THE STORY OF THE COMEBACK KIDS
The Panthers had shifted their focus to Bremen minutes after the Angola game. Much preparation had been spend on defense and not giving up opportunities in the box. But now it was time to see if we could execute. The weather conditions were perfect, the field was in good condition which was a rarity since we have been used to playing on wet and slippery Newton Park fields in years past. The team was ready as was the crowd. A nice contingent was present from both schools. Time for kick off. Our boys were ready to go.
FIRST HALF
The first five minutes of the game went as expected; two teams feeling each other out with NW having the majority of the possession. Just as we seemed to settle down, Bremen kicked the ball to their forward who found himself even with the NW defense. The foot race to goal was won by Bremen and Kyle had to come off his line. He covered the goal, only a perfect shot would go in. The Bremen shot hit the inside of the left post and disappeared into the net, 0-1. In the ensuing minutes, the Panthers took control of the game again, In the 10th and 11th, Lincoln (you will see this name mentioned again later on once or twice or thrice)and Taylor got decent shots off at the Bremen goal. In the 13th, Lincoln scores from the left side on a Eddie Salinas assist to tie the game at 1-1. In the 28th minute of play, Eddie makes the Lions keep make a save off a well placed free kick. The wheels seem to come off in the 30th minute. The escapee from the nursing home (yesterday must have been free sunglasses day)points to the dot for a Bremen PK after Collin Tucker heads a ball out of the box. No foul was committed and Collin actually did a great defensive job getting the ball out of the box. But, nonetheless, it's a penalty kick. Bremen puts the ball in the net for the 2-1. And just when the Panthers started to get control of the game again, another Bremen attack near the box results in a shot in traffic that finds its way to the net for a disheartening 3-1 half time score.
HALF TIME
Coach Duerksen emphasized the fact that we can not let any goals in in the second half and that we will just have to put in two or three and that "we will win this game!".
SECOND HALF
Ryan Lincoln took Coach Duerksen's words to heart and apparently did not feel like waiting to long to change the scoreboard. In a left flank attack, Ryan took a great shot only one minute and 43 seconds into the second half to close the gap to 3-2. The next 22 minutes seemed like an eternity. NW had the majority of the possession, played nice combination soccer and gave Bremen few opportunities but we needed something. Coach Dijkstra, in his infinite wisdom, must have thought that a discussion with the president of retiree association would get him somewhere but all it got him was a yellow card (#2 on the season if you are counting, not too bad actually). After he got thrown under the bus by coach Duerksen to get his first yellow earlier this season it was now Coach Mattern's turn to get the referee all excited. Coach Mattern then settles down, coach Dijkstra asked the ref if he would pay attention to Bremen's #2 in the box and voila, he whips out the freaking yellow. Just so you know, I carry cards in my backpack and I was tempted to give a red one in return but back to the match.
In the 60th minute, a Eddie free kick gets redirected in the box by way of a header from Trent towards Lincoln, who, in the middle of the box, takes a controlled and composed shot that gets saved by the Lions keeper. A couple of minutes later, Bremen has a break away on the left and Kyle has to come out to prevent another goal. He slides in front of the Bremen midfielder in the 1v1 and takes the ball off his laces. In the 69th minute, a NW attack in the box gets stopped by the referees whistle but he points to the 12 for a NorthWood PK. Not sure what the call was (maybe it was one of those famous make up calls) but Mr. Connor "automatic" Beckwith knows what to do.....score. It is now 3-3 with 14 minutes left to play. The Panthers keep plugging away knowing at this point that a draw will at least get us into overtime and maybe PK's but also knowing that Bremen is now playing on their heels just hoping to hang on for dear life. In the 71st minute, Ryan Lincoln takes the ball near and then inside the box and crushes the shot against the right inside netting to put the Panthers ahead 3-4! The crowd went nuts, the players went nuts, the bench goes nuts and the coaches are nuts! What a comeback for the Panthers. And there could have been more goals. A very determined Josh Ailes had 3 great takes that all could have gone in. The entire defense with Jake, Collin, Kronk, Clay, Trent, Connor, Kyle and the midfield with Josh, Noodle and Eddie, Ryan (hat trick/game of a lifetime) and Taylor, all of them did a great job in the second half coming back with determination and composure. I think we are ready for LaVille!
NOTES
With SAT's saturday, the usual saturday morning practice on sectional finals day has been moved to 12:30 pm. A lupper for the team and coaches will follow the light practice at coach Dijkstra's house. Fortunately for the team, coach Dijkstra will not prepare the carbohydrate laden meal.
The bus for the sectional game will depart at 5:45 pm. Anyone who needs attention from the trainer will need to make arrangements with Paul today because he will be out of town tomorrow.
The Panthers were back in black....it worked....more of the same Saturday.
We had a nice crowd last night and with temperatures expected to be near 80, we are hoping for another nice crowd tomorrow. What better thing to do on a Saturday then come out and support your Panthers!
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