Blue Defeats Gold 3-0 in Annual Intra-Squad Scrimmage
8/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 17, 2010
Photo Gallery MILWAUKEE -- Tuesday evening was the annual Marquette men's soccer Blue vs. Gold scrimmage at Valley Fields, unofficially marking the beginning of competition for the 2010 Golden Eagles who reported yesterday for their first day of training.
Following 90 minutes on a continuous clock, the Blue team -- debuting brand new, horizontally striped uniforms -- emerged with a 3-0 victory highlighted by a pair of goals by junior midfielder Calum Mallace.
All three of the Blue side's goals came in the first half, including two goals in the first 20 minutes of action.
"I was really happy that we were able to exploit some of the chances that we were given," said Blue captain Matt Stummer, a senior defender for the Golden Eagles. "We were able to get some early goals, but the other team came right back and created several opportunities of their own. I thought it was a good game and something that we'll all be able to take something from."
In the 14th minute, Gold was called for a foul inside the 18-yard box on the second of nine corner kicks taken by the Blue squad during the contest. Mallace confidently stepped up and deposited the ball into the right side of the goal to make it 1-0.
Senior midfielder Hector Navarro added to Blue's lead less than five minutes later when he chased down a Keenan Flynn punt and, while sliding forward toward the goal mouth, sent a one-touch strike left of diving Gold goalkeeper David Check.
"We have to focus more on when we're stepping, we can't get caught with that ball over the top," said Gold defender Matt Leonard. "Probably after reviewing the film, that's when it's going to become most clear. We'll discuss it. Then we'll probably work on stepping and dropping during training.
Mallace found the back of the net again in the 42nd minute, firing a rocket from the top of the box off a pass from sophomore forward Chris Madsen, who in his own right was dangerous most of Tuesday night.
Gold was able to sustain limited periods of quality possession, but their offensive pressure lacked efficiency and chances struggled to materialize. However, fans who came to Valley Fields were treated to a high-intensity battled that raced from endline to endline.
"Overall, I think we're moving the ball well and defending well," added Leonard. "Things are clicking arleady. I'm excited for the season to come around."
Blue: M. Stummer (C), E. Pothast, M. Alfano, P. Dillon, C. Mallace, R. Robb, A. Huftalin, H. Navarro, A. Herrera, C. Madsen; Gold: D. Holowaty, J. Mau, A. Cranfill, P. Monsen, C. Hoover, A. Selvaggi, A. Lysak, T. East, S. Bode (C), M. Santos; Goalkeepers: D. Check, K. Flynn, B. Calvopina; Out: A. Colaizzi, B. Ciesiulka, C. Lyon, K. Sierra, A. Krynski, S. Miller
