We knew Birmingham was going to be a very capable team, and they were. Since they are in transition from Division I, they have some very capable players. The game started off extremely fast, with Austin College dodging a couple bullets early. However about 5 minutes into the game we looked to settle in and were defending and attacking very well. In the 24th minute, Austin Newman would put us on the board first off a counter attack. Austin would receive the ball on the flank, get around his defender, and slot a near post ball past BSC's keeper. A great goal on Austin's part, and something we have been waiting to see all fall.
However just over a minute and a half later, BSC would level the score to make it 1-1. A tough goal to concede. Matt Dickinson, who played a great game in goal, saved a great first shot, however couldn't cover the rebound and BSC would put in the opportunity. The first half would be much of the same. BSC pushes forward in numbers and we would counter on them, and did so very well.
At the break we discussed some slight changes to what we were doing defensively and how we would attack them offensively.
The second half saw us on our heels much more than we needed, however we had trouble settling offensively and getting things under our control. We played tremendous team defense in the game tonight, and they really showed in the second half. The score would remain 1-1 at the end of regulation. We didn't make many adjustments defensively at the break, but rather talked about how we were going to attack.
The score remained 1-1 through the first OT and then less than a minute into the second OT, a foul in the box would have Matt facing his first PK on the season. A tough call...it may have been a foul(soft), but I have trouble with the official (again) determining the game. BSC would convert and we would lose our third OT game this fall. Tough.
The boys played how Bryan and I have been preaching and expecting all year. They never let in, matched them stride for stride, and converted when our opportunity came. Unfortunately, like it has all year, things fell to the other side. Regardless, I was proud of the boys.
We then travelled to Jackson, MS on Saturday for a Sunday game against Millsaps College. Millsaps is a well coached, resilient team that works hard for each other. No excuses...we didn't match that on Sunday and would drop the game, 1-3.
Consistency on the season has been our issue. Bringing what we are capable of one game, while bringing maybe 60% the next. That can't happen, especially with us getting into the meat of conference play. We have this coming weekend off, which will be good for us I believe. We then turn around and play the other Texas SCAC teams next weekend in Trinity and Southwestern.
