NM State Aggies vs Seattle U Redhawks Soccer 9-18-22 Part 2

Lightning Delay

Continued from Part 1.

 

And then it finally happened.  I thought I heard a low rumble, but not really.  Maybe it was wishful thinking that I hadn’t.  The players cleared the field.  The PA announced a lightning delay and for the fans to clear the stands.  “No!” shouted one of the other fans, not me.  He blamed some out-of-towners for this development. 

 

Unlike the Football game, the weather was right overhead and there was an obvious downpour going on at nearby “A” Mountain.  When I turned around, I realized the weather actually looked worse in the other direction.  Ron came back confirmed there was thunder going on.  It was easier to hear away from the stands.  The Soccer stands were easily evacuated, until the Football stadium.  I did notice Duke Keith, who was calling the game, was still on top of the Softball pressbox, the highest point in the immediate area, but he was getting ready to leave.

 

As we went out to Ron’s car, we heard something going on at the Baseball Field.  A PA was calling something.  We never figured out what, but it sounded like they were having fun, probably involving children.  In the car, Ron checked Twitter updates for when we could go back.  I looked at the clock and flipped on the radio.  The Chihuahuas were still playing their noon game.  When we came in, it was tied 3-3 in the eighth.  There was a pretty exciting finish, as it went to the tenth, with the pups winning on a walk off hit, 6-5.  

 

It ended up being an hour-and-a-half delay.  People started going back in as it cleared off a bit overhead, though it was still raining hard down in the valley.  The Concessions were closed, the merchandise tent was gone, and the rock wall was being towed off.  We had just retaken our seats when it thundered again.

 

Back under another delay, we were both hungry and I made the poor suggestion of going to the closest nearby restaurant, Panda Express, which was on campus.  I wanted something different anyway.  What I ordered, turned out to be kind of an expensive snack.  Ron ordered a more sensible full meal.  It was pretty good, but just somewhat better than the ramen noodle I made for myself yesterday.  Also, their soda fountain was down, they ran out of sweet tea, the bathroom was locked, and out-of-order anyway.  We walked by the next door bookstore, but it was closed on Sundays, also it started raining. 

 

We came back to the field.  For some reason, the Football stadium lights were on.  The Soccer field lights were not, which was a bad sign, because it had gotten dark from the heavy black clouds overhead.  Soon though, Seattle U came out onto the field, the lights came on, and then the Aggies took the field.

 

We went back into the stadium complex.  Unfortunately right after that, before we even got to the stands, there was another roll of thunder and it was over.  The girls left the field, and an attendant came out to a small knot of fans and told us that the game was suspended until tomorrow morning at 11:00. 

 

I was just shocked.  They finished Friday’s game tied without an OT period.  Now this game that had gone over halfway, they’re demanding this one be finished.  I can’t believe Seattle U hadn’t made flight plans to leave that evening.  Even if they had planned to stay overnight, surely their flight was in the morning.  I had expected the game to hit a travel curfew today at some point. 

 

I was still hungry.  We went over to Caliches in the rain, which picked up after we left the stadium.  I didn’t have my rain jacket, so I was kind of glad they weren’t playing.  The girls may have been, too.  Ron, who checks a few different weather forecasts every day, couldn’t believe it was raining.  The forecast was still saying, “Sunny,” while it was raining.  (Which was why I didn’t bring my jacket.)  We listened to the Cowboys/Bengals game on the radio.  Ron was surprised they were on FM.  The Boys did win on a last second field goal, so I was kind of happy.  Ron didn’t care.  See you tomorrow.

 

Second Half Continued

There was no telling how the girls on either team were going to come back to this game.  Coach Baarts said the Aggies’ game relied on superior conditioning and running opponents into the ground in the second half.  That wasn’t going to happen today.  How many suspended games have any of the players ever played?  Don’t they have classes?  The referees were back.  Don’t they have day jobs?  There’s a lot of questions about this to play out less than a half of soccer, especially when the conference is fine with games finishing in a tie with no overtime.

 

Regardless, me and Ron were back there Monday morning.  There were just two other fans there.  I think they were grandparents of one of the SU players.  The other SU fans were gone, along with the families of the Aggie players.  Ultimately, there was a small crowd for the game.  It was an odd mish-mash of ourselves, super-fan Tom, a ROTC cadet, some Football players, and a few other students and fans.

 

There was a nice autograph card (pictured at the top) at the courtesy table.  It was supposed to be Autograph Day yesterday.  It wasn’t going to happen today.  I hope it happens at some point this season.  I really want to compliment Xitlaly Hernandez on her tough play and for having the best hair on the team.  

 

It was miserably hot and humid.  Some players were waving a bugs bothering them.  There were clouds, but thankfully not rain clouds.  They did provide some occasional shade.  The Aggie girls screamed at each other on field to get hyped for the match.  The game restarted with a couple minutes off the clock in the second half.  The ref dropped the ball in front of an Aggie player, who tapped it to a Redhawk player, who then casually kicked it out-of-bounds.  That was a very strange ritual.  They seemed to be following some sort of rule. 

 

The girls were working up their own chatter today, lacking much of a crowd.  You could hear the coaches clearly across the field.  35’ left in the half, Mya Hammack (second best hair on the team) made a great solo defensive effort in the Aggie box, even with her shirt grabbed.  SU dominated early play.  Ron muttered, “They’re gonna score.  Just a matter of time.”

