Warner announces federal support for small-business loans
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) announced that the U.S. Department of the Treasury has approved Virginia’s application for up to $18 million in additional federal loan support to the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority. Virginia officials expect this additional federal support to leverage up to $288 million in new small business financing, and state officials have indicated it could help to create or retain nearly 43,000 jobs among Virginia’s small businesses.
This additional loan support for small businesses was first proposed by Senator Warner more than one year ago. Importantly, Sen. Warner’s small business package is completely funded through existing Treasury funds, and it does not add one dime to the federal budget deficit. His proposal eventually was successfully incorporated into the Small Business Jobs Act, which was approved by Congress and signed by the President at the end of 2010.
About $3 million will support Virginia’s successful Capital Access Program, and the remaining $15 million in additional funding will provide “gap financing” for qualified small businesses participating in Virginia’s Economic Development Loan Fund. This program is targeted for those small businesses that may not otherwise qualify for loans under conventional bank underwriting criteria. They typically have a solid track record in business, but have struggled the last few years with decreased cash flow, collateral and lower assessed property values.
“I’ve been working on this issue for more than a year now, and I’m happy to report that the Treasury Department has finally approved Virginia’s application for an enhanced small business lending program,” Warner said. “Everywhere I go, I continue to hear from Virginia small business owners who are frustrated about the lack of available credit. Our small businesses create two out of every three new jobs in this country, but it’s been difficult for small business owners to take out the loans they need to open up shop. Existing small businesses have found it hard to finance inventories, make payrolls, or expand even when business is good.”
“This initiative by Senator Warner is a tremendous example of good government at work,” says Virginia Retail Alliance President & CEO Raymond J. Mattes, III. “We made the Senator aware of the problem, he met with our members, did his due diligence and took decisive action.”
“These funds will provide critical support to state-level programs that help expand small-business lending and spur private sector job growth,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal S. Wolin. “Unlocking credit for small businesses will provide a powerful boost for investment and job creation in local communities across the country.”
For more information about Virginia’s small business programs, please visit the Virginia Department of Business Assistance. For information on the U.S. Treasury Department’s programs for small business financing, refer to the State Small Business Credit Initiative.
Tech knocks off JMU in women’s soccer
The Virginia Tech women’s soccer team remained unbeaten (2-0-0) on the young season as the Hokies posted a 3-1 win at James Madison (0-1-1) in the Dukes’ home-opener Sunday evening at the JMU Soccer Complex.
The Hokies opened up a 2-0 first-half lead before the Dukes got on the scoreboard early in the second half. Tech netted its final goal with 8:59 left to play.
Freshman Katie Yensen (Falls Church, Va./McLean) gave the Hokies a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute. Redshirt junior Amanda Gerhard (Catasauqua, Pa./Catasauqua) started the play as she sent a through ball into the box to Yenson, who hit a shot from 12 yards into the left corner of the goal.
The second Tech goal came in the 38th minute, when junior Kelly Conheeney (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) lofted a free kick into the box. Redshirt sophomore Shannon Mayrose (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Borough) sprinted past the Dukes’ defense to face redshirt freshman goalkeeper Kate Courter (Lincoln Park, N.J./Immaculate Heart) one-on-one. Mayrose one-timed an eight-yard shot into the left corner for a 2-0 Tech lead.
The Dukes trimmed the Tech lead to 2-1 when senior Yolie Anderson-Golhor (Ottawa, Ontario/Louis-Riel) headed a long throw-in from sophomore Becky Sparks (Laurel Springs, N.J./Paul VI) into the far corner of the goal. The score came 6:42 into the second period.
Tech got an insurance goal from sophomore Jazmine Reeves (Dover, Del./Caesar Rodney) in the 82nd minute. Conheeney sent a ball into the box from the left touchline near her team’s bench. It deflected off a JMU player and to the right side of the box, where Reeves knocked the ball into the net from 10 yards.
Tech starting sophomore goalkeeper Dayle Colpitts (Fredericton, NewBrunswick/Fredericton) left the game after a collision with a JMU player 37:06 into the match. She was replaced by redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Anna Romeiser (Roanoke, Va./Hidden Valley) for the final 52:54. Colpitts did not make a save, and Romeiser had two stops.
JMU redshirt freshman goalkeeper Kate Courter (Lincoln Park, N.J./Immaculate Heart) made six saves, including one on a penalty kick by Conheeney at 70:38 after a JMU player took down a Tech attacker in the box.
