Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Matchday 4

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC @ Highlanders FC
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, May 11, 2008
9:45 AM
Elgin, Illinois
Weather: 45, rain, medium to high wind (N-S)

Starting Lineup:
F Kevin McCormick ©
F Brandon Caputo
M Phil McMaster
M Danny Carver
M Rudy Schaser
M Cory Mase
D Brian Black
D Jimmy Rosenfeld
D Ben Bartholomay
D Keith O’Connell
GK Brian Stock

Reserves:
M Kenny McCormick
M Mike Burg

Recap:
A slow start all around for our team led to an early goal for the home squad, but we answered back with two Danny Carver strikes within the first half an hour of the match. A penalty kick was awarded in the final ten minutes that leveled the game at 2-2 heading into the break.

The pouring rain and soggy field led to a first half that produced goals, but was fairly poor all around. We didn’t hold very much possession and the strategy seemed to be to play the ball over the top with the wind at our backs. However, With Kevin and I at striker, there wasn’t much hope in winning a long ball in the air and we were reduced to chasing most of the half. Personally, my legs felt heavy from the get-go and my short studs left me unable to cut or change direction and I couldn’t get anything going.

In the second half, they scored twice within the first ten minutes on shots that would have been difficult to stop by any goalkeeper. They controlled the possession for the remainder of the match, but we did get a couple of scoring opportunities that we failed to put home. All around, probably my worst match of the season to date. The week off, the weather, and all the wine I drank over the weekend at our friend’s lake house in Beverly Shores, Indiana were probably the biggest culprits to my shortcomings.

Man of the Match: Dan Carver

Match Day 4 Goals:
Danny Carver (Rudy Schaser)
Danny Carver (Rudy Schaser)

Record: 0-1-2
2 pts. – Tied for 4th Place
GF: 10
GA: 12

2008 Season Totals
Goals:
4 – Matt Greenhalgh
3 – Danny Carver
1 – Jamelle McCreary
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Brandon Caputo

Assists:
3 – Rudy Schaser
1 – Brandon Caputo

Another Attempt at Consistency

Good afternoon readers!

I'm going to try to keep this post short and sweet, but I just wanted to give a brief update on what's been going on in my life instead of all the sports posts lately.

First of all, I added a new feature called "Monday Morning Striker." To better keep track of our soccer season, and to get more consistent posts out of me other than the Top Fives, I decided to put up an unofficial match report after our games. It will include some personal commentary on ow I'm doing as I try to work my way back in shape after my first real leg injury of my 24-year amateur career in soccer. At the end of last season I suffered a 2nd degree ankle sprain (maybe even worse, I only went to see the trainer with the Chicago Fire a couple of times so I don't know for sure) and I'm just now getting into the swing of things. I'll also keep track of all of our teams goals and our record as we try to improve on last season and move up from the 1st Division to the Open Division. So if you look at the post just before this one, you'll see the report from yesterday's game. You can also click here and find the back dated reports from the first three match days of the season.

In other news, Mrs. Sizemore and I skipped town this weekend and went with my friend Julie from work to her Aunt's lake house in Beverly Shores, Indiana. It was a little chilly, but very relaxing. When we got in Friday night we just sat around and had a few drinks. Julie and her boyfriend, Lucho, had never played "Asshole" before, so we taught them that. As the night wore on and Mrs. Sizemore had a few too many Coronas, the song "The Heart of Rock and Roll" by Huey Lewis and the News came on the old iPod. I was singing along because I love that song, and since I hadn't heard in quite some time, I screwed up and came in a verse too early with the "...in Cleveland..." line. Mrs. Sizemore immediately started arguing that those weren't the words and the following line was uttered:

"If they say the word Cleveland in this song I promise I will become a Cleveland Indians fan."

Sure enough, in the last refrain, that's exactly what they say. Before going to bed, she sat at the kitchen counter with her head in her hands crying. There is now one less member of Red Sox Nation. Thank God.

Saturday morning we woke up and she didn't remember her losing bet the night before, but Julie and Lucho confirmed my story as we ate breakfast. The weather was just nice enough that we decided to get on the bikes. Mrs. Sizemore had still not been up on the bike for real, so we took her out on the back roads where there wasn't any cars. She did well for her first time and I think she went along way to get over her fears of crashing. Julie and Lucho road her aunt and uncle's bikes, which we thought were just going to be huffy 10-speeds. Apparently her uncle has been known to go all out from time to time. I realized this fully when I noticed the bike was a Trek Madone 5.0. Not exactly Lance Armstrong's Madone 6.9 or whatever the hell he is riding these days, but still a $2,800 bike. I hopped on and took it for a little test spin. Nice. Smoothest ride I've ever felt; I couldn't even tell if there was a chain on the bike it was so easy to pedal.

