Elkhart Christian - NorthWood 0-8 (0-2)

Indicative of today's game is GK Andrew Graber's positioning on the field (at the kick off spot) as he admires Angel's first goal of the season. The game itself starts a little late due to a girls game prior to ours starting late. It is obvious early on that this is not a strong opponent and as long as we pass and get open, this should be an easy victory. The early press is not super effective but we score nonetheless in the 6th when Kayden hits the cross bar from the right and the ball lands in front of Andre on the left who, in turn, serves it to Sebastian. His laser shot hits the ropes for an early 0-1 lead. Not much good happens until about minute 23 when a Sebastian Guillen corner finds Trent Edwards' forehead but the ensuing header hits the cross bar (2 for 2 in that department!). Four minutes later, Andre slips a thru ball to Jerson who goes one on one on the keeper. Jerson makes no mistake and scores the second NW goal. The halftime score is 0-2 in this not very entertaining match. We try too many thru balls and balls over the top that do not reach their destination. At the half, coach Duerksen talks about keeping it simple, pass, get open and press the opponent. Elkhart Christian seems to have developed a new strategy when they take the field with 12 players but notice just in time that they are fielding too many. NorthWood plays with more energy in half number 2. Two minutes into the second half, Andre gets another assist with his throw in to Jerson. Jerson goes 1v1 on the keeper and places the ball over the line for the 0-3 lead. Lightning to the north is far away and not threatening to stop the game yet.Seven minutes after the first second half goal, Andre passes a ball to Sebastian. Sebastian, who is having a great night on the pitch defending, attacking and distributing, decides to go at it alone. He dribbles by 2 ECA players and with a decisive hard shot signs for the 4th NW goal (his second of the night!). Four minutes later, Sebastian gets involved again with a long thru pass to Kayden. The ECA keeper does not come off his line and Kayden gets the ball inside the box. He slots the ball to his right into the goal; 0-5. A scramble in the box a minute later, ends with Angel Pantoja placing the ball over the line and the Panthers go up 0-6. In the 56", Kayden takes a long distance shot that finds the net (0-7) and things are falling apart quickly for the Eagles. Their keeper has already left the game with an injury and the back up only touches the ball when it is in the back of the net. In the 59th (and what turns out to be the last minute of the game) another mad scramble in the box has players from both sides trying to get control of the ball. The winner is....Joey Eshelman. His shot finds the back of the goal; 0-8! More lightning, now also to the south, is noticeable and the arbiter stops the game. After a quick sideline conference, the ECA coach decides to make the game official. 0-8 is the final score and moves the Panthers to 7-1 on the season.