Tech held a 15-11 shot advantage.
“In the first half.they had one step on us all over the place,” said JMU Head Coach Dave Lombardo. “We just couldn’t take care of the ball. We kept turning it over, and they would just find extra players in the attacking half of the field that made our life difficult.”
The Dukes are back home next weekend as JMU hosts the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Invitational Tournament Friday and Sunday (Aug. 26 & 28). Friday’s matchups see Delaware take on Stony Brook in a 5 p.m. game, followed by JMU vs. Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, Delaware meets Pitt at 11 a.m. and JMU faces Stony Brook at 1:30 p.m.
UVa. women rout UR
The No. 10 Virginia women’s soccer team used a balanced scoring attack to down Richmond 6-0 on Sunday night at Klöckner Stadium. The Cavaliers had five players score a goal and nine players record a point as they improved to 2-0-0 on the season.
First-year Danielle Colaprico (Freehold, N.J.) scored her first two career goals to lead Virginia, while Gloria Douglas (Fayetteville, N.C.) had a career-high three assists and Erica Hollenberg (Fairfax Station, Va.) had two assists.
“It was great to get this result tonight,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “Richmond is always a very dangerous and well organized team. Early on we weren’t sharp, but once we got the first goal we seemed to settle down. We were then able to find the seams and get some good looks. I just wish we could have made that adjustment sooner. Overall I was pleased. We got a lot of players some good minutes and helped establish some more roles.”
The Cavaliers took the lead in the 22nd minute as Douglas’ cross was knocked in by Molly Menchel (Alexandria, Va.) for the sophomore defender’s first career goal. Four minutes later Julia Roberts (Frederick, Md.) doubled the lead as she blasted a shot from the top of the area into the upper corner. Just over two minutes later Colaprico scored her first career goal off a through ball from Douglas to make the score 3-0. Virginia held that advantage at halftime.
Virginia extended the lead to 4-0 in the 49th minute as Kate Norbo (Roanoke, Va.) one-timed a shot from inside the box for her first goal of the season. Caroline Miller (Rockville, Md.) notched her first goal of the season in the 63rd minute off an assist from Hollenberg. Colaprico closed out the scoring in the 88th minute, scoring again off an assist from Douglas.
Overall Virginia outshot Richmond 25-4, and had a 6-1 corner kick edge. Chantel Jones (Midlothian, Va.) made one save for the Cavaliers as she recorded her 34th career shutout, moving to within one of the ACC career record of 35 set by Aly Winget of North Carolina. Andrea Young made seven saves at the other end for the Spiders (0-1-1).
The Cavaliers continue their season-opening nine-game homestand on Friday as they host Liberty. Game time at Klöckner Stadium is 7 p.m.
Tides drop finale in extras
Tim Beckham delivered a go-ahead single in the 10th inning Sunday at Harbor Park, and the Norfolk Tides dropped the finale to the Durham Bulls 4-3 in front of 5,587 fans.
Sean Gleason (0-1, 3.00) took the loss after tossing 1.0 inning. He gave up a one-out single to Ray Olmedo. Olmedo moved to third base when Matt Angle’s diving attempt at J.J. Furmaniak’s sinking line drive came up empty. That set the stage for Beckham’s game winner.
The Tides staked starter Chris George to an early lead with two runs in the 1st inning. Brandon Snyder and Jake Fox delivered back-to-back RBI singles for the home team, but George couldn’t make the lead hold up.
George, who entered the game with a sparkling 2.87 ERA in his previous six appearances, never found his command during his 3.0 innings on the hill. Pitching with slick playing conditions as a steady rain fell onto the field, the former first round draft pick tied a season high with five walks and gave up three runs on five hits.
Daniel Mayora put the visitors on the board with a one-out single in the 2nd inning that scored Russ Canzler, who walked to leadoff the inning. Brendan Harris connected on his ninth home run of the season an inning later, a solo shot that briefly put the Tides ahead by two, but the Bulls tied the contest with a trio of extra base hits in the 3rd inning. Brandon Guyer led off the frame with a triple and scored on Matt Carson’s double to center field. One out later, Leslie Anderson came through with an RBI double that knotted the game at 3-3.
Dane De La Rosa (5-4, 3.43) took the win in relief of Matt Torra after tossing 2.0 shutout innings. He gave up two hits but struck out five batters.