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

Monday Morning Striker - 2008 Match Day 8

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC @ CF Jaguares
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, June 15, 2008
9:45 AM
Elk Grove, Illinois
Weather: 70, Mostly Cloudy, light wind (S-N)

Starting Lineup:
F Matt Greenhalgh
F Brandon Caputo
M Eric Manos
M Danny Carver
M Kevin McCormick ©
M Kenny McCormick
D Keith O’Connell
D Corey Mase
D Ben Bartholomay
D Brian Black
GK Brian Stock

Reserves:
M/F John O’Connell
M Mike Burg
D Troy

Recap:
Early morning thunderstorms across the Northern half of Illinois threatened the start of the match, but by kickoff the rain clouds had already moved on. The Jaguares only had nine players show up, but that didn’t stop them from getting on the board first and dictating the pace throughout much of the first half. We simply had a hard time stringing passes together and spent the majority of the half giving the ball away instead of making the simple pass. We finally got on the board near the end of the half when a cross came in that was too far for Danny Carver glanced off his head and straight to Brain Black near the back post. Coming out of the back isn’t a very common occurrence for Black, but he managed to fire a low, hard, driven ball back through the six-yard box and inside the back post.

With the score tied at one at the break, we came out in the second half with a greater sense of purpose. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t get involved right away as on the second half kickoff my knee made an awful pop that was not unlike a knuckle cracking, except it hurt. After an attempt to walk it off, I spent the next 20 minutes parked on the bench while Matt Greenhalgh got us going with a goal on a loose ball inside the penalty area. He got his second of the day on a brilliant cross out of the midfield from defender Ben Bartholomay.

I reentered the game at that point and after collecting a loose ball on the end line, my crossing attempt to Greenhalgh hit a defender in the arm and the referee made a terrible decision to award a penalty kick. Not one to turn down the gift, Matt collected his second hat trick of the season by finishing from the penalty spot. Minutes later he sent me free on a give and go and I was in alone on the goalkeeper. My scoring slump seemed as though it would continue as the goalkeeper made the initial save. However, I regained possession and was able to knock the ball in off a defender from an odd angle. A garbage goal, but I’ll take it.

A few minutes later Kevin played a ball in my direction near the top of the penalty area. After beating my man I was all alone with the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the back post for my second of the game and a 6-1 lead. It looked as though John O’Connell would get in on the act as well, but as a defender closed down his space on a breakaway with just a few minutes left to play he made the decision to send the ball back out near the top of the box. I was left unmarked and ripped a one-timer that looked as though it might head into the far post. Instead, it hit a defender in the back near the penalty spot and ricocheted into the front post with the goalie out of position.

Although it wasn’t the most impressive performance, we walked away with a 7-1 victory and held onto sole possession of second place. It was a much needed road win after dropping one at home the week before that we should have won.

Man of the Match: Matt Greenhalgh

Match Day 8 Goals:
Brian Black (Danny Carver)
Matt Greenhalgh (Danny Carver)
Matt Greenhalgh (Ben Bartholomay
Matt Greenhalgh (PK)
Brandon Caputo (Matt Greenhalgh)
Brandon Caputo (Kevin McCormick)
Brandon Caputo (John O’Connell)

Record: 3-2-2
11 pts. – 2nd Place
GF: 28
GA: 17

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

Assists:
4 – Dan Carver
3 – Brandon Caputo
3 – Rudy Schaser
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Phil McMaster
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Corey Mase
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Matt Greenhalgh
1 – Kevin McCormick
1 – John O’Connell

Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Matchday 3

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC Bye Week
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, May 4, 2008

Record: 0-0-2
2 pts. – Tied for 4th Place
GF: 8
GA: 8

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

Assists:
1 – Brandon Caputo
1 – Rudy Schaser

Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Memorial Day Break

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Memorial Day Schedule Break
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, May 25, 2008

Record: 1-1-2
5 pts. – 2nd Place
GF: 15
GA: 14

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

Assists:
3 – Rudy Schaser
2 – Brandon Caputo
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld

Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Match Day 13

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC @ Chicago Tanks FC
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, July 20, 2008
9:45 AM
Elk Grove, Illinois

Starting Lineup:
F Brandon Caputo
M Eric Manos
M Jamelle McCreary
M Dan Carver
M Kenny McCormick
D Keith O’Connell
D Mike Soroosh
D Kevin McCormick
D Brian Black
GK Jimmy Rosenfeld

Reserves:
M John O'Connell
D/GK Ben Bartholomay

Recap:
Yes, you read that correctly. We had to start this game with just ten men. We managed to weather the storm and control the majority of the possession in the first half, but failed miserably at keeping that possession in the offensive half. Once our two other players showed up, we had a substitute, but without our starting goalkeeper we kept two of our better defenders off the field for a half each.

Down just 1-0 at the half, things began to look up as a throw-in by Jimmy Rosenfeld deflected off the shoulder of Jamelle McCreary and into the net. But then, the wheels came off and we finished with a 5-1 defeat to the team we were previously tied for second in the standings with. Now we sit on the outside looking in to the promotion race and Tanks even have one game in hand. The second half of the season has not started well.

Man of the Match: Jimmy Rosenfeld

Match Day 13 Goals:
Jamelle McCreary (Jimmy Rosenfeld)

Record: 4-4-2
14 pts. – Tied for 2nd Place
GF: 35
GA: 30

2008 Season Totals
Goals:
11 – Matt Greenhalgh
6 – Danny Carver
4 – Brandon Caputo
4 – Jamelle McCreary
2 – John O'Connell
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Kevin Stock
1 – Phil McMaster
1 – Brian Black
1 – Kenny McCormick
1 – Rudy Schaser

Assists:
4 – Dan Carver
4 – Rudy Schaser
3 – Brandon Caputo
2 – Phil McMaster
2 – Kevin McCormick
2 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Corey Mase
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Matt Greenhalgh
1 – John O’Connell
1 – Eric Manos

Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Match Day 10

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC Bye Week
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, June 29, 2008

Record: 4-2-2
14 pts. – 2nd Place

GF: 33

GA: 19

2008 Season Totals
Goals:
11 – Matt Greenhalgh
6 – Danny Carver
4 – Brandon Caputo
3 – Jamelle McCreary
2 – John O'Connell

1 – Ben Bartholomay

1 – Mike Burg

1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Kevin Stock
1 – Phil McMaster
1 – Brian Black
1 – Kenny McCormick

Assists:
4 – Dan Carver
4 – Rudy Schaser
3 – Brandon Caputo
2 – Phil McMaster
2 – Kevin McCormick
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Corey Mase
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Matt Greenhalgh
1 – John O’Connell
1 – Eric Manos

Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Match Day 11

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC vs. Real FC
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, July 6, 2008
9:45 AM
Vernon Hills, Illinois

Recap:
GAME CANCELLED

Record: 4-2-2
14 pts. – 2nd Place
GF: 33
GA: 19

2008 Season Totals
Goals:
11 – Matt Greenhalgh
6 – Danny Carver
4 – Brandon Caputo
3 – Jamelle McCreary
2 – John O'Connell
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Kevin Stock
1 – Phil McMaster
1 – Brian Black
1 – Kenny McCormick

Assists:
4 – Dan Carver
4 – Rudy Schaser
3 – Brandon Caputo
2 – Phil McMaster
2 – Kevin McCormick
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Corey Mase
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Matt Greenhalgh
1 – John O’Connell
1 – Eric Manos

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

Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Matchday 2

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC @ Chicagoense
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, April 27, 2008
9:45 AM
Lake Zurich, Illinois
Weather: 41, overcast, dry

Starting Lineup:
F Matt Greenhalgh
F Brandon Caputo
M Eric Manos
M Kevin McCormick ©
M Rudy Schaser
M Mike Burg
D Brian Black
D Jimmy Rosenfeld
D Ben Bartholomay
D Michael Soroosh
GK Brian Stock

Reserves:
M Kenny McCormick
M Phil McMaster
D Keith O’Connell

Recap:
Another fast start saw two Matt Greenhalgh strikes find the back of the net for a 2-0 lead at halftime. I had a couple of early chances, but I still didn’t have my legs underneath me from an off-season conditioning program that consisted of Wendy’s double cheeseburgers and bags of Doritos. I was also unable to get completely warmed up and got a slight strain in my right quad chasing down a loose ball.

