NorthWood - Memorial 3-1

Villegas hat trick secures NLC win.

NorthWood faced a crucial NLC match at Elkhart Memorial on an 87 degree night. The pregame talk focused on some strategic issues that needed addressed by the team. There was no mention of the Department of Transportation inspired bright yellow neon socks worn by the Chargers.

FIRST HALF
It was NorthWood who started out fast and furious for a change. Some quick passes and good runs off the ball put the ball on the Memorial side of the field in the starting minutes of the game. In the 4th minute, Edgar Villegas received the ball while the Memorial goalkeeper was way off his line. Edgar showed composure and made an accurate shot over the keeper who tried to stop the ball while going backwards to his goal. The ball disappeared in the net and NW led 1-0. In the minutes following the first goal, Memorial took over the tempo of the game and had more possession then NorthWood. Just when it looked like the Chargers would pose a threat, the Panthers took the ball to their offensive third. Micah Shaw delivered the ball to Edgar Villegas who poked the ball behind the goalie (29th min.). The Panthers started to possess the ball more and passed a little better with the hope of reaching the half, staying ahead with a two goal lead. In the 34th minute an opportunistic attack, that involved too many defenders, the ball was lost on the left side of the field. A quick Memorial two on one break away resulted in a one on one between the Memorial forward and goalie Mike "Holy" Schmitt. Schmitt came out to the top of the box but Memorial striker Chrstian Lopez put the ball in the lower corner; 2-1. This score would also be the half time score.

SECOND HALF
The Panthers put their stamp on the second half. A very determined team stepped on the field with an obvious goal of winning the game in mind. About 15 minutes into the half it became apparent that the Chargers were running out of steam. Every 50-50 ball was now won by a NorthWood player. NorthWood was outrunning Memorial and in general just plain working harder then Memorial.
In the 69th minute however, Memorial took an attack right up the middle of the field and after some poor defensive decisions, a Memorial midfielder took a shot that landed on the far post and fortunately bounced back in the field of play.
In minute 75, Seth "Ducky" Douwsma played the ball to Edgar Villegas. Edgar went toward the box, took a shot that was out of reach for the GK, 3-1. This gave Edgar his first hat trick in an NLC game and might be the first hat trick for NorthWood in any NLC game.
NorthWood outshot Memorial 8-7. The panthers are now 7-3-2 (2-2-1NLC) and still contending for a top three finish in the conference. Next up; @ John Glenn -varsity only- Thursday 9/20/07.

JV
The JV gave up a goal with three seconds to go to, to make the final 2-2. The JV played a good game in wich they were ahead twice. Scoring for the JV; Armington and Helms.

NOTES
Welcome to the site, my former college team mate Sjaak Hansink, from the Netherlands. Sjaak currently plays for DOS Kampen (DOSK). Some of you might have heard of Sjaak's brother's best friend, current Ajax defender and former Manchester United, AC Milan, DOSK and Holland defender Jaap Stam.
The "Holy Schmitt" t-shirt design will, hopefully, be posted here today.