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Centre downs Georgetown in exhibition
School began today for Centre College, August 28th. This is a week earlier than in years past and it seems to be tough on the kids. The NCAA start dates are firm and can't be adjusted to when an institution begins class.
We had two and half days to train with the full team before our freshmen were pulled away for orientation. Of course I believe orientation is important for the players, but in the past, we enjoyed a full 10 days with our players before the freshmen entered into Orientation events.
The biggest impact? Team chemistry. Our upperclassmen almost immediately fell into a different training schedule then our freshmen. The time the boy's spend together in a tough training environment has a big impact on energy and chemistry of the group. Our freshmen have missed out on this with the new academic calendar. Yet I know we are not the only school that faces these challenges and lucky for us, our kids seem to be in good form. They should be commended on their attitude and commitment.
That said, we hosted NAIA Georgetown College on Friday, August 25th. A well coached team that must face the University of Kentucky and NAIA's top team in Lindsey Wilson to open up the year.
Georgetown College worked on their low pressure 4-5-1 in preparation of these two tough games and it frustrated our boys. The score was 1-0 at half due to senior David Horne 's long range effort. David had a strong hit from about 25 yards that glanced a defender and came on the Georgetown keeper with quickening pace to set the halftime score .
We had to calm the team at halftime because they naturally want the world and they want it now. With some composure, the boys came out and hit four more goals to win the game 5-1.
We saw goals from Nick Judah (2), Brandon Gish (1) and Eric Brown (1). For me, I am always happy when our players succeed. But on the night, it was nice to see Eric have the game he did. He assisted Gish's goal and had a break out game. Eric is caught in a three way battle with two other players. All three are very fit and quite technical. So game performance is the final test to pass. Eric seemed to be the player who got the breaks and made it happen versus Georgetown College. So I was very happy for him.
We host Campbellsville University Tuesday night, Aug. 29, in our final exhibition. The Centre College men's team will begin play Sunday, Sept. 3 with Hanover College at 7:00 p.m.
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