8.19.07 Montevallo Provide Much Needed Test

The Crusaders went down 2-0 to the University of Montevallo Falcons Friday night (8/17). With what is virtually a new and young team for 2007 the Crusaders took timer to organize and find each other conceding after just 5 minutes of the game from a Falcon corner-kick. The home team pressed from the off and could have gone further ahead as the Crusaders organized. Midway through the first half they lost winger Carl Hollowed and the only Crusader senior on the field to a knee injury. As time went on the Crusaders played better and more together and the second half they looked likely to level the game but missed a couple of good chances. As the team pressed for the equalizing goal it was the hosts who killed the game off five minutes from time with the second goal of the night. Coach Boulton commented that, "This was a much needed test for us. You can learn so much more from a tough test like this than you can from playing inter squad scrimmages or junior college teams. We know what we need to work on before the opening game but I was pleased with our fitness and mental toughness despite the result. We were missing a number of players for one reason or another and when they return the squad will be stronger. Injuries have been taking a toll and to lose 'Charlo' was a blow. We still don't know how serious his problem is".