Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Matchday 6

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC @ Arrigo United FC
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, June 1, 2008
9:45 AM
Vernon Hills, Illinois
Weather: 66 degrees, light wind (N-S)

Starting Lineup:
F Jamelle McCreary
F Brandon Caputo
M Phil McMaster
M Danny Carver
M Kevin McCormick ©
M Kevin Stock
D Keith O’Connell
D Jimmy Rosenfeld
D Ben Bartholomay
D Michael Soroosh
GK Brian Stock

Reserves:
M/F John O'Connell
M Mike Burg
D Kevin Sorbe

Recap:
For the first time in the young season we had perfect weather…sunny skies, warm temperatures. Also for the first time this year, we won a game in which we were really never challenged from the outset. We won on Match Day 5 and we won yesterday; that’s two in a row. One more and that’s what we call a winning streak. It has happened before.

We got started very earlier in the first half when Jamelle received a ball out on the wing and swung it inside to me. I was about 25 yards from goal and a little to the right of center when I received it and I knew that one of our center backs was coming in unmarked through the middle. I received the bouncing ball facing the sideline and immediately hit a one-touch back heel into the space and Jimmy Rosenfeld knocked it inside the far post for a 1-0 lead. The score remained the same for much of the half until a well-timed ball over the top sprung Dan Carver alone on the keeper. As the goalie came off his line, Dan tried to flick the ball over him to the back post. The ball was going to end up going wide for a goal kick, but John O’Connell was in the right place at the right time for the easy tap in. We went up 3-0 just before the half after a cross intended for me at the back post went over my head. Mike Burg was there to collect it and he calmly served the ball back towards to penalty spot. Dan Carver was coming through unmarked and brought the ball down with his chest before turning and finishing into the near post.

In the second half, we fell asleep at the wheel a little but over the first ten minutes, but Arrigo never mounted a serious threat. We finally showed some signs of life when Dan Carver collected a loose ball in the midfield and knocked a back heel that sprung newcomer Kevin Stock on the left wing. Kevin caught up with the pass and before any of the defenders could catch up with him, he slotted the ball past the goalie and into the net. Over a five-minute stretch near the end of the second half I was whistled for being offside four times. Although I definitely was on a couple of them, the two I debated would have left me all alone with the goalkeeper. With a 4-0 lead and no assistant referees to help him out, I understand the referee calling those a little closer. Moments later, he missed an offside that seemed quite a bit more obvious. The result was Dan Carver beating the goalie for a 5-0 lead and his team leading sixth goal of the year.

With the victory we solidified our hold on second place in the lower division of the NSSL and took an early season lead on the promotion battle to the top flight. We also posted our first shutout in our three seasons in the league, earning Brian Stock his first clean sheet since returning from ACL surgery in April 2006. On a personal note, I’m enjoying the freedom I have in my new position as a striker, but I miss being involved in more of the action. As a winger over the past two seasons I wasn’t played quite as many minutes, but the added touches on the ball allowed me to create more chances for myself and my teammates. It’s been several years since I played up top and it’s still a bit of an adjustment. Hopefully with a few more games in some decent weather and some added fitness, along with the tremendous play making we’ve been receiving in recent weeks from midfielders like Dan Carver and Rudy Schaser, I’ll put a few more balls away and get back to the year I had a season ago.

Man of the Match: Brian Stock

Match Day 6 Goals:
Jimmy Rosenfeld (Brandon Caputo)
John O’Connell (Dan Carver)
Dan Carver (Mike Burg)
Kevin Stock (Dan Carver)
Dan Carver (Phil McMaster)

Record: 2-1-2
8 pts. – 2nd Place
GF: 20
GA: 14

2008 Season Totals
Goals:
6 – Danny Carver
5 – Matt Greenhalgh
2 – Jamelle McCreary
2 – John O'Connell
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Brandon Caputo
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Kevin Stock

Assists:
3 – Brandon Caputo
3 – Rudy Schaser
2 – Dan Carver
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Phil McMaster
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld