goal. Chances were hardly free-flowing at either end. But 80% of Red's shots went in while the Red defenders, backed up by the big man from Northern Ireland, took care of the Blue strikers with a combination of bravery, skill, luck and weight of numbers.

Red were up 5-0 at one point, and finished out 7-1 winners when on paper, and on balance of play, a draw wouldn't have drawn many complaints.

Sunday August 8

Wednesday night we had 7 v 6 in very hot conditions. Joe brought his daughter Natalie who played very well, and we had a guest, Joe.

Sunday, not so damned hot for a change, and cloudy. We started with 13 v 13, Carlos 1 came late and made it 14 blues. Chopman is back from his travels and he brought a guest, Eric. The kid Joe from Wednesday showed up as well. Both of our professional goalies are in the nets, which is always a pleasure. To start, the Blue offense was formidable, even without Keeblue. Shamu is back on the field and with Dom, Dimos, Mike the Wizard, Eric, new Joe, Super Mario, Carlos and Dan on attack, the red defense is in trouble early and often, but somehow manage to keep it together thanks to the constant encouragement of Mark Swatz. Things changed when Dom and then Mike departed and Keeble rediscovered his gift. Frank switched to blue to even the count but even he couldn't stop Kee's three rockets into the back of the net with a header for desert. Keeble is back. Not sure of the score, 5-5?

Jake played his last Sunday morning game with us for a while, he's headed off to school. I won't be there next week, maybe someone else can jot a few thoughts about the game.

Sunday August 1

Wednesday we had 8 v 8 with Mom, Dad & Lindsey Shrout, one high schooler and a guy coaching his girls team. Small goals on a shortened field, pretty much dominated by Jimmy who scored at least a dozen times.

Sunday, not as hot and cloudy with a slight breeze, we had at least 30 players, with Jake and Mo but no Mark, Carlos 2 and a guest Fernando. So that's Joe, Joe, Moe, Moe, Dan, Dan, Carlos, Carlos, Mark & no Mark. Jake was assigned to play Red keeper by his coach, Shamu is back on the field, Keebs joined the blue. Scoring started with a beautiful six inch tap in by Uncle Joe and the red were ahead by 3 before blue started scoring. Keeblu had an amazing break away from half court and toed in a laser from the twenty. Red wins, 6-3?

Sunday July 25

I guess some folks showed up Wednesday only to get chased of the field by lightning. Rocco says we can play this Wednesday, then it's going to be iffy with school and travel practices due to begin August 1.

Sunday, heat wave continues, though there is a bit of a breeze. More than 30 players showed up including one new kid and another Carlos. Frank's back from Italia, Rocco is still in his street clothes, Eddie's back. Shamu is still lame, so he tended goal for the Red, Dougie played the field for red and managed to not use his hands. Kennington left early, Jay scored a couple of goals and left. Keeble scored on a six incher, Brilliant! Mike the Wizard felt like 10 defenders would be challenging enough to make the goals worthwhile, and scored a couple. 7-3 blue?

Sunday July 18

Wednesday night we had as many as 8 v 8, including the young Brandon Dossantos, Keebo's friend John, and one high schooler. Rocco watched from the stands with an injured foot.

It was a very hot and humid evening. We played across the pitch with lacrosse goals till it was too dark to see C.

Sunday, the heat wave continues. We stared with 19, then Kennington left, and a couple of stragglers joined in, so we had full sides for most of the match. Keeb's friend John played again. Shamu tended goal for the Blue. Red went ahead 4-0 early, with two by Keeb. But Dan, Dan, Joe, Joe, Carlos and Dimos got their acts together and the Blue came back with 7 unanswered goals. Then Keebler took a pass from Steve the keeper, and dribbled unassisted to the goal, evading all defenders, shot and SCORED!!! Another hatty for the K. Final score 9-9 or so.

SundayJuly 11

Sunny & hot, we started with short teams, but got up to full sides, full court. Notably absent were Bobby, Hoch, Rocc & Chopman. Vincent left early due to injury & Scott had to sit out after a while, and a couple of others left, so we finished with 9 v. 9 on a shortened pitch. Blue scored more points.

A bunch of us participated in a charity event Saturday night, playing soccer against the Waldwick school team. Team Old & Slow prevailed, 1-0, but not without injuries to Jordan, Rocc & Scott.

After Sunday's game, 8 of us met at the AB&G to watch Spain win its first World Cup ever.