Torra lasted 5.0 innings and gave up three runs on six hits. He struck out two and walked one.
The Tides will take Monday off before heading to Durham Tuesday for the start of a two-game series with the Bulls. RH Chris Tillman (3-4, 4.13) will take the ball for the Tides opposite LH Matt Moore (3-0, 1.04). The Tides will return to Harbor Park for the final homestand of 2011 on Monday, August 29 when they take on the Charlotte Knights.
Waynesboro Senior Forum set for Aug. 29
The Waynesboro Senior Advocacy Commission is a group of volunteers appointed by City Council to advocate for the health, safety and overall well-being of older adults in our community.
The WSAC is excited to host the 3rd Annual Waynesboro Senior Forum on Monday, Aug. 29th from 5-7 p.m. at First Baptist Church. We welcomed over 125 attendees in 2010, and we look forward to another great crowd this year. The Senior Forum will feature expert guest speakers, complimentary refreshments, an Information Fair and fun door prizes.
Expert guest speakers include:
Cpl. Derek Almarode with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office
Scams targeting seniors in OUR area
How to avoid becoming a victim of financial or physical abuse
Attorney Doris Gelbman
Who should you appoint to make financial decisions for you?
What is a Financial Power of Attorney? (POA)
John Yang, M.D. with Augusta Health Cardiology
Latest treatments for heart conditions
Differences between heart attack symptoms in men and women
Christina Kunkle, R.N. & Certified Life and Wellness Coach
Volunteer to thrive! Stay inspired by sharing your time and talents
This event is made possible thanks to generous donations from the Augusta Health Foundation, Home Instead Senior Care, Avante at Waynesboro, Summit Square and Caring Solutions.
The free event is open to the public. Seniors, family members, caregivers and policy makers are all invited to attend.
Gas prices going back down?
The downward trend in gas prices continued this week on the heels of expanded global economic uncertainty. The national average for regular grade gasoline dropped to $3.59 Friday, down 2 cents in the past week and down 9 cents from a month ago. Prices remain 86 cents higher than year-ago prices and 52 cents below the all-time high of $4.11/gallon set In July 2008.
Compared to last week, crude oil saw a relatively calm week with prices inching steadily upward toward the $90 a barrel mark. However, volatility resurfaced on Thursday as concerns that global economic growth will come to a standstill for the remainder of the year or, even worse, the economy could fall back into a recession and oil demand could shrink.
Crude oil fell below $80 a barrel Thursday and into Friday in response to weak U.S. data – factory activity in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region in August fell to the lowest level since March 2009, an unexpected fall in existing U.S. home sales in July and a greater-than-expected rise in new claims for jobless benefits last week. Overseas, renewed concern that the euro-zone debt crisis in Europe could infect the region’s financial system affected crude oil prices.
The market is also watching the situation in Libya, where rebels to the west and east of the capital fought forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi for control of oil facilities vital to winning the six-month-old civil war. Oil prices have been supported by the loss of around 1.6 million barrels per day of production in Libya since the start of an uprising against Gaddafi’s rule in February. These domestic and international factors contributed to the return of market volatility by week’s end, leading to crude oil’s close at $82.26 Friday, down nearly four percent on the week.
In its weekly report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed crude stocks rose 4.2 million barrels, primarily due to the delivery of 5.9 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Gasoline stocks fell 3.5 million barrels to 210.1.6 million barrels. Gasoline demand fell to 9.195 million barrels, slightly above expectations.
“U.S. financial markets continued to lose footing this week, raising concerns about the country’s economic recovery and the likelihood for a double-dip recession,” said Martha M. Meade, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “However, amidst economic volatility, lower prices at the gas pumps continue to be a silver lining for motorists. Whether motorists are looking to save on regular fill ups or looking to squeeze in one last summer road trip during the upcoming Labor Day weekend, continued declines in crude oil prices would fuel both scenarios.”
Analysts believe economic volatility will continue in the weeks ahead, which could cause crude oil to drop further toward the $75 a barrel mark. While lower crude oil prices would undoubtedly translate to lower prices at the pump, lack of economic stability or direction would ultimately have a negative impact on U.S. and international economies and potentially lead to a double dip recession.
Emotional win for Lynchburg
A somber scene opened Sunday night’s game between the Hillcats and the Keys, as a moment of silence was held for Calvin Falwell, who passed away the previous night. Once the game started, the Hillcats dominated en route to a 12-1 win.
