Rudy

How about a feel good story to end the year?

Let's go back to 1998, I believe. NorthWood fielded a team that might not have had the greatest record but did have a lethal outside defender with a #4 on his broad back. Known as "the destroyer" and compared by one of the coaches to Theo"the Tank" Laseroms from the 1970's Feyenoord squads. "The destroyer" (just ask Chris Roelandts if he would agree with that nickname and he will probably tell you that "launching pad" might be more apporpriate but "destroyer" will do)had played three years of varsity soccer (his freshman year was an attempt at playing football for the Panthers but he saw the light and switched to the real football) and never scored a goal. Now "the destroyer" will tell you it's because his coaches,he played for 3 different ones, had him focus on defense alone and there is no reason now to dispute that.The opponent of the day was LaVille and NW was expecting a blow out. With the score 6-0, "the Destroyer" still had not scored despite some good opportunities but after all, finishing was not his expertise. By this time quite a few of #4's team mates had sored. With not a lot of time left on the clock, coach Duerksen put the destroyer in at a forward position. Now the entire team was trying to feed him with a great pass in order to put him in position to score. And it finally happened, "Rudy" scored and in the process injured the goalie who had to leave the game!!!!His first and only goal for NorthWood. With a new nickname and the assurance that he would be in the NorthWood soccer records book forever, his soccer life was complete. So, I need to apologize to "Rudy" for not putting him in the soccer records section on this blog. I will correct that and I need everyone to know that there are others obviously who fall in the category between Josh Corwin and "Rudy" but "Rudy" is mentioned as a sort of a book end.