The second half started with us trading goals, Greenhalgh netting his third strike of the game to give us a 3-1 lead. Once again, the middle of the second half saw us fall asleep at the wheel and allow Chicagoense to get back into it. They tied the game up at three, but for the second straight week we answered immediately. Greenhalgh got his fourth goal of the match after firing a rocket from an awkward angle that beat the keeper.

It looked like we were going to hold on for our first victory, but the last minute bug bit us for the second straight week as Chicagoense tied the match with less than five minutes to play.

Man of the Match: Matt Greenhalgh

Match Day 2 Goals:
Matt Greenhalgh (?)
Matt Greenhalgh (?)
Matt Greenhalgh (?)
Matt Greenhalgh (?)

Record: 0-0-2
2 pts. – Tied for 3rd Place
GF: 8
GA: 8

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

Assists:
1 – Brandon Caputo
1 – Rudy Schaser

Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Match Day 12

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC @ Highlanders FC
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, July 13, 2008
9:45 AM
Elgin, Illinois

Starting Lineup:

F Matt Greenhalgh

F Brandon Caputo
M Eric Manos

M Rudy Schaser

M Dan Carver

M Kenny McCormick

D Keith O’Connell

D Mike Soroosh

D Ben Bartholomay

D Brian Black

GK Brian Stock

Reserves:
M Kevin McCormick ©
M Mike Burg
M Corey Mase
D/M Phil McMaster

Recap:
Thanks to an untimely bye week and a cancelled game over the holiday weekend, we had exactly 20 off days in between matches. That’s less than a third of the 63-day layoff Ohio State had before the Florida Gators pounded the Buckeyes in the BCS National Championship Game a couple of years ago. Let’s just say that I am beginning to understand what they went through.

We came out sluggish from the start and quickly fell down 2-0 to the first place team before a poor clearance led to a blast from Rudy Schaser that beat the goalkeeper from about 30 yards out. That would be one of few bright spots on the afternoon for Sting SC as the game quickly spiraled out of control and the score was 5-1 by halftime.

In the second half we would stand tall and get more than our share of opportunities, but nobody could find the back of the net and Highlanders FC added on a late goal for a 6-1 final. Coupled with the loss was the fact that the third place Chicago Tanks pulled out a tie and that left us in a virtual tie for second place. However, with goal differential the Tanks one less game played, they moved ahead in the standings, taking over the second promotion spot as well.

Man of the Match: Mike Soroosh

Match Day 12 Goals:
Rudy Schaser (unassisted)

Record: 4-3-2
14 pts. – Tied for 2nd Place

GF: 34

GA: 25

2008 Season Totals
Goals:
11 – Matt Greenhalgh
6 – Danny Carver
4 – Brandon Caputo
3 – Jamelle McCreary
2 – John O'Connell

1 – Ben Bartholomay

1 – Mike Burg

1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Kevin Stock
1 – Phil McMaster
1 – Brian Black
1 – Kenny McCormick
1 – Rudy Schaser

Assists:
4 – Dan Carver
4 – Rudy Schaser
3 – Brandon Caputo
2 – Phil McMaster
2 – Kevin McCormick
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Corey Mase
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Matt Greenhalgh
1 – John O’Connell
1 – Eric Manos

Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Matchday 5

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC vs. Chicago Tanks FC
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, May 18, 2008
9:45 AM
Vernon Hills, Illinois
Weather: 49, medium wind (N-S)

Starting Lineup:
F Matt Greenhalgh
F Jamelle McCreary
M Eric Manos
M Danny Carver
M Rudy Schaser
M Mike Burg
D Brian Black
D Jimmy Rosenfeld
D Ben Bartholomay
D Michael Soroosh
GK Brian Stock ©

Reserves:
M John O'Connell
F/M Brandon Caputo
M Corey Mase
D/M Kevin Sorbe

Recap:
For the first time since I can remember, I started a game on the bench. It was a nice break after a rough game last week, not much free time to get a run or bike ride in, and then having a little too much booze at the Gongola wedding on Saturday night. To be honest, if this was a couple of years ago I probably wouldn’t have even made it to the game. Maybe I’ve gotten more responsible in my old age. Before I stepped on the field we got a quick goal. A shot from distance by Rudy Schaser that looked as though it should have been a routine save popped free and Mike Burg beat the keeper to the loose ball and knocked it home. The Tanks responded fairly quickly with a goal of their own and that’s when I entered the game for the first time.

