It was gray and cool afternoon, though that didn't seem dreary
compared to the rains earlier in the week. The newly mowed field was a
mixture of wet grass and dirt for what would become part mud bowl, part
soccer game for the Marauders to claim another victory in an
entertaining and surprisingly well played soccer match given the
conditions.
The first half opened up with a strong attack for the boys in Maroon,
and the opportunities were plentiful. Max Patyk-Finkel had a few shots,
only to be stopped by an agile and skilled Rivendell keeper. He would
not be alone, solid attempts by Charlie Bell, Andrew Parker, Jackson
Liu, and Pierce Seigne tested the keeper again and again. Teddy Ruth
also had a promising shot venture just wide of the post as he
experimented in his new position of attacking midfielder. Though there
were no goals created in the first half, the consistent build up bade well for the second. This could be seen in the heads up passing plays
exhibited by Charlie Bell with Teddy Ruth, as well as Max and Matt
Fenner.
The second half would prove more fruitful when Erik Blix made a run
down the sideline and patiently placed a perfect-paced cross to Andrew
Parker making a near post run toward the where he made cheeky one touch
chip over the keeper. The runs, pass, and finish looked right out of a
training video. The following goal would be result of simply putting
the work in. In the melee of an attack on the Rivendell goal, the ball
was launched straight up in the air, and once again Erik Blix found
himself in the right place and found a way to make a play. He realized
he was facing the wrong way as the ball fell, but managed to get his
heel on it and send it back in front of the net. Though the ball was
not instantly touched in the goal, it gave the Marauders another
opportunity as the defense had yet to adjust, where Max Patyk-Finkel
pounded it toward the crossbar where it bounced in and out just enough
for the ref to recognize the goal.
The final goal one could say was the result of the conditions that
previously had hindered us as we often slid around the ball in earnest,
but amusing attempts on goal. It started when Boris Devitsky created
an assist where he sent a high arcing ball toward goal where the
netminder awaited with relaxed anticipation, yet this time the
thoroughly muddy ball slipped through his grasp, and Max Patyk-Finkel
was there for it. This time he coolly put it in the lower left corner.
It was a fitting win with goals earned with a combination of practice,
work, opportunity, and poise.
The defense and Matthew Alibozek as usual were solid throughout,
effectively shutting down almost every threat with hustle to win ball
and maintaining composure when they attained it. This combination
resulted in the crew earning their second shutout of the season.
Though the following players were not directly involved in a goal,
their improvement in play was definitely noticed. Simi Obomsawin not
only made great defensive plays through anticipation and tenacity, but
combined for savvy one two combinations with Ayan Ayaad who in his turn
made some plays with shrewd reads to intercept ball for a play on goal.
Aiden Peterson also started to make his presence felt in the midfield
breaking up plays and winning balls and enjoying the muddy x-factor that
the field presented.
For its final home game, the team put on a good show and more than
one player seemed to being enjoying the mud, rather than pining over the
challenges it presented. Though there was much talk about the
conditions, we are still grateful for all the work to make this field
playable as was not the case in many places elsewhere. So after the
long and hopefully relaxing weekend, the team has three games on the
road next week, all rematches. Let's keep up the good work going.
No comments:
Post a Comment