 

34’ Aggie Gia Valenti running downfield by herself on the wing took a shot from way out.  The ball sailed across the goal and over SU goalie, Jessica Berlin (even with her height) and right into the net.  Goooooal!  That deserved a shout.  That came out of nowhere.  Stick it, Ron!  Loma McNeese got the assist on the goal.

 

30’ the Aggies continued to press.  The Redhawks nearly got own-goaled on a defensive header.  26’ SU took a shot that went wide.  22’ Emily Bunnell, the SU kneeler, made a hard tackle on Xitlaly that resulted in a free kick outside the SU box.  (I think there was bad blood between them from yesterday.)  Landy Williams took a header shot that went wide. 

 

21’ the players took a Hydration Break.  There were girls running uphill sprints on top of the Football stadium berm.  That had to be a workout.  19’ back to the action and an SU attack, Landy body blocked a shot.  18’ back down field, Tania Tapia took a shot that went high and wide.  17’ after a hard tackle way outside the Aggie box, SU took a free kick that went right to Aggie goalie, Makenna Gottschalk, for a catch. 

 

11’ here we go.  SU got another free kick by the Aggie box.  The kick apparently hit the ref.  I didn’t see it happen, but everyone else did.  I looked up the rule later and it was considered a dead ball.  The ball should be dropped at the spot for the attacking team with a buffer around them.  However, there was some controversy about the play on field.  The clock stopped for a discussion.  Coach Baarts was furious, as were the fans present.  Was the ball kicked intentionally at the ref to give SU a better shot?  There was something else going on that was caused the discussion, but I don’t know what.   

 

The drop took place closer to the Aggie box and more centered.  In the scrum that followed the kick, Kaylee Coatney kicked it in for the Redhawks.  We’re tied at 1.  The SU reserves went crazy.  It was really confusing in the box.  Ron saw Makenna fall down and the ball got dropped.  I never got a replay of it, even from the Redhawks’ Twitter.  Makenna gave the referee an earful as the ball was walked back to midfield.  The fans kept jeering along with the coaches.     

         

8’ SU made another attack.  Makenna caught a long shot.  The girls on field were playing more frantically and screaming at their teammates.  The coach was going ballistic shouting orders.  6’ there was a hard collision on an Aggie attack and an SU player went down.  The girls were also getting more physical.  2’ Jena Johannes received a Yellow Card for pushing down a Redhawk player rushing to the Aggie box.  SU got a free kick and then a corner, which was the final play.  A day later, it’s still a draw, but the final was 1-1.

 

The teams did shake hands with each other and the refs.  The Aggies spent a long time in a huddle before they finally came out to give the small crowd a disappointed, unenthusiastic wave.  They seemed so dispirited, I wanted to give them a hug.  I take nothing away from Seattle U.  They did kick in the tying shot and the Aggies weren’t able to stop it.  I think the ref made the right call by the book, but there was something else going on.  The coach (who certainly knows the rules well), the players, and the fans were mad about something.  

 

The player of the game was the Ref.  The north goal also gets the nod with brilliant crossbar and post saves for the Aggies in the first half.  Just kidding.  It’s, of course, Gia Valenti, for what should have been the game winner.  The teams were 12-12 in shots with SU up 4-3 in SOG.  They were well matched.  It just leaves a bad taste that a questionable call by the ref may have decided the game.  I’m sure it’s even worse for the players.  It’s also questionable why the remainder of this game was forced to be played. 

 

SU piled into rental cars right after the game.  While I was in the bathroom, announcer, Duke Keith rushed by.  Duke and Ron shared a wave, but he had no time to talk.  I’m sure he didn’t appreciate having to come back for this game. 

 

Afterward, Ron and I almost went to Subway for a lousy meal, but I impulsively changed it to Jimmie Johns.  Ron didn’t mind driving a bit further.  Though it was noon, they weren’t busy.  Our sandwiches were very fresh and delicious.  I’m not going to lie, it did make everything a bit better.  We should have invited some of the girls with us and gotten autographs, of course. 

NM State Aggies vs Seattle U Redhawks Soccer 9-18-22 Part 1

We had our second day game of the Aggie Soccer season.  The first was an exhibition, and it was kind of unpleasant.  This was worse, much worse, we’ll get to it.  I can see why they’re scheduling night games as much as possible.  When Ron and I arrived Sunday at noon, there was a Softball game already in progress.  It was a High School camp (the girls were all in different uniforms) with members of the Aggie Softball team coaching.  However, it was winding up.  They won’t run Softball and Soccer at the same time, due to the proximity of their facilities.

 

It was Youth Soccer Day at the stadium and there were a bunch of little kids.  The Army National Guard had set up a rock-climbing wall.  There were giveaways, too.  Ron picked up a little fan.  (I’d gotten one last year.  It sort of worked.)  We both picked up earbuds.  Cool.  It was also supposed to be Autograph Day with the team, which I was looking forward to.  Sigh.  (Foreshadowing.)  I had to content myself with these casual pictures of the girls from the team Twitter.  (Sorry if I misidentified anybody.  You guys were out of uniform.)   

Here we have Loma McNeese and, I think, Bella Garcia

Here's Makenna Gottschalk, Megan Sheehan (Ron's favorite), and Landy Williams

And there's Mya Hammack

We got there way early and sat around in the heat too long waiting.  There were dark clouds to the east, but they seemed small and looked like they wouldn’t build up until later.  In any case, they weren’t blocking the sun.  The good news about all the rain we’ve had this summer is that the soccer field grass and the berm on the football stadium looked really good.  By the way, Men’s Basketball Coach, Greg Heiar, tweeted that he was watching Friday’s game.  I’m not sure if he was there or watching video, but it was a nice show of support.

