NIU

[Zipsrifle]

So, tonight the wife and I get a chance to go out to eat WITHOUT the kids. This is quite a treat, as some of you are aware. Anyway, we drop the kids off at Grandma's house and head to the Olive Garden. As we walk to our seats, we notice there is a team in our section, all dressed in Red. As we take our seat, I notice on one of their jackets it says "NIU". Immediately I know it is the NIU Soccer team! Well, as a Zips fan, the night before the match I MUST say something. I wait until they are done, all the players leave and then I corner the coaches. I tell them I'm a huge Zips fan, and before I can finish the first thing out of their mouth is "You are a Rowdy aren't you". I say no, I am an alum and as the first Zips fan they will meet on their trip, that I wish them good luck tomorrow. We chat a bit, I tell them they are pretty much our biggest in conference rival and wish them luck...but not enough to win.

[RowdyZip]

So, tonight the wife and I get a chance to go out to eat WITHOUT the kids. This is quite a treat, as some of you are aware. Anyway, we drop the kids off at Grandma's house and head to the Olive Garden. As we walk to our seats, we notice there is a team in our section, all dressed in Red. As we take our seat, I notice on one of their jackets it says "NIU". Immediately I know it is the NIU Soccer team! Well, as a Zips fan, the night before the match I MUST say something. I wait until they are done, all the players leave and then I corner the coaches. I tell them I'm a huge Zips fan, and before I can finish the first thing out of their mouth is "You are a Rowdy aren't you". I say no, I am an alum and as the first Zips fan they will meet on their trip, that I wish them good luck tomorrow. We chat a bit, I tell them they are pretty much our biggest in conference rival and wish them luck...but not enough to win.

A few weeks back I was going to get some tickets to the Zips/OSUcks match. Upon finding out it was a sellout, Mrs RowdyZip and I decided to take a trip downtown and give OBC another chance at serving us and to check out the Aeros in game 3 of the EL Championship series(OBC was miserable, but that's a different story entirely). Who did I see sitting at a large table in the center of OBC? Non other than the Suckeye Futbol squad. I...however...am much more humble than you, Zipsrifle. And you know what Mamma said..."If you can't say anything nice..."and I KNOW I wouldn't have been able to say something nice.

[skip-zip]

So, tonight the wife and I get a chance to go out to eat WITHOUT the kids. This is quite a treat, as some of you are aware. Anyway, we drop the kids off at Grandma's house and head to the Olive Garden. As we walk to our seats, we notice there is a team in our section, all dressed in Red. As we take our seat, I notice on one of their jackets it says "NIU". Immediately I know it is the NIU Soccer team! Well, as a Zips fan, the night before the match I MUST say something. I wait until they are done, all the players leave and then I corner the coaches. I tell them I'm a huge Zips fan, and before I can finish the first thing out of their mouth is "You are a Rowdy aren't you". I say no, I am an alum and as the first Zips fan they will meet on their trip, that I wish them good luck tomorrow. We chat a bit, I tell them they are pretty much our biggest in conference rival and wish them luck...but not enough to win.

A few weeks back I was going to get some tickets to the Zips/OSUcks match. Upon finding out it was a sellout, Mrs RowdyZip and I decided to take a trip downtown and give OBC another chance at serving us and to check out the Aeros in game 3 of the EL Championship series(OBC was miserable, but that's a different story entirely). Who did I see sitting at a large table in the center of OBC? Non other than the Suckeye Futbol squad. I...however...am much more humble than you, Zipsrifle. And you know what Mamma said..."If you can't say anything nice..."and I KNOW I wouldn't have been able to say something nice.

Rowdy Zip...you, my friend, are what I call a TRUE Zips fan.Just my opinion, but I probably can estimate that there were quite a few people in that crowd for the Suckeyes/Akron soccer game that may have declared themselves as "fans of both teams". Bull. OSwho is a competitor. We compete with them for athletes, students, faculty, and media attention. Whenever they fail, it's good for our objectives.

[GoZips]

Rowdy Zip...you, my friend, are what I call a TRUE Zips fan.Just my opinion, but I probably can estimate that there were quite a few people in that crowd for the Suckeyes/Akron soccer game that may have declared themselves as "fans of both teams". Bull. OSwho is a competitor. We compete with them for athletes, students, faculty, and media attention. Whenever they fail, it's good for our objectives.

Here, Here, all of you. Well said. SKIP-ZIP, I totally concur. Either we are full grownuniversity or a motley mob of pretenders. Let's go Zips.

