NorthWood - Wawasee 1-2 (1-0)

FIRST HALF
Some opportunities presented themselves early on in the game but it took until the 20th minute before NW was able to create some danger off a corner kick. The Wawasee Goalie found it necessary to push German down at which point the somewhat obese center referee pointed at the white dot in the box. The Douwsma conversion resulted in a change on the scoreboard, 1-0 NorthWood. For the next 18 minutes, the only excitement came from sources other then the soccer players. The Wawasee ball boy on the dug out side asked the bench if "we ever hmpff thge grrrrr championship on the grokkhyuuu" to which we had no response. I guess it is tough to respond to something you don't understand. The center ref questioned my position on the sidelines but, as is typical for most referees, must have had some substance in his eyes since he was not able to see the wide white painted lines I was walking between. So yes, I was in "my box" and he acknowledged that with a "whiny" "I see the line now". In the 38th minute, Seth hit a hard shot off a St. Germain pass inside the Wawasee box that hit the crossbar.

SECOND HALF
An optimistic re-start for NorthWood resulted in a great shot by Cesar(42nd min.). A great GK save prevented the so much needed 2-0. Two other great chances (Trevor on the goal line in the 48th & Rethlake's shot from the right side missed the goal just to the right in the 65th)should have put NW ahead by 2 or 3 goals to put the game away. Four minutes later a long distance shot by the Warriors sailed over the goalmouth and into the far post net, 1-1. With less then 10 minutes to play,(I believe it was the 75th) Chupp fouled a Wawasee midfielder from 23.5 feet away (according to the bow legged creature in yellow & black)with his -apparently very very long 25 foot-arms by pushing him down in the box. The ensuing PK was to be the last score of the game. Wawasee won its first NLC game, NorthWood fell to 1-2-3 overall & 0-1-1 in NLC. Despite the botched call, NW should have capitalized on some first half and early second half opportunities. A chance to redeem themselves will be tomorrow at the Crown Point Invite. The bus leaves at 6:15 sharp.