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NGCSU Men's Soccer: Saints consecrate new home field in style
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| Junior transfer Avram Allen scored the only goal in North Georgia's overtime win at Pfeiffer last week, then added two more in Saturday's upset victory over Lander. (Staff photo/STEPHEN FAIRBANKS) |
By Stephen Fairbanks
Imagine having to travel an hour, through Gainesville of all places, to play your home games.
That has been the challenge facing the soccer teams from North Georgia College & State University so far this fall.
With their field at the NGCSU Athletic Complex under reconstruction for draining and reseeding, the men and women have been hosting ‘home' games at Allen Creek Park soccer complex, clear on the east side of Interstate 985.
On Saturday, however, the Saints and returned to their real home, on a hot, sunny September afternoon, fresh off a 1-0 overtime road win at Pfeiffer on Wednesday.
Standing in the way of a second consecutive shutout was nationally ranked Lander University, a traditional Peach Belt Conference powerhouse currently holding the number seven ranking in NCAA Division II.
The Bearcats arrived in town toting a 5-0-1 record, and a 21-1 goal differential on the season.
Additionally, their goalkeeper, Garrett Daum, arrived with two consecutive Peach Belt Defensive Player of the Week awards, and five consecutive shutouts.
Ninety minutes against North Georgia put an end to all such nonsense.
The Saints used two timely goals from junior striker Avram Allen, one in each half of play, to send Lander packing with a 2-0 defeat.
North Georgia aligned itself in a defensive posture for most of the afternoon, forcing Lander to constantly look for very small holes in the offensive third of the field.
Though Lander controlled possession of the ball for the majority of the first half, they were unable to crack the Saints defense, and the game remained scoreless when Allen checked in off the bench at the 30-minute mark.
Less than five minutes after entering, taking part in a North Georgia counterattack, Allen was in the right place at the right time.
Teammate Bradley Rose took a crossing pass in the middle of the field, just outside the penalty box, and dribbled a step or two to his right before unleashing a booming shot on goal.
The ball knuckled away from the Bearcat keeper and ricocheted off the post, bouncing dangerously in front of the goal mouth, where a hustling Allen slammed home the rebound for a 1-0 lead.
Allen celebrated for the raucous home fans with a back handspring into a back flip, dedicating the first goal scored on the new field in a memorable fashion.
The goal clearly disturbed the visitors, who could be seen shouting at one another for the remainder of the half.
North Georgia head coach Pat Parris, who took over the program this spring and has been in rebuilding mode ever since, could be overheard keeping his troops fired up during the break.
To every exhortation and question that Parris asked his team at halftime, the players responded with a firm, “Yes sir!”
It was clear that the Saints knew they were in for a hard-fought, physical second half, and that is precisely what they got.
Lander increased its pressure up the field early in the second half, but the Saints, led by freshman sweeper Ben Chedgy, held their shape and repelled all comers.
One measure of how composed the defense was is the fact that goalkeeper Brandon Kirksey was not forced to make any spectacular saves.
Stifling is probably the best word to describe their tactics, which left every Bearcat striker suffocated by white jerseys every time a pass came into the offensive third of the field.
When Lander was able to muster up a shot, Kirksey was in perfect position to prevent damage. The Saints also won the vast majority of crossing balls in the air in the second half, a crucial factor in holding their lead.
With just under 15 minutes to go in the game, it was Kirksey who provided the catalyst for Allen's second goal on the afternoon.
After making a save on a crossing pass, he settled himself, shouting directions to his team, before directing a thundering punt well into Lander's end of the field.
A sprinting Allen awaited, and he outfought the sole Bearcat defender for the ball just as it rolled into Lander's penalty box, then tapped it past the goalie for his second goal of the afternoon.
The Saints' bench erupted, as did the fans assembled around the field, and everyone began to sense that an upset was imminent.
Lander's impatience and anger started come to a peak, as tempers flared in the game's final minutes.
Allen, who had clearly gotten under the skin of the Bearcat defensive unit, collided with their goalkeeper in the game's waning moments, and both were issued yellow cards after the exchange.
On the whole, however, North Georgia provided a clinic in how to frustrate an attacking opponent, keeping to its game plan with near-perfect execution.
It was very encouraging to see coach Paris' reaction as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
He turned to his bench players, who were visibly and rightfully elated, and said, “We haven't accomplished anything; we've just taken a couple of steps.”
The unified response, “Yes, sir!”
It was clear that they understood what he meant, and that the hard work the team has put in over the past couple of months is starting to bear fruit.
After starting the season with four losses in five games, the Saints have won four of their past five, all four coming on shutouts.
Chedgy, only a freshman, is starting to emerge as a vocal and physical leader on the field. Standing a lanky 6'5”, he looms large over the back line, and Parris can regularly be heard exhorting him to keep the team organized.
Up front, North Georgia's man of the hour lately has been Allen, who has scored the team's only goals in the past two victories.
All season long, different players have stepped up offensively for the Saints, and it appears that more are waiting in the wings.
Another good sign up front has been the aggressive play of freshman striker Brandon Byers, from nearby Chestatee High School.
Byers came into Saturday's contest and immediately made an impact, generating a couple of scoring threats with heady plays up front.
Just past the midpoint of the season, the Saints stand at 4-5-1 right now, with eight games left to play.
Two of those eight are in Dahlonega, Saturday contests on Oct. 13 against UNC Pembroke and Oct. 27 against Georgia Southwestern.
The Saints face arguably their toughest stretch of the season over the next three weeks, when they will play only four games, two of which are against top-flight Peach Belt opponents Clayton State and USC Aiken.
It's an uphill road from here, but it seems like the men's soccer team under coaches Paris and Alvarez is headed in the right direction.
