Cardinals looking to change ways after three scoreless games
By Giorgio Lamarca
Last Updated:12:52 PM EST 10/16/08 Section: Sports
The St. John Fisher men's soccer team won a huge game against Nazareth two weeks ago to put them in striking distance for the top spot of the Empire 8 Conference. After losses to Stevens Tech and Utica, the Cards find themselves with a 1-2 record overall in the conference. However, with some major position changes, they look to make a run toward the playoffs.
Fisher was shut out, 3-0 and 1-0, in consecutive games against Stevens and Utica. Head coach Rob Searl knew some changes had to be made to improve the team's defense. As a result, Searl chose to move sophomore Andrew McIntosh and senior Brad Ervin, two of the team's best offensive players, back to defense.
"The lineup we had against Stevens and Utica wasn't getting it done", Searl said. "Now that McIntosh and Ervin are back on defense, it is important to get them into some kind of a rhythm".
The move seemed to pay off in Fisher's most recent game against Wells College on Oct. 7, as McIntosh and Ervin helped to shut out the Wells offense. However, game ended in a scoreless tie at 0. The Cardinals outshot Wells 30 to 4, but failed to score a goal. Fisher's best chance to win came with 5:45 left in the second overtime, as the Cardinals had a direct kick following a Wells' penalty. Ervin laid the ball up to McIntosh, as he headed it past the goalie, only for the ball to be cleared out by the Wells defender.
Junior Adam Durst continued his consistent play in goal, with four saves against Wells and a diving stop in the final minutes to preserve the tie.
"Overall, we all played better as a team", McIntosh said.
After failing to score in their last three games, the Cardinals know that they need to score more goals. Searl is confident that the team will be able to do so, as sophomore Brennan Canty and Michael Rooney, both starters all of last season, will be returning from injury. Canty has been sidelined since the team's first game after breaking his nose, and is looking to boost the team's offense. Both Rooney and Canty couldn't be coming back at a better time, as the Cardinals have important E8 games against Elmira and Ithaca coming on Oct. 18 and 19.
Fisher was shut out, 3-0 and 1-0, in consecutive games against Stevens and Utica. Head coach Rob Searl knew some changes had to be made to improve the team's defense. As a result, Searl chose to move sophomore Andrew McIntosh and senior Brad Ervin, two of the team's best offensive players, back to defense.
"The lineup we had against Stevens and Utica wasn't getting it done", Searl said. "Now that McIntosh and Ervin are back on defense, it is important to get them into some kind of a rhythm".
The move seemed to pay off in Fisher's most recent game against Wells College on Oct. 7, as McIntosh and Ervin helped to shut out the Wells offense. However, game ended in a scoreless tie at 0. The Cardinals outshot Wells 30 to 4, but failed to score a goal. Fisher's best chance to win came with 5:45 left in the second overtime, as the Cardinals had a direct kick following a Wells' penalty. Ervin laid the ball up to McIntosh, as he headed it past the goalie, only for the ball to be cleared out by the Wells defender.
Junior Adam Durst continued his consistent play in goal, with four saves against Wells and a diving stop in the final minutes to preserve the tie.
"Overall, we all played better as a team", McIntosh said.
After failing to score in their last three games, the Cardinals know that they need to score more goals. Searl is confident that the team will be able to do so, as sophomore Brennan Canty and Michael Rooney, both starters all of last season, will be returning from injury. Canty has been sidelined since the team's first game after breaking his nose, and is looking to boost the team's offense. Both Rooney and Canty couldn't be coming back at a better time, as the Cardinals have important E8 games against Elmira and Ithaca coming on Oct. 18 and 19.
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