Game of the Week (3/31): Tom Ace vs. Man U

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GOTW (4/3/13) Tom Ace vs. Man U
The Game of the Week comes to you from our Wednesday Men’s Indoor League. Tom Ace faced off with Man U in their second game of the spring season.
Tom Ace started the scoring off quickly. The first goal came off a quick counter-attack; Tom Ace’s keeper rolled the ball to his defender and then the defender played an absolutely perfect ball through-ball to Matt Carnell for an easy goal. Tom Ace really began to pick up the pace and play with amazing team chemistry. They seemed to find even the smallest of gaps in Man U’s defense and exploit them. This led them to a 3-0 lead in the first 13 minutes of play. With 2 minutes left in the half, Man U was awarded a penalty kick and Jesus Vasquez buried it into the bottom left corner confidently. Unfortunately for Man U, Matt Carnell for Tom Ace was able to put another one in the back of the net with just 58 seconds left in the first half. The game went into half time with a score of 4-1 in favor of Tom Ace.
Tom Ace begins the action quickly again in the second half. Brandon Laverne was about 6 yards out when he skillfully scored a diving header off of a rebound, making it a 5-1 game. Man U got their 2nd goal on the 15-minute mark, cutting the lead back to 3. At this point in the second half you could tell that both teams looked a little more fiery and competitive. However, unfortunately for Man U, they were just not able to keep up with Tom Ace’s quick passing style of play. Tom Ace went on a streak and scored 3 goals in the next few minutes. They were able to connect passes, which created great scoring opportunities. With just a couple minutes left they put it two more to give the game a final score of 10-2.
The score may suggest that the match was completely one sided, but this was not the case. Both teams had great opportunities to score and both teams had great talent and skill. In the end, Man U just did not possess the same team chemistry and efficiency that Tom Ace did, and that really made all the difference. Tom Ace has been together for a long time; at least two of the players have been playing together since they were 10-years old! On the other hand, Man U has been together for just one game. They are a new team with a lot of talent and as soon as they create the same type of team chemistry that Tom Ace possesses, they will be a dangerous team.

Game of the Week (3/24): ECS-La Barra FC vs Flying Fish

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Game of the Week, GOTW (03/28/13)
ECS-La Barra FC vs. Flying Fish– Thursday Coed D Outdoor

 

ECS Labarra and The Flying Fish faced off in our GOTW. This was the first match to open up league play for our Outdoor Coed Thursday league, and what a great start it was.

The game kicked off under the lights on a cool 60 degree night, no breeze or clouds to be found; a perfect beginning to the Spring season. Immediately after the kick-off, the action started. The Flying Fish pressed hard and fast into ECS Labarra’s half. This coed game had a very competitive atmosphere – the tackles were hard and the passes were crisp. The first goal for The Flying Fish came off of a free kick near the sideline. The ball was whipped in with some pace and after being knocked down in the 6-yard box, a striker for The Flying Fish calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net. The Flying Fish continued knocking the ball around and maintaining most of the possession. Not long after their first goal, The Flying Fish’s second goal came from Luke Ricci. He found himself with a few yards of space about 25 yards out and saw that the keeper was coming off his line, so he chipped it over him to put The Flying Fish up 2-0. The Flying Fish got their third when the striker, Colin, shot an absolute missile off of the bottom of the cross bar and into the goal. The half ended with 3-0 lead for The Flying Fish.

Although The Flying Fish dominated the first half, the second half was a whole new game. You could tell that ECS Labarra was finding their rythym and learning to connect with each other. The ECS was able to string passes together in a structured attack like they were unable to do in the first half. Both teams had their opportunities throughout the second half, but the fourth goal of the match did not come until about the 80-minute mark. A striker for The Flying Fish received the ball right on the corner of the 6-yard box and ripped a shot near post for a goal. This did not discourage ECS Labarra at all. Their pressure continued and you could see the purpose in their passes. Soon after being scored on, ECS Labarra was awarded a free kick from about 35 yards out. It was driven into the box with pace and when a defender for The Flying Fish tried to get a head on it, the ball was deflected into his own goal, making the score 4-1. The game ended just minutes after.

The Flying Fish is definitely a team to watch in our Outdoor Coed Thursday league. They play fast and well together.

ECS Labarra did not take home a win, but being their first time playing together, they should be very pleased with their progress. They improved drastically in 90 minutes, we are looking forward to seeing what they do this season.

Game of the Week (3/10): Arsenal vs. Barclay Boys

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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.

SPSL powered by adidas: Championship Weekend Recap

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Deportivo Italia [4] vs. Three Lions [1]

The top-ranked Three Lions squad came out strong in the first match of playoffs, dominating possession for the first 20 minutes. Despite the solid start, Deportivo Italia would score first, which seemed to shake up Three Lions’ team chemistry.  Despite the flow of the game being equal between opponents, Deportivo would head into halftime with a 2-0 lead, after scoring for a second time off a beautifully laced corner kick that was bent around the keeper.

Deportivo would start the second half with a goal off a lovely free kick from 20 yards out, and would continue to prove deadly on set pieces throughout the rest of the game. Three Lions were able to shift momentum a bit and put themselves back in the game after grabbing a goal off a well-placed corner kick, but match MVP, Jared Kenda, would put a comeback out of reach.

