SF Spikes - 2005 Marin Team Game Report

SF Spikes :: 2005 Season Marin Team Game Report

	2005 Season Marin Team :: Game Report
Game Date: Opponent: Final Score:	July 30, 2005 Marin United W 3-2
Report:	Well.... who woulda THUNK! : ) Our Marin Spikes' 13th game ended up being our lucky number as we beat Marin United today, 3-2. On a day that was 20 degrees cooler than the past 2 weeks, our makeshift, but hardworking wonderful lineup beat the 2nd place team in our division with a solid effort, especially in the 2nd half. First half started with our team being the aggressor in almost every aspect. Our guys beat Marin U. to the ball on almost every chance. And our defense of Brian Burns-sweeper, Matt Irwin-stopper, and wing-backs Ryo and Pat McCarthy kept their attack off balance for much of the half. The Spikes struck first in this game as Paul Dessereau volleyed a loose ball to Chris at the front line, who headed the ball over the on-rushing goalie and sent it bouncing towards the open net, which got in before their defender could make it back in time. Marin fought back tho and pressured our end with some good wing passes. A loose ball in our area found one of their forwards, who put a HARD point-blank shot at yours truly, who had Goalie duty today. I stopped the initial blast, but the rebound went str8 up in the air and our guys couldnt quite out jump their forward who headed the rebound into the net for a 1-1 tie. The next 15 minutes was back and forth. But Marin broke down the wing again late in the half and their wing sent a cross over my head and right to the on-rushing head oof the other wing. So the half ended with us down 1-2, but playing well. Marin came close one or two other times, but our defense held and preserved the margin. 2nd Half I have to say, our guys dominated much of the play. Marin had their rushes, but our defense really stepped up their effort and forced most of their shots from the outside or high cross balls which I grabbed before their (short) forwards could get a head on them. : ) 10 minutes into the half, Thorsten sent Chris J. in again alone on goal. When the Ref declared the play "onside", Chris just had to poke it past the keeper and the game was tied again, 2-2. 10 minutes later, our newest addition to the squad, Joey (who played with the LA squad during our tournament last summer), got the ball and made a rush at their goal. Their goalie came out and missed the ball, but got Joey by the feet. Penalty Kick to Spikes and Thorsten converted it perfectly for a 3-2 lead. The rest of the half was back and forth, but our rushes produced more chances than theirs. We talked alot about POSSESSION of the BALL during our halftime break, and our guys really practiced that pretty well in the 2nd half. Making alot more simple 5-yard passes to each other than trying to force the long ball to a forward that is marked or has little chance of controlling it. This game was a TOTAL team effort! All of our midfield and forwards took turns taking a rest off the field and using our 2 subs effectively. Our "special guest stars" of Georg and Brian Cox each contributed great defensive efforts and major hustle to help keep Marin off balance! Greeat Job you two!! Our newest member, Joey, contributed solid hussle and created several good chances up front with Chris and...was responsible for creating the penalty kick for our 3rd goal. Welcome to the Spikes, Joey! : ) Im VERY PROUD of this team today! I have to admit at not being that confident of our chances before the gamee began...with me in goal, and 5 players who, while solid and good players, havent played that much with the Marin team this year. But our squad proved their resiliency once again and the fact that our team's talent pool is deep indeed. BRAVO SPIKES! : ) BRAVO! Our 13 valiant, and valuable, warriors today were: Adel, Barry, Brian Burns, Brian Cox, Chris J., Georg, Ismael, Joey, Matt Irwin, Pat McCarthy, Paul Dessereau, Ryo, and Thorsten