Spring 2009 Recap: "We're like a controlled burn"

This is going to be a longer one, so bear with me (and keep reading).

FC Truman played four matches and had one scrimmage during the spring semester.  First up was the scrimmage against the Truman State varsity team that served as a tough tune-up before the spring tournament at Kansas State.  FC Truman fell 1-0 to the varsity team on a second half goal.

Next up was the Ed Chartrand Memorial Soccer Tournament at Kansas State University.  This was the second year we have competed.  The first year was a great experience, but this time around we were out to do one better and make the finals, as well as provide the departing players with one last chance at bringing home some hardware. For the 2009 edition, we were placed in a group with Pittsburg State (KS), McPherson College (KS), and Kansas State Alumni.  Initially, our hopes were high--this seemed like a manageable group compared to last year when we faced the likes of K-State and Nebraska in group play. However, we soon learned that we were going to face all three opponents in the same day. A tough pill to swallow for a marginally fit (to put it kindly) group of dudes, but, well, I'll let the results speak for themselves:

Game 1: Truman 1, Pitt State 0 (1-0-0 in group play)

Truman goal scored by Brandon Lamar (assisted by Adam Hoskins); cleansheet recorded by Martin Di Stefano.

It was an early one, and apparently Pitt State thought so too, as 4 or 5 of their players made a 20th minute appearance...to the complex.  We played well from the start, having the majority of the possession.  The game's loan breakthrough came from a late first half goal by Brandon Lamar, who one-timed home an Adam Hoskins cross into an open net.  We held on in the second half, controlling the tempo but failing to punch in a second (or third or fourth, as it seemed it could have been).

Game 2: Truman 1, McPherson College 1 (1-0-1 in group play)

Truman goal scored by Kyle Hood.

Our second game pitted us against an actual varsity team (apparently minus their departing seniors) in McPherson.  McPherson broke through first in the second half with well-orchestrated set piece that left us puzzled; without going into too much detail, let's just say it was controversial.  Fortunately, Kyle Hood banged home a loose ball in the waning moments to help us escape with a draw.

Game 3: Truman 2, K-State Alumni 0 (2-0-1 in group play)

Truman goals scored by Curt Ooton (2)  assisted by Collin Koenig (2); cleansheet recorded by Martin Di Stefano

The crowning achievement of our spring season, for what it's worth.  This game took place in Memorial Stadium in Manhattan, an FieldTurf field with plenty of room to get out and run wide. And, though it was our third match of the day, we took advantage.  We knew we had more legs than our competition and we took the game to them from early on in the match.  Curt Ooton scored his first Club team goal in the first half and then added a late second half clincher for the brace. This was a complete team effort and really validated our long day in the Kansas sun.  This win also clinched the group, earning us a favorable seed in the semifinals.

Game 4, Semifinal: Kansas State 3, Truman 0 (2-1-1 for the tournament)

A repeat semifinal exit was in the cards for us on Sunday morning.  After playing valiantly for three matches on Saturday, we unfortunately drew rivals Kansas State in the semis.  In addition to being fatigued from Saturday's games, our already thin squad was hit with two critical injuries to defenders Mike Holly and Bob Kearbey.  With only a few subs available, we wore down quickly in the cold, whipping wind as K-State had the lion's (wildcat's?) share of possession and created far more chances than we could defend (or muster ourselves). Interestingly, K-State went on to lose to McPherson 2-1 in the final.

We had plenty of fun while in Manhattan.  Highlights included Saturday night dinner at HuHot, meeting a man at our Super 8 hotel who had his reception there (at the Super 8) on Saturday night (we were invited, but declined to attend), and exploring the Aggieville district.  Congrats to the Women's Club team who got second place after losing 1-0 to Kansas in the final!

UP NEXT-----> Player Spotlight: Curt Ooton