 

A decent crowd came out for an NFL Sunday.  For the introductions, wow, the Seattle U Redhawks’ goalie, Jessica Berlin, was tall.  She towered over the refs at 5’11”.  There was a Moment of Silence for a deceased local high school football player, Abe Romero.  The media was sort of blaming a hit he took during a game, however he collapsed on field 20 minutes after it happened.  For the Anthem, White, blonde Emily Bunnell on SU took a knee.  Mya Hammack led the Aggies in a pregame cheer and danced in the huddle. 

 

    

First Half

It was a rough game right from the start.  42’ left in the half, Xitlaly Hernandez was kneed in the gut for a foul.  41’ after some good passing, Sydnee Johnson took a shot that was caught.  37’ on the other end, Xitlaly and Sydnee blocked shots.  35’ Aggie goalie, Makenna Gottschalk caught a long free kick.  She was really vocal in this game, urging the team to talk to one another. 

 

32’ the Aggies broke up a corner kick.  Makenna caught another shot.  31’ Loma McNeese was pushed down and another foul was called.  The crowd approved of the refereeing to this point (ominous foreshadowing).  By this point, a drum started up on the south bleachers, along with a long horn, which sounded a little sickly.  30’ Bianca Chacon took an outside shot.  Berlin (I gotta use that cool name here) made a flying dive stop.  Right after on a corner, Xitlaly took a header shot that went just high. 

 

There were some SU fans here cheering, which unfortunately included a loud, obnoxious dad.  25’ SU had a corner kick.  Makenna blocked a point blank header shot and fell on the ball.  A follow up outside shot hit the crossbar.  Tania Tapia received a Yellow Card for pushing Emily into the turf.  This led to a free kick that hit the Aggie goal post.  Whew!

 

23’ there was more good Aggie passing and a shot into traffic that was kicked out.  There was Hydration Break right after.  It was pretty hot and muggy.  19’ the Aggies were still on the attack.  Bianca took a shot that went just high.  A cloud passed in front of the sun and provided some shady relief (the foreshadowing is flashing in bright red letters). 

 

14’ defender Landy Williams made a nice block in the Aggie box.  11’ more good passing and Tania took a shot that was kicked out.  She also had some great dribbling into the corner and took another shot.  Bella Garcia unsurprisingly ended up on the ground after a rough encounter with Berlin in the SU box.  Bella came out, but was subbed back in a couple of minutes later, and she then pushed Emily down.  Nil-nil at the half.  Some of the youth soccer kids walked by to gather for a parade.  The large black guy that’s with Thalia Chaverria’s family gave them a fist bump as they went by.   

 

Halftime

Let’s check some out-of-town scores.  The Aggie Football team was defeated by Wisconsin on the road, 66-7, in front of 73k fans.  At least they scored and earned $1.5M for Aggie Sports.  Listening to AD Mario Moccia on the pregame, I didn’t realize there was controversy about last week’s loss to UTEP.  He questioned some calls by the officials and that some time wasn’t put back on the clock late in the game.  It must have been pretty bad for Mario to risk an NCAA reprimand by saying something.     

 

Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Aggie Volleyball, after a couple of tough losses, won 3-1 over UW-Milwaukee.  Katie Birtcil, Mari Sharp, and Molly Johnson all had double digit kills.  Katie also had 19 digs.  And there were other good performances.

   

Both Soccer teams stayed on field for the break.  Coach Baarts demonstrated for the team how to elbow and push someone while going for a header.  (I’m not kidding.)  A parade of kids teams were introduced and ran by the foot of the stands.  After the parade, an adorable itty, bitty little girl danced to the PA music.  Ron wandered off and went over to the rock wall.  Meanwhile, ominous clouds were now rolling in overhead.

 

Second Half

The Aggies were up 2 to 1 in shots on goal, but there obviously weren’t many chances for either team.  The Aggies had an early one with a corner with 42’ left in the half.  Jessica used her height in the SU goal to reach over everyone to snatch it.  Emily went down again, this time at midfield.  Play continued for a while before it was stopped to attend to her.  

 

What an odd place to stop this commentary.

 

Continued in Part 2.

Boxing Report: Canelo vs GGG III

 

Here I am again doing my required yearly boxing report.  The things I do to maintain my press pass.  (I’m just kidding.)  Say it all together, “You’re not a real sports writer unless you cover boxing.”

 

This is the third match between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin.  I covered their first match, which controversially ended in a draw.  I did agree with that decision at the time, but even more controversially, I called Canelo, “fat.”  I briefly covered another GGG fight without Canelo.  I covered the second fight in a cursory manner.  I had Canelo losing that one (and so did the Mexican commentators), but he was given the win.  I covered a Canelo fight last year on Cinco de Mayo, but didn’t cover his last fight (Cinco de Mayo this year), where he had gone vegan and gotten beat.  He’d tested positive for steroids and blamed something in the meat for it, prompting the dietary change.  Canelo is now back to eating meat.

 

(See, I do cover some boxing.)

 

Tonight’s fight was at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  My co-worker, Mike, had taken Friday off and his Canelo-loving girlfriend had told him to pack a bag.  I thought I saw her at the fight as one of the hot ring girls.  So that’s how she got a free ticket.  Other celebrity-sightings at ringside included Michael B. Jordan and Joe Rogan.