The Hillcats jumped out early against Keys starter Nathan Moreau. In the first inning, Andrelton Simmons got things started with a one-out double. Todd Cunningham singled to right, and Simmons made an aggressive turn around third and scored on the play. Joey Terdoslavich followed with a shot off the wall in left-center. Cunningham scored and Terdoslavich cruised into second with his 49th double of the season, two shy of the single-season Carolina League record. Joe Leonard grounded out, and then Christian Bethancourt singled home Terdoslavich to put the Hillcats up 3-0.
Lynchburg continued their hot-hitting in the second inning. Ryan Query led off the inning with a double, his first hit in the Carolina League. L.V. Ware sacrificed him over to third. Keenan Wiley hit a shallow fly ball to left that wasn’t far enough out to score Query. Simmons came through with a two-out single to score Query. Todd Cunningham followed with his fourth home run of the season, a long fly ball that just barely cleared the wall in left field, to make it 6-0.
Moreau got through the next three innings unscathed, and left the game after five innings. Justin Moore entered the game for the Keys. 11 batters came to the plate in the inning, and six runs scored on five hits. The Hillcats had only one extra-base hit in the inning, a double from Simmons, but when the dust cleared, the Hillcats led 12-0.
Caleb Brewer had a fantastic outing in his second start with the Hillcats. Brewer (1-0) pitched eight shutout innings, giving up just three hits. Mark Lamm came into the ninth inning and gave up a run, but the Hillcats won 12-1.
The 12 runs tied for the most scored by the Hillcats this season, and the 11-run margin of victory also tied for the season high. The Hillcats improved to 25-31 in the second half, and with a loss by Potomac, are only five games behind Potomac for the second-half playoff spot. Frederick fell to 34-22.
The Hillcats have an off-day Monday night before going out on the road for a six-game road trip. The first game will be played in Myrtle Beach at 7:05 pm Tuesday night.
Salem swept … again
Salem’s bats never found a groove and the Wilmington Blue Rocks made it four straight over the Sox by sweeping a twin-bill for the second straight day. The Blue Rocks overcame a 2-0 deficit to prevail 6-3 in the opener before blanking the Red Sox 4-zip in the finale. In between games, the tarp covered the field for a lengthy intermission, but following a two hour, 10 minute break, the second game commenced and went in Wilmington’s favor.
In game one, Bryce Brentz’s two-run double in the first inning against Justin Marks surged the Sox to their first lead of the series. But Wilmington scratched Ryan Pressly for four runs in the last of the second, connecting on five singles in addition to the one walk Pressly issued. With the game tied 2-2, Whit Merrifield and Carlo Testa delivered consecutive two-out RBI knocks to boost the Blue Rocks into the lead.
Pressly did not allow a hit in his scoreless third and fourth innings, but yielded consecutive singles to begin the fifth that knocked him out of the game. Both runners came around to score against reliever Jordan Flasher, giving Wilmington a 6-2 edge. Salem trimmed the deficit to three in the seventh as the first three batters in the inning reached against Gary Cuevas, but former Salem Sock Kendal Volz entered and recorded the final three outs to earn the save. The victory belonged to Allen Caldwell, who retired all six men he faced over two innings in relief of Marks.
In game two, both starters appeared locked in after the long break between games, with Elisaul Pimentel and Pete Ruiz both dealing two scoreless to start the contest. In the third, Salem mustered a pair of hits, but stranded the man at the corners. Meanwhile, Blue Rocks first-baseman Joey Lewis led off the last of the third with a line-drive home run to left, giving Wilmington the 1-0 edge.
Aside from the homer, Ruiz eased through the first four, retiring 12 of the 13 men he faced. In the bottom of the fifth, Yem Prades smoked a leadoff triple into the right-center field gap, coming across to score on the ensuing sac fly from Tim Ferguson to make the score 2-0. The Blue Rocks doubled their lead again in the last of the sixth, with John Whittleman drilling a bases-loaded double off reliever Will Latimer to take a 4-0 lead.
Salem’s offense mustered just four hits in the finale against Elisaul Pimentel (six innings) and Ryan Dennick (a 1-2-3 seventh), and the Sox scored just seven total runs in the four-game series, completed in less than 26 hours from 5 PM Saturday to 7 PM on Sunday. The pair of Sunday setbacks drop the Sox to 55-70 for the season, a low-water mark at 15 games below .500 with 14 games remaining in the season.