About fifteen minutes later we traded penalty kicks on two horrific calls by the referee. The first went our way on a handball that may or may not have been intentional, which Matt Greenhalgh calmly converted for his team leading fifth goal of the season. One of the defenders was complaining pretty heavily about the call, I probably would have been too, but I just told him to relax; “What goes around comes around.” Sure enough, the Tanks got a penalty kick of their own about a minute later on what could only be described as a make-up call. The Tanks forward entered the penalty area near the goal line, an impossible angle to score from. He lost his balance and went down near our biggest and strongest defender, Jimmy Rosenfeld. Even though he went down on his own power, the penalty kick was awarded and the Tanks tied the score up at two.

About ten minutes later we got a throw in deep in the Tanks end and Jimmy came up from his sweeper position to take the throw. His throws are like corner kicks and this one traveled perfectly to Danny Carver’s head as he made a near post run. Danny beat his defender to the ball and flicked it past the goalkeeper and just inside the back post for what would eventually be the game winning goal, but at the time was merely a 3-2 halftime lead.

I started the second half in my old spot at right midfield, where I’d made my home for the two previous seasons in the league, and immediately made a few plays. The left midfielder for Tanks was a step or two slower than me, which allowed me to take advantage of a couple of his mental lapses and create some chances on the wing. I quickly ran out of gas, as there is much more fitness required to play on the wing than there is up top, but not before I beat him to a cross that had been broken up near the top of the penalty box. I knocked it down and found my new favorite strike partner, Jamelle McCreary, who was standing all alone near the penalty spot. He tapped it around the goalkeeper and into the net for a 4-2 lead. About twenty minutes later our favorite over-40 player, John O’Connell, blasted home a weak clearance attempt for the final tally in a 5-2 win.

Man of the Match: Dan Carver

Match Day 5 Goals:
Mike Burg (unassisted)
Matt Greenhalgh (PK)
Dan Carver (Jimmy Rosenfeld)
Jamelle McCreary (Brandon Caputo)
John O'Connell (unassisted)

Record: 1-1-2
5 pts. – 2nd Place
GF: 15
GA: 14

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

Assists:
3 – Rudy Schaser
2 – Brandon Caputo
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld

Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Match Day 7

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC vs. Real FC
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, June 8, 2008
9:45 AM
Vernon Hills, Illinois
Weather:

Starting Lineup:
F Matt Greenhalgh
F Brandon Caputo
M Eric Manos
M Danny Carver
M Rudy Schaser
M Mike Burg
D Keith O'Connell
D Mike Soroosh
D Ben Bartholomay
D Brian Black
GK Kevin McCormick

Reserves:
F Jamelle McCreary
M/D Phil McMaster
M/D Corey Mase
D Jimmy Rosenfeld

Recap:
We had a real opportunity to separate ourselves from the pack and get an early lock on the second place spot with a home game against last place, and winless, Real FC. However, the game started terribly. Not only were we missing Jimmy Rosenfeld for the first half, but our goalkeeper was also absent. With the threat of thunderstorms brewing, the wind picked up and wreaked havoc on our midfield and defense in the first five minutes. Twice we allowed a midfielder to get open on the wing and send a cross into the goal area. Twice the wind blew the ball into the back of the net over the head of our very inexperienced goalkeeper.

We settled in a little bit and Matt Greenhalgh and myself found each other on a couple of occasions early on to no avail. One such occasion left me all alone at the top of the penalty area and I buried the opportunity into the upper corner of the net. Unbelievably, the goal was called back for offside, which I disputed hastily despite the referee being a colleague that I had worked many games with in the past. Several minutes later Jamelle McCreary was pulled down from behind just as he beat the last defender and entered the penalty area. Even the defender got up knowing he had just surrendered a penalty kick, but none was called. Late in the second half we finally got one back as Corey Mase sent a tremendous cross to the back post that an unmarked Phil McMaster headed home.

With the wind at our back in the second half and Jimmy in the net, things looked brighter in the second half. We gave up fewer opportunities in the back and created several chances of our own. Danny Carver continually swung beautiful in-swinging corner kicks into the mixer, but we couldn’t get on the end of any of them. With less than twenty minutes to play, we were the victims of two more horrific missed calls. The first was a clear handball in the box that the referee claimed was unintentional. The defenders arm was outstretched as he dove in an attempt to knock the cross down before it got through to Matt Greenhalgh standing alone at the back post. On the ensuing corner kick, one of our biggest and most physical defenders, Ben Bartholomay was clobbered just as he began to make his run. He’s a man who doesn’t go down easily, and the referee was starring right at it.

I’m not usually one to play a game on poor officiating, and I can’t honestly say that I’m doing that here. We had plenty of chances that we couldn’t finish on our own and the two goals Real FC scored were a result of poor man marking and poor positioning by an inexperienced goalkeeper. However, any one of those three missed penalty kick calls could have drastically swung momentum. We saw this happen on Match Day One when we surrendered a two goal lead and barely managed a tie after a penalty kick was awarded to our opponents.

The bottom line is that the 2-1 loss dropped our record to 2-2-2. It stings a little bit more considering Real FC was in last place entering the match and our two ties could have easily gone the other way as well. A 5-1 record through the first six games was a real possibility, and would have put us in a tie for first, but we squandered it. We’re still in second place, but two teams are sitting behind us with 7 points each and those teams have both played less games. Now the fight begins to get back in the mix and earn that promotion.

Man of the Match: Phil McMaster

Match Day 7 Goals:
Phil McMaster (Corey Mase)

Record: 2-2-2
8 pts. – 2nd Place
GF: 21
GA: 16

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
1 – Phil McMaster

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

Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Match Day 9

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC vs. Chicagoense
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, June 22, 2008
9:45 AM
Vernon Hills, Illinois
Weather: 75, Partly Cloudy, light wind (N-S)

Starting Lineup:

F Matt Greenhalgh

F Jamelle McCreary

M Eric Manos

M Rudy Schaser

M Kevin McCormick ©

M Kenny McCormick

D Keith O’Connell

D Mike Soroosh

D Kevin Sorbe

D Brian Black

GK Brian Stock

Reserves:
M/F Brandon Caputo
M John O’Connell
D/M Phil McMaster

Recap:
Another game day and once again we had early morning thunderstorms on the way to the game. We were running a little late due to some late night partying for a friend’s birthday party, so for the second time this season I started on the bench. I barely had my gear on by the time we kicked off and my old, out of shape, hung over self needed another fifteen minutes to warm up properly.

Matt Greenhalgh got things going about fifteen minutes in with two goals in rapid succession, keeping alive his torrid goal scoring pace. Back on Match Day 2 against the same Chicagoense team, Greenhalgh netted all four Sting SC goals en route to a 4-4 draw. He would end up with three for the day and a total of seven against this opponent on the season. Just before kickoff central midfielder Rudy Schaser told everyone on our bench that he would play a ball over the top for Greenhalgh to hit a blast from distance for a goal today. The first score of the day happened exactly as planned as Rudy’s ball from midfield was perfectly lofted over Greenhalgh’s, and the defender’s, head and into space. Matt ran on and hit a one-time volley from the corner of the penalty area that rocketed into the upper ninety on the far post. I’m quite certain that there isn’t a goalkeeper anywhere that would have gotten to that ball.

Minutes later a collision just inside the Chicagoense half of the field allowed the ball to pop free with Phil McMaster getting the last touch on the ball before Matt Greenhalgh collected it again. The goalkeeper stood still as Greenhalgh calmly placed the ball inside the far post for a 2-0 lead. The goalkeeper then proceeded to argue with the referee that his player was hurt and play should have been stopped. Unfortunately, his player was perfectly fine and just slow to get up. Either way, play wouldn’t have been stopped for a play like that and he should have not been such an idiot. We’ll hear more about him later.

Our third goal of the half came after an attractive combination out of the midfield from Rudy Schaser, Kenny McCormick and myself that led to Rudy getting free on the left wing. He then played a brilliant cross over the top that Eric Manos collected and dropped back to Jamelle McCreary who was entering the penalty area a few yards to the right of the penalty spot. McCreary drove a low, hard blast from about 14 yards out that the keeper was able to get his hands on, but the ball squirted underneath him and into the net. Chicagoense was able to answer with a goal just before the half and almost started off the second half the same way, but we were able to weather the rough stretch and right the ship.