There were three Anthems.  The Kazakhstan Anthem was lip-synched by an Asia-looking pop star from there wearing an ornate robe.  But was he actually singing those falsetto notes at the end?  The Mexican Anthem was by a very pretty young woman.  Right before singing, she had this look of genuine trepidation.  Mike says that anthem has defeated many singers, who were subsequently flayed for butchering it.  She did fine.  The American Anthem was performed magnificently by a baritone.  I thought it was one of those hockey Anthem singers, but it was a large black guy that I hadn’t seen before.  (There’s Mike’s GF in the background.  Doesn’t she look sweet?)

 

The video that played for GGG’s walkout seemed to be accusing Canelo of cheating.  The TV Azteca feed I was watching didn’t show some stuff very well.  He did not seem to be getting booed coming out.  He had fans there.  Canelo’s video had him saying the F word, but I couldn’t read all of the sentence.  He came out as the easy crowd favorite (duh).  Alejandro Fernandez sang him out with a mariachi band. 

 

A dude with weird braided hair bound up did the announcing.  GGG again got a mixed response.  Canelo got a roar.  From the intro, I learned that GGG has never been knocked down, much less out, in a fight.  So much for hoping for a knockout.  The betting line on the match favored Canelo.  The numbers would be updated, along with the prop bets (don’t take the knockout one), during the fight.

 

This is not any sort of official scoring (unlike my flawless baseball scorecards).  This is just what I saw as the fight was happening along with my non-professional opinion on who won the round.  Also keep in mind, the commentary was in Spanish, so I wasn’t getting any expert commentary to help me.

 

Round 1: Canelo took a wild swing right off the bat.  He was making power punches, while GGG was probing.  I gave the round to G for having a couple more connecting shots.  The TV call gave it to Canelo.

 

Round 2: There was a Rings of Power commercial featuring Canelo during the break.  That was a poor choice of partnership, man.  Tentative probing exchanges continued.  Canelo took another big swing.  The crowd was murmuring or low chanting.  Canelo landed a good combo.  G looked a little messed up.  G had some anger and Canelo backed up from a pair of big swings.  I had Canelo winning the round.  The Mexican TV crew had G.  Another expert’s scoring had Canelo.      

 

Round 3: There was some more hard swinging.  The pair had their first wrap up.  G went into the ropes briefly.  Canelo landed another combo.  G reeled backward.  G took a big, empty swing.  Canelo definitely. 

 

Round 4: G seemed to be cringing a bit from Canelo’s hits.  The crowd was chanting.  Canelo was landing more combos.  He landed a couple of hard ones.  Canelo.

 

Round 5: G was only making jabs.  Canelo was driving G around the ring.  They had their second wrap up.  G staggered momentarily.  Was this it?  Was this the moment?  No!  G was still standing.  Canelo connected with right and the crowd roared.  Canelo.

 

Round 6: Canelo was swinging with a big left at G’s head.  He was also getting in a lot of ab shots.  G was connecting more.  He was more aggressive, but not doing much damage.  It seemed like the crowd was booing.  Canelo.

 

Round 7: G came out fighting with more desperation.  They had their third wrap up.  They were mixing it up, but the crowd was sounding a bit unruly.  Canelo got in a shot to G’s head and grazed him with a big uppercut.  G got in close with an attack, but Canelo unloaded and forced a retreat.  Canelo.

 

Round 8: They started with a wrap.  Canelo was brawling more.  He grazed G with another big uppercut.  G was still firing punches and moving well.  Canelo was getting in headshots with his left.  G momentarily put Canelo into the ropes and into a defensive shell.  But Canelo roared back, hammering.  The crowd got back into it.  Canelo.

 

Round 9: G came out much more aggressive.  They wrapped again and leaned into each other.  Canelo got in another uppercut.  After another exchange, the ref stepped in and gave G a warning.  I think it was a hit to the back of the head.  If there was a turning point in this match, this was probably it. 

 

Canelo staggered a bit from G’s next assault.  The crowd’s will seemed to be propping Canelo up at this point.  G put him into the ropes with the crowd roaring.  Canelo started fighting back, but G got in another shot to the face.  GGG took that round.

 

Round 10: Canelo was more aggressive.  They wrap again.  Canelo was now looking a bit rough.  G took a wild swing.  There was a flurry of blows and then a series of wrap ups.  They were clearly exhausted.  I had Canelo, maybe.  The TV had GGG.

 

Round 11: Both fighters were unloading at the start.  Canelo got in a couple of shots to G’s face.  Wrap.  The crowd was chanting for Canelo.  Wrap.  Canelo became more defensive.  G made some quick strikes to his head.  Canelo’s right eye looked like it was swelling a bit.  Wrap.  G shouldered Canelo hard in an embrace.  Canelo got in a few more shots before the bell.  Canelo.

 

Round 12: The crowd was standing and roaring.  The fighters wrapped up, but were still trying to fight.  They took big swings and then collapsed on one another, entangled and still struggling.  They might have gone to the mat and wrestled if allowed. 

 

They were both exhausted and leaning on each other, as the crowd urged them on.  They were only good for a couple of punches before faltering.  They gave everything they had, but neither would fall.  Canelo and G hugged after the final bell.  I sensed they had some new respect for one another.

