Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Matchday 1

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC vs. CF Jaguares
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, April 20, 2008
9:45 AM
Vernon Hills, Illinois
Weather: 60, Sunny, light wind

Starting Lineup:
F Jamelle McCreary
F Brandon Caputo
M Kevin McCormick ©
M Danny Carver
M Rudy Schaser
M Kenny McCormick
D Brian Black
D Jimmy Rosenfeld
D Ben Bartholomay
D Mike Soroosh
GK Brian Stock

Reserves:
R John O’Connell
R Phil McMaster

Recap:
A quick start led to several scoring chances in the first few minutes, but we failed to put one away. I was pretty out of shape while still recovering from an ankle injury I suffered in the final regular season game of last season and should’ve done better with a couple of early chances. Finally a through-ball that was right on target sprung me inside the 18-yard box and I slid the ball across the edge of the goal area to a sliding Jamelle who fought off a defender and the goalkeeper to knock the ball home for an early 1-0. We increased the lead to 2-0 on a goal from Danny Carver, but the visitors got one back just before the half.

Ben Bartholomay increased the lead to 3-1 with a lethal strike from just inside the 18-yard box to start the second half, but about halfway through the game got interesting. Off a corner kick for CF Jaguares, the ball was deflected straight up in the air. An attacker for Jaguares headed the ball straight down near the penalty spot and it hit the arm of one of our players. The referee, Roman, who is normally very sharp, immediately signaled for a penalty kick. I haven’t seen a penalty called awarded on an unintentional handball (especially near the top of the penalty box with no real scoring opportunity) in years. If you are standing still with your arms are at your side and the ball plays you, instead of the other way around, it shouldn’t be penalized. Poor decision and as a result, Jaguares converted the gift and the momentum swayed quickly.

A few minutes later, CF Jaguares found the back of the net again, knotting the game up at three goals apiece. Less than a minute later, we answered. Rudy played a perfect through-ball and I slipped in behind the defense. I needed to sprawl out to beat the goalkeeper to the ball and when I did, the ball easily found it’s way into the old onion bag. However, we celebrated a little early. Thinking we had locked it up with less than five minutes remaining, we surrendered the equalizer just moments later and the match ended with a 4-4 draw.

Man of the Match: Jamelle McCreary

Match Day 1 Goals:
Jamelle McCreary (Brandon Caputo)
Danny Carver (unassisted)
Ben Bartholomay (unassisted)
Brandon Caputo (Rudy Schaser)

Record: 0-0-1
1 pts. – Tied for 2nd Place
GF: 4
GA: 4

2008 Season Totals
Goals:
1 – Jamelle McCreary
1 – Danny Carver
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Brandon Caputo

Assists:
1 – Brandon Caputo
1 – Rudy Schaser