Springs match vs. Louisville

[fknbuflobo]

[fknbuflobo]

Campus was buzzing Easter weekend, not only with the spring Soccer, but with Baseball and spring Football intra-squad scrimmage. There was a healthy comingling of crowds checking out the other sports. The throng was consequently large for an exhibition match, and was bolstered by a significant Cardinals contingent who traveled north. Weather was a bright and brisk 60* at 11:00 kick-off.

4-4-2

Starters #3 Saad Abdul-Salaam, #10 Richmond Laryea, and #7 Nathan Quirk did not play for whatever reasons, presumably injuries.

Louisville thoroughly dominated the match from stem to stern, in all aspects. But Zips were still fortunate enough to create a handful of chances, ones they failed, often miserably, to convert.

Goalkeeper #24 Jake Fenlason virtually stood on his head, to borrow a Hockey term. Without his Herculean effort, match could have been a real embarrassment. He executed several diving reaction saves to nullify what appeared to be certain scores. Even so, at least one of his goal kicks was laughably bad, if harmlessly over touch.

Defense was once again porous at best and absolutely deplorable at worst. Not one defender played well, allowing Cardinals to possess the ball in our third for long stretches. Even #2 Andrew Souders, usually tenaciously dependable, had a bad game. Though I loathe doing so, I must call out one youngster in particular. #15 Louis Cross had better shape up or he will be sitting come fall. This whole spring, he has failed to anticipate the attackers’ play, has been caught flat-footed on the through pass, and has given the ball away easily. These things cannot consistently come from a center back. Cross showed considerable promise last season. He had best realize that potential, or he will be watching.

The 4-4-2 apparently left #8 Victor Souto as the sole holding midfielder, a task for which he evidently lacks sufficient range. Coming close last week to ejection, an obviously frustrated Souto earned a second yellow mid-way through the second half. Victor has been burning hot, and he must control himself much better than he has recently. Without Laryea there to support the midfield, Louisville had but to shut down #6 Adam Najem, and the Zips attack stalled. Cardinals smartly baited Souto and double-teamed Najem. Mission accomplished!

#17 Riley Grant was paired with #13 Sean Sepe up top. Sepe continues to impress even when he does not benefit from quality service. He makes things happen. The athletically gifted Grant has not yet recognized that he is physically superior to most defenders in terms of size and speed. His first touch is often surprisingly heavy, and his short passing lacks crispness and accuracy. He also lacks a confidence on the ball one would assume a player of his pedigree to possess. Zips faithful are still waiting for Riley Grant to put it all together.

In summary, only Zips who could walk away with their heads held high were Fenlason and Sepe. The rest should review the game video just once, and quickly move on. Louisville looked like a contender for the title.

It was heart-warming to see how many Zips faithful waited after the match to shake the hand of Cardinals’ Coach Ken Lolla, or to shout appreciation from afar. We do not forget.

[Zip_ME87]

@fknbuflobo Good summary. However, I personally take exception with the "admiration" for Ken Lolla. I didn't even consider acknowledging him. Albeit he did a great job at Akron, I'll never forget that he left for another NCAA Divison I program stating it couldn't be done at Akron. In actuality, thanks to his leaving, it (a National Championship) has been done at Akron.

THANKS Caleb Porter who left for the professional ranks not another NCAA program.

[fknbuflobo]

Ken Lolla has roots in the area. He played for Canton Invaders. His wife grew up here. Lolla was head coach here twice as long as Porter, though perhaps half as successful.

Lolla has never been as charismatic as Porter is. He felt he could never recruit the blue chip, TDS 5-stars, to Akron. Porter proved that assertion false. I painfully remember Lolla’s defection after the OT tournament loss at Maryland in 2005, the announcement almost immediately following the match.

I totally understand your sentiment, Fred, but it was obvious Saturday that not everyone feels the way you do. Many people waited to talk to Ken Lolla. I noticed that most of these folks were coaches.

Now, I am not above holding an irrational grudge. It would be disingenuous for me to claim otherwise. But I have personally absolved Ken Lolla of past sins once he lost the championship to Zips. It seemed an appropriate opportunity for closure.

Ken Lolla is a fine coach, and a good man. Without his defection, who knows, Cub Cadet Field may never have been built, we may never have won a title. Lolla’s defection really shook the Athletic Department, an occurrence arguably necessary in the soccer program’s growth. But it still smarts the way Ken Lolla left us for a prettier date.

I am eternally grateful to Caleb Porter for (among many other things) never stilting us for another NCAA gig.

[Zip_ME87]

Ken Lolla has roots in the area. He played for Canton Invaders. His wife grew up here. Lolla was head coach here twice as long as Porter, though perhaps half as successful.

