The Panthers were welcomed to a lush yellow and brown soccer field that resembled an indoor surface with lots of dips and bumps. Fortunately the 18 yard box had been treated with about 48 gallons of water prior to kick off. The announcing shed/storage facility was in just about as much need of some paint as the field was of some water. The pre-game ritual by the Bremen Lions sounded more like a retired group of Indians in their 70's.
FIRST HALF
Bremen showed right from the kick off that they play a very direct style of soccer. The very first shot at goal came one minute into the game and required a stop by Kyle. The next ten minutes or so went back and forth until an Eddie Salinas corner. The near post corner got to Noodle who almost connected. Three minutes later a Bremen free kick caused a lot of commotion in the NW box and required a last second save off the goal line by a NW defender. In the 14th minute a beautiful Eddie cross lands on Taylor's head but misses to the left of the Lion's pipes. In the 33rd the referee awards Bremen with a corner. The kick from the flag goes in by way of a touch by Bremen's number 6. This is the first time this year that the Panthers do not score first in a game; the 1-0 is also the half time score.
HALF TIME
Coach Duerksen explains that 1-0 is not the end of the world, that we are the better team and have plenty of time to score three in the second half (prophecy?). Coach Dijkstra challenges the team to do whatever it takes to get a win no matter how ugly or pretty the play.
SECOND HALF
This is probably the best start of any half this entire season. In the 41st, Eddie gets a free kick and shoots the ball at the goal. The goalie seems surprised by the quick re-start and barely makes a save. In the 43rd, Eddie's corner lands by Conner Beckwith who executes perfectly with a shot that touches the crossbar to draw us even, 1-1. Only a minute later, Taylor Wegmiller takes a ball hard to the left end line and as if it were a practice drill, perfectly crosses the ball across the box to Eusebio who in turn connects for what we all thought was the 2-1. But the goal gets disallowed. The explanation we heard was that the ball went over the end line before Taylor crossed the ball. Both Taylor and Eusebio said it never went over the line. So the score at this point remains 1-1.In the 48th minute, Bremen takes a free kick from about 22 yards out. While getting ready to take the shot, several Bremen players block Kyle and some defenders on the NW goal line. The free kick goes high to the right upper corner and Kyle tries to get to it but is impeded by two Bremen players. The ball hits the net but the goal does not get disallowed despite the infraction on Kyle. After a couple of games with good officiating, we now find out that that streak will not continue. Not many times do you see officials not protect the keeper, especially when it is this blatant. As a matter of fact, Grandpa with the grey beard has harsh words for Kyle as well as Coach Dijkstra. I guess he doesn't like Dijkstras. My only advise to him would be to get a check up at the eye doctor. And I actually should have made an appointment for him for right after the Varsity game because then he might not have missed some huge calls in the JV game. Knowing that NW could not do much about the man's eyesight, it was back to business. With the score at 2-1, the Panthers started to pressure more and more. In the 48th, Noodle placed a thru ball on the ground to Taylor. Taylor went one on one with the Bremen keeper while keeping a defender at bay. With great composure, Taylor waited for the keeper to come out and then placed the ball in the net, 2-2. In the 68th minute, Eddie put a free kick right in front of Taylor. Taylor went at the goal but the ball seemed to have been stopped by the Bremen keeper. He did not hold on to the ball, it bounced against Taylor who then took a nice touch on the ball and it disappaered into the goal. With the score at 2-3, the game was not over. With 12 minutes left on the clock, Conner had another great shot at the goal. The Bremen GK bobbled the ball but was able to avoid another goal. In the 79th, Bremen would come in front of the NW goal one last time. One of the Bremen midfielders got a shot off but Kyle made a great save to preserve the lead.
NOTES
The players on the DL made themselves useful. Jacob did the Stats Book, Vitor was in charge of water & Powerade and Collin was sitting down.
The JV lost 3-1 (3-2 in my book). They played well and deserved more. A goal was taken away for being "off side". I guess it is hard to make the right call when you are caught way out of position. So I guess it is better to make things up rather then to call what you see. Of course when you can get a referee license online.............
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