Wizards vs Sounders, and vs. Evansville

At a chilly Blue Valley District Athletic complex, the Wizards played their last preseason games of the season. The first team defeated the Seattle Sounders 3-2, and the Wizards reserves tied Evansville 2-2.

vs. Seattle

The Wizards came out in a 4-4-2, with Hartman in net, Jack, Aaron Hohlbein, Jimmy, and Jose across the back, Arnaud, Sasha, Kerry, and Michael Harrington in the midfield, and Eddie and Sealy up top.

The Wizards opened the scoring in the 18th, when a throw in from Jack to Davy was played long to Eddie who was in 1v1 with the keeper to make it 1-0. In the 30th minute, the Wizards were forced to make a sub as Hohlbein appeared to hurt his calf, and was replaced by Will John, forcing Harrington back to left back, and Jose sliding into central defense. The Wizards doubled their lead in the 36th minute as Jimmy Conrad headed in a Davy Arnaud corner. Then right before half time, Scott Sealy made it 3-0, after he received a ball from Eddie as he cut across the top of the box.

At half time, another true center back, Amir Lowery, who has been training with the team. The first 25 minutes of the second half were fairly uneventful, with the Wizards continuing to attack but not finding the net. Kurt Morsink came on for Sasha in the 70th. Two minutes later, the Wizards coulda made it four as Davy drove into the box and was fouled. Sealy stepped up to take it, but his stutter step did not fool the keeper, who made a good save. In the 74th, Seattle got themselves back in the game, when Leighton O'Brien found Jacob Basagno on a corner kick to make it 3-1. O'Brien also played a part in the second goal, finding Nathan Knox who scored to make it 3-2. Things got a little testy at the end, as 4 yellow cards were handed out, including a second to O'Brien who was sent off in stoppage time.

3 Stars of the game:
1. Davy Arnaud - Wizards - Made fantastic runs all night, set up 2 of the 3 goals, as well as setting up the PK Sealy missed.
2. Scott Sealy - Wizards - If he hadn't missed that PK he probably would have been number 1, did well working with Johnson, John, Sasha, and Morsink outta the midfield.
3. Leighton O'Brien - Sounders - Even with his red card, he still gave the Wizards more then their fair share of fits. Set up both of Seattle's goals.

vs. Evansville

The Wizards reserves came out in a 4-4-2 as well for their game with Evansville. Kronberg was in net, with Godbolt, Raybould, Lowery, and Watson across the back, Michael Kraus, Morsink, Carlos Marinelli, and Edson Elcock, and Ryan Pore with Yura Movsisyan.

The Wizards dictacted the majority of play in the first half, but were not able to create many clear cut chances. Marinelli showed some great work on the ball, but definitly lacked match fitness, as he had his hands on his knees late in the first half. The Purple Aces grabbed the lead about 4 minutes before half time off a long throw that was flicked on to the back post and finished by defender Dan Gibson.

At half time, the Wizards replaced Marinelli with Willy Guadarrama, and Kronberg made way for Chris Konopka in net. Just 3 minutes into the second half, the Purple Aces were 2-0 up thanks to Cory Elenio, who gave the Wizards two center backs, Raybould and Lowery fits for most of the night. The reserves struck back quickly though, as a cross from Godbolt was put back across the face of goal by Pore, and finished by Raybould to make it 2-1. Two minutes later, the score was level as a cross from Elcock was hit on the side volley by Movsisyan, that shot deflected off a defender to Guadarrama who scored to make it 2-2. The Wizards continued to dominate possession the rest of the game, making substitute keeper Corey Southers work to give Evansville the draw, including stopping Movsisyan on 2 occasions very late in the game.

3 Stars of the Game
1. Corey Southers - Evansville - Even though he only played a half, his play in that half, especially late in the game is what allowed Evansville to get a draw out of this game instead of a loss.
2. Edson Elcock - Wizards - Was the Wizards best player by far. The best attacks from the Wizards came down his side of the field. He has a TON of speed and he used it on numerous occasions to beat guys to balls and get past guys down the line.
3. Yura Movsisyan - The Wizards second year man didn't score, but looked much better then he did last year, he's more confident with the ball at his feet and looks a lot more mature on the field. His side volley that was deflected would have have been a very early candidate for goal of the year if it'd gone in.