Lolla has never been as charismatic as Porter is. He felt he could never recruit the blue chip, TDS 5-stars, to Akron. Porter proved that assertion false. I painfully remember Lolla’s defection after the OT tournament loss at Maryland in 2005, the announcement almost immediately following the match.

I totally understand your sentiment, but it was obvious Saturday that not everyone feels the way you do. Many people waited to talk to Ken Lolla. I noticed that most of these folks were coaches.

Now, I am not above holding an irrational grudge. It would be disingenuous for me to claim otherwise. But I have personally absolved Ken Lolla of past sins once he lost the championship to Zips. It seemed an appropriate opportunity for closure.

Ken Lolla is a fine coach, and a good man. Without his defection, who knows, Cub Cadet Field may never have been built, we may never have won a title. Lolla’s defection really shook the Athletic Department, an occurrence arguably necessary in the soccer program’s growth. But it still smarts the way Ken Lolla left us for a prettier date.

I am eternally grateful to Caleb Porter for (among many other things) never stilting us for another NCAA gig.

All good points, and you and others are welcome to your opinion. However, your use of "heart-warming" made my stomach turn enough that I had to share the other opinion which I know I don't hold alone. As I said, Ken Lolla did good things at Akron, but how he left was not good. Albeit, in the end his departure was very much our gain. Perhaps I should have shaken his hand Saturday and thanked him for that. My best memory of Ken Lolla is witnessing my Akron Zips, led by Caleb Porter, holding the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer National Championship trophy and celebrating on the pitch at Harder Stadium with him and his preferred program watching from the sideline.

It could be done at Akron. Ken Lolla just couldn't do it.

Edit: By the way, it's not an irrational grudge. I'd consider it a grudge if I went out of my way to say something disrepectful to Ken. Until reading your post, I never gave him a thought. I really didn't intend to argue with you either. I just got ill when I read "heart-warming" and had to respond. Peace.

[TennZip]

fknbuflobo, thank you very much for your expert analysis and summary of the match. A friend had told me how terrible they looked...but I did not realize that Saad, Laryea and Quirk did not play. Hopefully, Andrew Souders will be one of the 2 center backs in the fall. I am looking forward to seeing Sam Gainford, Adam Najem and Sean Sepe playing together in the fall. The 2nd center back position is my biggest concern right now

[Zip_ME87]

I agree TennZip. I'm also hoping Seremba will be fully healed and match fit in the Fall.

[a-zip]

Perfect analysis….. My additions;

Great turnout for an exhibition, beautiful day, good job by UA for providing the atmosphere for all the days games.

Sloppy soccer game. Louisville goalie got an assist on the loan goal???

Souto - is funny….constantly talking smack and smiling - he is going to have to learn composure but I like him

L Cross - looked clumsy, continuously got burned, maybe the Louisville offense is that good…..yikes

Ken Lolla - when I pointed him out to my sons, they said what?…….he is the coach?…..he looks like he is going out to dinner. Almost seemed a bit pompous to me.

[ZipsBurgh]

I believe that Souders and Najem were wearing the captains' armbands this match. Didn't notice who it was against Dayton, though.

[Zip_ME87]

I believe that Souders and Najem were wearing the captains' armbands this match. Didn't notice who it was against Dayton, though.

I noticed Najem wearing the armband as you said. He didn't seem too vocal for being a captain. I didn't realize Souders was wearing an armband as well.

[fknbuflobo]

fknbuflobo, thank you very much for your expert analysis and summary of the match. A friend had told me how terrible they looked...but I did not realize that Saad, Laryea and Quirk did not play. Hopefully, Andrew Souders will be one of the 2 center backs in the fall. I am looking forward to seeing Sam Gainford, Adam Najem and Sean Sepe playing together in the fall. The 2nd center back position is my biggest concern right now

Regarding Centre Backs; do not forget incoming frosh Ezana Kahsay. I believe he will play CB. We shall see.

[Balsy]

This worries me...

[Zip_ME87]

Speaking of Ezana Kahsay...

From Africa to Akron: Ezana Kahsay's Soccer Story http://buffalo.twcnews.com/content/sports/715923/from-africa-to-akron--ezana-kahsay-s-soccer-story/?ap=1&MP4

[Z.I.P.]

I was quite surprised to hear of Drew playing LB. Is that his first time outside the center back spot, and why would he be out there -- does someone on the bench think there's a better option than him (now THAT's scary!).

[fknbuflobo]

I was quite surprised to hear of Drew playing LB. Is that his first time outside the center back spot, and why would he be out there -- does someone on the bench think there's a better option than him (now THAT's scary!).

I believe Souders is our starting CB, and I think Zips coaching staff thinks that too.

Spring is for experimentation and development.

My guess is that both Ruhaak and Cross are auditioning to be Souders' back line mate.