After registering a bunt single in the first game, Heiker Meneses went 0-3 in the nightcap, putting a halt to his 12-game hitting streak to begin his time with Salem. During the 12-game streak, Meneses hit .438 (21-for-48).
Salem returns to LewisGale Field on Monday for the final homestand of the regular season. The week-long slate begins with four games against Winston-Salem, commencing on Monday with Drake Britton facing Matt Wickswat at 7:05.
David Reynolds: Waiting game
I spent a previous lifetime playing with budgets in Washington, so I should have known that the debt talks were a game, a waiting game, not unlike those played in Searchlight, Nevada, Senator Reid’s home town. Except in Searchlight they play with their own money.
Yes, that’s what they do in DC, take credit and give out blame, a place where partisan gamesmanship will always trump problem solving. And the players make sure that there are no knock out punches. Otherwise incumbents could not stand for reelection and the next game.
However, there are differences between the way games are played in Nevada and Washington, DC. In Nevada ESPN covers the World Series of Poker. The games at the White House and on Capitol Hill are covered by the other networks.
Another difference: The Washington game of playing fiscal chicken in also being played out in New York and Chicago. In New York, our financial capital, they don’t give a hoot about blame, only the color of money and credit ratings. And in Chicago there is a large building that houses Mr. Obama’s reelection headquarters. It calls the shots being fired from the White House grounds.
Then there are the Republicans, the Charlie Brown political party that never gets to kick the football and is constantly being shot at by the media. In the process to make government smaller (not necessarily better), the GOP seeks political cover. The balanced budget amendment is its latest blanket.
But this time Lucy and her fellow Dems may have outsmarted themselves. While scaring my generation over Medicare and Social Security is considered good Inside the Beltway politics, that is, until New York spoke up. Wall Street (Standard & Poors) said DC had gone too far and did something it hasn’t done since 1917 — downgrade Treasury bonds. Now Grandma, who owns a few of those bonds has a new worry, besides Medicare and Social Security.
What this all means is that the current battle over how to bring down the federal debt is the 2012 presidential election being held in 2011.
How about four questions for when Congress returns next month and the president leaves Martha’s Vineyard?
First, why do we get a daily feeding of wordy generalities when only the numbers count? As everyone knows by now, the devil is in the details. Let’s see the numbers! We can add.
Second, what about the Gallup Poll? The public showed a strong resistance to tax increases. Half said that the federal government should attempt to reduce its debt with spending cuts (20% only; 30% mostly), while only 11% said that it should be done with tax increases (4% only; 7% mostly). (The rest were fence sitters.) That’s a 4.5:1 ratio in favor of spending cuts!
Third, why doesn’t either side ever mention the big step already taken to solve this problem? In February 2010 the president (yes, the same one) established the 18-member bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. While separate reports were filed there was also considerable agreement, particularly between the co-chairs, former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson (R) and University of North Carolina President Erskine Bowles (D). Not surprising, their report also favors a wide margin in favor of cutting spending over new taxes.
Fourth, what is your game Mr. President?” In any negotiation there must be trust and credibility on both sides if a successful long term compromise is to be reached. That is lacking from our president. He has lost his credibility. In its place he gives us the budget or financial plan of the month. We are now waiting for September’s. As the song goes,
“It’s a long, long way from May to December
But the days grow short when you reach September
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
And you ain’t got time for the waiting game”
Mr. President and Congress, we ain’t got time for the waiting game.
Column by David Reynolds
VMI opens with win in 2OT thriller
Freshman Liz Affronti had four points, including two assists and the game-winning goal in the 105th minute, helping the VMI Keydets rally for a 4-3, double overtime win over the Howard Bison in non-conference women’s soccer action Friday afternoon at Patchin Field in Lexington, Va. The matchup was the season opener for both schools.
With the score tied at three and time running down in the final extra period, Affronti possessed the ball approximately 20 yards from the Howard net, and was stationed to the right of Bison netminder Chanel Bell. The Keydet freshman then found Simone Jimenez in the middle of the field, just outside the box, and Jimenez returned the ball to a streaking Affronti on the give-and-go. The resultant shot from 12 yards out found the far corner of the net for the game-winner, marking VMI’s first overtime win since Sept. 24, 2009 against UMBC.