[Blue & Gold]

Amen, Brother skip-zip! No sitting on the fence here!

[Zip_ME87]

So, tonight the wife and I get a chance to go out to eat WITHOUT the kids. This is quite a treat, as some of you are aware. Anyway, we drop the kids off at Grandma's house and head to the Olive Garden. As we walk to our seats, we notice there is a team in our section, all dressed in Red. As we take our seat, I notice on one of their jackets it says "NIU". Immediately I know it is the NIU Soccer team! Well, as a Zips fan, the night before the match I MUST say something. I wait until they are done, all the players leave and then I corner the coaches. I tell them I'm a huge Zips fan, and before I can finish the first thing out of their mouth is "You are a Rowdy aren't you". I say no, I am an alum and as the first Zips fan they will meet on their trip, that I wish them good luck tomorrow. We chat a bit, I tell them they are pretty much our biggest in conference rival and wish them luck...but not enough to win.

Very classy Zipsrifle.

[Blue & Gold]

Yes, let me clarify. Nice move, Zipsrifle, making NIU feel welcomed and wishing them a good match - though I do hope we shut them out.Columbus State? NEVER!!!

[ZachTheZip]

It's almost time!

[ejcool27]

1-0 Zips win again and another shutout!!!!!!!!!!

[ZachTheZip]

A very rough game for the Zips. They weren't playing their best by a long shot, but they still won. NIU was being carded left and right.

[meatwad]

A very rough game for the Zips. They weren't playing their best by a long shot, but they still won. NIU was being carded left and right.

Agreed. I thought NIUs pressure in the midfield took us out of our game a little bit tonight. Overall we were still clearly the better team and our defense was superb as usual... just a bit of a rough night for the offense.

[scottditzen]

Very classy Zipsrifle....except...the Olive Garden??Did you have an expiring coupon, or is that really the best place to go out for dinner where you live?

So, tonight the wife and I get a chance to go out to eat WITHOUT the kids. This is quite a treat, as some of you are aware. Anyway, we drop the kids off at Grandma's house and head to the Olive Garden. As we walk to our seats, we notice there is a team in our section, all dressed in Red. As we take our seat, I notice on one of their jackets it says "NIU". Immediately I know it is the NIU Soccer team! Well, as a Zips fan, the night before the match I MUST say something. I wait until they are done, all the players leave and then I corner the coaches. I tell them I'm a huge Zips fan, and before I can finish the first thing out of their mouth is "You are a Rowdy aren't you". I say no, I am an alum and as the first Zips fan they will meet on their trip, that I wish them good luck tomorrow. We chat a bit, I tell them they are pretty much our biggest in conference rival and wish them luck...but not enough to win.

[GoZips]

Here is an interesting point of view. NIU's point of view. Frankly, I did not get the feelingat the game that they were in control."AKRON, Ohio - The Northern Illinois men's soccer team nearly caught lightning in a bottle for a second time this season, but fell just short of upsetting No. 1 Akron on the road Saturday. (note: NIU playedUNC to a 1-1 tie early in the season.)Michael Nanchoff of the unanimously top-ranked Zips (13-0-0, 3-0-0) used a free kick from 19 yards out in the 70th minute to score the only goal of the match, leading Akron to a 1-0 victory. The Huskies were looking for their second road result against a No. 1-ranked team this year, as they tied No. 1 North Carolina, 1-1, in September. NIU Head Coach Eric Luzzi was happy with his team's effort in their second match of the year against a No. 1 team. "The guys weren't intimidated, and I'm proud of that," Luzzi said. "They came in with the right mindset and focused on our work rate and our game plan." The Huskies (6-6-1, 1-2-0 MAC) came as close as anyone has to upending Akron. Northern Illinois' loss is only the third one-goal decision the Zips have allowed this year. On average, Akron is outscoring its opponents by nearly three goals a match. "If you look at the stats, they had a bit more in the play," Luzzi said. "But if you look at it compared to what other teams have done against them, we did well." Northern Illinois didn't give up a goal to Akron in the run of play, an impressive feat considering the Zips' usual offensive output of 2.77 goals per match. "It terms of true chances, they had a couple, but it wasn't chance after chance after chance," Luzzi said. "There were stretches where we were under pressure, but there were stretches were it was even as well." The score came after Nanchoff's free kick ricocheted off the wall, changing angles en route to the goal. "The shot had a decent amount of pace, got deflected and redirected," Luzzi said. "I think (goalkeeper) Jordan (Godsey) would have had it if it would not have been deflected." The Huskies will have to quickly put Saturday's result behind them, as they host Milwaukee for the LeWang Cup, Tuesday afternoon in DeKalb."I was standing to left of the goal with an excellent view of Nanchoff's shot. True, the angle waswas a deflection from hitting the leg of one of defenders in the wall. But, unlike the fancy of thegoalie being prevented from getting a stop, the truth is the ball was a couple of feet to his leftand he had no chance. It was a great shot by Nanchoff. A sweet rope that zipped across the groundlike a poisonous snake. It was sweet.NIU played the defender game through out the match. Thus, they limited their offensive chances.That game plan also limits your opponents shots. Still, the Zips managed fifteen shots with eightof them on goal.I, for one, was wondering when we would see a defender type game plan and how the Zips wouldplay against it. Considering that NIU is an excellent and well coached team we have to be pleasedwith our kids. Once again they we up to the task.

