Keeping It Plain: Shen Controls Their Way to a Win

Shenendehowa 1, Guilderland 0

If you like kickball, this game wasn't for you.

Shenendehowa put all hands on deck in the game of possession & patience, and although Guilderland GK Parker Carmichael made a number of impressive saves to hold them to 1 goal, that lone one stood up to get a win for the Plainsmen.

We got going a little late for this one, as the Dutch had an eventful trip up the Northway in getting there. With the bus breaking down and all that jazz, it probably would've been quicker if they walked. Anyway, they made it to the field a few minutes before the game's scheduled start time, so it wasn't pushed back too much. Shen started off the game by showcasing what it does - bleed you dry with its possession. Not afraid to play it back from anywhere, switch fields, and slowly work men upfield, they played the ball 10-15 times before having someone make a run. The methodical work played in their favor early, as they had numerous opportunities to open the game. The sexiest chance was a header that caromed over the goal off the top post about 5 minutes in. In the first 20 minutes, play was about 90/10 in favor of the Plainsmen, and it paid off right around that 20 minute mark. James Homan was able to finish one around goal with 19:40 left in the half, getting Shen on the board. 4 minutes later, it appeared that it would double when a foul was called on the Guilderland GK going for a ball in the box. However, he made up for it by saving the ensuing PK to keep it at 1-0. The Dutch evened play up a bit after that (maybe a little momentum change there) and Shen had to live with a 1-0 lead at break.

There's not a whole lot to talk about in the 2nd half, as it resembled the last 20 minutes of the 1st. Shenendehowa continued its possession game, methodically working the defense and ready to pounce on any mistakes. Guilderland stood up to it pretty well - they bent, but didn't break most of the time, and even when they broke down, Carmichael was a human eraser in the back. He made 4 of his 9 saves after intermission, but they weren't easy. One of them was perhaps the best save I've seen all year, a phenomenal sprawling effort to his left on a shot that perhaps would've went upper 90 on the right side. Guilderland had a couple chances of their own late - a couple lasers in the last 6 minutes from long distance came dangerously close to dropping on frame but rocketed harmlessly a foot or two over goal. The ending was pretty anticlimactic, as no one had chances late. It almost appeared that Guilderland was playing with more of a 'make sure it doesn't get to 2-0' attitude than a 'let's tie this thing up' one. Maybe that was Shen possession talking. What do I know? Just that Shen is very poised, patient, and.. well, good. And Guilderland stood up to the test, but came up short. Shen outshot the Dutch 15-8 and had 9 corners to 1 for Guilderland. Guilderland's keeper had to make 9 saves and controlled it on non-saves 6 other times, compared to just 1 and 5 for Shen's.

Sorry about a plain & boring breakdown. It just represents how plain (and sometimes boring) the game was.