Assists: Habib Kamara, Jordan Williams

Saves: Mike Bojko - 8

Coaches Notes:

This past Saturday we had a nice team discussion that basically ended with myself and the entire team changing our priorities for our season.  With what could be our toughest week on the schedule starting with Onteora and finishing with Spackenkill it was time to refocus.  I told my team that I don't want them to feel any pressure when they play.  All I want is for them to be positive, play their hearts out, and good things will happen.  As I walked off the field I felt good about our chances to bounce back.

I noticed the guys were loose when we arrived at Onteora.  They seemed to have put the Rondout game behind them and were ready to embrace our new team philosophy.  I made an adjustment to our formation and a slight adjustment of where some guys would start.  For some reason everyone is getting hurt or sick and I still haven't had a full starting lineup of healthy personal since last season but............... I need to stay positive, coach my heart out, and good things will happen.

Onteora scored the first goal of the game on a tough cross into the box.  This was not part of the gameplan.  What would my team do?  Is this going to be the start of a LONG week.  My guys quickly proved that they would not roll over.  We stayed together and were able to tie the game up before the first half ended.  During halftime I told my guys that they were outplaying Onteora and it looked like they were having fun playing again.  I told them to keep it up and reminded them of our team priorities. 

Onteora scored the first goal of the second half but once again we fought back.  This time we really poured it on.  We were more physical, quicker to the ball, faster, and determined to win.  This is the FDR Varsity team that I had not seen since the Middletown game.  We tied the game at two when Scottie found the back of the goal.  Then we proved that containing Kevin Cerdas is just too tough a task for any defense.  Kevin sealed the victory following a free kick from Dan and then put the icing on the cake when he received a beautiful long ball from J-Will, outran the last defender and beat the goalkeeper for his second goal of the game. 

I was so happy for my team on this day.  It felt so good to walk off of the field and watch my guys walk back to the bus with their heads held high and smiles on their faces.  I'm starting to really feel positive about this week.  Highland tomorrow.