Referees were scheduled for a 6:45 pm game so we were left to explain the same mistake that was made only a few days ago at South Bend Riley. It is not that easy to start a game warm up, finish it and the entire time worrying why refs are not there, trying to find someone who might know, keeping a crowd of about 100 informed and then trying to figure out when to re-start a warm up and keep the boys motivated. And doing this when the season is in a crucial stage (NLC season coming to a close, sectionals only a week and a half away) it sure would be nice that these type of problems wouldn't pop up. The game was slated for a 5 pm start (according to the Glenn & NWHS websites and our schedules) but the refs were contracted for a 6:45 start. So they had to be called and they all came as quick as they could. The game was able to kick off at 6:08 pm. Thanks to all who came out to support the team and thanks for your patience. We will strive in the future tocontinue to have the correct game times on this blog (read yesterday's morning blog under "Reminder").
FIRST HALF
Early on, Glenn takes control of the game and forces Kyle to make several great saves to keep the ball out of the goal. And the day gets worse, on one of NorthWood's first attacks, Glenn's defense tries to clear the ball but strikes Tim in the head. The ball hits Tim hard and he is forced to come off. Paul Widner is called and he determines that Tim probably has a concussion and Tim is on his way home to recover soon after the break. His return date is unknown at this time. Conner Miller falls battling for the ball and gets stepped on his head with a soccer cleat. Despite the injuries, NorthWood tries to make some offensive inroads. But the Panthers are slow to move off the ball and when Taylor Wegmiller has the ball in the 20th, he decides to go solo and slaloms thru the Glenn defense like a hot knife thru butter and in the final part of the act goes one on one with the keeper. With composure, Wegmiller tucks the ball in the corner for the NorthWood 1-0 lead. In the 21st, Clay shoots his second shot well over the crossbar. The rest of the first half is played in poor fashion and does not present anyone with any type of attractive soccer. Eusebio does receive a yellow caution for "a second foul" (this must be a change in rules that I must have overlooked). I wonder what color card the ref would produce for a third or fourth foul (red and pink respectively?).
Workrate improvement and some practical adjustments were the subjects of discussion at the half.
SECOND HALF
In the early phase of the second half NW would receive another yellow card (Clay-handball). On another run into the box with a real scoring opportunity, Taylor Wegmiller gets tripped from behind and the ref points decidedly to the 12 yard spot (or hole at our field). From the penalty hole, Taylor hits the ball to his left and the ball hits the inside of the woodwork before crossing the goal line for the 2-0 lead (47"). In the 60th, Wegmiller takes a corner to Brayton whose re-direct closes in on the goal line but gets cleared by a Falcon defender. But the cleared ball strikes Tad Chamberlain who gets the ball to go on the frame and does not give the Glenn keeper a chance at a save. The goal extends NorthWood's lead to three while at the same time improves Tad's scoring tally to three on the season (not bad for a sweeper with a unique haircut). His speedy celebration run puts him back in the rear of the defense in seconds. Glenn is only dangerous on a couple of occassions but it does require a couple of nice saves (56th and 63rd min.) from Kyle to protect the clean sheet. In the 64th, Clay takes another crack at the goal but it misses to the left of the pipes. In the 65th, a much improved Eusebio (decreased dribbling results in increased passing efficiency)lays the ball off to Taylor who gets the ball to Clay; his shot sails over the goal. Brayton Taylor would get his second assist of the night in the 66th when he places a ball in front of Clay thru and across the box. On the cross run, while dueling with a Glenn defender, Clay places the ball with composure and accuracy into the right corner of the goal while the keeper is going the opposite way. This nice goal solidifies the win and is the final goal of the night. The second half effort was an improvement over the sub par first half. Nice job boys! A good solid 4-0 win is a nice result going into Saturday's contest at Concord.
NOTES
Tim will probably be out a while. Tito (JV keeper) is out for the year with a knee injury. This leaves the entire program with only 24 players. The Varsity has not lost in 4 games and has won three in a row. The Varsity record is 7-5-2. The JV did not play yesterday. Today's practice will be at the High School and will be a regualr short Friday practice (one hour only).
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