Event Recap: The Ravens travelled to IAC rival Park School and came away with a very satisfying 3-0 win. The victory is the first against Park in over 3 years, and levels Gow's record at 1-1 for the season.
The Ravens established a fair amount of possession in the first half, but struggled to find an effective attack. The forwards were repeatedly caught offside, and the midfielders elected to try and slog through a congested middle of the field rather than exploit the acres of space on the wings. Ibby K. came close on three occasions. Substitute Rush P. nearly opened the scoring 25 minutes in when he knocked a loose ball beyond the Park keeper at the top of the 18-yard box. Somehow, Park's goalie recovered and denied Rush a certain goal.
The breakthrough came moments later after some impressive play on the left wing. Bjorn T. sent Peter O. out wide, and though Peter was dispossessed, Robert T. gathered the loose ball. He dribbled through three defenders in close, and finished nicely to the far right side of the goal.
The Ravens established a 2-0 lead early in the second half on what may become a trademark move. The midfield controlled the ball well at center, and Bjorn spotted the run of Ibby and chipped a perfect ball over the aggressive Park defense. Ibby dribbled right at the keeper who remained frozen on his line, and Ibby slotted coolly into the lower right corner of the goal. Park seemed deflated by the goal, and conceded again 15 minutes from time. Ibby sent a nicely lofted free kick from the left flank into the 18 yard box which was met by center full back Connor S. Though his header lacked power, it was well placed into the far right corner of the goal.
The Ravens continued to press for the remainder of the game. The defense played well, and though keeper Greg K. was not tested often, he did what he needed to in order to earn his first clean sheet of the season. |