NorthWood - Wawasee 2-0

The Panthers failed to put away Wawasee early but managed an NLC win with a 2-0 score nonetheless. The shutout victory puts NorthWood in a good position to contend for a top three spot in the NLC. The first ten minutes of the game was dominated by NorthWood who seemed to settle down right after the kick off. What almost looked like a practice possession game resulted in numerous chances for the Duerksen eleven. None was put in the back of the net however until Edgar Villegas' pass in the 15th minute across the box to Josh Stump (!). Josh finished the cross with a routine like touch across the goal line, 1-0!

Surprisingly, it was Wawasee who seemed to take control of the game after the goal. The middle third of the field was controlled by Wawasee and a few break-a-ways put the NW defense on its back heels. Wawasee threatened to score with a few shots on Mike "HOLY" Schmitt. Mike was able to keep his goal clean, at least until the half.

The second half promised to be a lot more physical then the first. Bodies were flying everywhere, the crowd got involved, the referees did not. Wawasee's #5 had to leave the game temporarily due to a bloody gash on the top of his head. After an expert examination by both AD Norm Sellers and JV coach Justin Bell, it was determined that a NW player with buck teeth must have been the culprit. The #5 was wrapped like an early Christmas present and with only a bow missing, returned to the rock hard pitch.

In the 53rd minute NorthWood crossed a ball into the Wawasee box that was -unintentionally-touched by the hand of a Wawasee defender, the referee however pointed at the 12 after issuing a yellow caution to the Wawasee player who committed the foul. In typical NorthWood fashion, the Villegas PK came back into the playing field (save by the GK) only to be put in the net after all, this time by Edgar Villegas. The 2-0 result would stand. The 200 or so in the stands did get a little more vocal towards the men in yellow but they seemed professionally oblivious. Schmitt came up with a few more extraordinary saves in the goalmouth before the result went officially in the books as a NLC win for the Panthers. The Panthers are now 4-1-1 (1-1 in NLC). Tomorrow (Saturday) NorthWood travels to Crown Point to compete in the Crown Point Invite where a match with Wheeler High School is slated for 9:30 (our time).

With a little more luck, the JV could have posted a better result against Wawasee. Coach Bell's former team beat the NW JV 1-2. The NorthWood JV saw several counters that turned into real opportunities but none were converted after the first goal by Tyler Kronk. The team did play well and showed improvement especially when it concerns possessing the ball. Hopefully the trend will continue and consequently, results will improve as well.