 

GGG was smiling afterward.  He had a big payday coming and all he had to do was go 12 with Canelo.  How hard could that be?  (Obviously, you didn’t really read anything written above this paragraph.)  For his part, Canelo was looking very serious in his corner.  It was an unsurprising unanimous decision for Canelo.  Given his performance for 2/3 of the fight, Canelo was going to win as long as he was still on his feet at the end.  GGG made that a close proposition in the final rounds.  Canelo put on a crown to go with two belts, along with a powder blue and white letterman’s jacket with some weird patches.

 

Canelo eventually made his way to the TV Azteca commentators.  Without catching most of the words, they were asking about his injured left hand.  I called Mike at this point.  Yeah, Canelo had hurt his hand a couple of fights ago, and he was going to have surgery on it right away.  Wow, how well would he have fought with two good hands?  Mike was happy he wouldn’t have to go to any more fights this year.  Apparently, him and his girlfriend didn’t go to the fight.  She’s gotten little sick before they could leave.  Oh, I was so enjoying the idea of her being a ring girl.  

NM State Aggies vs Utah Valley Wolverines Soccer 9-16-22

Another Friday off from work to go watch Aggie Sports.  I could get too used to these short work weeks, right up until I get back to work and get hammered with the backlog.  I convinced Ron to pick our dinner destination before the game.  We went to El Jacalito, but not for Mexican food, burgers.  We’d been there before and this time I got to try their intriguing Mac & Cheese Burger.  It was impressive-looking, though it wasn’t the life-changing experience I had hoped for.  I think I’ll just stick with cheese.

 

Ron had a Green Chile Burger.  He enjoyed it, but that and the Green Chile salsa dip burned him inside out to the point of tears.  In a breach of protocol, I suggested going for ice cream before the game to help put out the fire.  This resulted in a trip to Sonic for Blasts.  Ron said he didn’t need it, but after the game, he admitted felt fine and not indigested anymore. 

 

Tonight, the Aggies would be facing one of the better teams in the WAC, Utah Valley, in their first conference game.  They have one loss on the season at #18 Alabama.  The next week, the Wolverines went out and decisively beat #13 BYU, 4-2.  Historically, I’d heard on the Aggie Coaches Show and chatter in the crowd that the Aggies have never beaten UVU (but they have tied them).  It was a bit intimidating.

 

It was Mexican Independence Day today.  At the tailgate in the Soccer Complex, the tent had a couple of Mexican flags on display.  Also tonight was the annual Cruces/Mayfield High School Football game.  It was the big rivalry game in town.  They used to play it at Aggie Memorial Stadium, but now they’re not in the same classification and it’s not a competitive game.  (This is why the people of Las Cruces want/need Aggie Football to have a resurgence.) 

 

It was another beautiful night.  We’ve gotten a lot of rain here this summer, so it’s been amazing getting this much good weather for games this season.  A good crowd came out (over 400), even with the party and football competition.  (Against tomorrow night’s Canelo fight, maybe it wouldn’t have done as well.)  There were parents and relatives of a couple of players.  They were wearing t-shirts with their last name on the back.  Super-Fan Tom was there.  He was dressed up a bit tonight in a business shirt and khakis.  I saw Duke Keith come in just before the game to call it.  We shared a smile, but I didn’t recognize him soon enough to say his name and wave.

 

The PA nearly said right before the match, “Who’s ready for some Aggie Vol . . . Soccer!  She momentarily forgot where she was.  On that note, Aggie Volleyball was out-of-town in Los Angeles for a tournament.  They’d lost to host USC in three sets yesterday.  Katie Birtcil did still get 12 kills.  Today, they got wiped by San Jose State and there was nothing good to take away from that match. 

 

First Half

At the start, the drum began beating on one of the side bleachers.  There was an occasional long horn blare.  Some attractive athletic women came in from the Swim & Dive team.  I think that was the only other Aggie team representation.  About four minutes in, the field lights came on.  That probably should have been done before the match, but it was still light out. 

 

UVU started off with a couple of shots.  38’ left in the half, Mya Hammack had the first Aggie chance with a solo breakaway that was blocked.  This led directly to a couple of other attempts.  Bianca Chacon had another chance after that fusillade, but an immediate counter forced goalie Makenna Gottschalk to come out from the net and make a stop.  Coach Baarts nearly ran on to the field to help on defense as he watched the play develop.  He had to settle for screaming.

 

UVU took another shot that went over the goal.  33’ in the Wolverine box, Bianca made a kick that threaded the traffic in front of her to force a save by their goalie, Idalia Serrano.  32’ Makenna caught a long shot.  27’ Idalia fell on a shot, but the ball got loose in the box right after.  Unfortunately, there were no Aggies nearby to capitalize on it.  25’ a foul on Xitlaly Hernandez gave the Wolverines a free kick outside the Aggie box.  The kick went into the net in front of the scoreboard.

 

24’ there was another loose ball in the UVU box on a back pass.  Those things are so dangerous.  Again, there wasn’t any Aggie pressure to make an attack on the fumble.  22’ Hannah Draper was in front of the Wolverine goal with a single defender.  Her shot was blocked out.  16’ Hannah Lee with UVU had a clear shot from outside of the box, but it was caught.  This was followed up with another shot that went wide.

 

14’ there was an Aggie defensive breakdown as the Wolverines took a shot in the box.  Makenna had to make a dive stop.  Right after, she had to deflect the shot with an outstretched hand.  The crowd was getting vocal with the players and angry at the refs.  11’ after another shot that went over the goal, the Aggies sent in a bunch of subs.  9’ some good passing exposed an open shot for the Wolverines.  Heather Stainbrook cashed in for a 1-0 UVU lead.  Ron called it a couple of minutes before saying they were getting too many chances.