[Zipsrifle]

Very classy Zipsrifle....except...the Olive Garden??Did you have an expiring coupon, or is that really the best place to go out for dinner where you live?

So, tonight the wife and I get a chance to go out to eat WITHOUT the kids. This is quite a treat, as some of you are aware. Anyway, we drop the kids off at Grandma's house and head to the Olive Garden. As we walk to our seats, we notice there is a team in our section, all dressed in Red. As we take our seat, I notice on one of their jackets it says "NIU". Immediately I know it is the NIU Soccer team! Well, as a Zips fan, the night before the match I MUST say something. I wait until they are done, all the players leave and then I corner the coaches. I tell them I'm a huge Zips fan, and before I can finish the first thing out of their mouth is "You are a Rowdy aren't you". I say no, I am an alum and as the first Zips fan they will meet on their trip, that I wish them good luck tomorrow. We chat a bit, I tell them they are pretty much our biggest in conference rival and wish them luck...but not enough to win.

Actually, yes, we did have a gift card. We would have gone there anyway, however, we both like the food and we are on a budget. I'm not much of a food or beverage snob, I like what I like.

[Z.I.P.]

Can we talk about the game, please? What happened on the foul of Nagbe, that led to the goal? The O.Com blog says they were awarded a "free kick" from inside the box. I thought that could only happen when the GK handles the ball outside the area, or something very similar (don't tell me the rules of football are simple) . Then it is supposed to be indirect. W00t or Zach or someone who saw the play -- what the heck happened?As far as Olive Garden (can't resist!), I TRIED to go to one in Albuquerque last fall, but there was a line going half way around the building. They must have awfully good food, huh? Or was it the TV showing the Lobos football game that was being played next door? Hmmmm.

[ZachTheZip]

From what I saw, the foul occurred inside the box but the ref decided that it happened exactly on the line of the box. So he awarded the Zips a free kick from the line instead of giving the Zips a PK.

[w00t]

Can we talk about the game, please? What happened on the foul of Nagbe, that led to the goal? The O.Com blog says they were awarded a "free kick" from inside the box. I thought that could only happen when the GK handles the ball outside the area, or something very similar (don't tell me the rules of football are simple) . Then it is supposed to be indirect. W00t or Zach or someone who saw the play -- what the heck happened?As far as Olive Garden (can't resist!), I TRIED to go to one in Albuquerque last fall, but there was a line going half way around the building. They must have awfully good food, huh? Or was it the TV showing the Lobos football game that was being played next door? Hmmmm.

Nagbe was sandwiched by two defenders just outside the box, when he went down he was in the area but the contact was initiated just outside. You know how it goes, they always spot those a step or two outside the 18.

[meatwad]

Can we talk about the game, please? What happened on the foul of Nagbe, that led to the goal? The O.Com blog says they were awarded a "free kick" from inside the box. I thought that could only happen when the GK handles the ball outside the area, or something very similar (don't tell me the rules of football are simple) . Then it is supposed to be indirect. W00t or Zach or someone who saw the play -- what the heck happened?As far as Olive Garden (can't resist!), I TRIED to go to one in Albuquerque last fall, but there was a line going half way around the building. They must have awfully good food, huh? Or was it the TV showing the Lobos football game that was being played next door? Hmmmm.

Nagbe was sandwiched by two defenders just outside the box, when he went down he was in the area but the contact was initiated just outside. You know how it goes, they always spot those a step or two outside the 18.

I had a pretty good angle on the play and had no doubt in my mind that he was fouled JUST outside the box. Good call by the official. Not that it mattered, it worked out like a PK.