NorthWood-Plymouth 2-1 (2-1)

It is the last home game for our 10 Varsity seniors. A very nice bulletin is available at the gate full of pictures and information on all our seniors. Banners are hanging from the back of the bleachers and each player gets introduced with their parents before the game. The JV sets the tone for the night and battles the Rockies JV and manages to come away with a 1-0 win on a great finish by Jaron Mullet. This kid has a nose for the goal and a killer instinct. This large group of seniors has played together and spent a lot of time together thru the years. This group has a very laid back attitude and has helped all of the players who came into the program after them and made them better players. The coaches will miss this talented and fun loving group. Last year this group fought their way into the Sectional Final and then managed to come away with a win to bring home NorthWood's fifth Sectional title. This group is determined to go far into the play off again this year. And if any group of players can, it is this one. But back to the order of the night. Not a lot needs said before the game. The seniors are motivated and want to win the last game on their field. FIRST HALF- While possession goes back and forth in the first 10 minutes or so, it seems that the Panthers are taking a little bit of control of the game. The Pilgrims/Rockies (??)play mainly long ball. In the 15th, Dylan delivers a cross that finds its way to Isaac. After a couple of twists and turns, Isaac goes by two defenders and then toe balls the ball in the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later, Derek plays the ball over the top to Isaac. Isaac is already thinking that he is one third of the way to a hat trick and kills the shot but the effort goes over the goal. A Plymouth corner lands in the box in minute 29. The Panther defense forgets to step in front of the ball and a Plymouth midfielder shoots it hard thru the defenders and into the goal from close range, 1-1. Two minutes before the tea, Derek delivers another pass, this time to AC. After a nice move, AC shoots and the Pilgrim GK stretches and makes the save to prevent a NW lead.In the 39th, a Panther attack on the right side of the box has Isaac going at goal. What looks to be a shot that will go in, gets stopped by the keeper but the ball comes out and hits a Plymouth defender. The ricochet lands between the Plymouth pipes and over the goal line, 2-1!For the record; David gets a yellow for a high kick early on in the first half. SECOND HALF- Three actions are worth mentioning. In the 68th Derek throws the ball to Brayton in the right orner. Brayton's long cross find Juan who heads the ball but the keeper makes the save. In the 73rd, Cody has to come up big on a Plymouth cross to keep us in the game and in the 77th, a very nice NW build up develops as follows; David has the ball and switches to Juan who, in turn, serves Brayton in the box. Brayton delivers the ball to AC. AC makes a couple of nice moves and places the ball in the corner of the goal but the Pilgrim keep saves the ball with a dive to his right. Final score 2-1. Varsity record now at 8-4-3 (3-3-1 NLC). JV record 5-10. REFEREE GRADE:B. Great NW crowd tonight, lots of student support which is much appreciated. NOTES- Practice for both teams at the game field. Tomorrow (Thursday), both teams finish up the regualr season at Bethany Christian. It will be the 5th senior night we will be part of this season. Thanks to Mr. Taylor for taping the home games, to Mr. Cripe for announcing. To all the parents who helped with all the team dinners, thank you. Also thanks to all the parents who did the banners, the frames, the booklet etc. for Senior Night. All Varsity seniors started the first half. It added significantly to the total playing time on Varsity for Mario and Easton.