The victory is also VMI’s first win in a season opener since 2007, when the Keydets beat Howard at Patchin Field. Finally, it is just the third time in program history that the Keydets have won while giving up more than two goals, joining the 2007 Howard match and a win over Wagner in 2006.
Amanda Berrios earned the win in net for VMI, as she made five saves in her first collegiate appearance as a goalkeeper. Bell made four stops in defeat for Howard.
VMI controlled the pace early in the game, under skies that were overcast and threatened rain. Jimenez immediately threatened to score, putting a shot on net off a first-minute corner kick, but a Bison defender jumped in front of the attempt for a team save. Freshman Sarah Putney then tested HU’s Bell, but the Howard netminder made the save and the game remained scoreless.
Over the next several minutes, each team attempted to move the ball forward, but neither squad was successful as four offside violations were called. VMI’s Myranda Emery tried a shot at 14:38, but had it blocked, and the Keydets could not take advantage of two corners over the next five-plus minutes.
In the 20th minute, while the home team was attempting to clear the ball out of its own end, a VMI defender misplayed the ball well inside the box. Howard’s Ayanna Carter stole the ball and got off a quality shot, but Berrios made a sliding save to keep the match scoreless. The Keydets came right back, as moments later, Emery made a run down the near side of the field. She then arched a cross toward the net for Jimenez, who got the side of her foot on the ball for a shot, but the attempt went just high.
Howard finally broke through in the 30th minute, when Jordan Brown was able to get off a clear shot from Berrios’ left and beat the senior for a goal, putting the visitors up 1-0. That lead grew to two goals in the 44th minute, as Owyn Mason was able to create a 1 vs. 1 situation and beat Berrios with a high, hard shot to put the Bison up, 2-0. That would be the halftime score, as VMI trailed despite outshooting the visitors 20-11.
Under rapidly clearing skies and newly found sunshine, the home team came out quickly in the second half. At 48:46, a change of the field allowed Gabby McCarron to find Emery for a shot from 10 yards out, which the freshman converted for a goal. It was the first career regular season point for McCarron, who has played primarily back line during her time at the Institute.
The Emery score cut the Keydet deficit in half, and a great deal of midfield play followed.
Affronti earned a corner kick in the 66th minute, and got the ball on the resultant possession. Her shot was high, but was tipped by HU keeper Bell, resulting in another corner. In the scrum off Affronti’s next try, Sarah Strand drilled the ball by Bell, tying the score at 2. The goal came at 67:12, and was the first in a flurry of scores.
In the 69th minute, Affronti found Jimenez in the middle of the field, approximately 12 yards from the goal. The junior arched a shot over Bell and into the net, giving the Keydets the lead for the first time, 3-2, and completing a rally that took just 24 minutes.
Howard came right back, however, as the Bison inserted Mason back into their lineup following Jimenez’s goal. The visitors quickly took advantage, as on their next possession, Mason found herself deep in the Keydet zone. A high shot over Berrios’ head, from about 15 yards out, beat the VMI keeper and tied the game once again, 3-3.
The home team threatened in the 76th minute, when an Erica Putney cross just missed Kelly Morrison on the back post. Howard then had perhaps its closest miss of the day, when an open Brown sent a shot just off the crossbar in the 82nd minute. Just two minutes later, Mason had a 1 vs. 1 chance and appeared to miss the near corner of the net by two feet. That would be the final strong threat of regulation, as the match headed to extra time tied, 3-3.
Howard had another 1 vs. 1 go for naught in the first overtime, when Mason misfired to the far side of the net. Neither team could notch a shot on goal in the initial extra period, but Howard tested Berrios in the 103rd minute. The senior made the save, setting the stage for Affronti’s game-winner.
“This is a great comeback for us, one that I think is one of the best in team history,” said VMI head coach Bryan Williams. “Early on, we created a lot of opportunities that we just missed or came up short on. We will finish those as we grow, but we allowed Howard to get in on us, and give them credit. They took the things we gave them, got the lead and had every reason to be pleased with themselves. Myranda Emery’s goal was great, she had no angle and still finished. Our flank players, including the Putney twins, Myranda and Liz Affronti, really stole the show with what they did, but in particular, I think one of the keys was the work rate of Simone Jimenez. That freed up a lot of different things for us, and I’m very happy with that and with the victory.”
All told, VMI started five freshmen while earning the season-opening win, as well as the rookie goalkeeper in Berrios. The Keydets outshot Howard 23-15 and earned eight corner kicks to Howard’s four.
