Maureen and new GFC players John and Stephanie cheer on the Rovers after the Ramblers season-opener.
The Ramblers kicked off the 2011-12 season in the first game of the day against the QuikSticks. Starting short-staffed and sans goalie, the Ramblers went down 1-0 early in the match. With the arrival of Erica– and the removal of some early-season rust– the team’s passing game began to click. Beautiful passing sequences led to goals by newcomer Stephanie and midfielder Maureen, and the squads went to halftime tied 2-2.
In the second frame, the Ramblers’ fatigue began to show. The team was pinned into it’s defensive end, defending a string of penalty corners– resulting in three more goals for the opportunistic ladies from QuikSticks. The Greenwich women rallied late, shoring up their corner D and springing their offensive line for two pretty fast-break scores. Unfortunately, the comeback ran out of time, leaving the Ramblers with a 5-4 loss to start the season.
After the game, the Ramblers stayed to cheer on their Rover counterparts, followed by the first Piper’s Kilt brunch of the season.
A disappointing end to the season when the passing game which had served us all season was found out. NYC started the game with a high tempo, hurrying our passes and forcing a lot of work from some older legs. Turnovers hurt us and although we were never dominated, NYC were outworking us and chances were coming from mistakes deep in our midfield and defence. We struggled to transfer the ball with any tempo giving NYC’s high press some scraps to feed off.
A turnover in the middle of the field left Tom Sheridan free to take the ball deep in the circle and finish well for the opening goal. Greenwich regrouped at half time and did enough to draw level from a corner which was to prove our best weapon but a stroke conceded late in the game left Greenwich with a deficit and fading legs to conjure any response.
With the tank empty we earned another corner which Ahmed slotted neatly to make it 2-2 but realistically the amount of work needed to stay in the game had left our ability to conjure any offense limited. As full time sounded and penalties loomed, Greenwich faltered missing two out of five and were left with no silverware for the first time since 2003 and their first loss ever to NYC. 
NEFHA league write-up in the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/24/nyregion/mens-field-hockey-isnt-rugby-but-watch-the-teeth.html
A disappointing loss for the 2s in biting wind this weekend. While we had the subs for legs we just didn’t look like we wanted the ball in the field. We played a defensive game, spending most of our time in our own half. Still, there were very few chances for either side as our defence held them back and we gave them the ball on our attack. The game opened up in the last 10 minutes allowing us our goal but it was too little too late unfortunately.
There was a narrow chance to equalize in the last seconds but it wouldn’t have reflected the game in which Tristate fought hard for the ball and won it in most cases. Not one we’ll put in the scrapbook!
The Rovers made our triumphant return to the pitch on Sunday morning during a small downpour. We played amazingly well considering some of us (I’m looking at you, Juli…and myself in the mirror) hadn’t picked up a stick since November. Great passing, great teamwork – lots of fun had by all.
I would actually say that the only thing missing was the star chart. Andrea had been talking REALLY BIG over drinks a few weeks ago about how she’d make one for the season, but it was nowhere to be found.
However, if a chart _were_ there, I would say stars go to:
- Mallory – yay newbie! We always hold our breath a little bit when someone new steps on the pitch with us, but Mallory did not disappoint. We hope to make her a regular.
- Jess – awesome pick up off the keeper’s pads. Fabulous.
- Entire midfield (Andrea, Doni, Juli, Mallory and Meiko) – you guys controlled the whole game.
Fun times. Let’s do this again. Like, say, 9am on 3/13 vs the Ramblers. Be there.
On the back of the historic 7-1 victory against Rye’ 2′s, morale was high in the camp as the team took to the field for another Sunday evening fixture. Unfortunately the Islanders hadn’t read the script and after 10 minutes of constant attacking they picked up the first goal. With their all or nothing approach, the opposition were proving to be a handful but gradually the Greenwich midfield started to impose themselves. Following a sustained period of pressure, Eugene took over where fellow South African, Ross, had left off and notched the first goal. However, just when Greenwich should have taken the upper hand, the Islanders were gifted a goal. This correspondent would like to blame the lights or bounce or something but it was just a “shocker”!! 2-1 down at halftime and lots of wise words on how to deal with aerials but no need to panic. There was belief that there was something there for Greenwich in this game.
After their rest, the Islanders started the second half like they had the first and threw everything into attack. A succession of corners were batted away by some great goalkeeping by E, but finally they got a lucky break and went into a 3-1 lead. This team isn’t beaten easily and as the second half went on, the strength of the Greenwich squad come to the fore and Eugene grabbed one back. However, he wasn’t done with his night’s work and within a couple of minutes Eugene had completed his hat-trick with some more deft touches in the circle. There were still a few minutes left but despite some great effort, Greenwich didn’t quite seal the victory.