 

6’ an errant shot took out an unsuspecting fan on the hill behind the Aggie goal.  You gotta watch when you’re at these games.  3’ Mya Gonzales fired a shot through a crowd in a UVU box.  Idalia had to fall on the ball.  In the waning moments, UVU took a wide shot.  Right after, a Wolverine player was tripped in the box, or fell dramatically after being touched.  The ref decided it was the later and there was no call. 

 

Halftime

Aggie ace defender Landy Williams took a few moments to replace a divot on field before leaving.  Thanks for the thoughtful grounds keeping.  Both teams left the field for the clubhouse.  The Wolverines had dominated possession, but surprisingly both teams had the same shots on goal, three. 

 

For Mexican Independence Day, the NM State Mariachi Band performed.  There were six members on various instruments, but they weren’t in traditional costume.  The lead singer was reading lyrics off his phone, but did a fine job, as did the rest of the group for a couple of songs.  I took a quick trip to the bathroom after the performance and caught the last of a brilliant sunset in the west. 

 

Second Half

The Aggies were late coming back to the sidelines.  They then huddled for a long time before taking the field.  I mentioned the relatives earlier.  The tenor of the game changed in the Second Half in the crowd as they became more vocal in offering lots of advice to the players and helpful criticism to the officials.  I hadn’t heard this kind of fan participation at soccer for a while and had NOT missed it.  I’ll only praise a large black guy down in front of us, who was at least very entertaining.  Early in this half, he got up and really gave it to a line judge over a mugging on field. 

 

(Ron was surprised that there were no Utah Valley fans at the game.  They show up for other sports, such as the parents of Softball team goddess, Basia Query.  I had so hoped they’d end up as my in-laws.)

 

38’ left in the half, UVU was still on the attack to start the period with a shot that went over the Aggie goal.  37’ Sydnee Johnson made an attack that was kicked out.  Xitlaly followed that up with a shot from way outside the box that was caught.  35’ the crowd went nuts over a missed tripping call in the UVU box.  They weren’t the only ones.  Coach Baarts was presented with a Yellow Card on the sideline (Unsporting Conduct).

 

34’ Makenna made a slide stop on a shot.  29’ UVU brought in a bunch of subs.  27’ Makenna caught a long shot on a free kick.  A Yellow Card was issued to a Wolverine player for tripping Sydnee.  Finally, the crowd approved of a call.  On a free kick, the Aggie shot went over the goal.  On the play, Xitlaly collided with Idalia at the net. 

 

The Aggies brought in their group of subs right after.  They began to press on offense.  Loma McNeese and Mya Hammack took shots.  19’ UVU brought in more subs (and Bella Garcia, one of my favorites and pictured at the top, came in for the Aggies).  A minute later, Bianca fired a chip shot that curled into the upper left corner of the Wolverine goal.  Idalia had no chance on it.  The crowd exploded.  You could hear the reserves chanting across the field.  Like the first half, the changeover in personnel seemed to create an opening for the other team.  We were tied at 1 apiece.

 

From here, the teams traded a couple of shots.  The play on field seemed to get rougher.  I noticed Xitlaly was getting outmuscled on headers, her signature specialty.  (I actually mentioned her in a Twitch chat with a streamer who plays soccer.)  With less than a minute left, a UVU player went down in the Aggie box.  They wanted a call, but didn’t get it.  The game ended with a 1-1 draw.

 

Err . . . Overtime?  What about overtime?  Some overtime?  I’ve sat through double OT games.  Was there a rules change?  While I puzzled over my lack of closure, a fight started on the far sideline between the teams.  Ron said a Utah Valley player was taunting and the Aggie player shoved.  A ref displayed a Yellow Card, which the official scoring listed for Landy for “Dissent.”  The Aggie team shook hands with the referees anyway.  I’m not sure if they did so with the Wolverines or if the Wolverines shook hands with the refs.

The girls came out on field and jauntily waved to the crowd, who were also quite upbeat.  Bianca got a couple of water bottles dumped on her.  The girls were happy.  The crowd was happy.  Ron was happy.  I guess I’m happy.  I was wearing the lucky shirt.  Since the Aggies weren’t beaten, we’ll say it still holds the luck.  There was no luck on the Raising Canes challenge as two goals weren’t scored, so no free chicken.  And me and Ron ended on the Aggie Sports front page the next day (blurry and in the background, but there).    

 

Bianca Chacon is our easy Player of the Game for the equalizer.  Makenna Gottschalk also gets a nod for keeping the score so close.  The Wolverines dominated much of the game until the last 20 minutes.  Even then, the Aggies were still getting shots off.  UVU led 16 to 11 in shots, but the Aggies were up 7 to 5 in SOG.  There’s not much time to ruminate.  The Aggies will face another stiff challenge in Seattle U on Sunday.

Postcards from the Edge: Blanks 10

Big Thompson Canyon Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

 

Howard Johnson's, Tucson, Arizona.  I liked their salt water taffy back in the day.

The California Zephyr Vista-Dome cars.  The train ran from Chicago to San Francisco.  "The Scenic Way Across America."

Postcards from the Edge: Blanks 9

The "Double Hairpins," Lookout Mountain Highway, Denver Mountain Parks, Colorado.  "This road leads to Buffalo Bill's grave."

 

Travelers Hotel Court, Maryville, Tennessee, near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Crater of the Oblong Geyser, Yellowstone National Park.

