#15 Goshen-NorthWood 4-0 (2-0)

As if it isn't hard enough to play a good (not great) Goshen team, it becomes even harder when we see that bowlegged Lou is part of the officiating crew. And, it turns out, he outdoes himself tonight. But more about that in a little bit. The Goshen announcer butchers most names (Deeeekstra and Dickerson??) so not a smooth start so far. If you are a regular reader, you know that I do not post too much when we do not leave the pitch with a "W". So I won't stray too far from my M.O.. FIRST HALF-It is obvious that JT Plavchack (#6) has more speed then anyone on our defense. This kid has some serious speed which typically means that the defense is in for a long night. Life is already tough enough for NW since Eshelman (knee) is out and Tanner joined the ranks of the walking wounded as well (football injury). It takes Goshen about 15 minutes before they dribble in the NW box, turn away from defenders and put the ball in the goal, 1-0. The number 6 signs for the second goal in the 22nd minute for the 2-0 lead which is also the half time score. Cody has a couple of incredible saves that keep us in the game. HALF TIME- Coach Duerksen (Dickerson if you live in Goshen) addresses some defensive issues and we again stress the fact that the ball needs to get close to the Goshen box. SECOND HALF- The second act does not start well when a defensive miscue leads to the third Goshen goal in the 49th. Not too much happens until the 61st when a NW defender gets called for a foul in the box. The PK is a well placed shot to Cody's right. He dives and punches the ball out, no goal.....but wait....bowlegged Lou raises his flag. He indicates that Cody did something not many humans can do. He says that Cody came off his line (if so, it is not something that gets called unless it is so blatant -like two steps before a kick-)but if Cody did come off the line AND move to his right to stretch to punch the ball he is a human miracle! Who can move forward and sideways and cover that much space. But let us not forget that Lou is as crooked as a hillbilly smile (the retake goes in, 4-0). Two years ago at Wawasee he penalized Kyle for a handball outside the box when he punted the ball (a call rarely called unless blatant - see a trend here?) and he also awarded Wawasee a PK for a "foul" outside the box (that is not something that is rarely seen, that is something you can not even do!). Goshen did not need 12 players last night but that is what they ended up with. NOTES- Today's practice will be a light one and will run from 3:30 - 4:15. No shin guards needed. The JV lost 7-0. That same JV will travel to Goshen tomorrow for the JV Tournament. The bus leaves the High School at 8 am, first game on field 2 (next to the game field we played on last night) at 9 am, the second game is at noon. We play Memorial in game 1. The Varsity has Saturday off but already returns to action Monday at home against Elkhart Christian at 6:45 (I think the girls play at home Monday as well at 5 pm). The JV travels to Penn on Monday, 5 pm game, bus leaves at 3:45 pm Monday for the JV. Both teams play four games next week and I will post the specifics Monday in next week's TWINS.