With the score 3-1, we began to control the majority of possession and create several scoring opportunities. Once such chance was created when Chicagoense’s left midfielder failed to track back and Eric Manos played a dangerous cross into the mixer that the goalkeeper had to punch over the bar for a corner kick. At this point, the goalkeeper began to scream at his teammate for his laziness throughout the entire match. The midfielder, #20, proceeded to keep up with foreign relations. You know, flip him the bird, which led to this brilliant line in an Eastern European accent (possibly Serbian) from the goalkeeper.

“F*ck you, Mother F*cker! You f*cking run! You don’t stick your middle finger out at me, you f*cking run, Mother F*cker!”

After that, the goalkeeper and Matt Greenhalgh spent the next several minutes jawing at each other and Greenhalgh got the best of him again to complete his second straight game with a hat trick. It came on the ensuing corner kick when the ball came free to Kevin McCormick near the back post. He ripped a shot from just outside the six-yard box that hit Greenhalgh on the backside and deflected in. Our final goal of the day happened about ten minutes from time when the goalkeeper came way off his line to break up another breakaway from Matt Greenhalgh. The ball came loose to Kenny McCormick right at the midfield stripe and he launched a shot on net. It was almost Beckham-esque as the youngster scored his first goal of the year on the vacated goal. Chicagoense was able to get one more back near the end of the match and the final score was 5-2.

But the story isn’t over yet. As we sat on the sideline and removed our equipment, a fight broke out. The Chicagoense goalkeeper and #20 went at each other and had to be restrained by their teammates as we broke out in laughter from our bench. It was this same team that a year earlier was forced to play two men shot against us after two of it’s players were ejected from a game for fighting each other on the field during the game. It was over something as simply as a poorly struck pass that led to a throw in for us in our defensive half. The referee just watched on in amazement as the two players ended up on the ground and went at it as though they were in the octagon doing mixed martial arts. When their teammates finally separated them and got them to their feet, the referee looked confused as he had no choice to red card them both. No red cards today, but certainly some disbelief and laughter.

At the end of the day, the second straight victory was much needed as we head into a bye week before the July 4th weekend contest against Real FC. We need revenge against them for that 2-1 defeat a few weeks back when they were in last place.

Also, from now on, I’ll also be awarding a Man of the Match award. I’m going to attempt to go back and update the other match reports with MOTM as well, but this week’s goes to our top goal scorer. If not for the eye-popping first strike and his hat trick, it would have likely gone to Phil McMaster for his tremendous job filling in with the back line in the absence of Jimmy Rosenfeld and Ben Bartholomay.

Man of the Match: Matt Greenhalgh

Match Day 9 Goals:
Matt Greenhalgh (Rudy Schaser)
Matt Greenhalgh (Phil McMaster)
Jamelle McCreary (Eric Manos)
Matt Greenhalgh (Kevin McCormick)
Kenny McCormick (Unassisted)

Record: 4-2-2
14 pts. – 2nd Place
GF: 33
GA: 19

2008 Season Totals
Goals:
11 – Matt Greenhalgh
6 – Danny Carver
4 – Brandon Caputo
3 – Jamelle McCreary
2 – John O'Connell
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Kevin Stock
1 – Phil McMaster
1 – Brian Black
1 – Kenny McCormick

Assists:
4 – Dan Carver
4 – Rudy Schaser
3 – Brandon Caputo
2 – Phil McMaster
2 – Kevin McCormick
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Corey Mase
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Matt Greenhalgh
1 – John O’Connell
1 – Eric Manos

(Cap and Jamelle set to kick-off with a 5-2 lead and the game entering stoppage time.)

Monday Morning Striker – 2008 Match Day 14

Northwest Suburban Soccer League
1st Division

Sting SC vs. Arrigo United FC
Unofficial Match Report
Sunday, July 27, 2008
9:45 AM
Vernon Hills, Illinois
Weather: 84 degrees, light wind (NW) and humid

Starting Lineup:
F Brandon Caputo
F Jamelle McCreary
M Eric Manos
M John O’Connell
M Kenny McCormick
M Mike Burg
D Keith O’Connell
D Ben Bartholomay
D Kevin Sorbe
D Phil McMaster
GK Kevin McCormick ©

Reserves:
N/A

Recap:
After a two game slide to the teams at the top of the table we needed a big win in the Vernon Hills Derby against Arrigo United FC. However, I was enjoying a bachelor party in Coldwater, Michigan and would need to leave at 5:15 am Central Time in order to make it back for our 9:45 am kickoff. Normally I would have taken the week off, as I need to do in two weeks for the wedding, but we were short on players and we barely got our eleventh man there in time for the start. We were also missing our top two scoring threats going into the match, so someone was going to need to step up big time in order to right the ship.