10 goals in two games is the way to finish off the season. Well done to all in the squad on another fine team performance. Let’s hope our goal-scoring South Africans can hold their form over the winter!!
Midway through the first half of this bottom of the table clash, Eugene’s bobbled shot found its way into the goal and bounced out:
having awarded the goal, the umpires allowed themselves to be convinced by Rye’s protests that the ball had hit the post, reversing their initial decision. At this point, two things became clear: (i) Greenwich would have to work even harder than usual if we were to pick up our first points of the season, and (ii) at least one member of the team would be carded for dissent when we scored a goal that was allowed to stand. When Chip slotted home five minutes later following a great move on the right, captain Karl decided to take one for the
team and pick up a green card for some admirably restrained chat.
Ross added a second goal shortly afterward, finding the roof of the net with a deflected shot and, following some great work by Erica in goal, the IIs went into the break 2-0 up.
The second half started cagily and Rye managed to pull one back: but as they started to tire and our superior fitness (!!) became obvious, we began to dominate in all areas of the pitch. The major beneficiary was Ross, who was allowed to set up an unmarked camp on the Rye penalty spot: from this position he managed to squeeze a further three goals past the hapless Rye keeper. Taking note of the umpires’ first half decision, Ross wisely decided to ensure that his shots were barely hit with sufficient power to reach the backboard, let alone bounce out. Duncan and Eugene also found the net as Greenwich ran riot in the final 20 minutes to secure a confidence-boosting 7-1 win before next week’s game against the islanders.
Ross will be enjoying his triple threat DoD/MoM/I scored 4 goals in the same game award at the team curry in December.
As is tradition, the Ramblers team photo is taken after the last match of the season. Back row (L-R): Whitney, Katie, Meg, Mo, Esther, Kayla, Diana, Skye; Middle Row: Mel, Alyssa, Bond, Bethany, Lizzy; Front Row: E!
Maybe it was the Halloween spirit. Maybe it was the leisurely 2:20pm gametime. Maybe everyone was just dying to be in the Fall team photo. In any case, the Ramblers fielded our highest turnout of the season (14 players!) with every single person arriving at least 25min before kickoff.
Alas, it was another frustrating first half for the ladies in red, as we fought some apparent poltergeists around the goal. First, we hit the post after beating the goalie on a one-v-one (Second time in two weeks! I mean, seriously??). Later, two fantastic corner strikes sailed just wide. Then, to cap it all off, yours truly wiffed on a wide-open look at the goal. In the meantime, our transition play was a bit disjointed and flat-footed. The wily ‘Cats capitalized with back-to-back tallies to take a 2-0 lead.
Once again, the Ramblers began to shine in the second half, with clean passing plays up the sidelines and steadier sticks in the defensive end. Still, we couldn’t seem to get the ball** in the ghoul goal. Finally, with 4 minutes remaining, Meg Reitz was able to corral a loose ball and blast it past the keeper, ending our Fall campaign on a positive note.
With a great mix of steady veterans and spunky newcomers, we look forward to an even better spring campaign.
**Speaking of balls, if you grabbed an orange ball with a big black smiley face on it, it belongs to Whitney. She misses him and wants him back.
This was supposed to be "scary faces" but what's really frightening is that a NEFHA official took this photo, looked at it closely, and thought it was centered, etc...
This last weekend, a Greenwich men’s side, which included the core of the 1st team and a smattering of other Greenwich players, took on an NYCFHC team at a friendly exhibition game at the Greenwich Academy up in Greenwich CT. The purpose was to showcase men’s hockey which, as we know, is little known in the US sporting circuit. Spectators, including many of the up-and-coming girls from Greenwich Academy, were in attendance to marvel at the skills and tight derrieres.
Best of all, we received some welcome press! Read the full article in the Greenwich Time: “No skirts required: Men play field hockey match in Greenwich”
James takes a poke...
The 2′s provided the 1′s with one of their sternest tests this year with the result in doubt deep into the game. For the 2′s, Karl competed hard in midfield helping to relieve pressure at the back as an outlet. Chances came and went with both keepers standing firm; Erica in fine form as a guest for the 1′s. A good corner conversion from Kiko took the lead but a scramble at the other end restored deserved parity. With the 1′s becoming increasingly desperate they started to put a few more passes together and the gift of a penalty stroke was debatable but welcome. At 2-1 another chance came to Ashley at the far post and he converted to wrap up a spluttering 3-1 win for the 1′s to keep their 100% record in tact.