Recap of April 18 Game

"Maybe I should get into
the business of grilling
tasty hamburgers instead."

We're all too young to have watched it live, but maybe you've seen Rumble in the Jungle, the fight between George Forman and Muhammed Ali held in Zaire in 1974. This was Muhammed Ali's comeback fight against George Forman, who had just beaten the crap out of Joe Frazier to take the heavyweight title. With his incredible strength and power, Forman was the overwhelming favorite to win the fight (and that was WITHOUT the GF Grill!). For the first 8 rounds he pounded the crap out of Ali.  Ali was on the ropes most of the time, trying to minimize the damage of Foreman's powerful punches. But then, in that 8th round, Ali used the energy he saved by not dancing around and came off the ropes to land a combination of punches that put Forman on the mat. 

You can see where I'm going with this - like Ali we've been taking punishment over the last 10 games, but  we've been secretly holding on to a store of energy that we're gonna put to use. Last night was the beginning of our 8th round.  We haven't yet scored a knockout, but we're definitely off the ropes and punching hard, and IT FEELS GOOD. 

So great job Grass Kickers! That was our best game so far. Great offense that took advantage of opportunities - Keaton with a header (off a melee that followed a corner, I think?) in the first half with a "butt assist" from Andrea (way to use that thing!), and Todd with a finishing kick in the second half.  Great defense, that shut down the Nutria's fast-breaking forwards. Scott's skilled keeping in the first and some of the second half, followed by Keaton's, stopped several goal attempts.  An improved passing game, too, as Josh pointed out from the sidelines.

And Jenny! Here is the true Muhammed Ali - taking on a guy twice her size and weight.  We hope your knee is OK!  Please report in so we know how you are.

And hope you are feeling better, Nancy.  Get some sleep.

Looking forward to next Wednesday when we meet Dam United at the S. Eugene High school field!