We got there in plenty of time for a proper warm up, but the weekend of drinking and the long drive contributed to me tweaking my left knee just minutes before kickoff. After downing a bunch of ibuprofen, we got rolling and decided to keep the pace slow in the early going. We had no subs, the weather was hot and sticky, and a few of us were tired, injured and hung over. We let Arrigo keep the possession early and picked our spots to counter attack.

Just five minutes we got that chance as a perfect through ball by Jamelle McCreary found me in stride at the top of the penalty area. Unfortunately, the drugs hadn’t quite kicked in and as I planted on my left foot the pain was too much and I ended up shanking the shot. It was my last shank on the day.

Ten minutes later, Jamelle swung the ball out wide to Mike Burg who dropped a cross from the right wing perfectly to my waiting right foot. I took a touch to bring it down near the penalty spot and burried my shot quickly under the goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead. The remainder of the first half was a relatively slow pace of back and forth possession. Arrigo had the majority of the chances, but Kevin McCormick (who is NOT a goalie – at all) bailed us out with several brilliant saves. We went into the half with the lead still at 1-0.

The hope coming out of the half was to score in the first ten minutes. We knew we would run out of gas in this one and felt the need to build on our lead before Arrigo gained any momentum. The opportunity came even quicker than that as John O’Connell received a great ball out of the midfield from Kenny McCormick. His shot was from a tough angle and the keeper made the save. But he was only able to knock it down and it came free at the back post where I was able to flick home the rebound.

Minutes later, a solid cross out of the midfield by Phil McMaster dropped in at the penalty spot to John O’Connell. The defense thought he was offside, but no such luck. We hit a rocket into the roof of the net for a 3-0 lead. Without five more minutes passing, we counter-attacked again as Mike Burg tore down the right sideline. John O’Connell and Jamelle McCreary made runs into the six-yard box while I delayed my run and allowed the defenders to stick with the closer in targets. The cross was perfectly executed to my waiting right foot at the penalty spot again and I burried it into the back post for a 4-0 lead.

The shutout was lost several minutes after that off a botched corner kick and Arrigo picked up even further momentum when they dropped a second goal home with fifteen minutes to play to cut the lead in half. We needed another goal in a hurry to stop the momentum and we got our chance when the Arrigo goalie made a huge mistake.

After picking up a ball that was played back to him by one of his teammates we were given an indirect free kick just outside their six-yard box. I immediately tried to get the ball from him for a quick restart and he wouldn’t give it up so the referee had to stop the play and caution him for delaying a restart. Once things were settled and the defensive wall was set, I decided that we were too tight for any time of two-man play to restart it. Instead, I used my place-kicking instincts and tried to hammer a shot off of anyone that I could find just like I would with an onside kick in football. As luck should have it, I hit a low line drive that deflected in off the goalkeeper for my fourth goal of the match.

The final was 5-2 and with that we regained our tie with Chicago Tanks FC for second place in the standings. On to a revenge match with Real FC. They were winless when they beat us at our place a few weeks back, but since then they’ve built up four wins to get back into the race. Now we’re at their home field in Wheeling and we need to get back-to-back wins for the first time since June.

Man of the Match: Kevin McCormick

Match Day 14 Goals:
Brandon Caputo (Mike Burg)
Brandon Caputo (Unassisted)
John O’Connell (Phil McMaster)
Brandon Caputo (Mike Burg)
Brandon Caputo (Unassisted)

Record: 5-4-2
17 pts. – Tied for 2nd Place
GF: 40
GA: 32

2008 Season Totals
Goals:
11 – Matt Greenhalgh
8 – Brandon Caputo
6 – Danny Carver
4 – Jamelle McCreary
3 – John O'Connell
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Mike Burg
1 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Kevin Stock
1 – Phil McMaster
1 – Brian Black
1 – Kenny McCormick
1 – Rudy Schaser

Assists:
4 – Dan Carver
4 – Rudy Schaser
3 – Brandon Caputo
3 – Phil McMaster
3 – Mike Burg
2 – Kevin McCormick
2 – Jimmy Rosenfeld
1 – Corey Mase
1 – Ben Bartholomay
1 – Matt Greenhalgh
1 – John O’Connell
1 – Eric Manos