Game of the Week, GOTW (03/14/13)
Barclay Boys vs. Arsenal – Wednesday Men’s C Upper Finals
This week’s Game of the Week saw Barclay Boys and Arsenal face off in the Men’s C Indoor Championship. The season had been hard fought for both these teams, adding buzz and excitement surrounding this game. Barclay Boys wasted no time in making their presence known, scoring within the first five minutes off a long-range effort. While appearing slightly rattled at first, Arsenal came back strong. A notable force for Arsenal in the first half was Oscar, who would go on to score a hat tirck before during the first half. Barclay boys would land one more in the back of the net, but Arsenal would quickly respond as Garcia knocked one in off an exceptional individual effort with 20 seconds remaining in the first half.
The second half opened with a quick series of passes and a brisk goal by Barclay Boys. Arsenal seemed a little fatigued, leaving too many holes at the back and the Barclay Boys took full advantage by scoring a couple of goals in quick succession. Both teams started to settle into the game again and find their rhythm with some great attacking play on both ends of the field. Oscar upped his goal count to 4 when e latched on to a pin point pass from Garcia to add to his goal tally. Barclay Boys piled on the pressure and controlled possession for the bulk of the second half, while Arsenal focused their efforts on defending their thin lead. Despite Arsenal’s best defending efforts, Barclay Boys were able to score two more goals, tying the game. There were a couple of anxious moments at the back for Arsenal in the last minute of the game as Barclay Boys continued to press, but Arsenal’s goalkeeper made a few magnificent stops to send the 8-8 tie into extra time.
Extra time saw both teams playing it safe, not wanting to push too many men forward for fear of leaving their defense exposed and susceptible to a counter attack. As a result, extra time ended with no new advancement, and the fate of the match would be determined on penalties. Three kicks were to separate victor from second best. Both teams had their first attempts saved, and both were able to convert their second. On the third round Arsenal found the back of the net while the Barclay Boys dribbled the ball right into the arms of the goalkeeper to secure the Championship for Arsenal.