VMI will return to action Friday, August 26, as the Keydets play host to Youngstown State at Patchin Field. The match is set for 5 p.m.
No. 10 UVa. women’s soccer opens with win over No. 13 WVU
The No. 10 Virginia women’s soccer team opened the 2011 season with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over No. 13 West Virginia in front of 998 fans Friday night at Klöckner Stadium. Gloria Douglas’ (Fayetteville, N.C.) goal in the 89th minute gave the Cavaliers a win in their home opener for the 22nd consecutive season.
“This was a great result, especially for the first game of the season,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “It really had the feel of a NCAA Tournament game; it had that intensity. I thought we did a lot of good things, other than a 10-second period of the first half when we gave up a goal against the run of play. The way we were moving the ball and the chances we were getting, I was confident we could get some goals.”
West Virginia (0-1) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute, scoring on the game’s first shot. After a corner kick, the ball bounced around in the box until it was headed in by Erica Henderson. The Mountaineers held that lead until the 23rd minute as Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) blasted in a cross by Molly Menchel (Alexandria, Va.) for her first career goal to even the score. The Cavaliers nearly took the lead in the 31st minute as Menchel’s long-range shot rattled off the crossbar, but the game remained scoreless at halftime.
Virginia (1-0) had the better of possession and chances in the second half, but the game remained tied until late in the second half. In the 89th minute, Julia Roberts (Frederick, Md.) flicked on a throw-in to Douglas, who was at the top of the six-yard area. She turned on her defender and as she fell she slotted a shot past the outstretched keeper and just inside the far post. It was the sophomore’s fourth career game-winning goal.
“That was a great finish by Gloria,” said Swanson. “She could easily start for us, but she gives us so much of a spark coming off the bench. She has scored some big goals for us and tonight was another one.”
Overall Virginia outshot West Virginia 12-7, while the Mountaineers had a 6-4 corner kick edge. Chantel Jones (Midlothian, Va.) made two saves for the Cavaliers, while Sara Keane made three saves at the other end for West Virginia.
The Cavaliers continue their season-opening nine-game homestand on Sunday as they host Richmond. Game time at Klöckner Stadium is 7 p.m.
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Carl Larsen: ‘One Day’
Posted on August 21, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Poppy had been told by one of her myopic friends that “oh, you know, that charming British guy” starred with Anne Hathaway in this love story based on David Nicholls 2009 novel. He wrote the screenplay too, so blame him.
It’s an interesting idea. You take two friends with (and sometimes without) benefits, show what their lives are like on the same day each year for 20 years. It was set on St. Swithin’s Day (July 15th) and proceeded from their first encounter to their last.
The problem is, the guy (uncharmingly played by Jim Sturgess) had no charisma, and there was a total lack of chemistry for Anne Hathaway to work with. I found I didn’t much care what happened to either of them. So we watched them for (what seemed like) 20 years. Neither of them changed much. She had different hair styles. He shaved. Big whoop.
Sturgess is supposed to be this privileged playboy who disappoints his parents – the mom is wonderful Patricia Clarkson –- who drifts from girl to girl and glitzy job to glitzy job on his way down, while Anne works as a waitress then teacher then author.
She’s always been in love with him (for reasons I could never figure out) and he’s always been in love with him, too. So dewy-eyed Anne carries the torch for ages, and things end up – well, not like you’d expect. Suffice to say the ending is not exactly the kind of feel-goody junk you usually get at the end of a chick flick.
At least one of them isn’t chasing the other one through an airport.
What I think happened was, it wasn’t the kind of a novel that makes a peppy screenplay. You follow these two people around from Scotland to England to France and over the long haul the book comes to some conclusions about Life and Stuff. Not exactly popcorn fare, y’know?
The film is directed by Lone Scherrig, the New Zealand director responsible for “An Education,” that fabulous movie from 2009.
Well, there is always something good to be found even in the worst movies, and it was a treat for us Anne Hathawatchers, with her wide Julia-esque smile, and big lanky little girl beauty. And Rafe Spall added a little comic relief playing an unfunny stand-up comic. Plus drifting through the landscapes of Europe is a much better way to spend a hot afternoon in Pittsburgh. If you add popcorn, anyway.
Filed under Blogs · Tagged with anne hathaway, carl larsen, hugh grant, one day