Kenda would contribute to two goals in relatively quick succession. The first came as he burned down the line, slotting the ball across the face of the goal to a teammate to go up 4-1, followed by Kenda beating out Lions keeper, Sean Snyder, with a shot from just inside the 18 to extend the Deportivo goal count to 5. Before the final whistle, Deportivo would find the back of the net twice more to advance the squad to the finals, topping the previously undefeated Three Lions squad 7-1.

 

Seattle Americans [2] vs. Washington Crane [3]

The first half of the second semifinal saw Seattle Americans and Washington Crane evenly matched in terms of possession and intensity.  No real scoring chances appeared for either team during the first 45 minutes, and the game entered halftime 0-0.

Early into the second half Washington Crane had their first real opportunity, breaking through the Seattle Americans defense. With an open net, Washington Crane’s attacker rang the shot off the post, keeping the score at nil. In the twentieth minute, Seattle Americans finally broke the barrier, with a magnificent strike by #20 from 28 yards out that put the squad up 1-0. After going down a goal, Washington Crane responded well and tied up the game off an unfortunate rebound by the Seattle Americans keeper.

With approximately 15 minutes left in the game, Andy Wolverton bent a left footed shot far post to take the lead for Seattle Americans. This 2-1 lead would stand and the Seattle Americans moved on to face Deportivo Italia in the Championship.

SPSL Finals – Seattle Americans vs Deportivo Italia

It didn’t take too long for the Seattle Americans get their game going. Like a well-oiled machine, their passing was crisp and precise and their presence domineering for large stretches of the first half. Fifteen minutes into the first half, Richie Evoy was the first to find the mark when he managed to poke in a scrappy goalmouth scramble. Evoy would bank hissecond goal of the game, and third for the team, when Steve Spencer delivered a beautiful cross to a wide-open Evoy who chested it down and slotted it into the bottom left hand corner.

As the half went on, Deportivo Italia seemed to find their stride and creep back into the game, displaying more touches, control and composure on the ball, and held possession well for the last five minutes. Despite the improvement in play, Deportivo were unable to convert, and the half ended with Seattle Americans leading 3-0.

The second half start off much like the first with the Seattle Americans back in control and Richie Evoy in the thick of the action. Evoy threatened to extend the lead when he teased the defense with a fantastic turn only to launch a shot wide of the goal. In the 54th minute, Evoy made good on the threat, logging a hat trick on the night. Despite the mounting deficit, Deportivo continued to press and eventually found the back of the net after an intricate series of passes within the eighteen yard box, which led up to a neatly placed goal in the far corner. However, hopes of a comeback were dashed when the Seattle Americans converted a penalty kick awarded on a foul inside the box.

The Seattle Americans took home the trophy after an eventual 6-1 victory over the defending champions, Deportivo Italia.

Game of the Week (3/3): LTFC vs. Sparkle FC

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GOTW (3/5/13)
The GOTW comes from the indoor co-ed C league, featuring LTFC and Sparkle FC, ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively. This season is up for grabs and it has been a tight race between the top four teams, so this match was cut out to be an exciting one. After just a few minutes the action started when Jason Kenway dribbled from the halfway line and scored a skillful goal for Sparkle FC. His teammates put another two in the net soon after. Although LTFC were putting up a strong fight and making it difficult, Sparkle FC seemed to find the back of the net with every strike. Jason Kenway scored again right before the close of the second half to make it 4-0.
The second half opened up and the LTFC goalie, Calli Bergstrom, was tested as Sparkle FC attacked from every angle. She had over 10 saves in the second half alone. Sparkle FC continued to attack while LTFC began to find their rhythm and produce some great offense, making it an exciting match to watch. LTFC’s first and only goal came just around the 15-minute mark in the second half by way of Kyle Summers. He found himself on a break away and slotted it brilliantly past Sparkle FC’s keeper.
The game ended with an 8-1 win for Sparkle FC. However, LTFC can take pride in the fact that it was a hard fought game and much closer than the score suggests. Jason Kenway is named MVP of tonight’s match not only because of his hat trick, but because of the way he was able to facilitate the action on the field.
Sparkle FC will face off against Saints in the league championship next Tuesday. Saints upset the league front runner, Pain in the Grass, with a 4-1 win to advance.

Game of the Week (2/17): Big Al Brewing FC vs. 30 Seconds to Goal

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In this week’s Game of the Week, Big Al Brewing FC squared off against Thirty Seconds to Goal in our Thursday Coed Outdoor league. Big Al Brewing FC carved out several chances during the match, but they were unable to convert any against their rivals. A goal in each half from Thirty Seconds to Goal was enough to separate the two sides in a 2-0 victory for the visitors. Check out this week’s Game of the Week!

Game of the Week (2/10): Vacca Patrol vs. OGs

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In our most competitive Coed Indoor League at Starfire Sports, Vacca Patrol and OGs played out a thrilling match on Tuesday night. The first portion of the match was back and forth between the two sides, but as the game wore on OGs began to create some separation between their rivals Vacca Patrol. OGs took down the match 8-4. Check out the enthralling encounter in this week’s Game of the Week!