NM State Aggies vs UCSB Gauchos Volleyball 9-10-22

Ron and I were eager and cautious about today’s Aggie Volleyball match against UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos.  The Aggies had been competitive in yesterday’s loss, but the teams were so evenly matched, there was no telling how today’s match would go.  The Aggies had exhausted themselves at the end of yesterday’s match.  Today’s game was in the morning.  Would the girls be refreshed and ready?  Would Coach Jordan make a change in strategy (foreshadowing)? 

 

Dad had expressed interest in going with us beforehand, but pulled out at the last minute . . .  again.  We got to the Pan-Am Center way too early.  The Aggies weren’t even out on the floor yet, though the Gauchos were there stretching.  Today’s program did not have updated player stats on it.  I was still worried at the time, because the website wasn’t giving the right numbers on last night’s game.  (As if this blog wholly depends factual accuracy.) 

 

The Aggies did come charging out the tunnel with a low howl to begin their warmup.  Ron likes to watch sports teams’ warmup.  I’m more ambivalent.  Former star player and current Director of Player Operations, Tatyana Battle, looked relaxed and coach-like sitting on the bench casually observing activities.  Coach Jordan came in wearing a natty sweater vest ensemble. 

 

Setter Alana Embry (pictured at the top) didn’t seem to have any injured fingers wrapped or bound, but still wasn’t cleared to play today.  The pants count on the players now appears to be six.  I’m not really entirely approving.  The crowd eventually filed in.  Attendance was listed at 690.  It eyeballed at a bit less than last night.  Everyone seemed in good spirits.  One of the TV producers was singing and dancing before the broadcast.

 

Set 1

Indeed, the Coach did make a strategy change.  Our starters today were Darian Markham, Lia Mosher, Taylor Snow, Katie Birtcil, and a couple of changes.  Bianca Perez was the starting Setter, and Jayde Shelton and Mari Sharp were in.  Mia Peterson, though she did well yesterday, did not play today.  The Coach may have been resting her.

 

Katie got her first kill quick on the second point of the match with a touch call.  Jayde and Mari followed that with kills on touches and Jayde put in a tip kill.  Rylee Fay came in to serve.  Katie had a tip kill and Lia had a stuff.  The Aggies were getting off to a much better start than yesterday.  However, they were only up 6-3 after a couple of net serves.

 

Katie tooled a kill of a block (forgive me for stealing that phrase from broadcaster, Adam Young) and combined with Taylor on a block to put the Aggies out to a 10-4 lead.  Timeout UCSB.  That didn’t help.  Katie had another kill.  Jayde and Taylor combined on block.  Jayde painted the line on a swing.  There was an overrule by the up official that gave her the kill.  Katie killed to drive up the lead to 14-7.

 

But the Gauchos came back off of a couple of attack errors and an ace, 14-11.  Coach Jordan even caught a ball hit out-of-bounds and flung it to a ball attendant.  Timeout Aggies.  Katie made an awkward swing on the next point, but still got the kill.  Jayde fired another one out, 15-14, and Molly Johnson came in. 

 

Lia was the stopper.  She came in with a couple of big blocks.  Darian made a great one-handed, off-court save before one of those blocks.  Keke Holloway was in serving and aced to make it 19-17.  20-17 Aggies, Lia, to quote PA Ed Carnathan, “Boom!” for the kill.  Ryleigh Whitekettle was in and got a kill on a touch.  Katie killed on a touch.  Molly made a flying kill, 23-20.  Macall Peed, the UCSB libero, made a nice off-court save before the kill.  UCSB took a timeout, but Katie came back with a kill and the Aggies finished it out, 25-20.

 

Set 2: Aggies 1, Gauchos 0

Jayde was put back out to start, but fired out again on the first point of this set.  Mari came back with a kill.  UCSB Setter, Mehana Ma’a, got a kill on a well-timed dump shot.  The Gauchos took an early lead after a kill and a couple of Aggie out shots.  There were offsetting net serves, before Katie and Lia combined on a block.  Ryleigh fired a kill down the line to tie the score at 6.

 

Taylor put the Aggies in front with an overpass kill.  Katie killed it off a block.  Bianca aced into a corner.  Katie killed off another block and straight buried another into the middle of the court.  But Jayde lost a dig and UCSB went back up, 11-12.  Timeout Aggies.  I was bombed by a Cheerleader during their t-shirt toss.  I wasn’t even calling for one.  I have a bunch of Aggie shirts.  Oddly, this is the second time this has happened to me at an Aggie sporting event.  (I’m not even going to try and find that post.  That shirt bundle went directly into my lap.)  Unfortunately, it was an XL and I ended up giving it away later.

 

Taylor gave the Aggies back the lead with an ace, 13-12.  The Coach stuck with Jayde out of the break and she hit the backline on the next point.  UCSB challenged, but the kill was confirmed.  Reserves Morgan Stewart and Kayleigh Thomas attempted a Cheerleader lift during the break, but they should stick to Volleyball.  (That near injury would have been really hard to explain to the Coach.) 

 

Lia and Mari combined on the block.  Right after, Ryleigh mishit off a bad set.  The Coach was mad enough that he started to lecture the reserves.  Ryleigh came back with a kill on the next play.  Katie added another kill to make it 19-16.  Timeout UCSB.  Unfortunately, there was no coaching answer to Katie Birtcil, who rattled off five more kills to win the set, 25-20.

