A nice size crowd occupies the stands and sidelines (and some spots outside the fences) on a windy night. The JV game is a one half 45 minute show featuring Solomon Yegon with a hat trick althought, thruth be told that Carlos Alvarez got the assist on the first goal he could have scored himself. The JV, now 1-0-2, stays undefeated.FIRST HALF - The Varsity takes the field a little late since Bremen managed to show up late due to their long trek to Nappanee. Crossbar, posts seem to be the target in half number one where Seba, Andre (twice) and Kayden come close to scoring. Right before the half, Bremen shoots from about 20 out which requires Graber to make a save but we take a rest with the score at 0-0.HALF TIME - Emphasis is on effort, shots and better passing. We do not seem very crisp and Bremen outworks us in the first despite being a less talented side. SECOND HALF- A better and more energetic start results in a Panther goal in the 46th when Joey passes a nicely weighted ball to Andre (one of the first of the night that had the right pace; until now we had not been able to adjust to the windy conditions). Andre receives the ball and shoots at the goal for a nice solid goal, 1-0. Seven minutes later, Sebastian's corner ends up between the 12 and the 18 and Andre does not hesitate and powers a low shot to the left post. With all the traffic in fornt of him, the Bremen GK is too late to the ball, 2-0! We finally adjust not only to the wind but also to the way the Lions defend (fairly high line which invites thru balls and balls over the top). Chan is the next to take advantage of a Bremen defense that is pulled up too high by placing a ball over the last defender and into Andre's feet. He makes no mistake and places the ball over the line for a hat trick and 3-0 lead. Two minute later (60"), is when a chaotic chapter of the game starts when the referee starts to turn his average decision making performance into a dismal one. As Joel Guzman possseses (kinda because it is more of a mad scramble) a ball in the box and scores, the referee waves off the goal and points at the PK spot. Typically in soccer you would allow the goal to stand and not call the handball but this decision is a reversal of what normally happens. On top of that, the Bremen coach wants no PK (guess he rather just has the goal allowed) so all of a sudden it feels like we are dealing with people who have flunked some if not all soccer tests. After some screaming and muttering from the Lions sideline, a penalty is taken by Sebastian who puts a ripper in the roof of the net, 4-0. This seems like a score that reflects the game although we feel we have missed about as many opportunities as we have scored. A Bremen player trips (apparently on the roughly manicured artificial grass?) outside the box but to everyone's surprise another dubious call is made by the head referee: PK! Bremen scores and now the score is 4-1 (62"). Two minutes later a Sebastian to Andre pass turns into gold again when Andre puts the ball against the ropes for a Panther 5-1 lead. With three minutes left in the game, we lose our concentration defensively. Bremen takes advantage of a miscue and scores their second. With second left in the game, the Bremen coachers are still screaming for pressure and more offense as if four goals an be scored in under 30 seconds. Reality rules when no more goals are scored and time runs out while the Panthers walk off the field with their second win in three days.NOTES- Practice today from 3 - 4:30 at the High School practice Field. Practice Mondayat the turf field (7-8:30) in preparation for the away game Tuesday at Wawasee (NLC opponent). Hopefully everyone gets to enjoy a relaxing Labor Day weekend.
A YELLOW MAN SURELY DISAPPOINTED WITH HIMSELF
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