Elkhart Memorial- NorthWood 2-1 (1-0)

"Boot" Dyksen picture above..................................... JV Coach Douwsma receives a yellow card at the end of the JV game (4-0 loss)courtesy of Coach Duerksen. Arbiter Rick Fischer seems to blow his top (despite him telling us he is having "a great day") but recovers in time to officiate the Varsity contest. FIRST HALF......On Memorial's senior night, NorthWood is forced to make adjustments due to Carter Dyksen's injury. What is initially a broken toe turns into a broken foot after X-rays which effectively ends Carter's season. Considering he plays a pivotal role as (senior) sweeper, Coach Duerksen is forced to revamp the defense. Connor and David become the central defenders in tonight's matchup against Memorial. The 4-3-3 sees Derek and Pipp on the flank defensive positions. NW starts 7 (!) sophomores and one freshman. It is by far the youngest NW Varsity soccer squad to ever take the field. The first 10 minutes or so go back and forth and in the 13th, Connor Miller takes his first of many good free kicks from half way down the offensive half -by this time Junior is well on his way to digesting his second large slice of pizza- into the box. The ball finds Beebe's head and the header goes over the goal. This offensive threat by NorthWood is followed by a lot of play in the middle of the third when NW has possession. When Memorial gets the ball, they quickly and directly play the ball near our defensive and for the most part, skip the entire Memorial midfield. In the 20th, a Memorial forward goes one on one with Cody. Cody does a great job by stopping the ball from going in. Unfortunately, Memorial scores their first goal in minute 33. Four minutes later, Beebe shoots at the goal from distance. The ball is on the frame and requires a save from the Memorial keeper. HALFTIME...... The break is used to tell the boys that our approach is one of simplicity, look for opportunities to get the ball in the box and create goal scoring chances.......SECOND HALF.......The first half was not a bad performance by NW but the second half starts out much better then the first. A lot of pressure, working for each other results in a lot of offensive NorthWood pressure on the Memorial defense. Numerous shots and crosses are taken and it looks for a long time that it is only a matter of time until we will score the equalizer. But a lot of midfield and offensive pressure does open one up for counter attacks and just such a quick counter attack nets the Chargers their second goal in the 69th. In the 76th, Cody Cripe makes a great save to his right with his right glove and knocks a great strike against the post and averts a 3-0 deficit. NorthWood keeps playing strong and keeps fighting. In the 80th, this tireless effort pays off when the ball keeps bouncing around in the Memorial box and after two missed opportunities the ball lands near Carter Beebe. Carter strikes the ball with decisive pace and the ball flies in the ropes right before time expires, 2-1. A great effort by a very, very young team. If this effort is put forth each time we step on the pitch, who knows what can happen. ..........NOTES....The Panthers return to action on Thursday on the road (again) against John Glenn (and probably another 10 guys)in North Liberty at 5 pm. No JV contest is scheduled. Today (Wednesday) the players have been given the day off after two tough and exhausting games. This rare day off is followed by another day off for the JV. The bus for the Varsity game tomorrow will leave the AC at 3:45 pm. Both teams return to the practice field Friday to prepare for the Concord contests.