April 25 Game Recap - Grass Kickers 4 - Dam United 1

I'm going to have to adjust the graph I'm working on that shows Grass Kicker improvement over these two seasons.  It WAS a very straight line moving upwards in a relatively modest incline.  Lost the first season. This season we barely lost the first game, nearly tied the second, and tied the third.  The forecast for this game called for a tie or a modest win. And then - BAM - last night happened. The line is no longer nice and straight.  It turns out that my Rumble In the Jungle 8th round comparison wasn't hyperbole after all. Last night was the beginning of the 8th round. Maybe it was that we were playing for Jenny who was watching from the sidelines, or perhaps the steroids Ian has been surreptitiously putting in everyone's water bottles started to kick in*, or maybe it was that Nate was accelerating from 0 to 60 in 2.3 seconds (faster than his usual 3.4 seconds).  Or maybe it was all of the above.  Regardless of why, we were on fire. Great game, everyone!

As you'll remember we started out the game with both teams attacking hard, with a lot of back and forth across the pitch.  Towards the middle of the first half a quick attack by the Dam United offense left Keaton alone in the goal and Dam United put us at a one point deficit.  Some teams might have been intimidated, but we clearly saw this for what it was: an invitation to bring it.  So we did. Towards the end of the first half, a shot from the left corner was fumbled by Dam United's goalie as Ian pressured him hard.  The loose ball ended up in front of my foot so I did the decent thing and kicked it into the goal.  Only two minutes later, Ian laid another pass in front of the powerful foot of Sam, who took the opportunity to put a high shot into the net.  So we ended the half ahead by 2 points.  A new experience, and after some consideration I have to say that I like it.  During the second half we returned to the ferocious back and forth of the first half, with neither team scoring until a corner kick late in the period. I was on defense so I didn't see how it went down, but the lack of cheering from our players when the ball went into the net let us know it was an own goal by Dam United.  Nothing to celebrate, but we'll take it.  I think that might have taken the wind from the Dam United sails, as they were never able to mount an effective counterattack. Grass Kickers win 4-1.

So, again, excellent game everyone.  Great work in goal Keaton, Alex and Scott.  Great midfield control and passing from Kenji, Breanne, Rachel and Tyler.  Sold defense from Myeshia, Nancy, Nate. Great attacking from Andrea, Ian, Keaton, Sam and others. And, hey, thanks to Sam and Rachel for subbing for missing and injured ladies!

Also thanks to Tyler and girlfriend Megan for bringing Rice Krispies and Capri Suns!

Next week we have a bye (next game is May 9th against the Pen Fed Pirates).  Do we want to get together next Wednesday to... practice?  Imagine that.   I'm up for it, and it doesn't have to be 8pm either.  The challenge would be to find a field.  Any ideas Nancy (or anyone)?

*Which accounts for the hair growth in odd places we've all been experiencing.