NorthWood @ Northridge 1-4

Northridge played a different style soccer then we have been used to in the last decade or so. Despite fielding a team with technical skill, it is also a team that resorts to less desirable tactics. Add to that a referee (at least that is what his badge said) who seemed to worry more about what was going on around the field then on it and you have almost all the ingredients of a night that has potential for disaster. Credit the NorthWood varsity for averting that disaster. It could have been a night with consequences but the only person who got send off was a spectator who offered his (and a lot of other people's) opinion on the member of the blue men group who occupied the middle.

After two miscues in the back, the Panthers were facing a 2-0 deficit before the 20th minute of the game. The Raiders added another goal to that before the half. During the halftime adjustments the coaches spoke about not getting caught up in the Raider's fans behavior but use that as positive energy.

The second half saw an energetic and hard working Panther side that did not back down from the way Northridge played. And if an occasional ball ended up in the Northridge stands, that probably was an accident.Proof of a Panther side working hard and not giving up came when Northridge scored in the 46th minute and NW returned the favor in the 47th and scored off a free kick in the right corner. Cesar's direct free kick ended up near and inside the right post.

Despite the referee's threats directed at the NW coaches, despite the way Northridge conducted themselves, we saw a NW team mature and handle itself well and play well. With good performances by all players, especially in the second half. I do have to mention the hard work rate during the entire game from Cam, Ryan, Maliq and Josh. And the rest of the team caught up with them in the second half.

A valiant effort by one member of the officiating crew to try and incite the NW players and coaches did not have the desired result but does proof the point that the level of officiating in this area is far, far below the acceptable level.

NOTES
Coach Duerksen was logically to caught up in the game last night but wanted to say "happy Birthday" to Michael!!!!

Check out the Elkhart Truth friday edition for two pictures in the sports section and etruth.com with 14 pictures of last nights game.