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Shea booters edge Mount Pleasant |
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Wednesday, 14 October 2009 |
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By BRENDAN McGAIR Sports writer PAWTUCKET – There’s nothing like a little lull to snap everything into focus.
For the longest stretch this season, Shea gave the impression that everything was going to be sunshine and lollipops. That’s all changed after the past couple of games, a stretch head coach Pierre Ridore didn’t mince words when declaring “we haven’t played well.”
Thankfully, the Raiders still had enough in reserve to pull out a 1-0 verdict over a game Mt. Pleasant squad Tuesday afternoon at the McKinnon-Alves Complex.
Micael Semedo supplied the lone tally, the junior capitalizing on a failed clear attempt by Mt. Pleasant goaltender Mark Karmue late in the second half.
The Raiders did rebound after last Friday’s surprising 2-1 loss to Central, doing so minus the net torching capabilities of Emerson Barros. Ridore said the sophomore was benched against the Kilties for “disciplinary reasons.” Ridore would not confirm Barros’ availability for Thursday’s game against Smithfield.
While Ridore lamented that the Raiders have lately let numerous scoring chances to slip through their grasp, here’s another factor to consider why this high-scoring outfit has been out of sync. The vast majority of roster hails from countries were weather footnotes such as “changing of seasons” and “temperature dip” are hardly mentioned, if ever at all.
“Possibly,” said Ridore when asked if the sudden shift from Indian summer to late autumn wears on his players. “Most of these kids, they’re used to the warm weather. I have 4-5 starters that are dealing with the cold (for the first time).”
Ridore has already made it clear to Shea that the weather isn’t going to get any better from here on out. In fact, the temperature could very well sink below 40 degrees by the time next month’s state title contest is held.
For the Raiders, it simply reverts back to scoring, doing so in bunches.
“The easy goals that used to go in, for whatever reason they’re not going in at this moment,” said Ridore, “but we’re going to keep working hard. We had that swagger that we’re going to score 3-4 goals a game, but that’s started to fade a little bit.”
The game was scoreless until with 10 minutes remaining, when Semedo had a wide-open net to fire away at, the result of Karmue being out of position.
“Micael missed a couple of goals early, but he happened to be at the right spot at that moment and was able to knock the ball in,” said Ridore.
Nursing a one-goal lead late in regulation would normally result in teams playing a prevent style, believing the best offense is a brick wall of a defense. Ridore didn’t want the Raiders to fall back, rather imploring that his players remain on the offensive.
“We need to keep playing our game,” said Ridore. “I didn’t do any subbing. A lot of bad stuff can happen if you start playing defensively.”
If there was a bright spot, it was the goalkeeping of Levidson Andrade, who was the backbone in the Raiders recording their sixth shutout.
“He made a couple of key saves and was talking to his defenders, making sure they were in position,” praised Ridore about Andrade.
Asked if Mount Pleasant concocted some scheme designed to hold Shea in check, Ridore said the onus resides on the players donning the Blue & White uniforms.
“It’s on us,” said Ridore. “We just haven’t been doing the stuff we had been doing. Hopefully we can get back to what made us successful.”
With the playoffs a little over a week away, now is a good as time as any for Shea to get in touch with the “swagger” it displayed with great frequency back when the leaves were green and still hanging from the trees.
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Mt. Pleasant 0-0 – 0
Shea 0-1 – 1
First Half: No scoring.
Second Half: S – Micael Semedo (Rocha Delcio), 30:00.
Shots on Goal: MP 4; S 8.
Goalie saves: Mark Karmue (MP) 7; Levidson Andrade (S) 4.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 08 November 2009 )
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