 

Set 3: Aggies 2, Gauchos 0

Freshman Ashley Herman, whose potential the Coach is high on, high-fived the rest of the reserves before the set and low-fived the shorter defensive players.  The usually useless scoreboard player scoring had Katie at 17 kills in the match.  UCSB came out of halftime firing.  They took the first two points, including an ace off the net.  Taylor and Mari got kills.  At 4-8, Katie got a hard-earned kill.  The UCSB coach questioned the call, but it stood.  At 4-11, the Gauchos called a timeout.  (That’s what I have written.  That’s seems wrong.) 

 

The Aggies were not digging well this set.  Ryleigh had a kill coming out the break, but a late double touch call gave UCSB the next point.  Jayde and Mari had kills, but the gap kept growing.  There was also another DT call and the Coach was furious with the refs.  7-18 UCSB, Kacia Brown, Morgan, and Molly came in.  (Yay!  Morgan!)  Morgan was only in for a few points and didn’t have any digs, however she did duck under two shots which went out for Aggie points.  She was smiling afterward.

 

I kept hearing a loud woman’s voice during some points.  I finally figured out it was Darian.  She works up a bunch of chatter before serves.  I’m not sure if it’s instructions or encouragement.  Ashley and Sydney McIntosh (who I saw at Aggie Soccer last night) came in.  Bianca mixed in another ace and Molly had a kill, before the set ended 16-25 UCSB.

 

Set 4: Aggies 2, Gauchos 1

Molly started for Set 4.  Her and Lia combined on a block early.  Ryleigh had a kill to give the Aggies a 3-2 lead.  5-2 Lia and Mari on a block, then Lia with her signature slap kill, and then Mari aced.  8-4 Aggies and timeout UCSB.  During the break, they played The Hustle.  Slightly odd choice, but everybody and even players were dancing to it.  (What happened to Jump in the Line?  I haven’t heard that yet this season.)

 

10-4 Aggies, Mari aced again and followed that up with a backcourt kill into a block.  The next point was a long rally that ended on a UCSB out shot, but they started crawling back into afterward.  13-7 Taylor tooled the block for a kill.  14-8 Mari went crosscourt for a kill.  I put an asterisk on this play.  She got the kill after getting stuffed twice.  Even after winning the point, Coach Jordan still chewed out Bianca on court for her setting.  But the Gauchos kept coming.  After losing the point at 15-13, the Aggies took a timeout.

 

Lia hit one out after the break, but came back with a kill, 16-14, and Katie added a kill on the next point.  Keke was back in serving.  Lia and Ryleigh combined on a block, but the Coach was furious on the next point after a missed dig.  UCSB tied it on a missed shot by Lia, but she got the lead right back with a slap kill, 19-18.  UCSB was getting really vocal and intense, but unfazed, Darian dropped in an ace to force a Gaucho timeout, 21-18.

 

Ryleigh got a kill coming out of the break, but the Gauchos took the next two points to force an Aggie timeout.  “They’re gonna blow it,” Ron grumbled.  UCSB did tie it at 22 on an overpass kill.  Down 22-23, Coach Jordan was out of timeouts.  He challenged the play call, though it was fairly obviously correct, and lost.  During the break, he got in a quick word with the team.  Ron said afterward, this was just “Gamesmanship.”  I really don’t like “icing the kicker” in football (especially right at the snap), but I thought this was okay.  Regardless, it worked.  The next UCSB serve went out.  Taylor finished it out definitively with slam kill.  Aggies take the set 23-23 and the match 3-1.

 

That felt pretty good.  The Aggies had six aces today, one off from the necessary seven that would have activated free Raising Canes for everyone.  I shamefully admit I was yelling, “Free Chicken!” on Aggie serves late.  We didn’t even have tickets that were needed to redeem the offer (as we had season passes). 

 

For the Gauchos, Michelle Ohwobete led with 11 kills and Tallulah Froley had 9.  I noticed Megan Shimoda, who had the big toss Brazilian-style serve, switched to a jump serve during the match.  I guessing that was orders from her coach.  I kind of enjoyed that showy serve though.  

Our Aggie MVP today was Katie Birtcil with 20 kills.  Ryleigh Whittlekettle and Mari Sharp followed with 7 each.  Mari also had 2 aces and had a couple other clutch plays.  Taylor Snow and Lia Mosher were big up front.  The Coach stuck with Jayde Shelton longer than he has in other matches after bad plays.  He can see the talent, but she’s not quite there in development.  Overall, the stats for this match were very close.  The Aggies only definitively lead in aces, 6 to 3.        

 

Well, without a reason to go to Raising Canes, Ron and I actually went across town to Popeye’s for their chicken sandwiches.  I don’t know why.  We’ve kind of exhausted all of the fast food places in the immediate area.  Ron also wanted to take the scenic route back.  We drove along the road in front of the Organ Mountains.  It was very pretty, as were the Sonic Blasts we got after. 

   

It was a nice afternoon.  In the evening, I listened to the 99-th Aggie/Miner football game on the radio.  It was an encouraging loss for a rebuilding program, 20-13 Miners.  Not bad considering the Aggies were 17-point underdogs.  It was 17-0 at the half, but the Aggie defense held on well in the second half.  Once again, the Aggies were using two quarterbacks.  Gavin Frakes was not able to move the ball in the first half, but Diego Pavia came in and passed for 100 yards and was once again the team’s leading rusher with 78.  It helped that the receivers stopped dropping balls.  The Aggies were in position to score the tying touchdown in the final seconds, but a forced fumble ended the game.       

 

I’ve got my lucky shirt ready for some more Aggie Soccer this weekend.