NorthWood - LaPorte 1-1 (1-0)

With looming storms on the horizon, no one worries about the possibilities of rain but more about lightning and strong storms. But despite the radar promising inclement weather, strong winds seem to break up the bad weather and we never get close to having to make decisions about halting or postponing the Varsity match. FIRST HALF- The Panthers have prepared for this match up all week. Organisation, communication and high energy are thought to be key in this very first NW-LaPorte series. The Slicers roll into Nappanee knowing they have just defeated #15 Crown Point only three days earlier. Their number 20 actually informs David that he made the winning PK in that matchup. David does not seem impressed nor interested and actually makes sure he keeps #20 in check all afternoon. We start the game after the national anthem goes off without a hitch. The Panthers have been playing musical dug outs all year and because the Slicers arrive at the field earlier than the JV, we end up in the south dug out. Duerksen states that if we get a result, he will let superstition take over and remain at the south bench until we lose. The first few minutes both teams are feeling each other out and no real threats present themselves near either goal. In the 7th, Matt takes the ball up the field and sharply passes the ball to Juan on the left side outside the Slicer box. Juan does what he has been doing all week; he rips a hard shot that requires the tall LaPorte goalie to tip the ball. The ball goes over the crossbar for the first NW corner. The next 20 minutes are uneventful. Brayton takes a couple of good shots at the LaPorte goal in the 28th and 30th minute. In the 36th thru 37th minute, we experience probably the two most exciting minutes in this game. A LaPorte attack in the box seems to go in for a goal but Cody makes an unbelievable save followed by a goal line saving header by Pipp to keep the score at 0-0. These defensive actions are the start of a NW attack. The ball from the back lands by Isaac's right foot. With a savvy outside chip over the last defender to Brayton we are now in our most dangerous attack since Juan's shot. Brayton goes into the box and pushes the ball to his right with composure past the keeper and into the ropes, 1-0! This score is also the score at the half. HALF TIME- A few individual issues are discussed but overall the performance was good, the energy level was where it needed to be and organisation and shape were good for the most part. David, Connor and Matt had a good half, Dylan struggled a little in his matchup (but would improve much in the 2nd half). Coach Duerksen stresses that we have only played 40 minutes and need to show the same energy in the second half. SECOND HALF- Our midfielders continue the workrate they showed in half #1. Juan, Derek, Brayton, Isaac, Tony, Eli and Jaron all work hard to keep the lines connected Johan Cruijff style. Dennyz continues his defensive destruction of the LP attacks as well as his offensive distribution. Pipp runs in his shoes the way most speedskaters push off in their skates. This running style has consequence in the 45". He simply separates the top from the bottom half of his bright orange Nike soccer cleat. Dijkstra's soccer shoe repair kit comes in handy. Almost an entire roll of medical tape fixes the issue (it would have been a complete roll but Duerksen's "I think that will do, that should be plenty" stops the repair right then and there). In the 50th minute, LaPorte starts to threaten more and more. One offensive action has Cody save the ball after it hits the post! NW loses some of the possession and control in the game. Another unbelievable stop by Cody is necessary but the ball does not leave the box. LaPorte #42 regains possession of the ball and goes to the left side of the box. Pipp is behind him and is called for a foul in the box. The ref points at the dot at the 12. LaPorte's #42 finishes the penalty decisively, 1-1. Eli is so focused on re-entering the game in the 70th that he is not aware that he has the sticky note with the pre-game instruction on the rear of his shorts. In the 73rd, NW crosses the ball into the LP box. As Brayton tries to go up for the header, he gets shoved in the back and goes down, expecting a whistle and PK. Despite protests from the bench, the best the ref can come up with is that he did not see the foul. My question is; where were you looking if you did not follow the ball into the box. And he does not ask the AR for advice. So despite a decently officiated game, he ends up making the difference in the game by awarding a PK to LaPorte and denying the Panthers a PK. Unfortunate but let us hope that things even out in the end. The result itself is a good one. It is obvious that the Panthers have made progress since the Concord game. The players will get two full days to rest and recuperate from the hard work. NOTES- The Varsity has a busy week coming up. Thursday we will host the Wawasee Warriors for our next NLC match up. Next Saturday we will play in the Argos Invitational (2 games). Varsity record :1-2-2, the JV won 4-2 over LaPorte with goals from Landon (2), Jaron and Kyle. LaPorte scored their second goal on 3rd keeper Nick Bean after Micah got hurt. REFEREE GRADE: D+, he would have received a high mark but not calling a foul that could have changed the outcome of the game makes this a poor officiating performance. No players received any kind of cards. The same can not be said about coach Douwsma. For the second consecutive game, the referee makes Seth the recipient of a yellow card for equipment issues. This time for having two #11's on the field at the same time. Douwsma is unable to go for a third yellow for equipment issues in a row since he will be out of town for the Wawasee matches and the tournament Saturday.