NorthWood - LaVille 2-0

FIRST HALF
Right from the kick off, it was obvious that this NW team was focused on the task at hand. The team in black started off on the LaVille side of the field for the first 20 minutes of the game, showing that it had listened to the pre game instructions to pass to feet, run off the ball and communicate. Of course, it does not hurt to get in a quick goal. In the 5th minute of the game, Ducky dribbled thru three defenders in the 18 area. After getting by the third defender, he placed the ball in the lower right, out of reach for the LaVille keeper. LaVille did not get off their defensive third too often in the beginning stages of the game but were able to get a cross in the box in the 15th minute. The cross was however headed over the goal. Edgar went into the box only a minute later, but falling due to some pushing did not result in a call from the referee. In the 19th minute, Edgar passed a perfect ball to Ducky. Ducky's shot had some pace but went just wide to the left. NW kept putting pressure on the Lancers. In the 22nd minute, Seth took a shot when the LaVille keeper was off his line, but the shot missed accuracy. The Panthers played some of their best possession soccer of the season in the first half. Micah Shaw had been served passes on the right side by Rogelio, Seth and Robby during the entire first half and most of his crosses were dangerous each time they reached the 18 yard box.

HALFTIME
The coaches stressed during halftime that the team needed to continue to pass to feet and work hard in order to make it to the finals on Saturday night. Coach Duerksen also emphasized the importance of getting the ball to Micah on the right side. Not only was Micah open all night long, but he had made some great decisions once he possessed the ball. Duerksen told Douwsma and Villegas to dribble more into the box and have others trailing in case they would lose the ball. Some defensive adjustments were made as well.

SECOND HALF
The second half started much like the first, with the Panthers passing the ball. It was LaVille however, who created the first opportunities. The Lancers pushed the ball up, resulting in a couple of corners in the 43rd minute. This was followed by a 45th minute shot at the goal. "Holy" Schmitt made the save. In the 52nd minute, a lost dribble near the 18 was recovered by Micah (who had obviously paid attention to the halftime speech). Micah took it (surely with Josh's permission) to the top left side of the box and took an explosive crack at the goal with his left. The ball hit the top of the woodwork. It was perfect executed strategy by the Panthers. Fourteen minutes into the second half (minute 54), it was freshman Ryan "Smalls" Lincoln who had a nice shot at the LaVille goal. Only two minutes later, it was Seth Douwsma who got the ball outside the LaVille box and took a hard shot that hit the back of the net, 2-0. It was probably one of Seth's hardest shots all year in a game. The goalie had no chance and the momentum was going our way.
It was becoming clear that the Lancers were getting frustrated with being outplayed and in the 67th minute, Micah Shaw tried to bring the ball up the field from the right side and got fouled by one of LaVille's midfielder but did not get the call and ended up with a yellow for commenting on the foul. The coaching staff kept quiet, knowing who the men with the whistles were. This was not the time to have them show off their talent in not knowing anything about the game of soccer. In minute 68, Cesar got tangled up with LaVille's #10 who punched our yellow booted stopper. For that effort, #10 received a yellow caution. With the game winding down, LaVille was able to get off a last offensive against the men in black. In the 73rd minute a very good shot was saved by Mike "Holy" Schmitt with a great dive to his left. With only four minutes to go, the Panthers showed how some of the things we've worked on, really can be effective and attractive at the same time. Micah received a pass on the right side and with a beautiful pass, put Seth in the corner, who, in turn took the ball to the endline and crossed it into the box. By coming around the ball, the cross went into the box toward some of the NW forwards who tried to run into the ball. The GK was alert, came out and dove on the ball. If the LV goalie would not have been so lucky to get some fingers on the ball, it would have been an easy goal for the Panthers.

This solid performance by the entire team put the Panthers in the 2007 Sectional Finals on Saturday October 6th at 7 pm at Newton Park. Hopefully a large black and red crowd will be on hand to support the team in their game against Bremen. With a win, the Panthers would move to 10 wins and back to back Sectional Championships. The weather will be gorgeous on Saturday, so have your grandparents, girlfriends (boyfriends), parents, friends and illegitimate children come to the game and cheer us on.

COMMENTS
The pizza was great! The team will practice from 3:30- 5 today (Friday) and from 9 am - 9:45 on Saturday morning (light training) to be followed by a team breakfast at the Burns mansion around 10 am. Good luck to those who have to take the SAT (Josh, Micah, Schmitt and who am I missing?) on SATurday. The bus for the sectional finals will leave the AC at 5:30 pm. All are to wear team attire only!
I am not sure what time the JV bus will leave (probably around noon so they can have a nice sit down dinner on the way to Lakeville). Their driver Larry "Bud" Melman.........uh.......Jason Bell, will finalize those plans with the JV players.
COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR 2007 NORTHWOOD BOYS SOCCER TEAM!!!!!!!!