Plev's Page: Thoughts from the Head Coach

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Finally have my Blackberry up and running again!

Saturday, we played the toughest team of the three, Calcio San Gimignano, and gave them all they could handle, losing 1-0 in the final six minutes.

I would compare them to a Bowie Baysox on the level of development within the Italian Divisions for they were very skilled and older than us. They had also heard we had won our previous game and were very determined from the start.

We obviously played well with Jeff Hohl, Bradley Davis, Josh Brewer, and Ryan Flannelly all coming up big in the back as we shut them out in the first half. We didn't have many chances offensively, but with limited subs, we were being very conservative with our runs.

The second half we decided to change tactics and go forward and it worked immediately. Within in the first 15 minutes, we had five excellent opportunities with their keeper turning away two sure goals with superb saves on shots by Josh Brewer and Ryan Pierce. We also had three corners in that span, but could not find the net.

With the games scoreless with 10 minutes to play, Chris Sokolis was pulled down on a breakaway which surely was a penalty kick and a red card. Instead, no card and a free kick at the 19! (The referee wasn't going to make that call. He had to wake up in their neighborhood the next day!)

Four minutes later, another vicious foul just outside the box was ignored which resulted in us relaxing for the free kick and them countering with a breakaway. The whistle never blew and their forward dribbled 60 yards and finished for the game's only goal. It was absurd, but we were told to expect nothing less.

The guys were disappointed after such a great effort, but I know we gained some respect from the large crowd that turned out.

I am writing from the Rome airport as we begin our journey home. I can not begin to express my pride in how the team performed on and off the field. They represented themselves, their families, America and the Stevenson community in the highest manner. Everywhere we went, they were complimented for their kindness, politeness and how much they seemed to enjoy each other.

It was a fantastic trip, one they will remember for ever. I can't wait for the season to begin!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Victory in Italy! Thursday night the boys were on as we posted a 2-1 upset over Calcio Ceregnano, the first loss to an American side in their team's history!

We challenged the boys to come out attacking and they responded with an early goal by John Adamo off a beautiful feed from Ryan Pierce. Ryan Flannelly was in goal and Bradley Davis and Jeff Hohl were tenacious in the back as we held them scoreless in the first half.

The second half saw Pierce pulled down in the box and he calmly struck a pentalty kick for a 2-0 lead just three minutes in. The good news was we were up two, but the bad was we woke up the Italians!

The final half hour was wild as first Greg Coard, then Cory Spindler were excellent in goal as we held on for a 2-1 win.

Sean Scarselletta and Ryan Brost were outstanding, but it was truly a team effort. I know we shocked their side as well as the town who turned out, including the mayor!

We wrap up our play Saturday outside of Florence against a very strong Calcio San Gimignano. I am sure we won't catch them by surprise!

The trip has been fantastic, everyone enjoying the beautiful scenery and history of Italy.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

We played our first game versus U.S.D. Tagliolese last night. We lost 3-1 and were hampered by having only two subs. We outshot them 11-7, including 7-4 in the first half and were even with two corner kicks each. They scored with 42 seconds left in the first half before Matthew Liska tied it just five minutes into the second off an assist from Ryan Brost.

Ryan Pierce just missed a go-ahead goal five minutes later, then Liska was stopped 1v1 in the 60th minute by the keeper. They then scored two goals in 5-minute span in the 72nd and 77th minute to put us away. Third tally was an own goal.

Cory Spindler started in goal and was very strong in the first half, making two spectacular saves to keep it scoreless. Greg Coard gave up two second half goals and we got strong performances from Pierce, Sean Scarselletta, Jeff Hohl and John Adamo.

We had better run of play in first half, but couldn't score. Their goalkeeper stopped a 1v1 on Chris Sokolis and made a huge save on a shot from Adamo.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Welcome to Plev's Page, the home of head men's soccer coach John Plevyak. Check back here throughout the season for news, updates, information and other commentary about the Stevenson men's soccer team.

Click here to see the team's 2010 schedule.


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They had also heard we had won our previous game and were very determined from the start. We obviously played well with Jeff Hohl, Bradley Davis, Josh Brewer, and Ryan Flannelly all coming up big in the back as we shut them out in the first half. We didn't have many chances offensively, but with limited subs, we were being very conservative with our runs. The second half we decided to change tactics and go forward and it worked immediately. Within in the first 15 minutes, we had five excellent opportunities with their keeper turning away two sure goals with superb saves on shots by Josh Brewer and Ryan Pierce. We also had three corners in that span, but could not find the net. With the games scoreless with 10 minutes to play, Chris Sokolis was pulled down on a breakaway which surely was a penalty kick and a red card. Instead, no card and a free kick at the 19! (The referee wasn't going to make that call. He had to wake up in their neighborhood the next day!) Four minutes later, another vicious foul just outside the box was ignored which resulted in us relaxing for the free kick and them countering with a breakaway. The whistle never blew and their forward dribbled 60 yards and finished for the game's only goal. It was absurd, but we were told to expect nothing less. The guys were disappointed after such a great effort, but I know we gained some respect from the large crowd that turned out. I am writing from the Rome airport as we begin our journey home. I can not begin to express my pride in how the team performed on and off the field. They represented themselves, their families, America and the Stevenson community in the highest manner. Everywhere we went, they were complimented for their kindness, politeness and how much they seemed to enjoy each other. It was a fantastic trip, one they will remember for ever. I can't wait for the season to begin! Friday, August 6, 2010 Victory in Italy! Thursday night the boys were on as we posted a 2-1 upset over Calcio Ceregnano, the first loss to an American side in their team's history! We challenged the boys to come out attacking and they responded with an early goal by John Adamo off a beautiful feed from Ryan Pierce. Ryan Flannelly was in goal and Bradley Davis and Jeff Hohl were tenacious in the back as we held them scoreless in the first half. The second half saw Pierce pulled down in the box and he calmly struck a pentalty kick for a 2-0 lead just three minutes in. The good news was we were up two, but the bad was we woke up the Italians! The final half hour was wild as first Greg Coard, then Cory Spindler were excellent in goal as we held on for a 2-1 win. Sean Scarselletta and Ryan Brost were outstanding, but it was truly a team effort. I know we shocked their side as well as the town who turned out, including the mayor! We wrap up our play Saturday outside of Florence against a very strong Calcio San Gimignano. I am sure we won't catch them by surprise! The trip has been fantastic, everyone enjoying the beautiful scenery and history of Italy. Wednesday, August 4, 2010 We played our first game versus U.S.D. Tagliolese last night. We lost 3-1 and were hampered by having only two subs. We outshot them 11-7, including 7-4 in the first half and were even with two corner kicks each. They scored with 42 seconds left in the first half before Matthew Liska tied it just five minutes into the second off an assist from Ryan Brost. Ryan Pierce just missed a go-ahead goal five minutes later, then Liska was stopped 1v1 in the 60th minute by the keeper. They then scored two goals in 5-minute span in the 72nd and 77th minute to put us away. Third tally was an own goal. Cory Spindler started in goal and was very strong in the first half, making two spectacular saves to keep it scoreless. Greg Coard gave up two second half goals and we got strong performances from Pierce, Sean Scarselletta, Jeff Hohl and John Adamo. We had better run of play in first half, but couldn't score. Their goalkeeper stopped a 1v1 on Chris Sokolis and made a huge save on a shot from Adamo. Thursday, July 29, 2010 Welcome to Plev's Page, the home of head men's soccer coach John Plevyak. Check back here throughout the season for news, updates, information and other commentary about the Stevenson men's soccer team. Click here to see the team's 2010 schedule.