That has been the challenge facing the soccer teams from North Georgia College & State University so far this fall.
With their field at the NGCSU Athletic Complex under reconstruction for draining and reseeding, the men and women have been hosting ‘home' games at Allen Creek Park soccer complex, clear on the east side of Interstate 985.
On Saturday, however, the Saints and returned to their real home, on a hot, sunny September afternoon, fresh off a 1-0 overtime road win at Pfeiffer on Wednesday.
Standing in the way of a second consecutive shutout was nationally ranked Lander University, a traditional Peach Belt Conference powerhouse currently holding the number seven ranking in NCAA Division II.
The Bearcats arrived in town toting a 5-0-1 record, and a 21-1 goal differential on the season.
Additionally, their goalkeeper, Garrett Daum, arrived with two consecutive Peach Belt Defensive Player of the Week awards, and five consecutive shutouts.
Ninety minutes against North Georgia put an end to all such nonsense.
The Saints used two timely goals from junior striker Avram Allen, one in each half of play, to send Lander packing with a 2-0 defeat.
North Georgia aligned itself in a defensive posture for most of the afternoon, forcing Lander to constantly look for very small holes in the offensive third of the field.
Though Lander controlled possession of the ball for the majority of the first half, they were unable to crack the Saints defense, and the game remained scoreless when Allen checked in off the bench at the 30-minute mark.
Less than five minutes after entering, taking part in a North Georgia counterattack, Allen was in the right place at the right time.
Teammate Bradley Rose took a crossing pass in the middle of the field, just outside the penalty box, and dribbled a step or two to his right before unleashing a booming shot on goal.
The ball knuckled away from the Bearcat keeper and ricocheted off the post, bouncing dangerously in front of the goal mouth, where a hustling Allen slammed home the rebound for a 1-0 lead.
Allen celebrated for the raucous home fans with a back handspring into a back flip, dedicating the first goal scored on the new field in a memorable fashion.
The goal clearly disturbed the visitors, who could be seen shouting at one another for the remainder of the half.
North Georgia head coach Pat Parris, who took over the program this spring and has been in rebuilding mode ever since, could be overheard keeping his troops fired up during the break.
To every exhortation and question that Parris asked his team at halftime, the players responded with a firm, “Yes sir!”
It was clear that the Saints knew they were in for a hard-fought, physical second half, and that is precisely what they got.
Lander increased its pressure up the field early in the second half, but the Saints, led by freshman sweeper Ben Chedgy, held their shape and repelled all comers.
One measure of how composed the defense was is the fact that goalkeeper Brandon Kirksey was not forced to make any spectacular saves.
Stifling is probably the best word to describe their tactics, which left every Bearcat striker suffocated by white jerseys every time a pass came into the offensive third of the field.
When Lander was able to muster up a shot, Kirksey was in perfect position to prevent damage. The Saints also won the vast majority of crossing balls in the air in the second half, a crucial factor in holding their lead.
With just under 15 minutes to go in the game, it was Kirksey who provided the catalyst for Allen's second goal on the afternoon.
After making a save on a crossing pass, he settled himself, shouting directions to his team, before directing a thundering punt well into Lander's end of the field.
A sprinting Allen awaited, and he outfought the sole Bearcat defender for the ball just as it rolled into Lander's penalty box, then tapped it past the goalie for his second goal of the afternoon.
The Saints' bench erupted, as did the fans assembled around the field, and everyone began to sense that an upset was imminent.
Lander's impatience and anger started come to a peak, as tempers flared in the game's final minutes.
Allen, who had clearly gotten under the skin of the Bearcat defensive unit, collided with their goalkeeper in the game's waning moments, and both were issued yellow cards after the exchange.
On the whole, however, North Georgia provided a clinic in how to frustrate an attacking opponent, keeping to its game plan with near-perfect execution.
It was very encouraging to see coach Paris' reaction as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
He turned to his bench players, who were visibly and rightfully elated, and said, “We haven't accomplished anything; we've just taken a couple of steps.”
The unified response, “Yes, sir!”
It was clear that they understood what he meant, and that the hard work the team has put in over the past couple of months is starting to bear fruit.
After starting the season with four losses in five games, the Saints have won four of their past five, all four coming on shutouts.
Chedgy, only a freshman, is starting to emerge as a vocal and physical leader on the field. Standing a lanky 6'5”, he looms large over the back line, and Parris can regularly be heard exhorting him to keep the team organized.
Up front, North Georgia's man of the hour lately has been Allen, who has scored the team's only goals in the past two victories.
All season long, different players have stepped up offensively for the Saints, and it appears that more are waiting in the wings.
Another good sign up front has been the aggressive play of freshman striker Brandon Byers, from nearby Chestatee High School.
Byers came into Saturday's contest and immediately made an impact, generating a couple of scoring threats with heady plays up front.
Just past the midpoint of the season, the Saints stand at 4-5-1 right now, with eight games left to play.
Two of those eight are in Dahlonega, Saturday contests on Oct. 13 against UNC Pembroke and Oct. 27 against Georgia Southwestern.
The Saints face arguably their toughest stretch of the season over the next three weeks, when they will play only four games, two of which are against top-flight Peach Belt opponents Clayton State and USC Aiken.
It's an uphill road from here, but it seems like the men's soccer team under coaches Paris and Alvarez is headed in the right direction.
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For example, if Mr. Fill-in-the-Blank says something you don't agree with, don't tell the world that Mr. Fill-in-the-Blank is a no good dirty scoundrel who cuts off people in traffic and has owed you $20 since 1997. The Nugget asks you to please just stick to the issues at hand. That way we'll keep the debate lively, without getting personal. And remember, above all else, keep it civil and directed at the topic that's being discussed. We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
