Martian Soccer

August 19, 2008 – Goodrich vs Detroit Country Day (at Southfield Lathrup High School)

Getting the opportunity to play our opening match against the defending Div III State Champs was a nice test for an opening match. But it was not only about measuring up to the current champs, but about proving to ourselves that we were capable of playing at the highest high school level.

We arrived on the bus as a team and took the field as a team. It was a new experience for us to play a season opener on a high quality turf surface. The game had been on every players mind and used all summer and through the preseason as a motivational tool to get everyone focused. DCD.

Out of the gates like the Preakness Stakes, both teams controlling the ball and playing at a pace that was far beyond what these seniors could have imagined when they were just freshmen. The level of play so much higher now than it was just a few years prior. Quickly pressuring the Yellow Jackets, the visiting Martians were awarded a throw in deep in the offensive third and Bobby Short stepped out to take the throw. The element of surprise can be a huge threat; it’s just a matter of when to use it. But now was the time. Three minutes into the contest and Short had dropped a dime, right to David Garr. Without reservation, David hammered the ball just about the PK spot from the throw and the Martians took the very early lead over the defending champs. Adrenaline was running hot!  But no let down, that is the key.

The game continued to be very high paced and both teams threatened. Creating opportunities both by ball movement and being awarded set pieces made coaches on both benches bit their nails. Late in the first half, the Yellow Jackets set up for a set piece and earned the foul and the PK to accompany. DCD tied the game at 1 a piece just before the half.

Momentum is a terrible thing to lose. Therefore, ‘hard work’ was the key in the second half for the Martians. Within 10 minutes of half, the DCD Yellow Jackets had again stung the Martians and put them up against the wall of momentum, but it was not taken lightly. Goodrich continued to work and win balls and create offense. The Martians were shutting down the offense of DCD and pushing forward to create scoring chances. The final 15 minutes were all Goodrich. DCD weathered the storm and came out just ahead of the Martians in the season opener.

David Garr (goal) – Bobby Short (asst)

Goodrich, 0-1

August 21, 2008 – Ortonville Brandon @ Goodrich

Home opener and wonderful weather. It was a hot day and playing on our home field with the thick grass. It was a slower surface than the previous game but we know we can play well on our field.

This was not the same Brandon team that we had faced weeks earlier in a summer friendly. The personnel and positioning of that personnel was not what it had been in the past. But I think that was the best thing that Ortonville had to fire at the Martians: The element of surprise.  The Martians were expecting to walk on the Blackhawks and take the first victory on the season, but instead it was Ortonville that worked to earn the lead in the contest. Scoring first they had put pressure on the high powered home team.

Just not enough teamwork and not enough pace – that was the issue with the Martians. I think that really falls back to the story of the Underdog. The Martians for so many years, if not forever, have been an underdog in most every game that they play, when the opponent has a larger school size. But now that is not the case. The Martians are that good and they can do better than just compete…. Its all about being mentally prepared.

Late in the second half, Goodrich strung a few passes together ( a rarity on the day) and good things happened. Roughly 3:00 to play on the game clock and a ball was sent forward in the air. Brandon DeGrouchy got his head on it just enough to flick it ahead to David Garr on the attack. David with the appropriate few touches, drew the defensive focus and slotted a ball between the defensive pressure right to Andrew Patrick. Patty wasted no time as he set himself to strike the game tying goal. It was pretty, a little left to right bend on a right footed shot and buried it in the upper right 90. That finish is what the team needed to get them out of the rut. It was almost too little too late for the Martians but they escaped without a loss – a tie will do for a sub-par performance as the season home opener.

Andrew Patrick (Goal) – David Garr (Ast)

Goodrich 0-1-1

August 27, 2008 – Goodrich @ Grand Blanc

The Genesee County Perrenial Powerhouse that is located very close to Goodrich. The idea of this game has come up many times, but the strengths of the two teams was not comparable until now. Grand Blanc, a top notch contender for the Big Nine championship every year faces off with Goodrich the historic GAC unbeaten. The game played on the finely cut grass of the Bobcats in the late afternoon. Grand Blanc came out with fire and with poise, but the Martians answered and did not let anything come easy. An unlucky bounce for the visitor becomes a lucky bounce for the home team as the GK did not get a firm grasp on the ball and gave up a rebound. Down 1-0 at the break but certainly not out.  Into the second half, the battle of both teams came within the middle 60-70 yards of the field as both teams had difficult times penetrating their opponents defense. Midway through the second half, the Bobcats got through again and the shot was hit but only a tip from the Goodrich GK and the Martians in a hole again 0-2. Still a battle in Grand Blanc, the Martians were still creating offense, just struggling to continue it into the final 1/3.  From one outside to the other, Brandon DeGrouchy switched from the Martians left to right and found Nick Rykulski in an attacking position. Nick fired the shot and got a much needed deflection to beat the goalkeeper and score the first goal on Grand Blanc for the season. It was the hard work and continued pressure that Goodrich had put on to gain on the Bobcats. The Goal came with just 2:55 on the clock, but the Martians were still pressuring until the official put three whistles together and called the game. 8 cards later, the battle concluded and the Martians had fallen just one shot of the local rival.

Nick Rykulski (Goal) – Brandon DeGrouchy (Ast)

Goodrich 0-2-1

August 28, 2008 – Goodrich @ Kearsley

As we enter the fourth game of the season, it seems to be a task for us to score more than one goal a game. However, it is also a tough task to overtake the opponent when they get two. Hopefully the outcome at Kearsley will give us the confidence that we need to get over that hurdle this season. Roughly 15 minutes into the contest, the home team had scored. They had a great deal of skill in the center of their team, but not much of a supporting cast. It was a coaching error that allowed the second goal to happen, still in the first half. Their quality opportunities were all coming from the same place and the Martians needed to negate that opportunity before it arose. Down 2-0 at the break, it was time the Martians played like they have been taught to play….To play together as a team. After negating their center, the Martians began to gain more possession of the ball and dominate play. There was a night and day difference from half to half. Save count from half to half for the Martians – Save in first half, 5 – Saves in second half, 1. A quick 20 minutes into the second half, there was a handball called in the box of the home team and David Garr stepped up to the plate. Planning his shot he starred at the ball and eyed the keeper. Following the whistle, David buried the PK to bring the Martians back to within 1. The Cautions began to fly with about 10-12 minutes to play and sent the star from Kearsley to the Bench. Will 5:11 to play, Andy Phelps gets up and gets a flick on the ball and lays it on the spot for the streaking Brandon DeGrouchy. Cleaning up the ball and still driving to the near post, Brandon got the shot past the keeper and inside some traffic to get the tie the game. That was a lot of work inside of the 6 yard box and some serious calmness to get the goal. Through the next 5 minutes the Martians just adding the pressure and threatening even more. As the clock expired, the shots were still flying but again the Martians have failed to win, but have overcome the one goal curse. Final 2-2 tie.

David Garr (Goal) – PK

Brandon DeGrouchy (Goal) – Andrew Patrick (Ast)

Goodrich 0-2-2

Williamston Tournament – September 6, 2008

Frankenmuth vs Goodrich – FHS 0 – GHS 4

Williamston vs Goodrich – WHS 0 – GHS 2

South Haven vs Goodrich – SHHS 0 – GHS 2

Detroit country Day vs Goodrich -  DCD 1 – GHS 0

Very solid day for the Martians. Finally getting a win and again competing with DCD. With only one goal against on the day, the Martians felt confident with their chances. Exiting the Williamston Fall Shootout, the Martians had two players named to the All-tournament team, and one Player named the tournament MVP. Congrats to Alex, David and Bobby. Well Played all day!