Ball in!

Nap is taking on new roles this season

The floodgates finally opened and we salvaged our season last weekend with a well-earned 5-2 victory over Armory.    The patented multi-faceted Goleros attack reared its head.  We had five goals, scored by five different players, with an additional three persons earning assists.  That's eight players on the score sheet, including two women, plus George with a number of key saves.  That is making coed soccer look good.  Call me crazy but I care more about that aspect of our game than the win-loss record.

We were focused at the kickoff, and this, I would say, was the biggest contrast versus previous weeks.  We got organized on defense and fended off a few quick challenges.  We waited for the best moment to mount our first attack and it was immediately effective.  The first two goals may have been overshadowed by late-game theatrics, but they were beautiful and ought to be appreciated.  Jon had something to prove after last game and took it to the hole.  Nate, who had tallied the early assist on Jon's goal, had a smooth finish to the right post for the second goal.  Nate's runs in the first half were clinical.  I had a good view from the defense.  He proved quite effective as a withdrawn and holding forward.

Goals 3, 4, and 5 kind of seemed to one-up each other.  Mike's free kick was painful...for the other team.  Adrian earned the foul at the 20 yard line, left side of the field.  Mike bent a low and hard free kick around the wall and into the far side of the net.  Even if the keeper had gotten a good step, I don't think he could have seen the ball or reached it.  As I told Mike on g-chat, that would have scored in a pro game.

Carolyn stole the show though.  In her first game back this season, she scored a high arching goal in the Upper 90.  Left footed golazo, her first successful strike for our team.  Wow.

Grizzy's goal should not be left out.  He was due, and he wasn't to be denied on Jackie's well-placed cross.  Griz displayed excellent technique in heading the ball down to ground.  Even though the goalie was close, the shot was unpredictable and too tough to handle.

We have a deep bench

It's fun to talk about the goals, but I'm not sure that tells the right story.  There were lots of people running off the ball, giving their all, clogging the middle, and frustrating their attackers.  Also, what happened on those two goals that we gave up?  We were diced despite playing a strong defensive game through most of the match.

So, we're now 1-3-1.  We need to take it one game at a time.  One game does not a win streak make.  We take nothing for granted this week.

Notes: 5-2 win versus Armory on 5/1/11 at Trinity.  Goals by Jon (Nate), Nate (Chris D.), Mike on free kick (Adrian earns the assist on the foul), Carolyn, Griz (Jackie).  GK: George.  Discipline: Ashley (Yellow, pushing).