Sectional 1st Round NorthWood-Culver Academies 1-4 (1-1)

Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you prepare, what the formation is or what the strategy is. Sometimes it just comes down to who capitalizes on opportunities created. The Panthers have three (3) 1V1's in the first half (one each by AC 16"", Isaac 27" and Brayton 34") and are not able to get it behind the Eagles' keeper. The Culver keep saves all three and keeps his team in the game in the first half. The Eagles score in the 21st after a combination play gets a nice finish from #7 Sada. In the 30th, David saves the ball off of our goal line to keep us in it and a Dennyz to Brayton pass in the 38th, has Brayton taking a great shot but another goalkeeper save prevents the ball from going in. This time however, Tony crashes the goal and puts the loose ball in the ropes, 1-1. We do not make any adjustments at the half since we are playing well and are level despite some very questionable officiating. The first 18 minutes of the second half go back and forth and thoughts of a draw (PK's ?) start to surface. An undeserved free kick from Culver changes all that however. The service is to the #14 who heads the ball past Cody for a 1-2 lead. In the 71st, Culver's #10 slices thru our defense and creates a little bit of room. His curling shot seems to go wide but comes back in and around Cody and finds the net, 1-3. Only a minute later, a NW free kick taken by Isaac goes over the wall and hits the post. With about 17 seconds left on the clock and the Panthers pressing offensively, the Culver midfield counter attacks and forces a foul in the box by David. The Culver #2 connects for a 1-4 final. The end of the season for NW. The Panthers have had a great season. Their final record 9-5-3, winning the Argos tournament and coming in 4th in NLC while tying the school NLC record at 3-3-1 are all accomplishments. This same group won the Sectional last year and as coach Duerksen said, that championship is yours and can never be taken away. This group of seniors was an absolutely fantastic group of men who will be sorely missed by the coaching staff. They spent four years getting to this point. In those four years they developed as players, worked hard and committed themselves to NorthWood soccer. It is one of the best teams NorthWood soccer has had and they were one of the better teams in the area. Unfortunately, the season ends to soon. Thank you Derek, Brayton, Isaac, Dennyz, David, Connor, Matthew, Aaron, Easton and Mario!!!!!! The coaching staff loved having these guys for four years (really wish Easton would have been around for 4 instead of 1!). As coach Duerksen said last night after we got off the bus :"you will always be part of NorthWood soccer". REFEREE GRADE: A big fat bow legged "F"!!! None of the three were any good and actually a disgrace to the game. Gamal was never close enough to make a call. NW got its first free kick in the 12th of the second half(yes 2nd half!!), Rick Fischer on the bleacher side made a mess of things, screwing up an all important off side call (Tony comes off his own -!!- half for a Brayton pass) in the first half. The AR on the bench side (Daniel Gottschalk) never (!!!) once raises his flag for a foul call and does not understand the importance of this game. Frankly, none of these guys should be involved in a Sectional game. It is above their capabilities. If you don't have the feel for the game or have never played the game or understand the rules, lower level games are probably more appropriate. Not that the referees are to blame for our loss, they are not. Like I stated at the beginning, you just have to put more in the net than the opponent and last night, we were not able to do that. On Thursday we will meet in Duerksen's room after school to hand in the uniforms (clean, please). The seniors will go with the coaches to the game field to take down the nets and clean up the press box. Thanks to all the parents, grandparents, students etc. for all their support all season long. We have had the largest crowds at all games but especially home games in NW soccer history. Thanks again!!!